It should not be too shocking to read that I’m experimenting with cannabis. I’m desperately trying to find something that will suppress my amygdala when flying and keep my anxiety, and the accompanying panic attacks, at bay. And I also just want to get high sometimes.
The sale and use of cannabis (weed, marijuana, pot, reefer, etc.) is legal in the state of Massachusetts which is a mere bike ride away from where I live in Connecticut. I did not ride my bike (thank God!) but drove with a friend of mine a few weeks back, to check out a dispensary in Northampton. We’ll call my friend ALICE to protect the innocent.
The NETA dispensary building is a very antiseptic looking structure and I felt kind of like I was doing something wrong and also very right. Police were outside, under the guise of directing us where to park, and we waited in a brief line before showing our IDs and entering the building. Once inside there was another line and we were given color menus of options and pricing to browse while we waited for our turn.
Never in my college pot smoking life did I imagine I would drive my family SUV to a place where you could buy any kind of weed you wanted, in any form — gummies, chocolate bars, suppositories — dispensed in a bottle and not a plastic baggie. It’s about time. And yes, you read that correctly, suppositories. And no, I did not try those, nor will I ever, no matter how bad my panic attacks get. #boundries
When it was my turn at the counter, I felt nervous. The stigma of buying cannabis is strong and it was unbelievable how uneasy I felt about the whole thing. I know it’s legal, I know it’s better than some (most?) pharmaceuticals but the stigma is too much to overcome all at once.
At the counter I was again asked for my ID. I produced it and, for some reason, said “I just dyed my hair blonde” to which he replied “it still looks like you.” WTF is wrong with me? Now I know how Baby felt when she told Johnny “I carried a watermelon” in Dirty Dancing. Ugh.
He must have figured I was already high and continued our transaction. I told him I wanted something for anxiety, particularly for flying, and something to help me sleep though the night when I can’t. He very professionally and expertly walked me though a few different options with various ways of ingesting the THC and at various prices. I decided on edibles for the anxiety (I don’t want to smoke!) and a tincture of oil for sleep. The total was about $100, my cannabis was put inside a sealed bag, and we were out the door.
I’ve been told that the Las Vegas experience is much more fun, with a lot of the edibles and oils on display so you can see what you’re purchasing. Leave it to the Northeast to suck the fun out of even buying weed.
LET THE RELAXATION BEGIN!
“Alice” and I wanted to roam Northampton, shop and have lunch, before driving home. Since we were spending all afternoon there, I decided to sample a gummy. Each one is 5mg and, even though that is a very small dosage, I decided to be careful and only bite off the top half, which was even less than half the gummy, which I took to equal about 2mg. The directions strongly suggest taking a small amount at first and then wait two hours noting, “you can always take more but you can’t take less.” Amen.
In almost exactly two hours and while eating lunch, I became instantly high. There was no slow start or feeling “off” I was just eating a bite of salad and BAM – high AF!
Somehow I kept up my end of the conversation, paid the bill (which seemed incredible to me at the time!) and walked out of the restaurant. At that point I turned to Alice and confessed.
“Um, I am SO high right now! There is no way I can drive home. We need to just walk around for a while.”
She laughed her ass off because she is a good friend.
I was so high…
- I had trouble keeping track of where we were going and basically knew I would never make it out of Northampton without my friend. Like ever.
- Could not go into stores because there were people who may want to talk to me and that seemed impossible.
- Basically just wanted to stare off into space, talk endlessly about anything and think of ways to stop being so high.
After about two hours I was still very high and starting to panic about having to pick my kids up from summer camp in four hours. Alice said there was no way I would still be high in four hours and I handed her the keys to Claire (my car). Also, she was wrong.
The drive home was interesting. I would sometimes be able to hold a conversation and then I would just burst out laughing. I contemplated all the different places I could go, thinking home was not one of them, but there was no other place to go and, by now, I had about two hours before I had to pick up my kids…or someone had to because it was clear I could not.
I called my husband on the car bluetooth. I immediately burst out laughing at the sound of his voice and he knew what was up.
Him: Oh my god, are you high? (It’s a Thursday around 2pm BTW)
Me: I’m SO high and it’s been hours! You NEED to pick up the boys!
Him: *hysterically laughing* you are too much and this is one of the funniest things you’ve ever done. Also, I knew this was going to happen.
He spent the rest of the conversation talking to Alice and hashing out the details of her driving me home, picking up the kids and then having everyone over our house because to Alice and my husband, this constituted a party. Apparently I was the only one who was worried.
At about 7:00pm I started to feel like I had expected to feel when I first ate the edible – relaxed, quiet, contemplative and at ease – it only took six hours! And I was still feeling high when I woke up the next morning. I shit you not.
During my cannabis-induced haze I had several revelations:
- I train too hard. The day I ate the gummy I had been obsessing about how I was going to run 13 miles the following morning because the forecast was 90 degrees and 80% humidity by 6am. Once I was high I thought it was absurd I would even run that far. Like ever. (Alice suggested I find a balance in between somewhere)
- I realized how hard my husband works and was in awe of how much he does in a given day. (He then insisted I eat a gummy for breakfast 7 days a week)
- Hanging around my kids was hysterical and they act as if they are high all day and night. Constant entertainment. (Note to relax and enjoy them more!)
- I appreciated just sitting outside and being still. (This has literally never happened)
- I thought writing my blog was ridiculous and self-indulgent and why would I do this anyway? (Luckily both Alice and my husband insisted the blog is a good thing.)
It was very cool to have a different level of consciousness for the day and to get some perspective. Being high is not at all like being drunk. It’s a completely different feeling and impossible to explain. And, the next morning, although I still was not myself, I felt great and the opposite of being hungover. I was super relaxed most of the day although I did have some issues concentrating! Also, I ended up running all 13 miles (half outside and half on the treadmill) and it was more enjoyable than usual.
When trying to sort out the mystery of why I had such a strong reaction to such a low dosage, we theorized a few things:
- I had run long and hard the morning before I ate the edible and was probably dehydrated
- I had my period…and you know all kinds of crazy shit happens when women are going though that witchcraft
- Although I ate after my run, I had not eaten in several hours before that salad, which I was ingesting two hours after absorbing the THC
STOP THE STIGMA
Coincidentally, around the same time this happened, I started reading Michael Pollen’s book “How to Change Your Mind.” It’s incredibly interesting and talks about how scientists and doctors are resurrecting the work done in the late 50s and 60s with hallucinogens. Experimenting with psilocybin (mushrooms) and giving controlled and supervised doses of the drug to people who suffer from anxiety and PTSD to Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia. The results have been extremely positive.
After the day I had, my mind was definitely more open and willing to change.
The biggest reason I wanted to write about this is because I want to do my part to eradicate the stigma surrounding cannabis/marijuana when it comes to using it for medical purposes. For years I took xanax to fly and it would leave me exhausted, clouded my thinking and was a temporary fix because it mostly only helped me sleep, and then ruined the rest of my day.
Obviously there is a crisis in this country with opioid addiction and overdoses and only now, after tens of thousands of people have died, are we holding pharmaceutical companies accountable. I’ve never been a fan of prescription pills and now that there is a viable alternative, I want to take full advantage of it.
At the very least, I want my doctor to have the choice of prescribing me plants or pills and, after attaining my master’s degree in counseling, I would also like the choice of giving my client’s an alternative to pharmaceuticals. I already plan on including things like meditation, reiki and acupuncture to my walk/run therapy sessions as a way of treating the whole body and utilizing the mind/body connection. Cannabis may be just one more way of doing that.
Not to get too nerdy or preachy but recent research from The University of Georgia found that areas with medical marijuana dispensaries had a reduced number of opioid overdoses. And, another paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, discovered states with forms of legal marijuana reported a 25% lower annual average opioid death rate. These are just two examples out of many on the positive effects of legalizing cannabis and I’m sure they will only continue as more states get on board.
The future of medical marijuana looks like the following depiction from Pollen’s book. On the left: this is your brain | On the right: this is your brain on psilocybin | Any questions?
I have to get on a plane in a few weeks so I need to figure this out. Until then I’m keeping an open mind about everything.
I’ll leave you with this great summation from Paul Bruce, a lead researcher and assistant professor at DePaul University as quoted by the Chicago Tribune:
“One of the most compelling things to come out of this is that people are taking control of their own health, and most providers would agree that’s a good thing.” However, he warned of limitations: “The lack of provider knowledge around what cannabis does and doesn’t do, the difference in products and ingestion methods and dosing, is all kind of a Wild West.”
Yippee ky yay mother fuckers!
Have you tried cannabis? Is it legal in your state?
Would you consider using cannabis over other pharmaceutical drugs?
Have you heard of these treatments with mushrooms and LSD as alternative medicine for serious illness?
I am curious to hear how this works for flying! Its the craziest thing but I have definitely developed a bit of anxiety out of nowhere after my Vegas flight where I literally thought it was lights out. I was contemplating getting a Xanax from my doctor for my upcoming flight in a few weeks, but hate the idea of being dependent on that and determined to work through this somehow!
I will let you know of any updates but I wouldn’t try the xanax especially since you fly for work so much! You would feel like you took NyQuill x 10!
I haven’t tried any legal cannabis but from my earlier years, I found that pot and I don’t mix. I would either fall asleep or get severe anxiety. Most likely I didn’t have pure cannabis but something mixed. If I ever get insomnia, I know what does the trick. Lol! I really think it can help with ailments. And I like that there’s non smoking options.
It’s funny because it always relaxed me when I smoked in college but now? Not so much! The oil is good for sleeping but I need to take it within 2 hours of going to bed or I get that groggy feeling and I may as well take Tylenol PM! And YES to non-smoking options!
Ali, I had a similar experience with the gummies. Definitely got very stoned, eating a whole one. I find I like the chocolate better. More mellow, for me anyway. Plus, yummy. There is also a dispensary in Easthampton. Right on the bike trail, win, win, a nice ride. Hope your airtime gets better. I suffer anxiety while I fly, as well. Next time I see you I will share what has helped me feel a little morein control while flying.
Thank you so much! I had no idea there was one in Easthampton. Looking forward to finding out your secrets for anxious flying!
Hahahaha…..I have not tried edibles… but I know two people who had the tiniest amount and then out of nowhere it hit them like boom and they had to lie down for the rest of the day…. so I’m curious to see if you can figure out how to take it or a dose that doesn’t do that…. If you figure it out, let us know. And they were not on an empty stomach, etc, but had same type of reaction and a lot of anxiety with it.
That’s SO interesting! And I feel better knowing it’s not just me 🙂 I will let you know if I figure something out but, right now, I’m nervous to take it again!
I’ve never used cannabis myself (quite frankly, the smell of it makes me feel queasy), but I’m in full support of its medicinal use. (And honestly, recreational, because it baffles me a bit that it’s illegal for recreational use in some places.) I have a family member who works at a dispensary (first in CA, now in Michigan) – most of the customers at dispensaries take it for anxiety or pain relief. It works and seems far, far safer than some other drugs! I wish more states would legalize it, especially in light of the opioid crisis (like you mentioned).
Exactly what you said – YES! It makes so much sense to legalize it and if we can get some actual doctors involved and other pharmacists for accurate dosing, that would also help 🙂 Thanks Laura and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Hilarious as usual! Perhaps I should make a trip. I constantly get accused of putting 10 pounds of in a 5-pound bag. Perhaps it would make me slow down a bit?
Yes!! I mean, if you get the dosage right it will. Honestly, Mike begged me to try it again because it mellowed me out so much 🙂
What a wonderful blog this week, Allie!!!! I was waiting to hear about Lenny, but this cannabis issue is super important, in my book. First of all-your friend ALICE is tha bomb!!!! So glad she was there to help you through that new experience I’m still snickering thinking about your experience!
I am all for cannabis and health and healing. It’s a plant that can really help so many things in this country. Please keep researching and reporting to us!!
I read a book when I was in college called ‘The Archaic Mind.’ I picked it up on summer I was living in the Cape () because I was in the practice of expanding my mindset. Anyway-it was all about psilocybin and it’s benefits. There are also heath practitioners that are currently using Ketamine (yes, specialK the rave drug) in low IV dosages to help with all sorts of mental health conditions.
Good luck on your flight!!
Correction on the book….’The Archaic Revival’ is it’s name, free free to borrow it!
Got it!
And I will borrow it because we need another meet up 🙂
This is so great!! Thank you Tara!! And, don’t worry – we will get back to Lenny!!
And thanks for the book recommendation. I had no clue you were reading that on the Cape that year…although we definitely expanded our minds that summer – LOL!! xoxoxo
First can I say considering how adventurous you seem I am shocked flying gives you anxiety.
Marijuana is legal here in California but I have never been to a dispensary. I agree that it can be used to treat a variety of different ailments. Be careful with edibles. I have been to a couple of seminars on drug use and abuse and have heard that the drug in edibles is not always evenly distributed…meaning the head of that gummy bear might have had more drug in it than the rest of it. The process is not regulated very well.
Good luck finding what you need.
Most people are surprised that I have a fear of flying but I never let it stop me from getting on a plane. And, I’m not as adventurous as you may think 🙂
And yes – Alice told me afterward that may have been the case with the edibles!! That is obviously information I needed prior to taking it! And I do hope that in the future it becomes more regulated so people who need it can use it without fear of inaccurate dosing.
Thank you.
I am dying. I’ve never tried it, but assume it would freak me out. I do however swear by my CBD oil and you’ll have to pry it from my cold dead hands
HAHA – thanks Amanda. I use CBD oil and cream sometimes too but I’m not sure it has any real effect!? I’m glad it’s working for you!
I was surprised that you tried it because you have anxiety! Did you never experiment with it in high school? Now, remember, I grew up in the 70s, so full disclosure: I smoked weed in high school. One time I had the experience you did where I was high AF and I couldn’t talk at all. I was anxious. The next day, I still felt high and I had panic attacks after that. So I’m a little scared to try it now. I do use topical CBD and that relaxes me and I sleep well when I use it. I don’t feel that I need THC, at least right now. I hope it helps you with your anxiety.
I tried it BECAUSE I have anxiety!! It’s supposed to HELP! And yes, I smoked pot in college and it definitely relaxed me but I was a completely different person then and also probably smoking very little actual THC 🙂
I have tried CBD oil and creams but I don’t think they have any real effect.
We’ll see – not sure what I’m willing to try at this point!
Wow all this from the head of a gummy bear?? I have zero experience with pot and am hypersensitive to alcohol so I’m not sure this is for me. I do find CBD very effective for helping me sleep though. I use a foot rub and I am down for the count. I hope it helps relax you for flights!
Yep. Ridiculous! I’ve had moderate success with CBD but it’s not nearly powerful enough to help with my panic attacks and anxiety when flying. Glad the rub works so well for you!
Hey Allie,
I would definitely consider using cannabis over other pharmaceutical drugs. Most of the prescribed medicines are chemical-based so I’d rather have something something natural and chemical free. As per some studies, CBD is helpful in treating various disorders or diseases like anxiety and depression, pain, and many others.
Great blog by the way.
Cheers!
Personally, I’ve never used cannabis, but have heard of its benefits when used for medicinal purposes. Great to read more about it from your post. Thanks for sharing!
Great blog! I loved it. You should also start a YouTube channel, you have a lot of unique and good content.
One cannot objectively arrive at the conclusion that weed is the best thing ever, so either it is an a priori assumption or a tautology.
Someone proclaiming such a thing probably has both personal and social experience in the matter, and would probably cite personal benefits and perhaps a lifestyle philosophy that fits well (or best) with cannabis consumption.
While “best thing ever” seems a bit extreme to me, some people think the “best sex ever” is getting urinated on and some people think the “best music ever” is radio friendly consumer products, so I think we can conclude that this is a personal and unfixed assessment which is liable to vary in reasoning and agreement across persons and contexts.
I would think about utilizing cannabis over other pharmaceutical drugs. According to certain examinations, CBD is useful in dealing with different issues or sicknesses like anxiety ,depression, pain and numerous others.
i didnt even knew that these kind of things even exists, like this heaven for someone who wants to really enjoy it in all forms
These are the best cannabis experiments. I would definitely like to do this type of experiment
According to certain examinations, CBD is useful in dealing with different issues or sicknesses like anxiety ,depression, pain and numerous others.
I haven’t tried any legal cannabis but from my earlier years, I found psychedelics and I don’t mix. I would either fall asleep or get severe anxiety. Most likely I didn’t have pure cannabis but something mixed.
Nice blog about the cannabis experiment, I think your blog is very helpful for lot of people, Thanks for sharing the information.
Thanks for sharing the information about the cannabis experiment, I think your post is very helpful for lot of people.