DEMYSTIFYING COUCHLOCK: What Is It and How to Avoid It

By: Breanna E. A. Bates (The Ebony Hempress)

Allow me to be your guide as we delve into the wonders of cannabis. We will explore plant magic down to its science and discover new connections between humankind and nature! Today, we will demystify "couchlock" – a term that strikes both curiosity and caution in the hearts of cannabis enthusiasts. What is couchlock, what causes it, and how can you consume cannabis without experiencing it? Let’s talk about it!

Couchlock is the physical experience described as having a sense of heaviness in the body with deep feelings of relaxation that are sedative. These effects can be felt when consuming certain cultivars (strains) of cannabis. Couchlock can be caused by a number of factors including cannabinoid content, terpene profile, potency, and dosage. These are specific to the plant medicine, but individual body chemistry also plays a significant role, giving everyone a unique experience with cannabis and its constituents.

Certain cannabinoids (special plant molecules mainly found in cannabis plant species) have sedative, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects that are therapeutic for our bodies due to our endocannabinoid system. Although these are not all the cannabinoids that can aid in a couchlock-like state, here are a few that are known to relax your body and even make you sleepy: CBN, THC, CBD, and CBG. When you consume flowers, you will receive a wide range of cannabinoids to enjoy as opposed to other consumption methods where only parts of the plant are being extracted and made into other products (Source: cannaconnection.com, zativo.com).

Terpenes are another unique kind of plant molecule found in cannabis that can add to couchlock. Terpenes are actually found in all plants, even fruits. What makes them so fascinating is that each has its own distinct aroma and corresponding therapeutic characteristics. Cannabis consultants or budtenders often categorize certain terpenes by their provided effects to help patients understand what kind of experience they can expect from certain flower strains and other infused items. You may see keywords listed on menus or product packaging like “Rest” or “Energy” for that particular reason. It’s believed by most in the cannabis realm that certain terpenes like myrcene, linalool, humulene, and betacaryophyllene may contribute to feelings of sedation among other physically relaxing sensations (Source: leafwell.com, bloommarijuana.com).

Although the term indica doesn’t actually mean in-the-couch weed, it is often advertised in dispensaries as a means to assist consumers with understanding the kinds of effects they can expect when trying certain cultivars. Next time you’re at the dispensary, if you’re unfamiliar with how to read your cannabis product label information, be sure to ask your budtender to show you where to find the terpenes included and what possible effects they may give you. Also, be sure to check over the cannabinoid percentages as well. THC percentage or milligram count will indicate the potency of the product. Higher tested THC flower will hit you quicker and stronger than lower THC flower, but that is only telling you the strength whereas terpenes give you an idea of the direction in which your experience is going. Keep these things in mind when you are shopping and want to consider your tolerance and your consumption habits.

Another key player in determining if you will experience couchlock is considering how much you are consuming. Finding the right dose for yourself can be challenging if you are unfamiliar with your tolerance level. To avoid overconsumption or feeling couch-locked, your best bet is to “start low and go slow.” For example, if you had a 10-count bag of gummies and each gummy had 10mg of THC in it, I would recommend you cut one gummy in half, eat it, and in about 45 minutes take more if you haven’t reached your desired state of elevation (Source: cannaconnection.com, zamnesia.com).

If your method of choice is inhalation, I would say your best bet is to prepare exactly how much flower you would like to enjoy. That way, you won’t be tempted to continue consuming more than you planned. You can even consider mixing your flower with other herbs to curate the type of experience you want to have. For example, if you are prone to anxiety and are trying out different strains to see what works best for you, it may be a good idea to mix your flower with hemp (CBD-dominant) flower. CBD has a lot of the same medicinal benefits as THC does, such as anxiety relief, pain relief, and anti-inflammatory qualities. Unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating or, in other words, doesn’t make you feel high!

You could even try mixing with dried lavender for similar effects. The reason why you can enjoy other herbs with your cannabis is largely due to terpenes actually! That lovely smell we know lavender for is caused by linalool- a terpene found in cannabis strains like Kush, Grand Daddy Purple, Runtz, and Do-si-do (Source: bloommarijuana.com, zamnesia. com).

Now that you know a little more about what indicators to look for when considering possible effects like couchlock or sedation when consuming, you can make more informed decisions at your local dispensary!

Want some assistance with tracking, analyzing, and decoding your wellness journey with cannabis? I highly recommend downloading Tetragram: the free cannabis journaling app! Started by a Black male tech entrepreneur, this award-winning data analytics app is set to revolutionize the cannabis landscape! The convenience and innovation behind this cannabis pocket journal will give you space to document your consumption habits and the freedom to share your experience (sessions) with other 420-friendly members on the app who are also looking to learn more about how to get the most out of their relationship with the plant. It’s so in-depth that it allows you to notate your dosing, dominant terps and cannabinoids, health goals and after-session feedback!

I hope this information was of value to your elevation and expansion. Wholeness and balanced vibrations from The Ebony Hempress!

For more information on the science behind couchlock and how to manage it, you can refer to sources like CannaConnection (www. cannaconnection.com), Zativo (www.zativo. com), Leafwell (www.leafwell.com), Bloom (www.bloommarijuana.com), and Zamnesia (www.zamnesia.com).