Suffering from anxiety? You’re not alone. Almost everyone has experienced some type of anxiety in their lifetime. Anxiety prior to a big event or competition is normal and expected.
Often, anxiety helps us with the job at hand by preparing us and keeping us alert.
But if your anxiety interferes with your everyday life, or causes overwhelming fear that prevents you from participating in normal activities, it is categorized as an anxiety disorder. Nearly 20% of Americans have an anxiety disorder.
Some people who have generalized anxiety disorder take prescription medication that helps them function better. However, these meds are not effective for everyone. Also, their use can often cause unpleasant side effects. And many people just prefer a more natural approach to managing anxiety.
Mindfulness and deep breathing are two natural behavioral approaches that aid in anxiety relief.
Could supplementing with cannabis increase their effectiveness and decrease those anxious feelings?
Perhaps– but there are some things to keep in mind and look out for.
Best Weed for Anxiety
When selecting the best strain of weed for anxiety, there are a few things to keep in mind, including:
- Does an indica, sativa, or hybrid strain work best for anxiety?
- What terpenes can help ease anxiety?
Indica or Sativa for Anxiety?
You may be accustomed to choosing your weed based on whether it is characterized as an indica or a sativa strain. Indicas are known for their “body high,” causing deep relaxation and the best potential for pain relief. Indicas are often recommended as “nighttime” strains.
On the other hand, sativa strains are known for their “head high,” increasing motivation, creativity, and energy. For this reason, sativas are sometimes categorized as best for daytime.
There are also hybrid strains, which potentially offer the best of both worlds and can be consumed any time of day.
But does indica or sativa calm anxiety? How about hybrids? Results are mixed.
An indica’s comforting, full-body relaxation could help ease your anxiety, but it could also make you sleepy– not a good choice for easing work-related anxiety.
Not to mention the fact that identifying a strain’s effects solely on its indica/sativa profile is becoming outdated. Hardly any cannabis strains these days are truly 100% indica or 100% sativa, and there are too many “exceptions to the rule.”
A more accurate way to predict a strain’s effect on anxiety is to check out its terpene profile.
4 Terpenes to Ease Anxiety
Terpenes are the “essential oils” of cannabis (and all plants, really). Terpenes give plants their distinctive aromas and flavors, and are responsible for the unique bouquet that every cannabis strain has. But terpenes don’t just provide smells—they offer body benefits of their own.
If you want to minimize anxiety, look for weed strains with high concentrations of these four terpenes:
1. Caryophyllene
(Also known as Beta-Caryophyllene): The only terpene that is also a cannabinoid, caryophyllene is also found in black pepper and cloves and has a spicy scent. Caryophyllene is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Linalool
Found in heavy concentrations in lavender, linalool helps reduce anxious feelings and aggressive behavior while inviting relaxation.
3. Limonene
Limonene is common in lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits, as its citrusy aroma suggests. Limonene has been found to help reduce stress.
4. Pinene
(Also known as Alpha-Pinene): Common in pine trees and other coniferous vegetation, pinene helps increase cognitive function and decrease anxiety.
So, if your goal in consuming cannabis is to reduce anxiety, check the terpene profiles on your favorite strains. These four terpenes should be prominent.
Read also: What Are Edibles? Get Answers to Your Top 5 Questions
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Best Strains for Anxiety
Based on their terpene profile, these are some of the best strains for anxiety:
Indica Strains
Sativa Strains
Hybrid Strains
*Know that some products are available in certain From The Earth dispensaries. If you order online for pick up, make sure you use the correct location’s menu. You can find all dispensary location menus here.
Worst Strains for Anxiety
Terpene content can also increase anxiety, if there is a surplus of the “wrong” kind of terpenes. Watch out for guaiol and terpinolene—studies have shown that these energy-boosting terpenes can cause anxiety or make it worse.
Also, because THC can exacerbate anxious feelings, avoid strains with very high THC levels as they can have a negative effect on anxiety. Strains that are high in guaiol and terpinolene are often high in THC as well.
So what kind of weed to avoid if you get anxious? Cross Golden Pineapple, Jack Herer, Orange Cookies, Agent Orange, and other high THC, high-guaiol, or high-terpinolene strains off your list.
CBD for Anxiety
If you’ve tried cannabis for anxiety but have found that it makes it worse for you, it might be worth trying some THC-free options. Try CBD!
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most common cannabinoid in hemp. It doesn’t get you high like THC does, and many folks claim that it works wonders on their anxiety.
But does science back up those claims? Actually, yes! The research investigating CBD’s role in anxiety and depression has been promising. In a 2015 review, researchers stated that CBD could interact with cannabinoid and serotonin receptors in the brain that regulate anxiety-related behaviors.
They found evidence that CBD could be an effective treatment for many different anxiety types, including panic disorder and social anxiety disorder.
A similar review conducted in 2020 looked at eight studies that investigated CBD’s role in assisting different anxiety forms. Researchers found CBD to be an effective complementary treatment option alongside traditional medication to ease various symptoms.
What CBD strain is best for anxiety?
You can smoke hemp flower to get your CBD! Or try a high-CBD strain like Purple Tonic.
As an alternative to smoking, other popular ways to take CBD include edibles, tinctures, oil, capsules, topicals, or vapes.
What is an anxiety pen?
CBD vapes have become popular as a discreet and fast way to manage anxiety. Some people call their CBD vape their “anxiety pen” or “anxiety stick.” Vapes are fast-acting and highly bioavailable, making them quick and effective.
Related: How to Clean Your Cannabis Vape
CBD vapes do not contain any THC, which can often cause anxiety for many folks. They only contain soothing CBD. Some of them also contain relaxing and flavorful terpenes like linalool or limonene.
Illicit is honored to accept the Best in the Industry Award for 2023 by Greenway Magazine.
Best Cannabis for Anxiety
All in all, cannabis has a lot of potential for reducing anxiety, as long as you carefully select strains based on their terpene and cannabinoid profiles.
To review:
- Choose weed strains high in soothing terpenes like linalool, limonene, caryophyllene, or pinene
- Counteract anxious feelings with high-CBD strains, other CBD products, or a CBD vape.
- Avoid high-THC strains or strains high in terpinolene or guaiol
From The Earth has a variety of weed strains and CBD products that may help ease your anxiety.
Ready to Shop? Find a Missouri dispensary near you!
Note: This article is not medical advice. Please consult with your doctor for treatment for any medical conditions.
David Craig is the VP of Marketing for Illicit and From The Earth. Craig has been on the ground floor of developing multiple lifestyle and retail brands in the cannabis, fitness, and entertainment industries from Las Vegas to New York City. He previously developed flagship properties for global group fitness concept TruFusion. Prior, he opened Drai’s Las Vegas entertainment properties and oversaw Marketing & Corporate Events.
