6 Cannabis Strains to Ease Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health illnesses in the United States, affecting 40 million adults (19.1% of the population). And that doesn’t account for those who go undiagnosed.
The two main treatments for anxiety are medications and psychotherapy, but they may be too expensive or insufficient for some people as only 43.2% are receiving treatment. That is why many turn to marijuana for anxiety relief, assured by several studies, such as the one from Washington State University.
Unfortunately, there are far too many strains of marijuana, and not all of them have the same effect. Some can reduce anxiety, while some can make the symptoms worse.
There is a general acceptance that strains with high levels of THC and lower in CBD can worsen anxiety symptoms, while high CBD strains with lower in THC ease anxiety symptoms. But that is not all there is to it. Several strains have low CBD and high THC and are still good for anxiety.
We have compiled a list of the six best strains for anxiety below:
ACDC for Anxiety
- THC level: <1%
- CBD level: 13%
- Strain: Sativa
ACDC strain has pain reliever and anti-inflammatory properties without the psychoactive effects of THC, thanks to its high CBD levels. It has a 13% CBD and less than 1% THC content making it effective at controlling the chemical signaling involved with stress responses with virtually no intoxicating effects.
ACDC has a pleasant aroma, with hints of earthy sweetness and notes of citrus. The same thing goes for the taste. The buds are mossy-styled, with greenish-yellow hues and brassy orange pistils.
ACDC can also be used to treat epilepsy. Myrcene and beta-caryophyllene are dominant terpenes known for their anxiety-relieving properties, helpful for anxiety disorders. Consuming ACDC for anxiety results in relaxed and happy feelings.
Northern Lights for Anxiety
- Strain type: Indica
- THC level: 18%
- CBD level: <1%
Northern lights is one of the best Indicas for anxiety. It has a piney and earth-like flavor, but it could also come in such as candy or sweet flavors. The buds are dense with a dark olive green color, with streaks of blue and purple running through. It has deep orange pistils.
It is likely named Northern Lights after the Northern Lights, which bring calm and relaxation to your body. It is the perfect choice if you are overly anxious and have thoughts that spiral out of control, as it has uplifting and sedating effects.
Because of its rapid sedating effect, it is only a good option if you don’t need to go anywhere or in the evening after a long day. These tranquilizing effects are the reasons why some people prefer it.
Additionally, the terpenes, pinene, beta-caryophyllene, and myrcene work together to keep the user relaxed while cultivating happiness. It leads to intense feelings of relaxation, pain relief, and better sleep.
Critical Cure for Anxiety
- THC level: 9%
- CBD level: 7.5%
- Strain: Indica
Critical Cure is an excellent choice for people with anxiety, as it soothes tense muscles and slows racing thoughts. It is a relaxing strain with an almost balanced amount of CBD and THC, so it has a mild high that changes to relaxation.
Critical Cure is a cross between highly potent Critical Kush and ruderalis and is commonly used to treat depression, inflammation, sleep, stress, and anxiety. However, its effects take a bit longer than others to hit. The high is also mild, making it perfect for daytime and evening use.
As far as the flavor is concerned, Critical Cure has strawberry, piney, fruity, and earthy flavors. It also has a strong, earthy fragrance and hints of pepper and lemon aroma
As for the color, Critical Cure is green in color and coated in resinous trichomes and curly orange pistils. It is relatively short when fully grown, reaching a height of one meter. It has ocimene, geraniol, and humulene terpenes, which further enhance its relaxing features.
Apart from treating anxiety, Critical Cure can be used to relieve symptoms of lower back pain, chronic arthritis, and headaches.
Jack Herer for Anxiety
- THC level: 21%
- CBD level: 0%
- Strain: Sativa
Jack Herer is one of the best Sativa strains for anxiety and focus and has won many awards (9 Cannabis Cup awards) for its potency and quality. It is a cross of Northern Lights and Shiva Skunk.
Jack Herer has an orange-lemon scent and taste with pine undertones, and consuming it leads to uplifted and happy feelings. It appears sagey green with coiled orange pistils.
Jack Herer leads to a good balance of physical and mental effects when consumed. However, because of its high THC levels (about 21%) and almost no CBD, it acts as a mind stimulant. So, it won’t work well when you are full of anxious thoughts.
The best time to use Jack Herer to deal with anxiety is when you need to boost concentration or ease depression. It is also good for deep or fun conversations. If possible, consume it long before bedtime, or you won’t find sleep easily. The effects kick in almost immediately, but a wave of euphoria sets in when they come down.
Blackberry Kush for Anxiety
- CBD levels: 0.5%
- THC level: 16.5%
- Strain: Indica
Despite its very high THC and virtually no CBD content, Blackberry Kush provides relaxing and pain relief effects, making it excellent for people with anxiety. It gives a euphoric high, which can end in sedation and becoming couch-locked. That makes it best suited for when you don’t have elsewhere to be, such as at the end of the day.
It has a hashy, earthy, diesel flavor with a hint of sweet blackberries that linger on the palate long after smoking. The scent is like blackberry jam or smoothie. Its appearance features dense buds covered with green leaves, purple coating, and rust-colored pistils.
Besides helping with anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic pain, Blackberry Kush has antiemetic properties and appetite-enhancing effects.
Ringo’s Gift for Anxiety
- CBD levels: 15%
- THC level: 1%
- Strain: Sativa
Ringo’s Gift is a cross of two strains with high CBD: Harle-Tsu and ACDC. Users of Ringo’s Gift report a euphoric and uplifting high and experience an improvement in stress and anxiety. Its high CBD-to-THC ratio makes it an excellent solution if you want longer-lasting and more intense effects.
Ringo’s Gift has an earthy and forest-like aroma and flavor. The flavor has notes of spice and pepper, though. The buds have a green hue, brown pistils, and a round and spherical shape.
Its uplifting and cerebrally buzzy high makes it a great option to listen to music, wind down, or have a great time with friends. It does not lead to couch-lock and acts as a mild energizer. Apart from lessening anxiety symptoms and improving focus, it improves sleep quality, reduces PTSD and ADHD, relieves depression, and lowers stress.
The list is not comprehensive: there are other options, like Purple Urkle, Granddaddy Purple, OG Kush, etc., but the six above are the most effective.
Edibles or Smoking for Anxiety?
Smoking is the most common way of consuming marijuana. It gives quick and immediate effects, which last about three hours. Consuming it in the form of edibles leads to longer-lasting effects, but it takes longer for them to kick in.
There are several other ways to consume cannabis, such as vaporizing, balms, tablets, pills, tinctures, and even inhalers. However, the best method to consume it depends on personal preferences and conditions. Different conditions require different ingestion methods, so it is up to you.
Get Your Medical Marijuana Card for Anxiety
The several best strains for anxiety can help you alleviate your anxiety and other conditions. If you’re considering trying them to treat your anxiety, the first step is to look up the law about marijuana in your state. Some states allow recreational use, so if you are in those states, you only need to find your local dispensary once you have decided on the strain you’d like to try. It would be helpful if you saw a doctor first.
Suppose you are in Florida or any other state that only allows medical use for marijuana. In that case, you need a medical marijuana card before buying your strain to prevent breaking the law. Rather than go through the lengthy and complicated official procedure, head to MMJ Health today to see if you qualify. Our expert medical marijuana doctors will help you acquire your Florida medical marijuana card without a hassle.Visit any of our nine convenient locations or call us to speak to a medical marijuana doctor near you today.