Is it any wonder that so many of us are looking for ways to relieve stress? The coronavirus pandemic, our new ZOOM online life and the upcoming holiday season. In a normal year, the weeks leading up to the holiday season would have caused enough stress for us. This year feels completely overwhelming.

Take a deep breath and clear your mind. What can we do to help restore and rebalance ourselves to gracefully handle what’s yet to come? Psychologists often recommend that we connect more deeply to our senses to help de-stress. If you are cannabis curious, consider adding cannabis to your experience to heighten and elevate your senses.

SENSE OF SMELL

The sense of smell works in fascinating ways. Did you know that certain smells and memories are deeply intertwined? For many of us, certain smells can bring back memories from our childhood. The sense of smell can also have a powerful influence on our moods. There are studies that show that inhaling certain smells can result in slower heart rates and calmer moods. Did you also know that cannabis has many different scents beyond the stereotypical “pot” smell? The scent of different cannabis flowers are derived from organic compounds called terpenes. Terpenes are naturally occurring and each may have different medical benefits that enhance the effects of cannabis.

SENSE OF SIGHT

We are intensely visual beings and respond to colors in different ways. For example, the color green has been found to have soothing effects. Surround yourself with beautiful flowers or plants to create a more relaxing environment.

SENSE OF TASTE

Our sense of taste has been critical to survival. For example, bitter taste has helped us avoid poisons. Sweets are a different story. In one study of chocolate, researchers found that ingesting it causes the brain to produce natural opiates, which dulls pain and boosts well-being. If you are cannabis curious, try the Detroit Fudge Company Barracuda Bars Milk Chocolate 1:1. It’s a staff pick for BREEZE Budtender Megan. She recommends the 1:1 barracuda bar because of the cbd/thc combination. CBD has a calming sensation and when paired with THC helps to balance the high psychoactivity of THC. It helps her feel more relaxed, less anxious, more alert, clear headed, happy, hopeful and ready for fun while remaining highly functional. Not to mention it’s a chocolate bar and tastes delicious!

SENSE OF HEARING

Listen to your favorite playlist. Cannabis may elevate appreciation of the melodies or the rhythm, an effect music-loving cannabis consumers know well. Or take a walk in the woods to surround yourself with the sounds of nature. Studies have shown that listening to natural soundscape may help with “mood recovery.”

SENSE OF TOUCH

Studies have found that a simple embrace can improve our moods. Hugging increases oxytocin, often described as the “bonding hormone.” It can also decrease cortisol and stress levels. Hugging your dog works too! Research shows that it boosts oxytocin levels in both human and canine alike. Try treating your dog to Wise Owl CBD Dog Treats – Sweet Potato 75mg. These oven-baked dog biscuits are made only with all-natural, pet-safe ingredients and can aid in controlling your dog’s anxiety, nausea, mobility issues, seizures, gastrointestinal issues, symptoms of cancer, and much more. BREEZE budtender Abby, gives them to her dogs because it helps with their anxiety and they love the taste.

As cannabis becomes widely accepted and researchers are able to conduct more studies, there is no telling how many other effects and benefits we will find for cannabis. Recreational use is legal in Michigan for adults 21 years old and older. If you’re cannabis curious, visit breeze.us to place an order for curbside pick-up at our Hazel Park location or for free delivery to any residence on orders over $20. Breeze makes recreational cannabis fast, simple, and discrete.