Using cannabis to treat anxiety can be tricky, as a specific strain can calm some users but can make anxiety worse for others, even causing paranoia. However, the key difference is dosage, as small amounts of THC can be relaxing and reduce anxiety whereas moderate to high doses can have the opposite effect. Also, the effects depend on other cannabinoids, primarily CBD, whose calming properties can enhance the anxiety-reducing properties of cannabis. On top of that, research has proved that some terpenes can help lower anxiety levels. All of this means that finding the right strain of anxiety might be challenging, but worth the effort. Since every strain offers a different mix of terpenes and cannabinoids, here’s a list that will help you find your best strain for anxiety based on patient feedback.
What is the best strain for anxiety?
With literally hundreds of strains known to help with anxiety, the best weed strain for anxiety for one person will be different from the next. Anxiety, stress, and depression are some of the top reasons people consume cannabis, making it a popular natural alternative for soothing the intense thoughts and mental and physical angst anxiety entails. New users typically find the best weed strains that may help with anxiety are those low in THC and high in CBD, while experienced consumers may prefer high-THC strains that provide powerfully potent effects. Following you’ll find a list of some of the top-rated weed strains known to ease anxiety, whether you’re new to cannabis or an experienced connoisseur.
Top 10 Best Weed Strains for Anxiety Relief
These stress-relieving strains are famous for relieving anxiety, boosting mood, and inspiring rec and medical cannabis consumers to feel their best.
Rainbow Belts
Rainbow Belts is a stunning purple-hued balanced hybrid with a thick coating of sparkly white resinous trichomes that delivers an uplifting cerebral head high blended with soothing physical effects. You’ll likely be more relaxed than energetic — but you will experience a feel-good high that makes you giggly and sociable, making it one of the best weed strains that may help with social anxiety. This cerebral uplift eventually fades into a soothing, relaxing body high that eases physical tension with just a touch of sedation. Aside from its anxiolytic effects, this sweet lemon flavored flower with slightly spicy notes is also reported to support chronic stress, depression, and fatigue.
Trop Cherry
Trop Cherry, aka Tropicanna Cherry or Cherry Trop, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid that delivers a brightly energetic high that will leave you in a state of blissful euphoria. This vibrant bud with a super strong, sweet tropical and cherry flavor makes you feel fabulous, eradicating any negative thoughts and mental stress almost immediately. It’s perfect for anyone who suffers from anxiety, stress, and depression that’s interested in a strain that keeps the mind motivated and the body relaxed.
Permanent Marker
Permanent Market is a super potent, award-winning, indica-dominant hybrid that delivers a powerful boost of uplifting euphoria balanced with a wonderfully relaxed body high that doesn’t make you at all sedated. This sweet, earthy flavored bud with funky diesel notes and feel-good effects that inspire emotional well-being is ideal for daytime use since it doesn’t make you drowsy. With an exceptionally high 34% THC average, Permanent Marker is best saved for experienced rec consumers and medical patients interested in the best weed strains that may help with anxiety, stress, and depression that aren’t sedating.
Candy Rain
Candy Rain is an indica-dominant hybrid with a sweet fruity flavor and fabulous euphoric head high that showers you with a carefree, unfocused feeling of happy bliss. Perfect for soothing anxiety, washing away negative thoughts, and easing stress, this Lemon Pound Cake x Gelato cross also delivers relaxed body effects that won’t make you sleepy or cause couch-lock. Its calming, euphorically hazy high offers a blissful escape when anxious or overwhelming thoughts try to take over the mind.
Black Cherry Punch
Black Cherry Punch delivers a bold, sweet berry and fruity flavor with remarkably balanced effects, despite being an indica-dominant hybrid. It delivers a blissfully relaxed feeling of euphoria, easing anxiety, stress, and mental tension, before a tingly sensation makes its way through the body that eventually leads to a sleepy, sedated state. Black Cherry Punch is one of the best weed strains that may help with anxiety that makes it hard to sleep or causes insomnia.
Harlequin
Harlequin is famous for being one of the best strains that may help with anxiety, especially for those interested in low THC / high CBD strains. This sativa-dominant hybrid with an earthy, spicy herbal flavor with subtle mango notes delivers a mellow, uplifting and clear-headed high, keeping the mind motivated and focused but the body totally relaxed. It’s a highly respected medical marijuana strain known to help with anxiety, stress, and chronic pain. Containing around 12% THC and 9% CBD, Harlequin comes close to that 1:1 Golden Ratio of THC to CBD said to contain superior therapeutic benefits and well-balanced effects.
Planet of the Grapes
Planet of the Grapes will quickly eliminate anxiety with its fast-acting effects that fill the mind with an uplifted, blissful euphoria that makes you feel talkative and up for anything — until you’re hit with this indica-dominant side of this hybrid’s potent effects that put the body in such a state of relaxed, lazy sedation. Another one of the best weed strains for anxiety that leads to restless nights, this fruity, grape flavored bud with a slightly nutty undertone and extremely high 30% THC level is best suited with experienced consumers and ideal for nighttime use.
Pineapple Express
Anyone interested in a sunny daytime strain that helps with anxiety will find the iconic sativa-dominant Pineapple Express is the perfect cannabis companion. With its highly energetic and uplifting cerebral effects, this tropical tasting strain with a flavor that perfectly reflects its name inspires a creative, happy head space known to eliminate stress, anxiety, and depression.
Gelato Cake
Gelato Cake is a heavy leaning indica-dominant hybrid with a sweet, creamy vanilla and fresh pine flavor that delivers a heavy-hitty, dreamy head high that blends seamlessly with tingly, relaxed body effects. This potent indica provides a tranquil, laid-back vibe that effortlessly eases anxiety, stress, and pain — making it one of the best weed strains for anxiety among medical cannabis patients interested in soothing indicas that support a soothing, sleepy experience.
Garlic Budder
Garlic Budder is a powerful indica-dominant hybrid packed with 30% THC, delivering a long-lasting, euphoric high with a quick onset of focused, blissful energy that quickly becomes a heavy, full-bodied high potent indicas are famous for. You’ll find yourself stoned and sedated as the effects of this creamy garlic and cheese flavored strain ease any lingering anxiety, stress, or tension — which will likely be followed by a solid, peaceful night’s sleep. With its super soothing, ridiculously potent effects, Garlic Budder is a powerhouse for anyone interested in a potent indica strain that helps with anxiety.
Is weed actually good for anxiety?
Cannabis affects everyone differently depending on their tolerance, metabolism, and physiology, but some weed strains are known to be awesome for anxiety support. The best weed strain for anxiety is one that soothes both body and mind — think peaceful, euphoric head high and relaxing body high. Some users, especially those sensitive to THC, may find the effects of some potent strains too overwhelming, which can cause anxiety rather than relieve it. It’s always recommended to start low and go slow to determine how a particular strain affects you.
Is an indica or sativa variety the best strain for anxiety?
The best weed strains that may help with anxiety can be either indica or sativa dominant, depending on the effects you’re interested in. Sativa strains are best for managing daytime anxiety, while indicas can help you unwind at the end of the day and get a good night’s sleep thanks to their soothing, often sedative-like effects.