Cannabis for Anxiety

Anxiety is the most prevalent mental illness in the United States, affecting over 40 million people (nearly one fifth of the population). While cannabis isn’t a substitute for professional therapy and medicine, many individuals have found it to be a helpful tool for managing their anxiety. What strain of cannabis is best for anxiety? Not all strains of cannabis are created equal, and if you’re searching for a specific type that can help reduce your anxiety, it’s crucial to know what to look for when comparing various strains.

The distinction between CBD and THC when it comes to anxiety is the first thing you should understand. Both CBD and THC have qualities that may assist with anxiety, although some people feel that psychoactive effects of THC are counter-productive to managing anxiety, thus they prefer CBD-dominant strains. As you learn how to select the best cannabis strain for you, keep in mind that different strains affect people differently. To discover if THC, CBD, or a combination of both is your favorite, talk to your budtender about how various strains make you feel. You can start looking at different strains once you’ve figured out which quantities work best for you.

Anxiety: What Is It?

Anxiety is frequently mistaken for the “anxious” feelings we experience while under stress. Examining, or driving too far with the red gas light on in our car are two examples of situations that might cause us to feel anxious. Anxiety, on the other hand, is a different creature.

Anxiety disorders, in particular GAD, are a serious problem that can prevent you from living a normal life. Anxiety is not considered to be a disease or an illness, but rather a psychological/emotional condition brought on by reacting anxiously. When anxiety causes interference with our daily activities, it becomes an “disorder.” If it isn’t addressed promptly, prolonged anxiety might result in a slew of physical illnesses and emotionally distressing problems.

The term ‘anxiety disorder’ can describe:

• Social anxiety: This can be described as a scenario where individuals are afraid and scared of social interactions.
• Panic disorder: The most frequent type of panic disorder is sudden terror attacks that may occur at any time. Symptoms include chest pain, perspiration, and even heart attacks.
• General anxiety disorder (GAD): Someone who is concerned about routine daily occurrences all of the time.

 Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder

Many people experience anxiety at some time in their life, but those who suffer from chronic anxiety disorders may have the following symptoms:

• Panic attacks
• Sleep issues
• Cold or sweaty outbreaks
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Tense muscles

Most anxiety disorders are curable, although they can emerge at any age. Medication or particular therapy techniques such as CBT are often used in traditional treatments.

• Medication management/monitoring
• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Exposure therapy

In terms of medication, many antidepressants have the ability to reduce anxiety. Prozac, Lexapro, Xanax, and Klonopin are a few examples. Of course, these drugs aren’t thought of as a “fast cure for anxiety.” Frequently, it’s advisable to make lifestyle changes before starting treatment. This may help you live a healthy and stress-free life while potentially preventing anxiety attacks. Making lifestyle adjustments include:

• Eating a healthy diet: It includes reducing sugar intake and eliminating caffeine-rich foods and beverages.
• Exercising regularly: Fast walking, jogging, and cycling are all excellent activities to help you reduce stress and anxiety. Yoga, swimming, and meditation are other helpful activities.
• Having a good night’s sleep: Sleeping inadequately has been linked to stress and anxiety. As a result, it’s critical to develop healthy nightly sleep habits.

Cannabis strains for anxiety

Finding the proper strains to match your particular requirements might require some trial and error. Everyone’s body reacts differently to cannabis, so what works for one person may be ineffective for another.

Unfortunately, there is currently no reliable method to determine whether or not a certain cannabis strain will help with anxiety. However, based on the current amount of clinical and preclinical study available, it is possible to offer an educated guess as to which strains are most likely to benefit those suffering from anxiety. Here are the greatest cannabis strains for anxiety, according to experts:

Purple Kush

The Purple Kush is a 100% indica hybrid strain created through a potent cross of Hindu Kush X Purple Afghani marijuana plants. High Times magazine named this dank bud one of the World’s Top 10 Most Potent Strains, with an average THC level of 22 percent. The high from the Purple Kush has been described as an immediately uplifting euphoric head sensation that makes you pain-free and contemplative. The overall effect is a euphoric, numbing head high that starts in the head and works its way down to your limbs. You’ll be totally relaxed and sedated as a result of this. You’ll be eased into a deep, pain-free sleep that lasts for hours after the high has worn off.

Purple Kush is a fragrant indica strain that has been utilized to treat sleeplessness, chronic pain, nerve damage, and muscular spasms since long ago. Purple Kush has an earthy fragrance of ripe red fruit and a flavor reminiscent of earthy red wine. These buds have dark purple undertones and tiny fuzzy brilliant neon green nuggets with thick purple and fiery orange hairs. These nugs are icy with little white trichomes and slick with delicious resin.

Cannatonic

Cannatonic is a mix of two strains bred to have a low amount of THC and a high level of CBD. It has a projected range of 17% to 18%, although it’s more typical at around 15%. Cannatonic’s most distinctive characteristics are extreme relaxation and pleasant emotions, as well as its modest psychotropic effect. Cannatonic is recognized for being one of the greatest medical cannabis strains for combating anxiety and inflammation. It belongs to the AC/DC family as well as Canna-Tsu.

AC/DC

AC/DC is a sativa-dominant strain that has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety. AC/DC is one of the most CBD-dense strains on the market, with concentrations of 19% and a 20:1 CBD to THC ratio. The high CBD to THC ratio helps to balance out the more powerful psychotropic effects associated with cannabis that is more THC-rich. Relaxed and joyful feelings are some of the main benefits of AC/DC.

Canna-Tsu

Cannatonic and Sour Tsunami are two high CBD strains that make up Canna-Tsu, a hybrid strain with a 1:1 CBD to THC ratio. While Cannatonic has high CBD amounts comparable to Sour Tsunami, it differs in that it is THC-rich. The most prominent characteristics of Canna-Tsu include deeper relaxation and enhanced attention. It’s great for anxiety as well as pain, inflammation, and seizures.

Jack Herer

The Jack Herer is a sativa-dominant strain that has won numerous awards for quality and effectiveness. It has a relatively high THC concentration (about 15-19%), however it offers almost no CBD. Jack Herer has strong euphoric and elating qualities. It’s also helpful in alleviating tension, sadness, stress, and depression.

Trident

The most popular CBD strains are those that have balanced levels of THC and CBD. They usually include 12% or more CBD, but little or no THC. It has a calming effect that some people find to be beneficial in treating anxiety and sadness. Trident is a cross between two other cannabis strains: Cannatonic Feminised and OG Kush, both of which have high levels of CBG (cannabigerolic acid).

Haoma

Haoma is a fruit and flower-scented indica-dominant cannabis strain with thick buds that give off a fruity, floral scent. It has a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC, with both CBD and THC present in high amounts. The most notable effects include increased relaxation and happy feelings. Haoma is an excellent sleep aid since it is an indica-dominant strain that works well for anxiety sufferers.

Final Thoughts

The link between cannabis and stress is a complex one. There’s no doubt that going overboard might make matters worse. When used in moderation, however, medical marijuana for anxiety and stress may be useful as a genuine, natural therapy.