Modern life is hectic and we all need relaxing evenings. With so many things vying for your attention—from gridlocked traffic on your daily work commute to 16 ways to get the news off of social media—it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out. That’s why it’s important to sometimes tune out the world and tune into yourself.
And what better way to do this than with a night of relaxing at home—with cannabis, of course.
Most experienced cannabis consumers can attest to the plant’s ability to help them relax and recharge at the end of a long week. Research that’s been done on cannabis and stress tends to back this up.
For example, a 2015 study found that a large number of veterans with PTSD consume cannabis to control their symptoms, with some reporting improved sleep and coping abilities, as well reduced anxiety and an easier time relaxing.
A more recent study has also shown that cannabis can alter the way our bodies react to stress. In the study, patients were given stress tests; some were given cannabis, and some were not. The group that received cannabis reported feeling less stressed during the test. When their blood was tested, it had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone that’s released in the body in response to stressors.
Not only did cannabis help participants feel less stressed, it also reduced their stress response at the physiological level. So, by incorporating cannabis into your night at home, you can elevate your movie routine or even feel compelled to try something new.
With this in mind, we’ve rounded up a few products and activities you can try for your night of cannabis self-care—just make sure you don’t forget the snacks. You’ll be relaxing in no time.
RELATED: HOW TO MANAGE STRESS WITH CANNABIS
1. Netflix & Chill With Valhalla Gummies
Let’s start with a no-brainer: Relaxing while watching something on Netflix or another streaming service is what a lot of us do to chill out. But try adding Valhalla gummies to the mix. Each gummy contains 10 mg of THC, so take one—or two if you’re a pro—to kick your TV watching experience up a notch.
2. Get Busy With Dosist’s Passion Vape Pen
Skip the whole dinner-and-a-movie routine and get straight to business. We know that the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis can increase blood flow and lower inhibitions, both things that can enhance your sexual experience.
Dosist’s passion and passion mini vape pens contain THC and cannabidiol (CBD) in an 11:1 ratio along with a unique blend of terpenes to stir up feelings of euphoria. This sensuality-heightening formula is just what you need for a long night of getting busy. Plus, sex has tons of health benefits including reducing stress and anxiety, and relieving tension.
Currently single? No worries—who says you need another person to have an enjoyable sexual experience?
3. Cook a Delicious, Low-Key Dinner With DomPen
Since you’re spending the night in, why not cook up a fresh, healthy dinner that requires just a little more work than putting together a sandwich or throwing something in the microwave. Cooking while consuming cannabis can make the whole process a lot more fun—especially if you tend to get anxious when whipping up something for others.
Whether you decide to have dinner alone or host a small close-knit group of friends, DomPen’s all-in-one vape pens are the perfect addition to your dinner preparations. These sleek vape pens are ideal kitchen helpers; they’re no fuss, and they may even make whatever you prepare taste even better.
DomPen’s vape pens come in high-CBD, sativa, indica and hybrid. And they contain fruit-derived terpenes to up their flavor profile.
If you want to include cannabis in your dinner foods as well, HelloMD has a bunch of healthy, cannabis-infused recipes you can try.
4. Get Creative With Kiva’s Chocolate Bars
If you don’t usually partake in creative activities because you’re self-conscious about the work you’d produce, a little THC could go a long way while relaxing. Marijuana can help lower our inhibitions and let our creativity flow.
If you’re looking for a muse, Kiva’s chocolate bars are a good option. Each bar contains 20 pieces at 5 mg of THC a piece. This means you can microdose easily and take more if you think it’ll help your creative process. Whether you decide to draw, paint, write a story or build something, marijuana can help relax your mind and even increase your focus.
And let’s not forget that being creative also has its health benefits: Not only can it help reduce stress and anxiety, it can also help build up our problem-solving skills and give us a sense of purpose.
5. Make a Playlist With Marley Natural Pre-Rolls
Have a party coming up? Or do you just need something new to listen to on your commute to work? Whatever the reason, why not spend your evening at home indulging in a Marley Gold Sativa Pre-Roll while making playlists for various occasions?
The official Bob Marley cannabis brand boasts responsibly grown flower rolled in unbleached paper for a smooth smoke. Any cannabis consumer can tell you that listening to music while high can give a song new dimension. Combining a sativa pre-roll to your playlist-making process will add a bit of fun to the process and keep you from second-guessing yourself.
6. Read a Comic Book or Graphic Novel With AbsoluteXtracts’ Blue Dream
Reading while high can be challenging for some folks. In these instances, why not turn to a graphic novel? These types of works aren’t just for teenagers; many novels like Alan Moore’s “Watchmen” have been turned into movies that diverse audiences can and do enjoy.
Pair your graphic novel of choice with AbsoluteXtracts’ Blue Dream vape cartridge. Blue Dream is an upbeat, versatile cannabis strain that’s sure to fit the mood of your graphic novel—whether it be a dark neo-noir like Frank Miller’s “Sin City” or a goofy sci-fi like Alejandro Jodorowsky’s “The Incal.”
7. Take a Luxurious Bath With Beboe’s Indica Vape Pen
If you’ve had a long day of desk sitting, nothing can feel better for your stiff muscles than a hot soak in the bathtub. And adding cannabis to this mix can really boost the relaxation level of your bath.
Beboe’s indica vape pen can easily fit the luxurious theme of your bath. This stylish, all-in-one vaporizer is easy to use while you’re in the water. If you really want to get decadent, you can prep for your bath ahead of time and make a cannabis bath bomb or a cannabis-infused face mask with some of our super simple recipes.
Photo credits: JESHOOTS.com (main image), Valhalla Confections (Valhalla image), The Higher Path Collective (Dosist image), French Weedology (DomPen image), Kiva Confections (Kiva image), Marley Natural (Marley Natural image), AbsoluteXtracts (ABX image), Beboe (Beboe image)
If you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our Cannabis 101 index of articles. HelloMD can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it’s easy, private and 100% online.
