How is cannabis integrated in the LGBTQIA+ community?
Many people who identify as LGBTQIA+ experience everything from overtaxed adrenals caused by discrimination to gender dysphoria. This is a big question, but a lot of queer people do turn to medical cannabis as a way to support their mental health. As a queer and trans person myself, I’ve found it instrumental in dealing with depression, anxiety, and certain issues like ongoing body tension and insomnia. I’ve loved strains like Larry OG, Blue Dream, and any Cookies hybrid to elevate my mood. Meanwhile, an indica-dominant strain like Blueberry Kush or Chemdog helps me fall asleep. Queer folks also turn to cannabis for support during sex + intimacy, particularly anal play. See this fun and informative about Foria Explore from the HelloMD archives.
MaxBallou
What cannabis strains are best for intimacy?
I’d say stick with a sativa if you’re looking to give yourself some TLC or play with a lover. Sativa is known to elevate mood, produce feelings of euphoria, and intimacy can definitely be fun and light with it in your system. As someone who deals with disassociation caused by prior trauma, I find sativa helps me "stay in" during intimacy with a partner and while nothing external can "make" you feel safe, it is great to be supported in relaxing and being open-minded. Do distinguish what kind of play you’re going for, as well. Are you solo? Are you looking to be slow and deliberate or fast and furious?
Specific strains I love include Sour Diesel, Tangie, Gelato crosses, and Harlequin, a CBD-rich strain that’s great for daytime lucidity.
MaxBallou
Can cannabis help you quit smoking?
In short, yes! And perhaps this is most obvious but doesn’t hurt to state clearly: to quit smoking cigarettes, you will also need to quit smoking cannabis flowers. In one published peer-reviewed study, researchers found that smoking a single joint had a similar effect on airway function (link:ย https://www.nhs.uk/news/cancer/smoking-cannabis-worse-than-tobacco/)ย as smoking 2-5 cigarettes. Here’s a recent piece on HelloMD that discusses the documented risks of smoking joints, blunts etc.
So, if you’re looking to stop inhaling anything into your lungs, but could use a helping hand with your anxiety and urges to smoke, cannabis is your friend. With so many forms of cannabis available, including vapes, tinctures, capsules, edibles, sublingual sprays, and even beverages, there’s ways to consume cannabis without ever needing to smoke again. Also, if you just need to smoke something, say, if you’re in a social setting that compels you to reach for your pack, there’s non-nicotine herbal cigarettes. These can help as you wean yourself off cigarettes while appeasing your oral fixation. I also recommend flavored toothpicks (the tea tree ones are awesome!)
MaxBallou
