Best strains for anxiety

Struggling with anxious thoughts or anxiety is, sadly, becoming very common in today's world.

There always seems to be something new to worry about, and without the right resources, it can feel impossible to dig ourselves out of this hole of stress. Healthcare resources are stretched thin, and reaching out for help about anxiety is daunting.

Luckily, there is a way to relieve yourself of these overwhelming feelings: medical cannabis. Whilst there is still some stigma around the use of cannabis in medicine, doctors and users are realizing the incredible benefits of its use.

There are many cannabis strains for anxiety that work to relieve physical and mental symptoms of the condition so that you can be left to enjoy your life worry-free.

Regardless of how your anxiety manifests, be this overthinking, insomnia, social issues, or something else, you deserve to find a treatment that works for you.

If you're interested in finding out more about medical marijuana and the way it could change your life for the better, then keep reading to find out the best strains for anxiety relief.

What anxiety is and how to spot it

Defining anxiety can be difficult, as the way it presents itself changes from person to person. However, it is one of the most common mental health issues affecting people of all ages across Canada today.

There is a difference between feeling anxious and having an anxiety disorder, but neither is very pleasant. Being anxious can produce sensations of stress, unease, worry, and even physical symptoms like headaches or cramps.

Having diagnosed anxiety can include all of these things, but is usually more persistent and can affect a person's ability to function in day-to-day life.

It is important to know the signs of anxiety, both in yourself and others. Key symptoms of anxiety to look out for include an irrational amount of worrying, panic attacks, trouble concentrating, difficulty sleeping, and being more irritable than usual.

Anxiety disorders often go hand in hand with depression, so if you notice someone you love struggling with motivation, becoming introverted, or struggling to eat, drink, and sleep, then they may be suffering from anxiety and depression.

Cannabis and anxiety

No one wants to feel anxious or have to live with anxiety, which is why it is great that so many remedies are becoming available.

Increasingly popular is the use of medical marijuana as a way to ease anxiety symptoms and aid relaxation. There are many ways to treat anxiety without marijuana, such as through talking therapy or other medications, but people are using it thanks to its fast-acting effects and accessibility.

Cannabis is proven to be one of the best forms of anxiety relief out there, as it can help to ease emotions of worry and calm down physical symptoms such as a high heart rate.

Panic attacks are one of the most traumatic elements of living with anxiety, so to be able to use marijuana to relieve this could be life-changing for many.

Of course, not every strain will work for every person, so it is crucial that you find the right product for your mind and body.

Smoking high doses can actually increase anxiety, so we recommend that you begin on a very low dose and increase incrementally if you want to.

Indica vs Sativa

Indica

Indica dominant strains have a reputation for producing a body-high, which can be incredibly beneficial when treating anxiety because of the calming effects it will produce on those with physical symptoms.

For example, those who suffer from gastrointestinal problems, shaking, trouble sleeping, or headaches as ar result of their anxiety may notice these feelings subside after using an Indica strain.

Indica contains high CBD levels, which is part of the reason why it helps you to feel very relaxed after use and can be used to treat anxiety.

Sativa

Sativa strains are thought to have less of a calming effect, and instead produce feelings of euphoria in the mind and body. Rather than making you feel lazier, Sativa can help you to focus and concentrate, and can even boost your mood depending on the strain.

Sativa has high THC levels, which can be amazing for some people struggling with anxiety or depression, but for others, it can exacerbate symptoms like nervousness or fidgeting.

Finding the right strain for you will depend on how anxiety operates in your brain and knowing what symptoms you need to relieve and how you want to be feeling.

THC vs CBD

Some users claim that it is not the strain of cannabis that is important, it is the THC to CBD ratio.

A strain with heavy THC content will cause different effects on the body than a CBD strain with low THC because they are very different from one another.

CBD has a very calming and physical impact on the body, whereas THC is the main psychoactive cannabinoid and can cause mind-altering effects.

For some, THC strains will be ideal at combatting anxiety, but for the majority, a balanced strain with a higher CBD dosage is preferable as it will not cause physical anxiety-like symptoms. Often, the way that THC makes you feel is exactly what you don't need if you are struggling with anxiety.

There are so many different strains out there now that it should not be hard to find one with the perfect THC-CBD ratio for you.

It is advisable to start out with CBD strains to help with anxiety symptoms, and then move to higher THC content over time if you want to feel more energizing effects.

The best marijuana strains for anxiety

Granddaddy Purple

First up is a popular marijuana strain, Granddaddy Purple. It is one of the most widely-used Indica strains thanks to its relaxing effect and delicious sweet berry flavour. Granddaddy is well-known for making users feel sleepy, happy, and calm - just what you need if you're feeling anxiety or stress!

If you're a beginner to medical marijuana, then Granddaddy Purple may not be the choice for you due to its high THC content of 23%. However, if you can handle your THC and are looking for a powerful relaxation method, this is the one.

This Indica dominant strain is incredibly versatile and can be used to cool off after a hard day, ease physical symptoms of anxiety, or even stave off a panic attack.

Northern Lights

If your anxiety tends to take hold of your physicality and make you feel overwhelmed, then consider investing in some Northern Lights to calm yourself down. As far as strains for anxiety go, this is up there with the most popular, and it is not hard to see why.

Northern Lights has a tranquillizing effect on the body, which admittedly is not for everyone, but can be very beneficial to those prone to physical anxiety.

This is a strain to enjoy at home when you have nowhere to be, and can also be great for letting go of anxious thoughts.

Cherry Pie

Cherry Pie is another Indica strain which is a hybrid of Durban Poison and Granddaddy Purple, two other popular Indica cannabis strains.

Seeing as it is a cross of other reputable marijuana strains for anxiety, you know that Cherry Pie is not going to disappoint. It provides deep relaxation whilst allowing you to remain focused and alert if needed, making it ideal for having to cope with stressful situations.

Indica strains can often leave you feeling inspired and creative, meaning it strikes the perfect balance between helping you unwind and making you feel positive in yourself.

It is important to note that the THC content of this ranges quite a lot, so you can get it with anything between a 13 and 23 per cent THC level.

Sour Space Candy

For cannabis strains that are heavier on the CBD, look no further than Sour Space Candy.

It is a popular choice when it comes to Sativa strains, and has a strong sour flavour profile, which is what makes it so unique. The results that this strain can produce range from a sense of euphoria, total elimination of stress, and alleviation of the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Of course, some people prefer Indica over Sativa due to its physical effects, but for others, Sativa is just the thing to get them out of their anxious slump!