Weed Can Make Your Problems Stick Around
School, work, relationships, money, the future … there’s a lot to stress about these days. Weed might seem like an easy way to escape, but in reality, it can make stress and anxiety even harder to manage. See why.
THC Can Mess with Important Brain Connections
THC Enters Your System
It doesn’t matter if you smoke it, vape it, or take an edible. Once THC—the active chemical in weed—enters your bloodstream, it travels around your body and to your brain.
Binds to Brain Receptors
The THC does more to your brain than you may think. It binds to receptors responsible for controlling your emotions, stress, anxiety, fear, and dopamine production.
Makes Stress Harder to Manage
The THC doesn’t stop there. It can overwhelm brain receptors in the endocannabinoid system and prevent them from doing their job. This can affect your stress, anxiety, and even your motivation levels.
Real-Life Effects of Weed
Stress Can Stick Around
Any stress you’re feeling can become harder to manage on your own. That’s because THC can mess with your brain, making it need more weed to deal with stress and anxiety.
Motivation Can Drop
Heavy cannabis use can make you feel less motivated. That’s because THC can interfere with your brain’s ability to make dopamine aka “the happy hormone.”
Deal with Stress in a Way that Helps You Manage It
Work Up a Sweat
Or get some air
Talk It Out
With a friend, parent, or counselor
Journal, draw,
Or jot it down
Take a Break
From the social scroll
Listen to a playlist
Of your favs
Zen out
Take deep breaths or meditate
Everyone Has Their “I Don’t Got This” Moments
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Reach out for help with these resources.
California Youth Crisis Line
Here when you need to talk, but don’t want to talk on the phone. Text anytime you’re struggling to get free support from a live, trained crisis counselor.
Available 24/7. Text 800.843.5200 or chat online.
calyouth.org
Teen Support Line
No one understands a teen better than another teen. When you need to talk, feel safe and confide in a highly trained teen who will keep your conversation confidential.
Text “Teen” to 839863 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Call 800.852.8336 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tips. Support. Advice. Learn other ways to cope with stress.
Stress Less with the Right Resources
- UC Davis - General Stress Management
- California 211 - Stress Relief
- Kaiser Permanente - Managing Stress
- 24/7 Warm Line - 855.845.7415
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Sometimes it’s more than stress. One in five Californians will experience a mental health condition over the course of their lives.