Best weed for stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety show up differently for everyone. For some people, stress and anxiety is generalized and ongoing. For others, trauma and life events come into play. All of these things can trigger sudden, and intensely stressful episodes that sometimes last hours or even days. But despite how your anxiety shows up for you, know that you’re not alone. Around 84% of U.S. adults report feeling anxious, and that number is expected to climb.

On the journey for stress relief, some patients have found therapeutic success using marijauna for stress. Some patients have reported that smoking limonene-dominant marijuana strains helped reduce their stress and anxiety while lifting their mood. This indicates that the best strains for treating stress can be of any type (sativa, indica, or hybrid) as long as they are dominant in limonene. Some of the most popular limonene-dominant strains include Banana OG, Cinex, and Miracle Alien Cookies. Use this collection to discover strains that may help your anxiety.

Medical marijuana is an effective all-natural remedy for anxiety. However, patients with anxiety should choose strains carefully based on THC and CBD content.

Anxiety is a normal part of life. We all feel anxious from time to time. However, when anxiety doesn’t go away or becomes overwhelming, it can be difficult to manage. While antidepressants and therapy sessions are useful for some, others don’t respond well to these conventional treatments.

Whether you suffer from anxiety in social situations or experience panic attacks that leave your heart racing, research shows that marijuana can help combat the endless worry and nervous tension that comes with an anxiety disorder.

What are the Best Strains for Anxiety?

The key to finding the best cannabis strain for anxiety is determining your personal tolerance and sensitivity. Lower doses of cannabis reduce stress, while higher doses can increase anxiety. [1] Therefore, it is crucial that you begin with low dose to avoid inadvertently exacerbating your symptoms.

Indica vs Sativa for Anxiety

Marijuana dispensaries often define strains as either “indica” or “sativa” or a “hybrid” of both. These terms are intended to help consumers identify the potential effects of any given strain. As mentioned earlier, strains with a lower THC content are preferable for treating anxiety.

• Indica strains are generally low in THC and are believed to have a sedative effect that calms and relaxes the body.
• Sativa strains, on the other hand, are typically higher in THC and are believed to have a stimulating, energizing effect.

However, we do not recommend that you rely on the indica vs sativa distinction. It’s much safer to choose a marijuana strain based on the THC/CBD concentration and use your personal tolerance as a guide. THC is the main psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for the drug’s mind-altering effects, whereas CBD is the main non-psychoactive cannabinoid. CBD does not trigger a “high” or alter consciousness and has been shown to reduce anxiety.

Preclinical and clinical trials show that CBD has a calming effect on the central nervous system. However, marijuana can produce different reactions in individuals prone to anxiety. While some people experience instant relief from stress, worry, and other anxiety-related symptoms, unfortunately, others find marijuana heightens their paranoia and exacerbates their symptoms. These adverse psychological reactions can be attributed to the marijuana strain’s THC content. Fortunately, today, different strains of marijuana are grown to contain varying amounts of THC and CBD. Anxiety sufferers can find both low-THC and high-CBD strains. Most reliable products will display the cannabinoid concentration.

Another factor that you should use to guide your decision is the terpene profile. Terpenes are organic compounds produced by marijuana, and most other plants, that are responsible for each strain’s distinct aroma. However, terpenes also work with cannabinoids to decrease or increase particular effects. We recommend speaking with a qualified physician who can evaluate your individual case and determine an appropriate treatment based on your medical needs.

Here are five strains for treating anxiety:

Granddaddy Purple

One of the most commonly recommended strains for anxiety, Granddaddy Purple is a hybrid made from two indica strains: Purple Urkle and Big Bud. It has oversized buds and flowers that bloom in deep shades of purple, two traits inherited from Big Bud, while also possessing a sweet aroma reminiscent of blueberries and grapes due to an abundance of terpenes (notably, caryophyllene and myrcene) passed on through Purple Urkle.

Granddaddy Purple has around 20% THC. The potent effects of Granddaddy Purple are felt throughout the mind and body, with sedative properties that relax muscles, alleviate pain, and calm racing thoughts. It’s commonly used before bed to facilitate deep, restless sleep and fight against the fatigue associated with depression and anxiety. Granddaddy Purple is effective for relieving various symptoms, including:

• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Pain
• Insomnia
• Muscle spasms

Although users should be prepared for adverse symptoms, including dry mouth and dry eyes.

Amnesia Haze is a sativa-dominant strain primarily used during the day for its uplifting, energetic effects. It has been popularized by the coffee shops of Amsterdam, due to its psychoactive properties, but it also appears to be very useful for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Amnesia Haze

The lineage of Amnesia Haze can be traced back to Jamaican Landrace, Afghani Indica and Cambodian Sativa. It contains approximately 20% THC, which is mostly responsible for the strain’s psychedelic head high. The cerebral high is reportedly intense, yet mellow enough that it can be enjoyed before bed without keeping you awake.

It has a distinct citrus aroma resulting from a high limonene content. Limonene is a natural terpene also found in lemon peels, which is known to have an uplifting effect on mood. In one study, citrus fragrances were shown to normalize hormone levels in patients with depression and improve mood more than antidepressants.

Amnesia haze is used for:

• Anxiety and depression
• Migraine headaches
• Neuropathic Pain
• Social anxiety
• Fatigue

Chocolate Chunk Strain

As you might imagine, Chocolate Chunk is a tasty bud with an earthy aroma reminiscent of cloves and featuring subtle hints of cocoa. But, it’s also one of the best marijuana strains for anxiety, especially if your worries keep you awake at night. Derived solely from indica strains, Chocolate Chunk is commonly taken during the evening as it has a strong sedative effect that calms racing thoughts and results in an inevitable “couch lock” effect (e.g. your muscles are so relaxed, you don’t want to move).

A recent lab analysis of Chocolate Chunk strains indicated that it has roughly 20% THC and 0.6% CBD. Chocolate Chunk is particularly high in terpenes, especially myrcene and caryophyllene. Myrcene is known to relax muscles and promote sleep, while caryophyllene can help alleviate pain and lower anxiety.

Chocolate Chunk may help relieve:

• Anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Insomnia
• Muscle spasms and tension
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Keep in mind, this strain causes drowsiness, slows cognitive processing, and may impair coordination. It is therefore not advised when operating heavy machinery or a vehicle.

Jack Attack Strain

Jack Attack is a sativa-dominant strain with a high percentage of THC and very low CBD, which is normally considered contraindicated for patients with anxiety. However, due to its diverse genetic background, which combines both sativas and indicas, users say that Jack Attack delivers a steady flow of endorphins that taper into an overall calming sensation. Research indicates that strains with low amounts of THC have the potential to alleviate symptoms of anxiety by rebalancing neurotransmitters present in the limbic system that controls emotions. [4]

Those who are sensitive to high-THC strains may prefer a hybrid with a higher percentage of CBD, such as Cannatonic. This strain has a balanced 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC, which enables the two cannabinoids to work synergistically together, blunting the paranoia that’s often experienced by anxiety-sufferers when using cannabis. The THC content is rarely above 6%, while the CBD content can range from 6-17%. Considered a leading medical strain, Cannatonic has a citrusy, earthy flavor with subtle hints of spices that provide an uplifting effect and transitions into a powerful relaxant.

Cannatonic may help with:

• Pain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Inflammation
• Cramps

Northern Lights Strain

Known for its potent psychoactive effects—particularly euphoria—Northern Lights is one of the most widely-used strains for reducing anxiety, pain, and insomnia. It’s an indica-dominant strain consisting of approximately 90% indica and 10% sativa. In addition to offering a blissful high, Northern Lights appears to have a tranquilizing “couch lock” effect, which temporarily inhibits synaptic transmissions throughout the brain and body, helping to relax muscles and slow down racing thoughts.

The euphoric effects are likely the result of a relatively high THC content, which is approximately 22%, compared to just 1% CBD. According to recent lab tests, Northern Lights also has an abundance of myrcene (0.97%) and pinene (0.35%). These terpenes are responsible for the strain’s woodsy, pine-needle scent, but also help to counteract the potentially adverse psychological impact and contribute to the calming, soothing effect. [5]

According to patient reviews, the overall effect is calming, with the sensation of being pleasantly high without racing thoughts.

Northern lights may help relieve:

• Anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Pain
• Insomnia
• Headaches

With the right guidance, medical marijuana can provide effective relief for those suffering from anxiety disorders. However, finding the best strain for anxiety may require some trial and error, which is best performed under the supervision of a qualified medical marijuana doctor.