Cannabis use is a common way to relieve anxiety, but there has always been a complicated relationship between cannabis and anxiety. Cannabis is excellent at reducing anxiety, according to studies, but it also has the ability to exacerbate anxiety. If you want to consume marijuana to treat any of your health issues, then getting a medical marijuana card is vital, as it will provide you with legal access to consume marijuana in your state without getting into legal troubles.
THC and CBD, the two primary active cannabinoids in cannabis, may be the cause of both its ability to reduce and exacerbate anxiety.
How Cannabis Can Worsen Anxiety
Every person responds to cannabis strains (cultivars) differently, and there is a broad spectrum of effects that can be experienced; some strains may lessen anxiety, while others may increase it. Anxiety symptoms can be induced by certain marijuana strains for several reasons.
CBD Content
The ingredient in cannabis known as cannabidiol (CBD) is believed to have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) qualities without having the euphoric, intoxicating effects that THC usually does. There are many different therapeutic and calming uses for it.
CBD can have stimulating effects at low doses (less than 50 mg), sedative effects at higher doses (more than 250 mg), and anti-anxiety effects at both high and low doses. It can also be used to lessen the psychoactive effects of THC.
THC Content
The ingredient in cannabis known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is what gives marijuana users their euphoric or more hallucinogenic effects. Some users may find that it makes them feel more anxious, especially if they are already prone to anxiety. Generally speaking, smaller THC dosages can lessen anxiety, while larger doses can increase it.
Additionally, depending on the dosage and combination of other terpenes and cannabinoids, THC can have both stimulating and sedative effects. When combined with high concentrations of CBD, myrcene, linalool, and humulene, it can have a sedative effect. It can have more stimulating effects if combined with low doses of CBD, CBG, and THCV, limonene, beta-caryophyllene, and terpinolene (alpha-terpinene).
Indica vs. Sativa
Indica and sativa, the two main cannabis subtypes, are less important than the strain’s general chemical composition. While indica-dominant strains are known to have more physical effects on the body, sativa strains are generally thought to boost energy and focus.
This isn’t always the case, though, as the majority of sativas and indicas that are sold today actually don’t differ all that much from one another. In the end, a cannabis plant’s level of THC, CBD, and other compounds—rather than its indica or sativa classification—will determine whether it is stimulating or sedative. Put another way, depending on the strain, both sativas and indicas can either increase or decrease anxiety.
Strains to Avoid for Managing Anxiety
- Jack the Ripper
Avoid the invigorating sativa strain (cultivar) Jack the Ripper (JTR) if you are prone to anxiety. This strain has a 20% THC content and is very potent. Because of its high THC content, this strain can cause anxiety, paranoia, and disorientation in its users.
However, some claim to have used JTR as a means of anxiety management. To benefit from Jack the Ripper’s anxiolytic effects, low dosages might be best.
- Girl Scout Cookies
Wiz Khalifa is credited with popularizing this strain, which is very popular among recreational users. Girl Scout Cookies (GSC) is a hybrid strain with a strong indica dominance that produces a head-high.
When taken in excess, a head rush similar to that produced by Girl Scout Cookies and its physically calming effects might not be the best for people who are managing anxiety. It contains qualities that may promote self-reflection and can heighten panicked thoughts. Sometimes, thinking about life and everything it has to offer isn’t the best thing for someone who wants to decompress.
Similar to Jack the Ripper, GSC has reportedly been used by anxious people. This indicates that, in order to benefit from this variety’s anti-anxiety qualities, the right dosage must be used.
- Trainwreck
In particular, users who manage anxiety should avoid using Trainwreck because it is a very potent strain that may cause anxiety, especially when used in higher dosages.
The THC content is high in this sativa-dominant strain. A headrush from using Trainwreck might be unsettling for those who suffer from anxiety. On the other hand, some reviewers who struggle with anxiety thought this strain was excellent. This demonstrates even more how different people may experience the same strain.
- Alaskan Thunderfuck (ATF)
ATF can produce enhanced mental effects, much like a head high from psychedelics. People who use ATF frequently report having a strong rush in their heads. High doses of this strain should be avoided by those who are managing anxiety because they may cause paranoia due to the cerebral and curious high they provide.
- Green Crack
You can use this strain to achieve an energizing effect and boost your productivity and euphoria while going about your daily routine. It’s a sativa with a low CBD content of roughly 0.14% and a high THC content of about 19%. When taken in large amounts, this strain may increase anxiety in addition to improving focus.
- Tangerine Dream
This strain is frequently used by creative people to stimulate their minds, but it can also cause jitters and racing thoughts in people who are prone to anxiety. It is advisable to use low doses of cannabis to benefit from its anti-anxiety effects for people who are managing their anxiety.
- Durban Poison
Originating from South Africa, this strain is strictly sativa. A durban poison high is compared to an electric high from Adderall, a medication used to treat ADHD. Avoid taking large doses of this strain if you are anxious.
- Willie Nelson
Strong and not for the weak of heart, Willie Nelson is a strain to handle with caution. The THC content in this strain is high, testing at about 22%. It is well known that strain boosts a user’s vitality and inventiveness. It can induce euphoria in the user and is occasionally used to treat nausea. When used in large doses, this strain’s high THC content can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety.
Closing Words!
It can be challenging to choose the best cannabis strain for treating anxiety because what works best for some people may not work best for others. If you struggle with anxiety, starting by avoiding high-THC strains is a good idea. People with anxiety are best served by strains with high concentrations of CBD and low to moderate amounts of THC because CBD can have calming and anxiolytic effects.
While Durban Poison, Tangerine Dream, Trainwreck, Willie Nelson, and Girl Scout Cookies are among the strains you should stay away from if you want to manage your anxiety; this is not a strict guideline. These kinds have reportedly been used by some people to treat their anxiety. Often times, the dose matters more than the strain; low doses of cannabis with a high THC content can help lower anxiety, while higher doses can increase it.
Get in touch with a medical marijuana doctor to inquire about using medical cannabis as an anxiety treatment and get your medical marijuana card right away.
