Best Marijuana Strains For Stress Relief

For Goodness’ Sake, Relax

“When you smoke marijuana, you are in the moment and you are happy. You forget about any worries of the past or the future.” That’s comedian, actor, and activist Tommy Chong explaining why he considers cannabis a natural, healthy way to shed stress, unwind and quiet the mind.

Stress relief and relaxation aren’t qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, but maybe they should be. Research confirms that a lot of good things happen when you are in a state of low-stress relaxation. Heart rate and blood pressure go down as the body switches into repair and regeneration mode. Relaxation routines can improve cardiovascular health, enhance sleep and digestion, boost energy levels and mental focus, improve skin tone and blood flow to muscles, and even help with weight management.

The Internet is filled with articles and user testimonies pointing to marijuana’s helpful role in shedding stress and evoking a state of relaxation. We’re going to make some relaxation recommendations and name drop some specific stress-reducing products that are popular choices for chilling out. But first, it’s worth taking a quick look at the science behind the de-stressing and relaxation effects, because a little bit of understanding can help you make the best choices for calming results.

What Are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are the main reason why marijuana provides relaxation. To save time, here’s the cliff notes explanation of cannabinoids. Feel free to skip ahead if you are already up to speed.

• They are chemical compounds found naturally in marijuana.
• They have a unique ability to bind with the human body’s endocannabinoid system.
• This neural network helps regulate everything from sleep, appetite, digestion and pain management to mood, memory and learning.
• Marijuana cannabinoids hack this system by binding to and activating CB1 receptors found mostly in the brain, and CB2 receptors spaced through other parts of the body.

A number of marijuana cannabinoids can tap into the human endocannabinoid system, but the big two are THC and CBD. THC has no problem attaching to CB1 and CB2 receptors, creating the familiar sensations of a high, along with a range of less-obvious but valuable effects. CBD doesn’t bind to these receptors in the same way. Its influences on the endocannabinoid system are indirect. It helps boost the effects of the body’s natural cannabinoids and it also interacts with a number of non-cannabinoid receptors that regulate inflammation, pain responses and mood.

How Does Marijuana Promote Relaxation?

Marijuana contains a treasure trove of more than 100 major and minor cannabinoids. It also contains 200-plus terpenes, which are the aromatic compounds that give different strains their unique smells and tastes. They may also work synergistically with cannabinoids to enhance and balance therapeutic effects.

The key to tailoring a chillaxing cannabis experience begins with an understanding of the cannabinoids and terpenes that come into play. Here are the most influential ingredients in a relaxation recipe.

• THC hits the brain’s chill button. That’s an unscientific way of saying that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol’s influences on CB1 receptors lead to increased dopamine levels in the brain’s reward and pleasure centers. This dopamine release alters brain activity to subdue fast or anxious thoughts and evoke a calm, euphoric sensation.
• CBD’s contribution to relaxation is subtle, but no less important. In addition to offsetting some of the intoxicating effects of THC, it promotes muscle relaxation, soothes over-stressed nerves and reduces anxiety by calming the amygdala – the part of the brain that generates stress hormones. It also nurtures the hippocampus, the brain’s center for learning and memory.
• CBN forms as cannabis ages. That’s why old weed doesn’t hit as hard. CBN is known as the “sleepy cannabinoid” because it creates a mild sedation and could be helpful for physical unwinding at night.
• CBG is called the “mother cannabinoid” because it’s first to appear in young plants, and becomes the building blocks for THC, and CBD. It can evoke a gentle whole-body ease and a calm, balanced mood that lowers stress and anxiety levels without causing intoxication. Mature cannabis plants usually contain less than 1% of CBG, but cross-breeding has produced some specialty strains that retain greater levels.
• CBC is a minor cannabinoid that is not sedating on its own. It can boost the overall calming effects of a strain, but is usually found in concentrations of 1% or less.

The total terpene content in marijuana flower is typically in the 1% to 2% range. Strains developed for enhanced terpene content can contain twice that amount. Within the overall mix, there are four individual terpenes that provide the most significant contribution to relaxation.

• Myrcene is the most common and abundant terpene in cannabis, lending an earthy, musky aroma. Elevated levels of myrcene promote sedative effects and contribute to deep relaxation.
• Linalool delivers a calming lavender scent, and influences brain receptors that release calming doses of GABA and serotonin to reduce stress responses.
• Limonene is a natural citrus-scented terpene that helps activate the body’s “rest and digest” response that lowers heartbeat and blood pressure. It can provide uplifting moods without heavy sedation.
• Beta-caryophyllene is the only terpene that directly binds with CB2 receptors. Known for a distinct peppery scent, it can help ease physical discomforts that can interfere with relaxation.

How To Find Relaxing Marijuana Products

Medical marijuana patients who buy from state-sanctioned dispensaries have an advantage over users who buy from the black market: they know exactly what’s in the weed, and there’s no variation from one batch to the next. That’s because dispensary products are tested for purity and content by a third party lab, and must display a Certificate on Analysis that lists percentages of the product’s major cannabinoids. Some labels will also show terpene content.

• Labeling makes it easier to sample cannabinoid combinations with a consistent potency and composition, then home in on the formula that best suits your personal preferences and tolerances.
• New cannabis users are often advised to start with strains and products that have a CBD-dominant or balanced CBD:THC profile and a THC content below 10%. This combination will provide relaxation without the strong perceptual-altering high of THC that can evoke paranoia for some users.
• THC percentages between 10 and 18% are generally considered the sweet spot for casual to regular cannabis users. This middle range can encourage a calm, full-body body ease and provide significant stress relief, combined with a more pronounced high. Experienced users are less likely to have negative responses to the time dilations and subjective visual enhancements created by THC, and instead consider these sensations a welcome element of their therapy.
• High-potency strains and products with 20%or greater THC content elevate the risk of negative experiences. Large doses of THC can overstimulate the amygdala, the brain’s alarm system that manages fear threat detection. When this happens, normal bodily sensations and safe environments can transform into intensely threatening experiences, triggering a racing heart, irrational suspicion, and fear.

Some long-time and heavy users gravitate to elevated THC products because their systems have developed a tolerance that desensitizes the brain’s cannabinoid receptors. To overcome this receptor detuning, users will seek out high to ultra-high dose THC products.

An alternative to escalating THC content is to take a tolerance break, popularly known as a T-break. Research confirms that taking a break from marijuana can reset cannabinoid receptors to normal levels.

Best Strains For Relaxation

There are more than 2,000 recognized strains of cannabis currently on the market, and that’s a conservative estimation. Hundreds of new hybrids are introduced each year, making the era of simply asking “indica or sativa?” a thing of the past. That said, there are a number of legacy and highly-popular strains that are favored for relaxing effects. Here’s a rundown of 10 popular strains most often mentioned for relaxation and stress relief.

• Afghan Kush. This pure indica strain originally grew wild in the mountains of Afghanistan, and is one of the cornerstones of modern cannabis cultivation. It’s widely available and remains popular with medical marijuana patients and consumers seeking heavy physical relaxation with reliable sedative effects. Traditional strains feature less than 1% CBD and 15 to 22% THC. Some modern variants have significantly increased CBD content.
• Northern Lights. 50 years after it first came on the cannabis scene, this potent Afghani variant is still considered a top-shelf indica-dominant strain. With a mid-range THC content of 15 to 21%, it creates a mild euphoria and a deeply relaxing body high with mild physical sedation.
• Bubba Kush. An indica-dominant hybrid from the 1990s that remains a popular choice for deep relaxation. It delivers heavy physical sedation, deep muscle relaxation, and a dreamy mental state that quiets racing thoughts, reduce stress, and encourages sleep. Bubba Kush can have a moderate to high potency, with THC ranging from 15 to 25%.
• Granddaddy Purple. This classic indica-dominant hybrid is rich in myrcene, delivering soothing physical sedation and bodily calm at lower doses, and couch lock at higher doses. It is popular among medical patients for treating insomnia, chronic pain, stress, and muscle spasms. THC content typically ranges from 17 to 23%, but can reach 27%.
• OG Cush. A potent and still popular indica/sativa-balanced hybrid from the 1990s, OG Cush became the genetic foundation for many of today’s most popular strains. With a THC content ranging from 18 to 25%, it is known for a two-phase high that begins with a euphoric rush that elevates mood and reduces mental stress, followed by a heavy physical relaxation.
• Harlequin. This sativa-dominant hybrid was the first strain to offer a high-CBD, moderate THC medical option. It is a known for a reliable 5:2 or 1:1 CBD-to-THC ratio, providing clear-headed relief from pain and anxiety without a strong intoxicating high.
• Blue Dream. A ground-breaking hybrid from the 2000s that remains a best seller, prized for delivering a balance of gentle euphoria and mild, non-sedative body relaxation. Its a favorite for treating stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Heirloom strains contain less than 2% CBD and 17 to 22% range THC, while variants bred for the medical market can present a balanced CBD:THC mix, with both at around 10%.
• ACDC. Bred for the medical marijuana market, this offspring of the Cannatonic strain presents a very high CBD-to-THC ratio – often around 20:1. ACDC creates minimal intoxication while generating a clear-headed, calm, and relaxed state that maintains mental focus.
• Girl Scout Cookies. This savory yet potent strain t launched the current wave of desert cannabis. It pairs a 25% THC content with elevated terpene levels that add subtle notes of mint, lemon, and spicy chocolate. It’s known for quieting racing thoughts and easing anxieties, easing muscle tension and aches, and providing mild, non-drowsy sedation.
• Gelato. This famous dessert-scented hybrid delivers a sweet, creamy, and fruity profile that earned it the title “Strain of The Year” in 2018. It has a 55/45 indica/sativa balance, a variable THC content between 18 and 25%+ and a robust beta-caryophyllene terpene profile. At lower potencies it is a popular choice with medical marijuana users, combining a euphoric clear-headed high with soothing whole-body body relaxation.

Edibles for Relaxation

Edible cannabis occupies a different niche in the relaxation equation. Unlike smoked and vaped therapies, which take effect within minutes, edibles can take up to two hours to fully kick in. That’s not helpful if you are looking for a quick stress-reducing chill out. In addition, the effects of edibles can be less predictable based on the state of the digestive system and metabolic differences in the way individuals process THC. Edibles become a good choice when patients are seeking long-lasting stress relief, all-day relaxation or a restful night’s sleep.

Many users prefer indica-leaning products, and opt for full-spectrum and live rosin edibles because these whole-plant extracts retain the minor cannabinoids and terpenes that are stripped away in distillates.

• New users are recommended to begin with edibles containing a micro or minimal dose of 2mg to 5mg of THC to ensure a comfortable initial experience.
• A 10mg THC dose provides most users with effective relaxation without pronounced impairment.
• Higher doses which can approach and exceed 100 mg TCH are best left to experienced users, and may prove to be more debilitating than relaxing.

THC and CBD are the two major variables that determine an edible’s effect, but other cannabinoids and botanicals can also come into play.

• CBD-dominant/low THC edibles provide a non-intoxicating option that can provide clear-headed all-day stress management.
• Balanced THC:CBD edibles can evoke a calm, mild and long-lasting high. The CBD content softens the effects of THC to reduce the risk of anxiety and paranoia.
• CBG-enhanced edibles are a favorite for daytime use, as this non-intoxicating THC precursor eases both physical tensions and mental anxieties to deliver a smoother overall experience.
• CBN-enhanced edibles are best used in the evening to take advantage of CBN’s sleep-promoting effects. These somnambulant effects are amplified in products that add L-theanine, which is a natural amino acid found in green tea.

Do You Have Questions About Medical Marijuana?

If you are looking for information on cannabis therapies, CannaMD‘s state-certified network of medical marijuana doctors is here to answer questions and provide advice. Contact the CannaMD team at (855) 420-9170 today. Ready to get your card and purchase legal cannabis products? You can find out if you qualify for medical marijuana treatment with our quick online application!