Hi guys, Board Certified Health Coach Chloe Maleski is here to answer your questions about cannabis. Whether you’re wondering if it’s Primal, thinking about experimenting, or trying to cut back, you’ll learn important considerations to keep in mind. Do you have a question to ask our health coaches? Leave it below in the comments or in the Mark’s Daily Apple Facebook group.
Julie asked:
“I never thought I would ask this, but is the weed Primal? Is it addictive? I’m a 45 year old mother of two and ‘party’ means Netflix in bed. But my state has legalized marijuana, and I was curious to try it. Bad idea or no big deal? ”
You’re not alone in asking this, Julie! As the laws on marijuana use change, people who may not have considered using it before will be curious.
The short answer to your first question is Yes…with one caveat. Consumed in its whole plant form, cannabis is Primal. Same if you are consuming the whole plant in combination with other Primal ingredients.
However, that is often not the case.
For one thing, isolated ingredients (instead of the whole plant) are often used in products like cannabis tinctures and potions. You’ll want to check what other elements are being tagged. Perhaps any inflammatory sugars, oils, or other non-Primal ingredients are insignificant in the context of your overall diet. However, the answer to “Is it Primal?” can be a No.
Of course, you might be considering smoking it. In that case, there are significant respiratory risks to consider.
In any form – approved cannabis or not – cannabis has the potential to be addictive.
Proceed with some caution. If you try, start slow and take note of how you feel – not just this moment but the next day. You’ll also want to have an honest conversation with a reputable pharmacy clerk. In this conversation:
- Let them know you are brand new.
- Ask question.
- Explain your desired outcome (eg, relaxation, better sleep, pain relief).
- Ask if CBD or a specific CBD:THC ratio might be more appropriate.
It should also be noted that Marijuana affects individuals differently, and not all potential effects are welcome.
For example, while some people use cannabis to help manage insomnia, stopping use after heavy use can actually disrupt sleep. While cannabis helps relieve stress for some people, in others it increases stress and anxiety. Use has also been linked to short-term memory impairment.
If you do experiment, it’s important to keep the bigger picture in mind: Just because a substance is legal doesn’t mean it’s healthy for you! There are a lot of factors at play here, including personal considerations, type of cannabis, form of administration, setting and setting.
Make sure you’ve researched the laws in your area to know what’s allowed, and approach any trial with question, curiosity, and interest.
Trey asked:
“How can I tell if my THC routine has gone from normal to dependent? I only get it on weekends (in proper form), but sometimes I get nervous. Can you weigh it? ”
Anything we use to numb or block our sensations has the potential to become addictive – more so if it creates a direct physiological response in the body and affects directly to the brain’s reward system.
An easy way to tell if something is addictive is to take a 30-day break. If you can really “take it or leave it,” taking the time won’t be a big deal. Run your own tests. Be really honest.
Also ask yourself: “Does taking THC make me feel like the most important, most alive me? Will it help me form deeper connections with family, friends and loved ones (connections are independent of a commonly chosen drug)? ”
Also, does taking THC feel like a futile cycle of repetition? (Usually, we know the answer.)
Look, there’s no one size fits all when it comes to THC. For some, it can substitute for more toxic substances. For some, it can even be a form of medicine (although smoking is NEVER good for your lungs).
If you’re using THC in such ways, it won’t reinforce habits that aren’t right for you. It also shouldn’t reinforce limiting or negative beliefs about yourself. In other words, how does “The Day After” feel?
As I mentioned above, you’ll also want to check to see if there’s anything else in there that’s edible. As an Original Health Coach, I was also curious what you would eat after consuming THC, which brings us to our final question…
Halle asked:
“I eat Primal 80% of the time but struggle with 20. No doubt this is due to my grass-eating habits: Most of the unhealthy eating happened after I smoked. If I want to cut back but can’t, what would you recommend? ”
This can get complicated depending on your personality and what strategies work for you. For some people, giving up something completely is easier than cutting back. For others, doing something off-limits leads to self-sabotage and more consumption than it originally would.
Finding your best strategy requires experimentation. That said, whether your goal is more moderate, mindful consumption OR giving up marijuana altogether, here are 4 powerful, actionable steps:
- Add in healthy habits and practices. Eat nutritious, whole foods, get physically active, meditate, create spa nights at home, etc decompress with other tools. Chances are, this won’t be a satisfying alternative at first. But over time, you’ll find you don’t want to ruin your sense of well-being. Achieving high becomes less valuable.
- Create clear parameters around usage. For this to work, these “rules” must be non-negotiable. Otherwise, your willpower will run out and you’ll be back where you started. Do you only go to spend on weekends? Once a month? In what quantity? Decision. Make it a Policy.
- Edit your ad. The messages you use online and offline have a huge impact. Minimize messages that support your smoking habits. Replace it with messages that encourage a healthy lifestyle. This could mean swapping social media accounts you follow and hanging in different circles. It can also mean saying No to some invitations… and Yes to more supporters.
- Do what you love! And by that, I mean something other than getting high. Cutting down on marijuana or any other drug doesn’t have to be so terrible! Focusing on creating a life you love is at least the same as focusing on cutting something out.
Another key takeaway — whether you want to cut back or quit altogether — is creating an extra layer of accountability.
This could mean working with a therapist or sobriety coach, attending IRL or online recovery meetings, or joining a recovery community.
It also means working with a Primal Health Coach as part of your broader wellness plan. As a coach, we can help you understand the diet and lifestyle practices that work best for you. We can also help keep you on track with your change efforts.
If you want your own personal wellness coach, visit myprimalcoach.com. And if you have other questions for me, drop them in the comments!
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