Have You Tried Type 2 Cannabis? Cannabis and Heart Health in 2025

Four new Canadian studies have sent ripples through the cannabis community, linking heavy cannabis use to a range of serious health risks, including cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia, and premature death. While these headlines may feel like another round of reefer madness, the truth—like cannabis itself—is nuanced.

Anecdotally, many longtime users have echoed what the research is starting to show: today’s weed hits different. And not always in a good way.

A New Generation of Highs… and Lows

Users who’ve smoked for decades are now reporting increased anxiety, heart palpitations, and overall exhaustion after getting high. The mellow, giggle-filled highs of the past have in many cases been replaced with jittery paranoia and physical discomfort. That’s not surprising when you consider that modern hybrid strains often push THC levels well beyond 30%, with very little CBD or other balancing cannabinoids present.

We’ve spent the last 20 years pushing the envelope on THC potency. The result? A commercial cannabis market flooded with high-octane flower, 95% THC vape cartridges, and gummies that can leave inexperienced or even regular users mentally and physically drained.

What gets lost in the hype is balance. And that’s where type 2 and type 3 cannabis—the CBD-rich and 1:1 balanced strains—come in.

In Defense of CBD: The Balancing Cannabinoid

CBD isn’t the “fun-killer” it’s often painted to be by mainstream cannabis marketing. In reality, it’s the cannabinoid that helps preserve the joy of being high—without tipping into anxiety or burnout. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t compete for CB1 receptors in the brain. Instead, it helps regulate them, acting like a safety net that gently tamps down the overexcitement that THC can cause on its own.

A good 1:1 strain like White Widow or a CBD-heavy herb vaporized instead of combusted can give you all the good feels—mood boost, mild euphoria, creativity—without the side effects. It’s about balance, not intensity.

Moderation, Method, & Mindfulness

Another factor in the equation is delivery method. Smoking anything isn’t great for your lungs, but if you’re going to do it, water bongs are highly underrated. The water cools the smoke and filters out a fair amount of particulates and plant matter that would otherwise go straight into your lungs.

Even better, a dry herb vaporizer with a balanced strain lets you consume cannabis in a way that reduces lung damage and preserves cannabinoids that are lost in combustion.

Pair this with a consistent exercise routine, better diet, and hydration—and your body and brain are far more likely to handle cannabis in a way that feels uplifting rather than taxing.

Not All Highs Are Created Equal

We have to acknowledge that cannabis affects everyone differently. Some people report cannabis helps their anxiety and depression. For others, it may make these issues worse. Age, brain chemistry, tolerance, and consumption patterns all play a role. What works for you at 19 might not feel the same at 29, and that's okay.

What’s clear is that moderation is essential. Not just in how much we consume, but in what we consume and how. Pesticides, nutrients, and unknown contaminants in mass-grown cannabis could also be contributing to the discomfort some users report—especially when combusted.

Looking Ahead

The studies from Canada serve as an important reminder that cannabis, like any substance, comes with risks—especially when used heavily or without regard to method and cannabinoid profile.

But that doesn’t mean the plant is the problem. It means we need to start treating cannabis with more respect. Growers, sellers, and consumers alike need to seek balance, not just intensity.

Give me a mellow, clean, type 2 strain over a 33% THC gassy diesel any day. Because the goal isn’t to get wrecked—it’s to feel better, live better, and stay lifted in every sense of the word.