Are you lost when you walk into the dispensary looking for the best strains for stress and other conditions?
Blueberry, Mango Kush, Sour Kush, Northern Lights, Purple Haze, Lavender, Pez, Plushberry – so many strains, so little time. There seems to be a never-ending list of cannabis strains that only continues to grow. Can you say, with any accuracy, how many different strains you’ve tried in your lifetime? Where do you even start when picking a strain for stress?
If you’re looking to manage the symptoms of specific conditions, often your doctor will be able to help decide on the best strain. Importantly, even with expert help from the doc and your budtender, it can be a hit and miss experiment for strain, dose, and method of consumption. For those struggling with anxiety and/or depression, all of this experimenting can be very tough on your nerves and mood regulation.
Image Credit: Chubby Panda @munchiifam. Zurple Punch
So, what are the best strains for stress? The most common advice is that indica is better for stress because these offer a calming effect that relaxes the body and elevates your mood. Indicas help to ease tension in your body and slow down your mind.
Sativa, on the other hand, offers a more vibrant, energetic high. These are likely to get your mind moving, and certain to uplift your mood. In that case, sativa may be better for lifting a low mood.
Of course, it’s not as simple as this. So many other factors come into play, including terpene profile and flavonoids; there are over 400 chemical entities in cannabis that shape its medicinal effects. In fact, there is some debate in cannabis connoisseur circles as to the merits of even using “indica” and “sativa” as labels.
That’s why discussing specific strains of cannabis can be more helpful in finding the right match. We’re going to help set you on the right path by recommending a few of the strains that work for our patients. So, grab a pen and paper and take this to your cannabis pharmacy or dispensary.
Are There any Strains to Help with Sleep?
Often, treating depression and anxiety is as much about alleviating symptoms as it is about getting to the core of the condition. Sleeplessness, or insomnia, can make daily life with depression or anxiety exponentially more difficult as it heightens symptoms, reduces cognitive abilities, and makes one more emotional labile.
One strain that helps with insomnia is Blackberry Kush. It’s a nicely flavoured indica that will free your mind of cyclical depressive or anxious thoughts while also relaxing your body. Another indica, Tahoe OG Kush, is straight to the point in relaxing the mind and pushing your body into sleep. Serious couch-lock on that latter. Be prepared to Go.To. Sleep.
If you need the big guns, try Northern Lights. It’s a quick kick-in indica, which means it can also calm you down during a panic or anxiety attack. However, this isn’t for novice patients; THC levels range between 16 and 18 percent.
Image Credit: Chubby Panda @munchiifam. Burmese Kush – Hybrid.
Can Cannabis Lift a Low Mood?
Some symptoms of depression may cross over with anxiety disorders, but each condition has its own set of unique symptoms that actually contrast the other. So, medicine for depression is not necessarily appropriate for those with depression. Studies are ongoing for using cannabis as a treatment for anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, these are not yet complete.
If you’re looking to energize a low mood, however, one great strain is Harlequin. It is high in CBD and this may help people avoid the feelings of elevated anxiety that come with too much THC. Harlequin is known for improving moods, and offering a clearer, more focused mind and an energetic body. Harlequin is a good daytime motivator as it gives that happy feeling with a little giddy-up and go.
Jack Herer is another sativa that is known for its uplifting qualities. Its euphoric effects will help to improve your mood while also helping you to find focus.
Then there’s Cannatonic, which may help you fight fatigue, disinterest, and lack of motivation. It creates a happier mood with a clear mind. It’s high in CBD, so you don’t have to worry about any anxiety creeping into your zen.
Finally, strains like Granddaddy Purple or Lemon Kush may help if you’re struggling with appetite loss. Both are reported to stimulate hunger, but while Lemon Kush offers more of an uplifting feeling that may be best for the daytime, Granddaddy Purple may put you to sleep after your meal. All of the purple strains are high in Linalool, which can also be effective for pain management, if that is part of your profile.
Here’s What Patients Say about the Best Strains for Stress
People who suffer from chronic stress can develop a host of symptoms that can be detrimental to good health. Lavender is as calming as the strain’s name suggests; with a beautiful sweet aroma, it offer mild euphoria while also giving full body relaxation.
Sour Tsunami actually helps to lessen what can seem like a tsunami of anxiety at times. Low in THC and high in CBD, it won’t bring any anxious side effects. It may make you feel a bit “lazy”, while also boosting your focus and mood. So, just sit and contemplate your next right decision, while you calm the beast inside. It’s on of the favorite strains for stress.
If you struggle with social anxiety, Strawberry Cough is the most recommended. This strain balances a calming effect while also allowing you to remain social and alert. However, if your social anxiety is quite severe, look to ACDC – a high CBD strain that relaxes, focuses, and allows a clear head in social settings.
Do you have a recommendation for a strain that didn’t make the list? Share your experience in the comment section.
