This pantry staple can enhance your marijuana experience

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.

Unfortunately, becoming paranoid is one of the most common side effects of smoking cannabis. The likelihood that you might feel paranoid is usually greater when consuming THC-rich weed. While not everyone is prone to it, there are only some people who can’t escape it, and it can make the experience of getting high uncomfortable.

Why is this happening

There are many reasons why some people are more prone to weed paranoia than others.

In a 2019 animal study, researchers discovered that some people’s brains are wired at the back of the brain to be more sensitive to THC. On the other hand, those people who experience relaxation from high THC have a more active front part of the brain responsible for our reward mechanisms.

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There is another explanation: the two-phase reaction. Simply put, microdosing THC or consuming it in smaller amounts will result in a relaxing effect, but the more you smoke, the more anxious or paranoid you will become. In a 2017 study conducted by researchers from the University of Chicago, they analyzed the effects of THC on 42 consumers exposed to stressful situations. They discovered that the participants who consumed 7.5 mg of THC felt much less stress than those given a placebo. However, those given 12.5mg of THC reported experiencing negative emotions, and they were also more likely to report a task as threatening or challenging.

Another possible reason why some get paranoid when high and others don’t is because of our tolerance. Everyone reacts differently to cannabis and its compounds, especially THC – some people simply have a much higher tolerance and can consume more of it without reacting negatively, while others cannot.

Black pepper as an antidote

If you’re one of those people who gets paranoid about THC, the answer might be in your kitchen: black pepper. For those surprised by this news, it’s actually been known for a while.

In fact, it was none other than Neil Young who made it famous when he mentioned in a 2014 interview with Howard Stern, “Try black pepperballs if you’re getting paranoid.” Just chew two or three pieces,” he said of paranoia and anxiety caused by THC.

He’s not wrong.

Black peppercorns, when chewed or smelled, can actually help relieve paranoia and anxiety. As? Well, just like cannabis and other plants, black pepper contains terpenes. We know of around a few hundred different terpenes in cannabis, each with their own special properties and therapeutic effects, although they also contribute to its unique aroma. Terpenes also play a role in the effects of the cannabis strain on the individual user.

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Black pepper contains caryophyllene and pinene, two terpenes that have been shown to have calming effects, and in particular can negate the highs produced by THC.

Of course, if you don’t want to eat black pepper on its own, you can simply add it to certain foods to enjoy its therapeutic benefits. We understand that not everyone can tolerate the strong taste of eating black pepper directly or even chewing it.

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dr Ethan Russo, Director of Research and Development for the International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute, has authored many books on cannabis. He also addressed this issue in a study titled “Taming THC: Potential Cannabis Synergy and Phytocannabinoid-Terpenoid Entourage Effect,” in which he explains how the terpenes in peppercorn “tame the intoxicating effects of THC.”

Here’s a little more about these helpful terpenes:

pinen: Pinene is a terpene associated with the smell of pine trees or pine forests. Of course, it’s extremely abundant in pine trees, but it’s also found in many other herbs and plants like dill, parsley, and cannabis. Pinene has a woody and earthy smell.

When it comes to effects, pinene is known for being slightly energizing and capable of inducing calm and serenity. Some people report that Pinene boosts creativity and even lifts your spirits. Medical benefits include bronchodilation, which is why it is beneficial for people suffering from respiratory conditions including asthma. Pinene also has anti-inflammatory properties and may help with memory preservation.

caryophyllene: Caryophyllene is found in concentrated amounts in black pepper, as well as in cotton and cloves. It has a unique spicy, peppery and woody aroma that contributes to the black pepper smell.

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Caryophyllene is well known in the terpene world for its calming and sedative effects. It also does an excellent job of calming anxiety and probably goes a long way towards why people can report significant relief from chewing peppercorns to come down from THC-induced paranoia. Also interesting is that caryophyllene and THC bind to the exact same receptors in the brain. Researchers have found that when people consume both, it leads to a relaxing, sedative effect—another reason why we feel so much calmer when consuming pepper after getting too high from THC.

Conclusion

Consuming or smelling black pepper is just one of the many safe ways you can easily come down from a high. Other techniques include eating, walking, taking a nap, or focusing your energy elsewhere.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.