So, what should you look for if you want something that will help you stay productive and feel accomplished—without the caffeine jitters?
Energizing Terpenes
You’ve heard a lot about terpenes lately, and for good reason. They provide an array of therapeutic benefits to help you stay focused and slay your day. But which ones are best for getting work done? Here are some terpenes that can help assist in energy and focus:
Pinene
Pinene is a terpene that comes in two types—alpha and beta. It produces a range of aromas from pine needles to basil and is known for promoting alertness, increasing creative energy, and sharpening mental focus. It can also improve memory functions and encourage a positive mood.
Limonene
Limonene is the same chemical that gives citrus fruits their distinctive scent and flavour, but it also contributes to the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis. It’s an impressive mood elevator and stress reliever, and popular for its ability to promote uplifting focus, concentration, motivation.
B-caryophyllene
Caryophyllene, or β-Caryophyllene, is a complex terpene found in many herbs and spices. This terpene is most prevalent in black pepper, cloves, and cotton plants. The sharp aroma is peppery, spicy, and woodsy.
β-Caryophyllene can produce calming sedative effects and is valued for its anti-anxiety properties. This can be found in many hybrid strains to alleviate the “Sativa jitters”
Some Strains to Look Into for Focus
Using CBD – The Right THC:CBD Ratio
Both THC and CBD can work to help you get up and go, especially when combined in the right ratio. Cannabinoid levels vary widely between strains, so knowing the THC:CBD ratio helps you predict the outcome and tailor your cannabis experience for increased energy.
Some of the more popular energy-boosting cannabis strains tend to have high THC and low CBD levels. While that’s no problem for more seasoned smokers, it can cause anxiety and paranoia for others.
The 2:1 ratio in the Elevate pens and tinctures lets you benefit from the uplifting effects of THC while the CBD helps prevent feeling over-stimulated or anxious. CBD also helps to diminish the short-term memory impairment caused by THC, so it’s perfect for those days when focus and memory are crucial. Looking for some options? We got you covered.
Incorporating Essential Oils into your Routine
The right cannabinoids and terpenes on their own are fantastic for energizing the body and mind. But combining essential oils with cannabis can boost those benefits – and even produce new ones! Essential oils contain many of the terpenes found in Cannabis and can help intensify the effects.
Lime Essential Oil
This fruit offers a refreshing and stimulating scent, but that’s not all it can do. It contains both alpha and beta-pinene as well as limonene terpenes. It relieves stress, promotes mental clarity, and boosts memory and focus.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Besides being a tasty ingredient in Southeast Asian cooking, lemongrass has some impressive energy-boosting benefits. It’s also great for easing stress, anxiety, and headaches from a busy schedule.
The Perfect Dosing
Cannabis is known as biphasic, which means it can have opposite effects at low and high doses. Lower doses of THC can be energizing, while higher doses are more sedating and may impair cognitive function. Remember that “less is more” when you want to use cannabis for focus.
Getting the right dose can be tricky. But, specifically dosed edibles can be very useful for accurate dosing. It is always good to test different dosages before using them for any serious engagements to see what works best for you. You may also want to experiment with different strains to see what works best for you. This is particularly important for those who experience anxiety or have an anxiety disorder, as energizing strains can trigger anxiousness.
Get into a Routine
The best advice for being productive is structure and accountability. Cannabis alone will not force you to focus. However, incorporated into a solid productivity routine can be incredibly helpful. We suggest some of the following:
- Make a to-do list – it can be very satisfying crossing things off as you go and motivate you to continue to be productive
- Cannabis can give you munchies, so have healthy snacks on hand – ones that won’t make you tired or sluggish after consuming
- Try to avoid artificial stimulants like coffee – they can create short bursts of energy but long crash periods which can result in further procrastination
- Make sure you’re comfortable! Cannabis can make you more aware of your surroundings, so being in a safe, comfortable space where you can focus is incredibly helpful
- Try incorporating some focus sounds or music – some find this distracting, but there are many studies to show certain types of melody can aid in productivity, so give it a try!
- Breaks! Make sure you are taking ample time to recuperate and relax. It’s hard to be productive if you are tired, stressed, or burnt-out