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The changing lifestyle has changed everything from living style to how we manage our stress. One thing that has impacted negatively is anxiety; a widespread problem people are facing nowadays affecting millions of people with mental health. Not only the young generation but many individuals are turning to cannabis to calm their anxiety because of its claimed potential for calmness and stress-relieving effects. Let’s discover it in more detail and explore some of the best cannabis to understand the medical behind its working and how we choose the right strain to get the best.
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Cannabis and Anxiety
Cannabis is not a simple ingredient. It contains different compounds that work together to increase the overall effects. Cannabinoids and terpenes being the most common compounds are known for their calming and relaxing properties. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two primary cannabinoids used for relaxing, pain-relieving, controlling nausea, and stimulating appetite. While THC is the psychoactive component to make you feel “high”, CBD is a non-psychoactive ingredient combined to get its potential therapeutic benefits. Anxiety relief comes as a bonus.
How Cannabis Helps with Anxiety
Let’s understand how cannabis works. They interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body. It is responsible for balancing key functions of the body like handling stress and anxiety levels and regulating mood. When cannabis interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of ECS, it releases neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. In particular, this interaction alleviates anxiety giving the person the required calmness.
Best Cannabis Strains for Anxiety Relief
Here are some of the top cannabis strains that users and experts recommend for anxiety relief:
1. ACDC
Type: Hybrid (CBD-dominant)
THC/CBD Ratio: High CBD, low THC
ACDC is a hybrid strain of cannabinoids where CBD being the non-psychoactive ingredient of this strain dominates THC. This ratio varies from 12:1 to 18:1 making it an excellent choice for people willing to get relief from their chronic pain or make their mind free from anxiety without getting high. Users find it most suitable to have a relaxed and clear-headed mind without being high making it suitable to intake anytime throughout the day.
2. Cannatonic
Type: Hybrid (CBD-dominant)
THC/CBD Ratio: 1:1 or higher CBD
Known for its balanced formula of CBD-THC with potential medical benefits, Cannatonic is a popular strain to relax your anxiety without any significant impact of psychoactivity. It is a commonly used strain to even pain and handle anxiety.
3. Granddaddy Purple
Type: Indica
THC/CBD Ratio: High THC, low CBD
This Indica strain with high THC potent has a lower CBD ratio but is still very powerful to provide relaxing properties with potential calming effects. It’s Granddaddy Purple (GDP), containing calming terpenes like myrcene and linalool, very well-known for anxiety-relieving properties. As it is sedative in nature, evening or before bedtime is the best to use it.
4. Jack Herer
Type: Sativa
THC/CBD Ratio: High THC, low CBD
Another high THC strain with Sativa-dominant is Jack Herer, known for its uplifting and clear-heading properties. This low CBD strain is famous for increasing creativity and focus while keeping the person away from stress and anxiety. People with low tolerance to THC should not go for this THC-dominant strain.
5. Harlequin
Type: Sativa (CBD-dominant)
THC/CBD Ratio: 5:2
A new Sativa dominant strain with a high CBD ratio, Harlequin is best known for its anxiety-relieving properties without any psychoactive effects. This strain provides mild effects to alleviate your stress but does not promote any high effects.
6. Northern Lights
Type: Indica
THC/CBD Ratio: High THC, low CBD
Another classic Indica strain with high THC and low CBD potent is Northern Lights. This is a very famous strain known for its sedative and calming effects. Consumers often consider this strain to promote sleep and alleviate anxiety. With its potent relaxing properties, the Northern Lights strain is best suitable for intake in the late hours of the day.
7. Strawberry Cough
Type: Sativa
THC/CBD Ratio: High THC, low CBD
A Sativa-dominant strain known for its euphoric effects due to high THC and low CBD ratio is Strawberry Cough. This famous strain despite its high THC content is often praised for its effects on reducing stress and anxiety. Users often feel very happy and content after taking this kind of strain. Some people also go for this strain as it is suitable for social situations.
8. Bubba Kush
Type: Indica
THC/CBD Ratio: High THC, low CBD
An Indica potent with high THC content makes Bubba Kush a heavy but relaxing strain. It is commonly considered for stress-relieving properties but its sedative effects make it best to promote deep sleep. So, it is often suggested to use it before bedtime.
9. Sour Tsunami
Type: Hybrid (CBD-dominant)
THC/CBD Ratio: High CBD, low THC
Another high CBD strain Sour Tsunami is known for being the first strain to be bred for high CBD. The balanced and calming effect of this strain without being unnecessarily psychoactive makes it an excellent choice to release anxiety from your body without being sleepy.
10. Blue Dream
Type: Hybrid
THC/CBD Ratio: High THC, low CBD
Another commonly used strain to deal not only with stress and anxiety but also with diabetes and arthritis is Blue Dream. As per the medical recommendation, it is suggested to deal with the pain. This strain often offers physical relaxation while gently invigorating the cerebral function of the body ultimately resulting in reduced anxiety.
Terpenes and Their Role in Anxiety Relief
Cannabinoids are the most potent to handle anxiety. But do you know terpenes play a very important role in elaborating the cannabis effects? The aromatic feel you get with cannabis is found in terpenes. It contributes to the flavor and therapeutic properties of cannabis. But, some terpenes are also used for their anxiety-relieving properties. Let’s get to know them:
Linalool: This terpene is a main component to develop essential oils and is commonly found in aromatic flowers like lavender. Apart from being aromatic, linalool has calming and sedative properties to make cannabis more effective.
Myrcene: Commonly found in fruits like mangoes, myrcene is a colorless oil and is commonly used for essential oils. The Indica strain of myrcene makes the terpene high with sedative and anti-inflammatory properties.
Limonene: This terpene is commonly found in the essential oils of citrus peels while most used for its fragrance, it is also considered a good source for mood-enhancing anti-anxiety Found in citrus fruits, limonene has mood-enhancing and anti-anxiety effects.
Caryophyllene: Commonly found as a constituent in black pepper and cloves and extracted from the stems and flowers, caryophyllene is known for its antibacterial properties and also for dealing with insomnia. Can’t forget the anxiety-relieving properties.
Tips for Choosing the Right Strain
One should be accurate about the cannabis strain before beginning with it. It is better to start safely. Consider the following tips:
1. Don’t go for high THC strains if you are a beginner
High-THC strain cannabis is popular for its pain-relieving effects but it can sometimes exacerbate anxiety. People with low tolerance should start with strains having high CBD and low THC to deal with the sensitivity effects.
2. Choose your terpene
If you are a beginner, understand your taste palette and after-effects before starting. Choose the terpene with calming effects. Limonene, myrcene, and linalool are some calming terpenes to begin with. The terpene profile affects your overall experience.
3. Don’t start without consultation
Cannabis can have side effects especially if you have some pre-existing health conditions. It is better to consult your healthcare professional with knowledge before beginning with it. Professionals knowledgeable in the area can suggest perfect recommendations based on your health history and specific needs.
4. Don’t be afraid to experiment
Everyone is physically different, and so does the effects. One thing can work for one person and may not for another. It is okay to be open to experimenting with the strains and dosage quantity and go for the one that suits you the best.
5. Be mindful
Be very specific with the time of the day and the dosage you want to consume. Always start with a low dose and wait for at least 4 hours to let it absorb and react to your body. It will help you prevent any negative effects. Additionally, Indica strains are more likely to be consumed in the evening while Sativa strains are more appropriate for daytime.
Conclusion
With all the available strains and terpenes, cannabis is potent to give you relief from pain, stress, anxiety, and so many other things bothering you. All the research published till now claims cannabis works in favor of reducing anxiety. From the calming effects of high-CBD strains to the uplifting effects of Sativa strains, every strain has its own way of entering your system and relieving you from your stress.
Go for a therapeutic approach and be mindful before including cannabis in your daily life. Don’t be afraid of experiment but be specific with what you want. Understand different strains and terpenes. Consult your healthcare professional and research your part to understand how these strains can affect your body. You will end up getting the best suitable cannabis strain to improve your mood.
