If you have anxiety, it is often tricky to fight it off, and it can be hard to explain. Some people use it as an umbrella term that describes any feeling of general unease. Others think that because they are worried or stressed all the time, they suffer from anxiety. It is impossible to never feel anxious since today’s world often places a lot of pressure on people. Regardless of where you fall, you might be interested in using medical marijuana to potentially help you feel calmer.
Cannabis and Anxiety
It is somewhat controversial to use weed for anxiety. For example, some people who take too much might be more likely to suffer from paranoia or distress. Others believe that their panic attacks are linked to excessive cannabis use. However, if you use it responsibly, it can potentially have an opposite effect.
CBD and THC are two of the most common cannabinoids, and they will affect you differently depending on your body. Strains that have more CBD in them may help you to feel calmer. This is because they act on your brain’s serotonin receptors. However, other people believe that THC may also help decrease their anxiety. Because of its psychoactive effects, it may help fight your anxiety.
One study looked at whether CBD would help with anxiety and sleep. The 2019 study looked at 72 adults and found that when using CBD, the anxiety scores went down by as much as 79 percent in just the first month.
Another study looked at how weed could affect depression, stress, and anxiety. This 2018 study said that those who had used cannabis noted a 58 percent reduction in their stress and anxiety. Plus, the study said that depression was reduced by 50 percent, as well.
Best Cannabis Strains to Fight Anxiety
Whether you are just starting to use cannabis or you have been smoking it for many years, you should begin slowly when trying a new strain. Each strain has varying levels of CBD and THC, so each strain can affect your body and your mind differently. If you want to try cannabis for your condition, you should always consult with your doctor first. It may interact with certain medications. And even if you get the go-ahead from your doctor, if you feel that a certain strain isn’t right for you, you should always stop using it.
1. White Widow
This hybrid strain is dominant in sativa. It is a mix of a sativa from South America and an indica strain from the southern part of India. White Widow is a popular strain in North America, but when it was first released in the 1990s, it was even more popular. This was one of the first famous strains from Europe to come to America.
The THC content is around 18 to 25 percent, so if you are new to using cannabis, you may want to look for another strain. However, the CBD levels are around 0.2 percent, which means they will not counteract the effects of the THC for you.
White Widow offers a unique blend of stimulation and euphoria. You might experience a spacey, full-body high. Because of this, medical cannabis users who have PTSD often choose this strain, as do some people who have mood disorders.
2. Cherry Pie
If you are looking for a hybrid strain that is dominant in indica, you might want to go with Cherry Pie. It may help to clear your mind while making you feel more creative. It is a mix of Granddaddy Purple and Durban Poison. With such legendary parents, it is not hard to imagine that you can get a lot out of this strain, and it will not disappoint you. The levels of THC can vary a lot depending on the plant that you get. It might be anywhere from 13 to 23 percent THC.
Unlike with some other indicas, you might feel alert and active while still being relaxed. Some people like to use this strain before they deal with a stressful situation. Others believe that they feel more creative and inspired after using it. While you can use Cherry Pie to unwind, you will most likely not feel that the strain is overwhelming you. That way, you will be less likely to feel couch-locked.
3. Sour OG
This hybrid strain might make some people feel more relaxed and mellow, potentially reducing their anxiety and stress. The THC levels are fairly low at around 13 to 17 percent. That means that it may not be as likely to cause undesirable side effects as other strains. The hybrid is balanced and has the parent strains of Sour Diesel and OG Kush.
Although it has been around for a while, it is still a popular strain for both recreational and medicinal users. You could use it in the afternoon because it might help you relax more without making you feel too tired.
4. Granddaddy Purple
This strain is dominant in indica, and it is a mix of Purple Urkle and Big Bud. It is still one of the most popular strains in the world, and many people call it GDP. This strain is native to California, and people who want to try to relax after a long day often use it.
You can most likely expect to have strong psychoactive effects with both physical relaxation and cerebral euphoria because the THC content is as high as 23 percent. If you are new to using cannabis, then you will want to try this strain carefully. But if you want a powerful high and to try to fully relax your body, this might be the strain for you.
Closing Thoughts
The relationship between anxiety and weed is complicated. Using too much of it just might make things worse for you. On the other hand, using weed in moderation might help you relieve your anxiety naturally. The strains here are just a few of the many options that might help relieve your anxiety.