Five Cannabis Strains for Mental Wellness

Emily Robertson July 18, 2018 2 comments

These are the top cannabis strains that support your mental wellness.

Cannabis is an important medicine for improving mental wellness, but you need to pay attention to the strain and how treats your mental health condition. For instance, cannabis strains for anxiety will be different than those for treating depression, and again will be different that those for PTSD. While there is some overlap, it’s important to know which strain is best for your needs or you could end up with the opposite effect of what you’re looking for!

THC and CBD are the two most abundant and pharmacological cannabinoids, therefore their levels are important in planning treatment. Below, we outline five great cannabis strains for your mental wellness, with a focus on CBD and THC content.

Girl Scout Cookies (GSC)

Girl Scout Strain close up on flower

Not as sweet as their namesake, but certainly as capable of boosting your mood. What’s better than a little box of sugary delights hidden in your desk at work for when you’re having a tough time? The cannabis equivalent, of course.

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GSC induces a euphoric high for when your lows are just getting too low. It’s a sativa hybrid of Durban Poison and OG Kush. It offers a sweet, yet earthy scent when burnt and is high in THC – which means less is more with this strain. If your mental health condition causes appetite loss or nausea, your daily indulgence in Girl Scout Cookies is sure to put you back on your feet.

Bonus: Bake them into mint joy cookies for a double whammy Girl Scout Cookie.

Lamb’s Bread

Lamb's Bread Strain Close up on Bud

Image Credit: Weedopedia

Keeping with the baked good theme, Lamb’s Bread is another sativa strain that will help brighten your day. It’s effective for those with depression who are facing a lack of motivation. The strain is an energizer with anywhere from 19-25% THC levels that helps you feel happy and focused.

And it’s nice on the taste buds! It has a lovely earthy, woody palate, balanced with spicy, herbal notes.

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Northern Lights

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is one of those mental illnesses that is heavily misunderstood and vastly ignored by the mainstream population. But it’s not as easy to ignore it by those who experience OCD. And unfortunately, OCD isn’t understood even in medical communities – exact causes are unknown, and treatments are more about symptom management rather than healing treatment.

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However, those with OCD, disappointed with results from pharma have found success with cannabis.  Northern Lights is a strain that is particularly effective for those with OCD. It slows down racing cyclical thoughts that lead to OCD rituals. It’s a pure indica with a sweet and earthy aroma reminiscent of pine (think of the name!) that will be sure to relax you while bringing your mood to a state of contentedness. It is must for restoring mental wellness.

Cannatonic

Cannatonic Strain

Cannatonic is another strain that is great for slowing down racing thoughts and relaxing mind and body. It’s a hybrid of MK Ultra and G13 Haze high in CBD, so you can generally avoid the anxious feelings that can accompany TCH-heavy strains.

Cannatonic is one of the more popular medical cannabis strains because of its relaxing effects. But, it also treats a range of other symptoms that can accompany mental illness: anxiety, muscle spasms, migraine, pain, and insomnia. And it tastes nice! Earthy on the nose, mild and citrusy on your tongue.

Pineapple Kush

Pineapple Kush

Pineapple Kush is best known for its mood stabilizing effects. THC levels can be up to 15%. Further, this strain offers a body and cerebral buzz that can help you re-centre and remain in control. You’ll feel some euphoria, but also a relaxed happiness. This can balance symptoms of a mental health condition.

You may not be surprised to learn that its palate and aromas offer pineapple notes that are accentuated by butter, caramel, and sometimes a bit of mint in the mouth. It’s an absolute joy to smoke. Pineapple Kush is a hybrid strain of Pineapple and Master Kush.

How to Consume Strains for Mental Wellness?

In certain cases, long lasting methods like cannabis patches can benefit the consumer. In a similar way, cannabis edibles can provide perhaps the longest relief. However, some consumers fear edibles for their difficulty to judge and maintain dosage. Thankfully the coming legal market mostly solves this issue.

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Absorption methods like vaping or smoking generally provide the fastest pain relief. Lastly, for a consumer afraid to smoke cannabis, there are other options. This consumer should know that vaping dry bud (instead of vape cartridges) is free from the concerns of the EVALI crisis of late 2019. Further, vaping dry bud also removes any concerns of combustion from smoking.

Author avatar

Emily Robertson

Emily Robertson has been writing freelance and contract work since 2011. She has written on a variety of topics, including travel writing of North America and the growing legalized cannabis industry across the globe. Robertson has a master’s degree in literature and gender studies, and brings this through in her writing by always trying to explore different perspectives. Born and raised in southwestern Ontario, Robertson moved to Glasgow, Scotland in 2016 to undergo her doctorate in Scottish Literature. She lives in the West End with her dog, Henley.

2 comments

  1. IAN PLESTED

    What about WHITE WIDOW.