Cannabis is among the most well-known drugs in the world, and is also one of the most commonly consumed drugs in Europe and the United States. A 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that around 22.2 million people used cannabis in the past month in the US alone. This is a big number on any scale. Now, with legalization taking place in a number of states and countries around the world, this figure is expected to increase further. Some individuals take this drug recreationally - that is, to enjoy, unwind, or relax.

However, there are some cases where cannabis can cause anxiety. Cannabis-induced anxiety disorder is a documented illness in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health. This type of anxiety disorder can be a direct consequence of either taking excessive amounts of cannabis or not taking as much as the body desires. Certain individuals even undergo panic attacks whenever they give cannabis a try, and thus avoid it for fear of repercussions. This can be a serious challenge for individuals looking to medicate with cannabis.

Moreover, certain individuals are genetically more prone to have an anxious response to cannabis than others. Whatever the reason, here are 5 ways to deal with cannabis-induced anxiety.

1. CHANGE YOUR ENVIRONMENT

Your surroundings are pretty likely the chief contributor to your cannabis-induced anxiety. If you are in a new vicinity, meeting new people, or feel physically uncomfortable, you are certain to go through some anxiety. If there is a situation where you start feeling slightly peculiar, one of the fastest ways to tackle this sensation is to just change your environment. Do something invigourating like taking a walk and getting some fresh air, retreat to the garden and relax in a lounge chair, or just go home if you can. Your body needs to believe that you are in a secure and comfortable place. Once this is indeed the case, the anxiety should subside.

2. EXERCISE SOME CALMING TECHNIQUES

When you are feeling nervous, your body basically goes into the fight-or-flight mode - a physiological response that takes place in reaction to a perceived damaging event, threat, or attack. While this can be seriously disturbing, there is a technique to trick your body into swiftly calming down. A lot of individuals rely on controlled breathing methods to compose themselves during a panic attack.

Deep breathing is a really helpful practice, and it is something that you can easily manage to perform anywhere. It will aid you in feeling less stressed as time goes on. You can employ the square-breathing method: inhaling to a count of four, holding in your breath to four, exhaling to four, holding out your breath to four, and starting again. Perform this again and again, and it will eventually help to slow your heart rate down and quell the anxiety.

3. TRY LISTENING TO SOME SOFT MUSIC

When you are feeling down, give music therapy a shot. To calm down your nervous system, put on some soft music. The ideal music should not contain strong variations in pitch or rumbling bass sounds. This is because sounds that bear a resemblance to high-pitched screams perturb the nervous system. Similarly, sounds that resemble low rumbles transfer the attention to the search for threats in the environment. However, soft music that can sit in the background can really facilitate a calm environment without generating a reaction from the nervous system. This is also a great atmosphere to give those breathing exercises from above a shot.

4. SIT DOWN AND STRETCH

A very effective technique to calm down your mind is to relax your body. Here is where exercise comes into play; it is a natural mood-booster. Take a lively walk outside or just unroll the yoga mat and do some therapeutic stretches. When your thoughts are causing you distress, exercise gives you something else to focus on. Secondly, exercise is a consoling act that can ease nervous tension and get the blood flowing. Stretching signals to your body that it’s time to loosen up and let go. And where your body goes, your mind will follow.

5. TAKE A WARM SHOWER

A cannabis-inspired warm shower may just do the trick for you. Just like exercising, the warm water can be tremendously soothing and is a splendid way to unwind. If for some reason you continue to feel uneasy while in the shower, attempt a basic mindfulness technique. Mindfulness involves concentrating on the present moment with inquisitiveness and without judgment. To bathe mindfully, focus your attention on the feeling of the water. How does the temperature make you feel? What does the water feel like on your skin?

So there you have it. These methods are unlikely to completely remove the anxiety, but they can certainly help make it more manageable as you ride it out.