Detoxing can seem like it would be difficult when in reality it’s quite easy and super beneficial for your health.
Whether you’re applying for a new job, in need of a tolerance break, or just want to sit smoking cannabis, there are a few things to know about cleansing your system of cannabis.
Here’s how to detox from cannabis:
What is detoxing?
If for some reason you want to set your body back to being cannabis-free, a detox will do the trick. A detox is a period of abstinence from using the plant. During this period, your body uses up its reserves of THC metabolites and your body eventually returns to its normal, sober state.
It makes a healthy person much more sluggish, while a medical patient will notice positive effects.
What to expect when you detox from cannabis
You won’t exactly get the withdrawal symptoms you’d get from hard drugs etc. You won’t be in pain or feel sick from ceasing use, like you do with alcohol dependence. Although, your body will be so used to being given cannabinoids from a different source, than by producing it on its own.
Endocannabinoid’s very similar to THC that our bodies create naturally. When you cease using marijuana, there will be some side effects during the adjustment to your normal state. How much you consume and the timing can play a huge part in detoxification.
THC can be stored in fat cells, so our bodies have to eliminate them before you are remotely clean of THC. It takes an upwards of 3 months to complete, and you will experience some symptoms such as:
Sleep disturbance
Cannabis is perfect for insomnia as it can be utilized as a sleep-aid to keep you from having difficulty in falling/staying asleep. You will experience difficulty in sleeping when you cease the use of cannabis.
Increased dreaming
Marijuana puts you in a deep sleep rather than in a REM sleep. REM sleep is when you
dream vividly and are closest to waking up. Marijuana affects our sleeping pattern by suppressing our ability to dream. When you refrain from ingesting/smoking cannabis, you will dream intensely.
Anxiety, depression, and agitation
Cannabis has a huge impact on mood control, making you feel mentally clouded, sluggish, numb and on edge. When your body is adjusting, it takes time to re-wire the Brain when it comes to moods. When the body is back to producing its own endocannabinoids, your mood will be back to normal.
Other symptoms
There are other symptoms associated with marijuana detoxification such as:
• Shakiness
• Decreased sex drive
• Headaches
• Digestive issues
• Menstrual irregularities
• Loss of appetite
How to detox from marijuana
It isn’t hard at all to detox from cannabis, as you can do some things that will aid you in helping your body eliminate stored THC in fat cells. Here they are:
Exercise
With THC stored deep in fat. This makes detoxing trickier than with other substances. You’ll need to burn off these fat cells in order to rid the excess THC in your body. Upping your exercise after you stop using will speed up the detoxification process.
As a bonus, your body produces Anandamide. Anandamide is our body’s THC. You’ll need this endocannabinoid to aid your body in the process. Anandamide and the endorphins created by exercise will improve your mood, help combat depression, fatigue, and increase your appetite.
Healthy diet
A diet filled with fiber, carbohydrates, and lean proteins will eliminate and replace the THC-infused fat cells with healthy new cells. Eating more plant-based foods will also provide mood-boosting effects, boosts and improves sleep quality, and help your body adjust quicker. During the process of detoxification, aim for foods that are healthy and full of nutrition.
Schedule pleasurable activities
One reason why marijuana is very enjoyable, is its effects on our dopamine levels. Dopamine is responsible for our reaction to pleasure and excitement. When you feel a sense of enjoyment, your brain reacts by sending out dopamine as a treat mechanism. When you stop smoking/ingesting marijuana, you are eliminating a substance that increases the release of dopamine.
It will make you feel down. You can fix that by scheduling some time with friends, taking a long walk through nature, and filling up your daily schedule to keep you occupied from thinking about marijuana.
Find support
Finding support is especially imperative in going through detoxification. Connecting with others doesn’t just fill up time and increase dopamine, but those with a strong support network are more successful in abstaining from use. Finding like-minded people who will support you in your decision is the best route to take.
Helpful foods
There is food out there that can help lessen some of the side effects from withdrawal. Here are a couple of medicinal herbs and superfoods:
Ashwagandha
It’s widely known as Indian Ginseng. This herb is known as an adaptogen. It helps to ensure your body protection from stress-induced damage. The strong anxiety relieving properties of this plant can help you overcome marijuana withdrawal. In a recent study, it was found that this plant may work just as well as anti-anxiety medication Ativan.
Rodent models given the root reported the same amount of anxiety relief as those given the benzodiazepine. It has no known harmful side effects and has a long traditional use in Indian Ayurveda medicine.
Seaweed or kelp
You can add kelp or seaweed to your daily smoothie to help in the process of detoxification. Seaweed is a superfood that has lots of antioxidants, iodine and other necessary nutrients. Seaweed will clear your body of impurities and just the balance of your body hormones.
Turmeric
Turmeric is an extremely powerful healing herb that can help in detoxification. Since marijuana is a powerful anti-inflammatory, replacing it with turmeric isn’t going to be hard to do. Those who suffer from Arthritis and Alzheimer’s hove shown to benefit from this antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant. Studies prove initially that it also helps balance mood by thwarting depression.
Set up a plan to give yourself some love and care after you stop using cannabis. Exercise, having time to exercise and eating a healthy diet filled with medicinal herbs will provide your body the help it needs to speed up the process. Try this all out, your body will be happy!
