4 of the Best Cultivars that Help Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is considered a qualifying condition in most states with medical cannabis programs. Here are four of the best cultivars to try, as well as some you might want to avoid.

Cannabis is thought to help treat mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The words we use matter, so we are sure to say “treat”, and not cure. That’s important. If you are wondering what a cultivar is exactly, be sure to check out our recent article ‘Putting Our Words to Work’. We describe in-depth why advocates should refer to the plant medicine as cannabis, and strains as cultivars, as well as why this truly matters for the future of both legalization and our emerging industry as a whole.

Up until this point, most of the research that has been done regarding studying how cannabis might help treat anxiety has isolated individual cannabinoids - THC and CBD. Researchers at Whistler Therapeutics in British Columbia Canada set out to find which cultivars might be best for helping to relieve symptoms caused by anxiety. They did this by observing the chemical fingerprint of the plant medicine - a mixture of both terpenes and cannabinoids, which they called a “chemotype”. For more on cannabinoids, check out our cannabinoids 101 article.

4 Best Cultivars for Anxiety

Unfortunately, the study conducted was on a small scale and had some considerable restrictions. However, the results the research team got might help us better understand other studies in the future. What the researchers found were 4 cultivars that they feel will help treat anxiety and 4 that they recommend avoiding. All four of these have high THC levels, which comes as no surprise that they’d all be good for treating anxiety.

• Bubba Kush - this Indica-dominant cultivar is known for its effects that can often be tranquilizing. This is a variant that is probably best consumed at night at the end of your day.
• Blue Dream - this hybrid combines the legendary blueberry cultivar with a unique haze variant to create an uplifting and creative medicated experience. There’s a nice mellow there as well, according to most patients, but not overly powerful that it will send your day off the rails.
• Kosher Kush - Kosher Kush is another nighttime cultivar that relieves the stress of the day, increases appetite as well as causes feelings of tranquility and euphoria. The lineage of this variant is a bit of a mystery, but it’s mostly thought of having OG Kush parents.
• Skywalker OG - This hybrid is great for relaxing as well as treating both depression and anxiety. It is also a great choice for those patients seeking pain relief.

4 Cultivars for Patients with Anxiety to Avoid

The researchers found that the terpene terpinolene was prominent in the cultivars that were ineffective in treating anxiety. 4 of the worst cultivars for treating anxiety include:

• Chocolope
• Blueberry Lambsbread
• CBD Shark
• Tangerine Dream

Results May Vary

As with any medication, results will vary from patient to patient. The above lists might surprise some of our readers who find that some of the cultivars actually work for them, and vice versa. It’s always recommended that you ask your doctor and your budtender for recommendations, as well as experimenting responsibly for yourself.

Disclaimer:

The content on this page is provided by HashDash for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for professional healthcare advice. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat any medical condition or ailment on your own. Always consult a physician or qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about treatment. The information and products mentioned herein have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.

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