Overindulge?

STORY BY JAKE DRESSLER PHOTO ISTOCK

The holiday season is an enchanting time for cannabis lovers. Multicolored lights lining the streets, animated lawn decorations waving and ho-ho-ho-ing at passersby, themes of giving, and the overindulgent consumption of food. Although it’s an exciting season for those of us who enjoy the Santa shaped edibles and dosed candy canes, it’s also a time to be wary about our guts. Our digestive health is particularly at stake during the holidays. According to research published by Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology, Google searches associated with abdominal pain in winter increased by 30% as opposed to summer months.

Many factors cause increases in holiday abdominal pain. For one, traveling to new locations to visit family can have adverse effects on digestion if we’re eating foods that have been handled in ways our guts aren’t accustomed to, e.g., sanitary, or environmental differences. Another factor that contributes to our gut health is stress. Confronting distant and unsavory relatives or worrying if your nephew will like the same Tommy Hilfiger sweater that you get him every year are typical holiday stressors. Stress can increase blood pressure and disrupt digestion causing stomach pain. Finally, perhaps the most obvious factor is the overconsumption of food. Overindulging can cause bloating, stomach pain and a slew of other problems for our guts.

Here is a list of ways to counteract holiday bloating and stop stomach aches in their tracks.

Lower your

THC/CBD dosage

An atypical cause of stomach pain is CBD and THC. The two compounds aren’t normally associated with stomach aches, but some people have a particular sensitivity to them. If you find you’re one of those people, consider lowering the dosage during the holiday season if you plan on overindulging / being exposed to stress and other factors that contribute to digestive problems.

Stay hydrated

Hydration is a key component of healthy living. During the holidays when we overindulge, hydration becomes paramount. That’s because one of the contributing factors to bloating are high sodium levels. Water works to flush out your system and dissipate the sodium in your body. Although it may seem counterintuitive, consuming water when you’re bloated can help. Additionally, water acts as a digestive lubricant helping your body soak up vital nutrients (and THC) along with reducing backup.

Peppermint contains menthol and methyl salicylate, two antispasmodics that have calming effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Conveniently, peppermint has solidified itself as a signature favorite among holiday treats. If you’re experiencing stomach pain and see a peppermint candy cane close by, grab it and shove it down your throat. Alternatively, you can also buy gummies that are peppermint flavored.

Take a walk

Whether a nice long walk, a brisk jog, a bike ride, or even a stroll on the elliptical, cardio will help deflate your bloat. Physical activity such as this will help expel gas that causes pain and help move digestion along.

Eat slower

Bloating and other digestive problems can be caused by eating too fast. Slowing down and taking the time to appreciate your holiday meals will reduce your air intake while eating thus reducing gas.

Avoid too much sugar

With Halloween around the corner and Thanksgiving sure to usher the gelatinous canned cranberry sauce we all love, excess sugar will likely be impossible to avoid this holiday season. But when it comes to sugar, it’s important to stay within moderation. Sugar is another culprit of bloating. Choosing to take one less serving of sweet potato marshmallow sludge will help you stay the cheerful, un-bloated sport who your family loves.

Overindulged in cannabis?

The holiday season not only brings the overindulgence of food, but also cannabis. It’s a delicate tightrope to walk. We don’t want to be too relaxed to open holiday gifts, but at least sufficiently tranquilized to ignore Aunt Brenda’s cross examination about why we haven’t found a higher paying job yet. Here are some ways to counteract the effects of holiday overindulgence of cannabis.

Chew peppercorn / drink lemonade

Social media influencers have found that chewing peppercorns and drinking lemon juice can help ease cannabis anxiety. The discovery is science backed and supposedly helps reduce uncomfortable effects of cannabis. Unbeknownst to most, it’s been a longstanding cure for weed anxiety for centuries.

Dose CBD

CBD has a naturally mellowing effect and can help counteract cannabis overindulgence. One way to ensure a healthy balance between THC and CBD is to purchase flower or edibles that have a higher CBD ratio. CBD acts similarly to peppercorn and lemon juice and can mitigate any uncomfortable feelings produced from cannabis even if taken after already dosing on THC. Hydration and food are key when it comes to cannabis overindulgence. Eating and drinking replenishes your body of needed electrolytes and nutrients. Part of the anxiety or comfortability of cannabis overindulgence can be exacerbated by being dehydrated or lacking nutrients and essential vitamins.

Focus on something soothing

Directing your attention to something soothing like a familiar TV show or music will help ease negative effects of cannabis. Whenever you feel like you’ve taken too much, it’s helpful to sit in a quiet environment and interact with something that is familiar to you, whether it’s a video game, a show, or some other form of media.