Everyone experiences stress throughout their lifetime, it comes with the challenges we face daily. Whether it’s from a hectic commute, an upcoming project, or the simple annoyances from the people surrounding you, it’s nothing a little toking up can’t fix.

A little stress can be healthy, but when it becomes too consuming - that’s when it becomes a  problem. Many people have turned to cannabis to help them reduce feelings of stress. For some, smoking a joint after a long day can help them unwind and release built-up tension accumulated from earlier in the day. 

When smoking to reduce stress, it’s important to know which strains are best for doing so. Choosing the right strain can elevate your experience, here are the best and widely available strains to reduce stress levels.

Best Strains for Stress

Blue Dream

Blue Dream is one of the most popular cannabis strains in America. It’s known for its balanced and full-body effect. The hybrid strain has a sweet aroma with a THC content high enough to provide relief to stress and body tension. 

Blue Dream is also known to provide relief from symptoms correlated with pain, nausea, and depression and has a minimal sedative effect, making it a great daytime strain.

Sour Diesel

Sour Diesel is a Sativa dominant hybrid that is known to give feelings of happiness, energy, and euphoria. This strain is great for reducing stress while keeping you productive, thanks to its adequate Sativa levels. The pungent smell of this strain is what gives this beloved strain its name. Many people turn to this strain to help alleviate symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. 

AK-47

AK-47 is a hybrid strain that is known for relaxing the mind and body. It’s said to produce a ‘mellow’ feeling despite its somewhat violent name. This strain is less potent than others, but it is enough to help the mind and body relax. AK-47 delivers a long-lasting high that’ll keep you alert and engaged while also producing feelings of relaxation and happiness.

You can expect to feel uplifted, at peace, and mellowed out with this strain. It is especially great for those who have trouble falling asleep. A couple of hits before bed can help induce the relaxation needed to help you fall asleep.

Jack Herrer

This Sativa dominant strain was originally a medical-grade strain. However, it rose to popularity with recreational users because it’s known to provide feelings of optimism and euphoria. It’s also known for provided adequate pain and stress relief. 

This strain is loved by many because it can relax you while keeping you focused. Some say it even promotes creativity. Other common usages for this strain include reducing symptoms of depression such as loss of appetite and anxiety. 

Grandaddy Purple

‘Grandaddy Purp’ is an Indica dominant strain. The strain is ideal for creating a calming effect on the body and mind. The buds of this very powerful Indica strain can sometimes look purple (hence its name) and is used to treat pain, muscle spasms, insomnia, and other symptoms related to stress.

Be careful when consuming this strain as it can produce a heavy body high and leave you couch-locked. We recommend using this strain at night or during days you have no plans or commitments to take care of. 

Cannatonic

The high CBD content of this strain will relax you without too much of the psychoactive effects of THC. The strain produces a relatively short but powerfully relaxing high. Many medical marijuana patients choose this strain to alleviate pain, anxiety, migraines, and muscle pain. 

Strains with higher CBD content are great for those who tend to get more anxious when dealing with higher THC levels.

Girl Scout Cookies

Girl Scout Cookies or ‘GSC’ is loved by stoners everywhere. Additionally, it’s one of the most potent and popular strains available. The THC content is typically above 20% THC, so a little bit will do its job. It’s an Indica dominant strain that can make users feel powerful, happy and euphoric, and can help with stress and pain relief, anxiety, and insomnia. 

This strain can come with heavy body effects and can stimulate the appetite. So get comfortable and maybe keep a healthy snack handy.

Reduce Stress with Cannasaver

Finding a good deal is now easier than ever with Cannasaver. We have teamed up with the best dispensaries in Colorado to provide you with the best deals on all types of products. Use our search bar to find deals for your favorite strains.

Make sure you check out Cannasaver for the latest daily deals on many kinds of stress-reducing strains before heading out to your local dispensary. 

Happy toking and remember, chill vibes only! 

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that affects many men and women around the world. Though often associated with military veterans, PTSD can also develop after a traumatic experience in one’s life.

PTSD can occur in anyone following a traumatic event. 

Symptoms do vary but are often extremely debilitating. Those affected with PTSD may flashback to the extreme trauma through a hyper-aware brain and nightmares. This can bring difficulty concentrating or sleeping. 

Cannabis usage for those with PTSD or anxiety has become an option for dealing with mental ailments (definitely something we like, vs some of the prescription meds that are handed out).

Let’s look deeper into PTSD and marijuana, with our goal being that we find the best strains for PTSD or anxiety. 

Why Marijuana For PTSD & Anxiety

The relationship between PTSD and marijuana has more to it than one may think at first. Though THC and CBD don’t occur naturally in our bodies, they interact with our endocannabinoid system which kick-starts a variety of beneficial biological processes.

People dealing with PTSD often have some kind of deficiency in their endocannabinoid system. By consuming marijuana, PTSD symptoms tend to lessen with the introduction of THC/CBD. These cannabinoids gradually bring balance in their thoughts.

So, with that said, let’s get into some of the best strains for combating PTSD.

Best Strains for PTSD

We’ll go through a list of sativa strains and indica strains.

Sativas

These are more “uppers” and have you feeling more active, alert, etc. Like a coffee or something in cannabis form.

Golden Goat 

Golden Goat is an incredibly popular strain that was created here in Colorado. The strain has a high THC potency, usually between 23-25%. The smells Golden Goat puts off are definitely unique.  The taste is similar to something tropical but also spicy. 

Golden Goat is known to help treat stress, anxiety, pain, insomnia, and depression.

Harlequin

Harlequin is a delightfully balanced cannabis strain with a high CBD content. Being higher in CBD than THC, the strain has little to zero psychoactive effects. The higher CBD levels help to treat anxiety and pain. 

Harlequin has stinky smells with tropical tastes of mango and pineapple. This strain is able to lift moods with happy feelings as well as providing focus. 

Sour Diesel

Sour Diesel is a strong sativa strain with its namesake being a pungent aroma with diesel gas-like aroma.  This strain is typically pretty high in THC being between 20-25%. 

Sour D has a quick onset time with energizing effects. Consumers state that the strain helps treat stress, depression, and pains. The strain is long-lasting which will leave you stress-free and relieve pain.

Hybrids

These are halfway between “uppers” and “chillers.” A perfect mix, really, although each strain can lean a certain way or other.

AC/DC 

AC/DC is yet another high CBD strain on our list. 

This strain is evenly balanced between indica and sativa. 

AC/DC helps relieve pain without feeling noticeably high. This is often ideal for people with PTSD to ease the way they feel. 

Blue Dream

Blue Dream is a slightly sativa dominant strain that induces euphoria and relaxation. With PTSD often causing the inability to relax, Blue Dream has a rep for lifting moods and boosting social confidence.

OG Kush

OG Kush is a classic strain being the cross between Chemdawg and Hindu Kush. The strain leans to be heavy indica which allows strong relaxation. OG Kush has many layers of flavor and aroma. 

OG Kush is often considered ideal for PTSD sufferers since the high is known to be euphoric with a full-body calm.

This strain is a great option for those suffering from pain, inflammation, and depression.

Indicas

Lastly, these are the “chillers” or relaxers. They’re usually ones that lay you down softly and tuck you into bed and read you a bedtime story.

Afghan Kush

The legendary Afghan Kush is a pure 100% indica. Afghan Kush has heavy, body-heavy effects that will move your body into bed with ease. With the strain being rich in CBD, Afghan Kush is one of the best strains for managing anxiety symptoms in those who tend to experience anxiety/paranoia when getting high.

Afghan Kush has a pleasant earthy scent and sweet taste undertones of old-school hash. It has dense buds amounting to an abundance of trichomes. This strain will take the distractions/pains you may have accumulated during the day and melt them away like butter.

Granddaddy Purple

Granddaddy Purple is a great strain for people wanting relief from PTSD or anxiety. This strain is made up of the strains Big Bud and Purple Urkle. Granddaddy Purple has pleasant aromas of blueberry and grape. 

Granddaddy Purple is extremely effective in helping with PTSD symptoms such as pain, insomnia, nausea, and anxiety. The strain is a great way to reduce the anxieties you are feeling, causing them to come down to much more manageable levels.

Skywalker OG

Skywalker OG is a great way to bring balance to the force, or eh, PTSD/anxiety symptoms. The way of the Jedi suggests Skywalker OG for full master mode. High and enlightened we will definitely get. 

Skywalker OG is a delightful cross of Blue Dream and Pineapple Express (both great strains as well). The Strain ranges between 20-23% THC. Skywalker OG is a relaxing, pleasant, and clear thinking high. The flavor profile consists of citrus and floral. The strain has the aroma of earthy and citrus scents.  Skywalker OG leaves consumers in a happy/elevated state of being. 

Skywalker OG provides a sleepy kind of high which is great for beating insomnia and allowing for an amazing night's sleep.

The Worst Strains For PTSD/Anxiety

Green Crack

Green Crack may sound scary for a reason. It is a strain known for maximum energy and thinking. The energy Green Crack provides is incomparable to other strains. Green Crack’s chemical biology means it has the ability to enhance focus, but at the risk of unwanted paranoia/anxiety. For anxiety/PTSD, I definitely say to stay away from this strain. Your demons will encircle you.

Jack Herer

Jack Herer can be an extremely anxiety-inducing strain. The strain’s ability for heightened creative effects can cause those with anxieties to have heightened worries and stresses. 

Trainwreck

For PTSD, you may not want this “Trainwreck”. The high levels of THC can cause extreme head rushes which those who suffer from anxiety disorders can often find unpleasant.  

And there you have it. Now, we most certainly don't want to convince you that cannabis is the cure for PTSD or anxiety, nor should you just get off any prescribed medication, but there are some more natural ways to deal with what you're dealing with.

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