By Debbie Gardner
dgardner@thereminder.com
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s also the most stressful, according to three out of five Americans, with 62% of individuals reporting that they are feeling moderately or extremely stressed as we rush headlong into the holiday hoopla, according to an October 2024 survey of 500 individuals by Sesame.com, an online telehealth portal that connects patients with doctors.
Beyond the usual stressors – inflation, financial worries and holiday shopping – many in the survey reported they are concerned about family dynamics following a contentious election season. Moreover, individuals who also suffer from social anxiety may find the parties and family gatherings that herald the season push their symptoms to a year-topping high.
Fortunately for those experiencing – or anticipating – an increase in holiday stress and anxiety, there is evidence that the use of cannabis may offer some relief.
It can be a stress reducer
Parties and public events, shopping and so many family gatherings, for those who feel time-crunched or suffer from social situation anxiety, there’s nothing more triggering than the holiday season.
“One of the primary reasons to use cannabis is to reduce stress and/or social anxiety [and] fortunately there are many cannabis strains to match the diversity of anxiety symptoms,” explained Leslie Laurie, MS, former patient service and Western Mass director for NETA, the first medical and adult-use cannabis dispensary in Western Mass.
“Many find strains with high levels of CBD – the non-psychoactive type of cannabis – to be extremely calming,” Laurie said. “Others look to sativa strains to get into a party mood as they’re energizing and help elevate a blue mood.”
Laurie cautioned that some individuals “find sativa strains enhance their stress” and suggested seeking out sativa-leaning hybrid strains when initially trying cannabis to alleviate anxiety.
“Everyone reacts differently to a cannabis strain and the level of THC.” Laurie explained, adding, indica cannabis strains can help “calm moods, but some find them too sedating.” If calm is the mood you are seeking, but don’t want to be sedated, Laurie suggested looking for indica-leaning cannabis strains.
“When purchasing a strain for the first time, get only a small amount and see whether it has the desired effects. If not, try another until you find your personal favorites.”
Meg Sanders, CEO of Canna Provisions, an award-winning employee-owned dispensary with locations in Holyoke and Lee, Massachusetts, concurred about watching the levels of THC when using cannabis to treat anxiety.
“I’m definitely one of those people that struggles in social situations, and I have found that microdosing [cannabis] edibles really helps me,” Sanders said. I like using products that have a low THC dosage (usually 2.5 mg. versus the normal 5 mg. of THC) anytime I’m feeling my anxiety climb up at parties or events, but I’m a Gen X-er, so I’m not shy from consuming a quick hit off of a pre-roll [joint], or a super discrete vape pen.”
As for coping with generalized holiday stress, Sanders suggested there are some “great tinctures and cannabis-infused drinks that really help with stress, and they are a great substitute for alcohol for me.”
It can be a sleep enhancer
Whether it’s the endless to-do list, the what-to-get that special person dilemma or the dread of tomorrow’s special event, the holidays present plenty of obstacles to a good night’s sleep. And whether it’s something keeping you up, or waking you up, there are cannabis formulations that can help.
“Indica strains [of cannabis] are preferable for sleeping issues,” Laurie explained. “If falling asleep is the problem, ingest an edible (or tincture) one to one and one-half hours before the desired sleep time. Some newer, more expensive edibles are effective after 20-30 minutes.”
Laurie said If staying asleep is the concern, it’s best to ingest the edible (or tincture) when you go to sleep.
Sanders said she uses cannabis gummies frequently to help with sleep issues. On nights when she has trouble falling asleep Sanders said, “Betty’s Eddies Bedtime Betty’s have a balance of THC and CBD and a little melatonin to help me get to sleep fast.”
On nights when she’s concerned about staying asleep, she’ll use a gummy from Wanna Optimals called “Stay Asleep.”
Laurie stressed it’s always important to consult one of the dispensary’s budtenders to help select a cannabis product to achieve the sleep effect you are looking for.
Cannabis and SAD
Beyond the usual holiday stress, some individuals get hit with a double whammy as the festive season approaches – they suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.
“SAD is a difficult condition that is most prevalent when natural light is limited during the late fall and winter months,” Laurie explained. “The best SAD treatment is spending time in the sun or using specialized lights that mimic the sun.”
Though light therapy is the most effective way to counteract SAD, Laurie said some individuals find cannabis sativa strains or sativa-leaning hybrid strains helpful in alleviating the symptoms.
“Sativa strains are energizing and tend to brighten mood, but some find that they heighten anxiety. If that’s the case, a sativa-leaning hybrid strain is preferable” when trying cannabis to help with SAD symptoms, Laurie said.
