Detox After Thanksgiving? This is how cannabis can help

The holidays are known for many things, including the tons of decadent food and alcohol we consume. While there are likely to be more celebrations to come, the week after Thanksgiving is a great time to reboot your body and take a break from all turkey and alcohol – at least until the Christmas celebrations begin.

Detoxing is best approached with a light mindset, not something you do to lose weight, but rather to give your body a break, a chance to eat healthy, regulate your digestive system and mood. Cannabis can be used to speed up this process.

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Well + Good spoke to Kristen Williams, one of the authors of Coming Clean With Cannabis, a guide to cannabis cleaning. She explained some of the plant’s properties and why it can help you clean up. “Cannabis improves the endocannabinoid system, which keeps our bodies in a balanced state,” she said. These findings are supported by a variety of studies linking the endocannabinoid system to stress, sleep, and bowel health.

This imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants is known as oxidative stress and is something that cannabis is known to combat. Like other detox ingredients, THC, an important antioxidant, reduces this stress. When consumed as an edible or tincture, the results should be magnified, especially since you are not introducing other toxins such as smoke and steam to disrupt your detoxification process.

There is also CBD. While little research on the connection has been made, CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation and promote cardiovascular health, aspects that could be beneficial in a detox.

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Detox practices vary from person to person, with some choosing more extreme measures than others. While some detoxes have earned a tarnish reputation, a sensible detox that eliminates alcohol, smoking, and high-fat foods while promoting exercise, drinking water, and eating healthy can only produce good results.

By adding some weed to the mixture, you can maximize these benefits and have an easier time detoxing. At least you’ll have fun.