When you smoke flower, cannabinoids enter through the lungs and effects show up quickly—often within minutes. That speed makes smoking feel controllable in the moment because you can take a small hit, pause, and decide what you need next.

But smoking also means combustion, and the CDC notes that smoke from cannabis contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke.

Why cannabis can affect anxiety at all

Your body has an internal balancing network called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), involved in mood, stress response, sleep, and more. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact with this system (directly or indirectly), which is why cannabis can shift how you experience stress—sometimes toward calm, sometimes the opposite.

The “sometimes the opposite” part matters: the CDC notes cannabis can cause unpleasant thoughts or feelings of anxiety and paranoia for some people.

Build a winter wellness routine with cannabis in Florida—sleep, stress, recovery tips, mindful dosing, and patient-safe guidance from Green Dragon FL.