Best Cannabis Strains for Anxiety
By MÜV Team October 4, 2024
What You'll Learn
- How cannabis can help manage anxiety.
- What cannabis strains are best for managing anxiety.
- What to look for when choosing a cannabis strain for managing anxiety.
- Why it might be good to avoid high THC strains when trying to manage anxiety.
- Additional questions asked by others looking for the best strains to manage anxiety.
Can Cannabis Help Manage Anxiety?
Yes, cannabis can help manage anxiety for some individuals. Certain strains and cannabinoids, particularly CBD, have been shown to have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties (Blessing et al., 2015), and strains with low THC or high CBD content are particularly adept at providing these effects. Understanding what strains are typically lower in THC or contain higher amounts of CBD will help you find a cannabis product that helps alleviate anxiety.
Best Cannabis Strains for Anxiety
1. Sprinkles
Sprinkles is a sativa strain with bright green buds coated in trichomes. A dank, kush smell is prominent, and its effects are uplifting and euphoric, making it suitable for easing anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Type: Sativa
Effects: Uplifting, Euphoric, Energizing
Flavors: Sweet, Gassy
2. Strawberry Cough
With its sweet strawberry aroma, this cross of Haze and Strawberry Fields delivers an uplifting euphoria that gently fades feelings of stress and anxiety, making it a popular choice for daytime use.
Type: Sativa
Effects: Uplifting, Euphoric, Anxiety Relief
Flavors: Sweet, Berry, Earthy
3. Strawberry Guava
A cross of Strawberry Banana and Papaya, this indica cultivar exudes juicy flavors of strawberry and sweet tropical fruits. It is ideal for alleviating stress and anxiety while enhancing relaxation and happiness.
Type: Indica
Effects: Relaxing, Soothing, Anxiety Relief
Flavors: Tropical, Fruity
4. Watermelon Burst
Watermelon Burst is beautifully coated in sticky trichomes of all hues, with a relaxing and uplifting aroma of sweet citrus and herbal earth. It is preferred for its anxiety-relieving properties.
Type: Indica
Effects: Anxiety Relief, Uplifting
Flavors: Sweet, Earthy, Citrus
5. Berry a la Mode
This indica strain boasts notes of lemon and sweet cream on inhale, with earthy kush on exhale. It's beloved for its anti-anxiety, stress-relieving properties and the overall balance it provides.
Type: Indica
Effects: Anxiety Relief, Relaxing, Balanced
Flavors: Sweet, Earthy
6. Fluffernutter Pie
This strain is perfect for minor aches and pains and is beloved for its positive impact on depression and anxiety. It offers creamy, sweet flavors with a hint of spice.
Type: Indica-Dominant
Effects: Uplifting, Euphoric, Pain Relief
Flavors: Spice, Sweet, Vanilla
7. Miss Daisy
A cross of Sundae Driver with GMO, Miss Daisy provides immense euphoria and a sense of calm, helping to prevent anxiety and promote relaxation.
Type: Indica-Dominant
Effects: Pain Relief, Anxiety Relief, Relaxing
Flavors: Sweet, Gassy
8. Ground Control OG
With dense, pungent nugs, Ground Control OG helps alleviate stress and depression while inducing bouts of creativity. It's an excellent strain for those seeking a calm and creative headspace.
Type: Hybrid
Effects: Creativity, Calming, Euphoric
Flavors: Earthy, Cloves, Citrus
9. Berry Bliss
Delightfully calming and soothing, Berry Bliss is a fruity strain with heavy diesel undertones. It promotes a relaxed state of mind and light body tingles, making it ideal for axiety relief.
Type: Indica
Effects: Relaxation, Calming
Flavors: Skunky, Sweet, Berry
10. Berry Biscotti
Berry Biscotti, a cross of Gelato 25 with Tangie, provides a fruity inhale and gassy exhale, ideal for deep relaxation and combating anxiety.
Type: Indica
Effects: Calming, Soothing
Flavors: Fruity, Gassy, Sweet
What to Look for When Choosing a Strain for Anxiety
Selecting the right cannabis strain for managing anxiety involves more than just picking a random type off the shelf. Here are key factors to consider:
Terpene Profile
The terpene profile of a cannabis strain significantly influences its effects with some terpenes being particularly effective for anxiety relief:
Linalool: Known for its calming and sedative properties, linalool is commonly found in lavender and can help reduce anxiety and stress.
Limonene: This citrus-scented terpene is known for its mood-elevating and anti-anxiety properties.
Beta-Caryophyllene: Known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, beta-caryophyllene can also help in reducing anxiety.
What Cannabinoids are Present
The cannabinoids in a strain determine its overall effect with a few of the cannabinoids known for helping manage anxiety being:
CBD (Cannabidiol): This non-psychoactive cannabinoid is well-known for its calming effects and is effective in reducing anxiety. Strains high in CBD are often recommended for people looking for anxiety relief without the psychoactive effects of THC.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): While THC can provide relaxation and euphoria, it can also exacerbate anxiety in some individuals, especially at higher doses. It's often best to choose strains with a balanced ratio of THC to CBD or those that are CBD-dominant if you're prone to anxiety.
CBG (Cannabigerol): Although less research is available, CBG has shown promise in reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.
Avoid High THC Strains
While THC can help provide relaxation for some, for others it can enhance the feeling of anxiety. Strains higher in CBD are typically recommended due to its ability to alleviate anxiety with no psychoactive side effects. In one study researching CBD for anxiety relief, it was found that "CBD has been shown to ease anxiety symptoms without causing the psychoactive effects and potential side effects associated with THC" (Bidwall et. All, 2024).
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis Strains and Anxiety
Want to Try Cannabis to Help Manage Your Anxiety?
At MÜV Dispensaries in Florida, our expert Cannabis Advisors are dedicated to helping you find the perfect strain and product to help manage your anxiety. With an extensive selection of high-quality cannabis products in a variety of strains, MÜV has your back and is here to help find something that works for you.
Find a MÜV Dispensary Near You
Explore our extensive selection of high-quality cannabis products at MÜV. Whether you're looking for flower, concentrates, edibles, or topicals, we have something to suit every need.
Sources:
- Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825-836.
- Bidwell LC, Martin-Willett R, Skrzynski C, Lisano J, Ortiz Torres M, Giordano G, Hutchison KE, Bryan AD. Acute and Extended Anxiolytic Effects of Cannabidiol in Cannabis Flower: A Quasi-Experimental ad libitum Use Study. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2024 Aug;9(4):1015-1027. doi: 10.1089/can.2023.0187. Epub 2024 Jan 22. PMID: 38252547.
Welcome to MÜV, where passion for cannabis meets deep-rooted expertise. Our team of authors is a carefully selected group of cannabis experts and pharmacists, each a seasoned professional within the cannabis industry. With diverse backgrounds in pharmacology, journalism, and cannabis, our team of authors provides valuable content designed to help patients make informative cannabis decisions.
