8 Ways to Love Yourself with Cannabis
There is no shortage of information these days on the benefits of cannabis, and there are so many ways to work with this magical plant. It’s only natural to examine some of the ways cannabis can help you shower yourself with love.
Part of loving yourself is tuning into what does and doesn’t work for you. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but a guideline to get you started and help you strengthen your relationship to yourself.
CBD Bath Soak
CBD bath salts, bath bombs, and bubble baths abound in the wellness world. Fortunately, most grocery and health stores now carry some CBD-infused bath products, so these are easy to find. Be sure to check that the product has a Certificate of Analysis (COA), which means it’s been third-party lab tested (you can always contact a retailer to see it if it’s not listed). I love pouring a ½ cup of CBD bath salts into a hot, bubbly bath after a long day of sitting, post-workout, or before bed. Sweet relaxation!
CBD Topical Massage
Self-massage by itself is a healing self-love practice. Adding a CBD balm, roll-on, or massage oil takes it to another level. I adore this Love Yourself oil by Cannabis Basics (found at my local grocery store), especially winding down before bed. Pro tip: Use topicals with food-grade ingredients – if it’s made of ingredients you can eat, you’re on the right track.
Weed-Infused Gourmet Dining
Have you ever cooked with cannabis? If not, you are in for a world of treats! With the right cannabis-infused products, you can control dosage and make virtually any recipe with cannabis. Want to infuse your own creations? Products like Ardent’s Nova and FX decarboxylators (which convert the THCA into THC using heat and time – giving you that “high”) are super easy to use and allow you to infuse your favorite oils with plant medicine. Check out Ardent (Black-woman owned, which I love!) for recipes and easy-bake products – mini apple pies and birthday cupcakes, anyone??
Image: Ardent
Cannabis Yoga
Cannabis and yoga are a match made in self-love heaven. Both support relaxation, self-compassion, and mind-body awareness, so the combination can elevate (pun intended) your wellness and self-love practices. Taking an edible about 45 minutes to an hour or so before yoga, and/or enhancing with a vape pen or joint throughout, can be a great supplement to yoga. Remember to start low, and go slow - I suggest to somewhere in the 5mg range, and consider a 1:1 or 2:1 CBD:THC ratio, especially if you’re a beginner! Keeping a CBD tincture on hand is also supportive in case you feel “too high.”
I highly recommend finding a cannabis and yoga guide to engage in this practice safely. A growing number of certified yoga teachers are incorporating plant medicine into their flows, so be sure to search “Ganja Yoga” classes in your area, or browse the directory of teachers on Ganja Yoga’s website. I’m one of these certified folks and offer a free consultation to discuss your needs and if working together makes sense.
Sexy Time With Cannabis
Cannabis offers amazing relaxation and sensation-enhancing benefits – perfect for pleasure solo or with others (consent always, ‘cause whatever enhances/alters your energy impacts anyone else in that intimate space). Foria’s Awaken oil is safe for those sensitive parts and has personally been a gamechanger – lubricating, orgasm-enhancing, plant-based – need I say more?
Elevate Your Beauty Routine
With anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, CBD is ideal in skin/beauty product formulations. “Glow” by Brown Girl Jane (also Black-women-owned – yes!) is one of my favorites. A couple drops of this magical serum after cleansing your face is enough to bring out your inner glowing goddess. Bonus self-love points for blowing your reflection a kiss and saying loving affirmations!
A Solo Joint in Nature
Communing with Nature, such as going on a mindful walk or staring into the ocean, while contemplating life and the interconnectedness of everything, is one of my absolute favorite ways to show myself love. Smoking cannabis is an ancient practice that has been used in rituals throughout the world across many cultural and spiritual groups. Plus, smoking (or vaping, if it’s dry herb or depending on the quality of concentrate) herb allows for a whole-plant experience (the “entourage effect”, or power of many different cannabinoids and terpenes working together) in contrast to so much of the distilled, isolated components marketed today.
Variety Is The Spice of Self-Love
It’s important to vary methods of consumption – to the extent to which your unique body chemistry can tolerate. Similar to the idea that varying movements is ideal for our health and wellbeing (as opposed to doing the same movements every day or sitting in the same position for hours on end), varying our methods of consumption is key to a robust endocannabinoid system. Also, regularly dosing in the ways that work for us is much more beneficial in the long-run than consuming large amounts less frequently. So, find the rituals that work for you, allow flexibility in frequency and method, and show yourself some love!