Even though THC hits everyone differently, couch lock after smoking a fat one is the most common feeling among smokers. There is no clear scientific explanation for why, but there are certain levers we can pull to avoid the drop in productivity and focus that comes with smoking.
Smoke one and get glued to the sofa? Tips to be productive while smoking weed
It is Monday, you got up early (for once) to get through your whole to do list and start the week feeling chill. You have breakfast and, along with the coffee, you smoke that first silly little joint. Twenty minutes of Instagram later, the smoke has kicked in and you have lost all desire to do anything. If that happens to you and you are starting to stress about your productivity when you smoke, keep reading.
What is couch lock and why does it happen?
Let us be clear: it is not a harmful effect, it is just inconvenient when you want to be focused. It is a side effect of weed with no well grounded scientific answer to date. Weed is made up of THC, CBD, terpenes and flavonoids, and when these compounds live together, their effects get amplified.
Pick the right strain
Nothing has more influence on couch lock than the strain you are putting in your chest. If you want to be productive, look for more sativa leaning strains, such as Kali Mist. If what you are after is a relaxed vibe, go for the more indica ones, like Somango or Blueberry. A trick to remember it: indica "indicates" where the sofa is.
Act fast at the first signs
If you feel that first rush and notice yourself switching off, act fast: get off the sofa, splash cold water on your face, make yourself a coffee and get on with your tasks without thinking. The less you think, the better: just do it.
Have something sugary
There is no couch lock that can survive two glasses of soft drink. If you feel the slump taking over, a cola or a juice helps you start seeing things much more clearly and rise from your own ashes.
Eat something
Munchies are smoking 101. Maybe you overloaded that first joint, or your dealer gave you a strain you did not have a handle on. Head to the kitchen and find something to put in your mouth: you think better on a full stomach, and you will notice the couch lock fading and yourself feeling more capable of finishing your tasks.
If it beats you, save the first joint for last
If you have tried everything above and you are still totally sluggish, maybe you need to push back the first joint of the day. If you do not want to go without your smoke, be sensible and roll yourself a small joint with our rolling papers and tips. The usual thing is to feel a bit groggy with the first one, so if these remedies do not work, leave it for the end of the day.
Try strains high in CBD and low in THC
There are strains with a high CBD percentage, such as Juanita Lagrimosa, that are perfect for these cases. Another option is to go straight for CBD for the first joints of the morning and switch to THC at the end of the day, once you have got all your business done.
Do you reckon these tips will get you past the couch lock, or do you not even bother because that is the feeling you love? Tell us on stories what you do to stay productive.
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