Thread by @NoahRyanCo

Hate to break it to you guys, but THC is not good for your brain

BUT, there are ways to reduce damage & still toke the devil's lettuce

If you're going to smoke weed, do it in a non-neurodegenerative manner

How to avoid THC's risk profile:

I have a few issues with cannabis:

1. Modern strains have way too much THC. The weed they were smoking at Woodstock is abysmal in comparison to what you find at dispos. It's like comparing beer to absinthe

Yes, weed is a plant. But modern weed is unnatural. The balance between THC & other cannabinoids is way off. This is why we're seeing a prevalence of THC-related psychosis

2. It gets habitual, fast
You can get by smoking 1-2x/week without any serious side effects. Issue is its a slippery slope. 1x/wk turns into 3x/day before you know it

It starts with a cheeky one-hitter. All of the sudden you're ripping dabs at 11AM on a tuesday

3. It disrupts your endocannabinoid system

your ECS is a complex signaling system important for more than just getting high.

It governs:

- Neurotransmitter regulation
- Inflammatory response
- Pain modulation
- Appetite (munchies)
- Stress Response
- Neuroprotection

THC binds to CB1 receptors. Prolonged activation will desensitize & downregulate CB1, disrupting normal signaling

You need more & more THC to just have normal functioning

An impaired cannabinoid system means:

- Less stress tolerance
- Dysfunctional metabolism
- Poor inflammatory response
- Impaired neuroprotection
- Neurotransmitter imbalance

THC also affects glutamate neurotransmission. Prolonged release can cause excitotoxicity, leading to an influx of calcium ions that cause damage to brain cells

THC also impairs your Motivation al systems via the mesocorticolimbic pathway (why THC makes you 'lazy'

Anyway, if you're going to smoke, just do it right

Here's how:

1. Avoid high-THC strains

Stop smoking selectively bred abominations with absurd THC concentrations. No dabs, distillate etc

Most of the benefits that come from cannabis are from the wide range of terpenes & cannabinoids separate from THC

2. Keep tolerance as low as possible.
The less THC you consume, the less side effects

Don't smoke multiple times per day, avoid redosing (smoking again after effects wear off)

THC metabolites accumulate in your system & can stay there for months

3. Take L-Theanine

L-theanine mitigates some of the affective & cognitive side effects from THC

Drink Green tea, Take L-theanine capsules. Preferably before consuming THC
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33268546/

4. Don't smoke before bed

We know this, THC flatlines your REM sleep. It may help you fall asleep but its not helping you get better rest

5. Take breaks
Use the substance, don't let the substance use you. There's no reason to smoke every day for months on end. Take tolerance breaks frequently

6. Use it effectively

THC is an effective tool for disrupting your default mode network. It makes it easier to approach problems from a different perspective, take an objective view of your life, pursue creativity.

Cannabis does have some benefits if used correctly. But the line between effective tool & degenerative crutch is gray & faded

If you have a tough time regulating consumption, avoid it altogether (like any vice)

If you don't smoke, don't start now

If you're a habitual smoker, be honest with yourself about the negatives & take the initiative to use it in a non-damaging manner

If you are prone to bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, don't use it. Not worth the risk

CBD > THC

Now I do believe THC has some benefits. BUT it has to be used correctly.

No habitual use, prolonged breaks. Intentional consumption

Use it to gain new perspectives, to approach problems creatively, to rewrite your life

Don't use it as a crutch

If you're trying to quit:

1. Get rid of weed. Don't have it in your house

2. Try Niacin & NAC

3. Fixate on all the negatives of weed every time you get an urge. You'll eventually flip your cue

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