This story comes from Alexa, a cannabis enthusiast and business owner who uses CBD for anxiety.
Here’s how she uses cannabis and CBD to reduce stress and relieve anxiety so that she can run her business like the girl boss she is.
By: Alexa Ray Alianiello
I have long been a cannabis enthusiast and advocate. I even chose to attend a college where cannabis culture was a staple – by the time I graduated, my school was ranked #1 on Princeton Review’s Reefer Madness list.
But as a dedicated student with an active lifestyle, I hated the stigma and “pothead” label that came with it.
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I just really liked how marijuana made me feel: it helped me explore my creativity, and it enhanced my experience with music, art, and literature.
Most importantly, it helped me relax and relieve stress.
But after graduating college and starting a job in tech, I had to redefine my relationship with cannabis.
My job was in Sales during the company’s hyper-growth phase and required a high level of energy, attentiveness to detail, and an always-on approach.
Cannabis – a tool I had once used for relaxation – fit poorly with my new lifestyle given how it altered my state of mind, so I restricted my use almost entirely.
Like many others, in my early adulthood and career I battled with stress and anxiety. I had a deep-seated fear of failure and felt pressure to move quickly up the career ladder, while fixating on my imperfections and spiraling into negative thought when I felt I wasn’t meeting expectations.
I even sought psychiatric help and was recommended prescription medications to manage stress and treat my anxiety, but rejected these given the toxic long-term effects they could have on my body and set out in search of more holistic alternatives.
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I always kept in mind the anxiety-reducing benefits of cannabis and sought higher ground.
After a work trip in San Francisco, I got my first medical card and visited a dispensary for the first time.
My eyes were opened to the variety of cannabis strains, products, and technologies that were available in this part of the country.
A few years ago, I moved to Los Angeles, which coincided with a pivotal shift in cannabis legislation, conversation, and culture.
I immersed myself in learning more about cannabis and how it affected my body through literature and events featuring industry experts and advocates.
My biggest learning was in cannabinoid chemistry and the difference between THC (psychoactive) and CBD (non-psychoactive).
I then developed my cannabis self-care routine, which has evolved and expanded as new products and brands hit the market.
When sourcing and exploring products, I focus on how I want to feel. I also gravitate towards strong branding, curation, and conscious quality, as well as sensations, aromas, and taste.
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My daily routine starts with dropping a soothing lavender tincture into my coffee. The aroma instantly calms me in the morning as I get ready for my day. I also drop it under my tongue at night as I get ready for bed.
I swear by Sagely Naturals topicals to relieve tension and de-stress my body. I use their roll-on CBD oil which has a minty tingle feel when applied and instantly relieves headaches.
I also use their Relief & Recovery lotion to soothe muscle tension in my lower back and shoulders before and after exercise or during a stressful day.
I also love Dosist’s selection – they brand each blend based on the physical and emotional state it can facilitate, which I think is genius.
For example, Arouse ignites my creativity and passion, Bliss puts me in a zen-like state for yoga classes and live music, and Sleep carries me softly into dreamland.
My world really changed when PAX Labs introduced the Era – a sleek, portable, high-tech extract device that seemingly was made just for me.
This was the cannabis experience I had been craving my entire life: centered around variety, convenience, and control.
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PAX had a handful of extract partners offering a diverse array of concentrates, as well as an app that allowed me to adjust the heat setting of my device to control my intake.
I use the Era throughout the day with my sessions set at 555˚. My favorite cartridge is Bloom Farms ACDC which has a 3:1 CBD:THC ratio.
It helps me feel like I am floating through the day with greater ease: I can think clearly, my mind and body are relaxed, and I feel more productive.
My device has become indispensable to me, so much so that I created a stylish, functional accessory to help me wear my it around my neck, and I launched the AURA line to help others do the same.
My intention with AURA is to create a product and brand that helps reduce stigma and change the conversation around cannabis, instead honoring the medicinal and recreational benefits it can offer.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsmgcvWlstJ/
My regular cannabis routine has been instrumental to me in relieving anxiety and achieving emotional balance and stability through self-care.
I am excited to continue learning more about what’s out there that can benefit me as this industry evolves and expands.
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Alexa is a writer and business owner who focuses on the cannabis industry. You can check her out by visiting her personal Instagram or business Instagram, Aura.