Almost 20 percent of adults in the US suffer from anxiety. While medication and therapy can treat it, some defer to medical marijuana to manage their anxiety. But no two marijuana strains are the same, with some having psychoactive effects, while others mellow you out and slump you.
If you want to find out which strain is good for anxiety, you will have too narrow it down between the two strains, sativa and indica. Although both strains are used to treat anxiety, there are different factors that determine which strain is right for you to use.
In this article we will be talking about what strain is best for anxiety, sativa dominant strains or indica strains? Stay tuned and find out.
Can Cannabis Help to Manage Anxiety?
Cannabis is by no means a permanent solution to anxiety. But you can use it as a temporary fix for your symptoms. It especially helps in preventing panic attacks, which is usually one of the most common symptoms of anxiety.
According to one study, marijuana helped 58% of users control and suppress their anxiety. The study also showed that marijuana strains that have high cannabinol (CBD) and low tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9) content are best for relieving anxiety relief.
However, there are some types of medical marijuana that can make some symptoms of anxiety even worse. So, people that have anxiety should only use cannabis strains that have calming effects.
The anxiety symptoms that can be managed with medical cannabis include fatigue, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating.
Sativa Versus Indica for Anxiety
The two main types of cannabis are Sativa and Indica. Both of them have several medicinal and recreational uses.
Sativa Strains
Sativa strains are known for their psychoactive effects. They make the user feel strong and full of energy. Therefore, they are used to reduce stress or anxiety and to increase focus and creativity. Some Sativa strains can sometimes cause your mind to become hazy.
Sativa generally makes its users happy, so this confirms it helps to manage anxiety. One of the major causes of anxiety is the lack of serotonin in the body. Sativa gives its users enough euphoria and happiness to move about and even exercise. This helps the body to produce serotonin.
However, the CBD to THC ratio in Sativa does not favor the treatment of anxiety. People with anxiety are usually nervous, fidgety, and have a rapid heart rate. So, they do not need to feel euphoric; instead, they need to be calm and relaxed.
A good sativa strain can help in a variety of ways including increased serotonin, helps with focus and creative, helps treat chronic pain, a good energy boost for the day, and the list goes on and on.
Indica Strains
Indica strains are known for their relaxing properties. They generate a calm effect and can help to reduce insomnia. So, it can make you feel lazy or even tired. As a result, it is usually recommended to be used at night. Some people still use Indica during the day as it helps to relieve from chronic pain and chronic tension.
Indica is generally a better strain for the relief of anxiety symptoms than Sativa. This is because it has a relaxing effect that helps people suffering from anxiety stop panicking and fidgeting. It makes them calm and still. Indica can also help its users to enjoy the moment and stop worrying about other things.
The relaxing effects of Indica is because it has more CBD. The large amount of CBD makes is effective in the treatment of insomnia.
However, when you have the feeling of anxiety, you might also feel depressed. The last thing you want to do is to feel lazy without the energy to do anything. This is when you need Sativa, as it will make you happy and full of energy.
Some of the major qualities of the Indica stains are muscle and mental relaxation, increased appetite and dopamine, pain and inflammation relief, and many more.
Choosing Between Sativa and Indica for Anxiety
It is difficult to immediately know which two strains will help to improve your anxiety disorder. Even if you decide to test them, it is not easy to tell how your body responds to them. However, there are some tips that can help you choose which strain will work best for you.
Chemotype
The chemotype is simply the ratio of the CBD to THC in the strain. It is one of the most important thing to consider when choosing a cannabis strain. You have a choice from a CBD-dominant strain, balanced strain, or a THC-dominant strain. The type you choose will determine the effects you will get after using it.
Potency
The potency of the strain also matters a lot, especially when considering THC. Cannabis strains with more than 20% THC will give a different experience from those that have 5% THC.
Terpene profile
Many people do not consider the terpene profile of their cannabis strain, but it is also important. This is because it produces the therapeutic effect that people link with a strain. It also determines the way the strain tastes and smells. Some terpenes have other unique effects.
The Right Method to Consume Cannabis
There is no perfect method for consuming cannabis. The right method for you depends on your choice, symptoms, diagnosis, and the way your body responds to cannabis. There are several methods of consuming it, but each method can modify its effects.
Some of the methods are:
Smoking
This is the most common method by which medical cannabis users consume Sativa and Indica. However, smoking has some harmful side effects. It can also cause certain toxins that may enter your body as you consume the cannabis.
Vaping
You can use vaping as a method of inhaling Sativa and Indica instead of smoking. The use of a high-quality vaporizer or vape pen will help to reduce the production of harmful toxins.
Edibles
If you do not have any dietary issues, then you can consume cannabis in the form of edibles. Edibles have good taste and help to reduce the risk of side effects. It is important to note that it takes a while to kick in and works for an extended period of time.
Topicals
Topicals come in the form of balms, lotions, creams, and salves. You can apply these directly to your skin, where they will get absorbed through the skin pores.
Where to find the best strains?
Marijuana is a great way to treat anxiety and can be used for several other medical reasons, and it will only continue to skyrocket. Like most shopping, it’s important to know who you’re buying from and how reputable they are. You don’t want to take shortcuts, especially with something you plan to ingest or put in your body.
When it comes to reputable and reliable brands that sell Delta 8 and other Delta THC products, there is no better place than Delta 8 resellers. For all of your cannabis needs, Delta 8 resellers have hundreds of respectable brand names and products that are ideal for you. Choose from hundreds of products to help with anxiety including, pens, cartridges, flowers, CBD products, and more. You can also sign up for a wholesale account to place wholesale orders online.
Find everything you need at the most affordable prices and if you’re still skeptical, talk to a customer service representative that will answer your questions.
Whats better for anxiety – Final Thoughts
It can be seen that Sativa and Indica can help to effectively manage anxiety. Sativa will cause your mind to become more active, while Indica will help you feel calm and relaxed. So, you are left to decide on which to use depending on the symptoms you have.
If you are not sure, you can try out both strains under the supervision of a medical professional. This will help you to pick the one that is effective based on the symptoms you have. Do not forget to take note of the CBD to THC ratio. The calming effects of CBD help to improve anxiety symptoms, and the psychoactive properties of THC can make your anxiety even worse.
Because Indica has a higher CBD to THC ratio, it is said to be the better strain for anxiety. However, this depends on the symptoms of your anxiety.