With people seeking an alternative solution to prescription medications to relieve stress and reduce anxiety, many have landed on CBD, thanks to its stress-relieving effects. Some users have also praised high-quality CBD products for improved and restful sleep.

However, as the CBD market continues to grow, it may be a tad difficult to figure out what CBD strain is best for anxiety disorders. Fortunately for you, we have curated this guide to help you get started.

How Do CBD Strains for Anxiety Work?

Before we get to this, we need to address the elephant in the room.

Yes, high CBD strains for anxiety help you relax and provide you with anxiety relief.

You may consume these strains by smoking CBD flower or using cbd products infused with CBD. These include cbd gummies, cbd oil, cbd cream, and cbd edibles. However, more on that later.

Understanding the Endocannabinoid System

We need to explore the endocannabinoid system (ECS) found in your body to better understand how CBD interacts with it to relieve pain, stress, and anxiety.

ECS ensures different functions and processes are regulated and running smoothly. These include appetite, memory, mood, and sleep. In addition, everyone has an ECS system, whether you use cannabis or not.

ECS comprises three major components: enzymes, receptors, and endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are similar to the cannabinoids found in CBD. Your body produces endocannabinoids when needed to ensure internal processes run smoothly.

So far, only two types of endocannabinoids have been identified by experts:

• Anandamide (AEA)

• 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)

Endocannabinoids bind to the endocannabinoid receptors all over your body to alert the ECS that certain processes need to take action.

• CB1 receptors – present in the central nervous system

• CB2 receptors – often found in the peripheral nervous system

Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor to provide varying effects. For example, endocannabinoids may bind to CB2 receptors in the immune cells as a sign to the ECS that your body is experiencing inflammation.

Finally, two enzymes help break down the endocannabinoids once their function has been completed. These are:

• Fatty acid amide hydrolase – breaks down AEA

• Monoacylglycerol acid lipase – breaks down 2-AG

By regulating homeostasis, ECS helps the body recover when an outside force, say inflammation or fever, sets you off balance.

How Do CBD Strains Manage Your Anxiety Levels?

Research on how CBD reduces general and social anxiety and stress levels is ongoing. However, some experts believe CBD boosts homeostasis by preventing endocannabinoids from being broken down by enzymes.

Additional research suggests that CBD binds to an endocannabinoid receptor in your body to provide its vast benefits. It is evident that CBD strains help manage anxiety, relieve pain, and improve your sleep.

In turn, you can stay calm, relaxed, and happy. Additionally, CBD does not get you high.

What About THC Strains for Anxiety?

Unlike CBD, THC interacts with the ECS by binding to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. For this reason, THC provides a range of effects on your body and mind. Some of these include reducing pain and stimulating your appetite.

Unfortunately, high THC may have negative effects like increased anxiety and paranoia. Another disadvantage of THC is its psychoactive effects (aka, it will get you high).

So, stay clear of high THC strains when dealing with anxiety. Instead, you want to go for high CBD strains or balanced strains. This is because, in low doses, THC helps reduce anxiety.

Do Terpenes Help With Anxiety?

Terpenes are in charge of the different aromas in CBD strains. In addition, the terpene profile also determines a certain strain’s effects, whether sedating or energizing.

Some of the most common terpenes in CBD strains for anxiety include limonene, caryophyllene, and myrcene.

12 Best CBD Strains for Anxiety

 

Cannabis strains are categorized into the following major strains: indica, sativa, and hybrid.

While the major difference between indica and sativa strains is structural, each strain will have varying effects. Indica strains are used to treat anxiety and pain management and improve your sleep since they are high in CBD.

Conversely, sativa-dominant strains are best if you want a burst of energy. Unfortunately, these strains are unsuitable for reducing anxiety since they have a high THC ratio.

Hybrid strains refer to a crossbreed of indica and sativa strains. For this reason, they may be indica-dominant or sativa-dominant strains.

If you are asking yourself what CBD strain is best for anxiety, below are the 12 best options.

1. Harlequin

Although a sativa-dominant hybrid strain, harlequins have a CBD: THC ratio of 5:2. For this reason, it is perfect for reducing anxiety. In addition, users love that harlequin provides clear-headed alertness, allowing you to feel relaxed and not sedated.

Low THC content is also great for dealing with an anxiety disorder, as it helps you feel more relaxed and calm.

2. Cannatonic

Cannatonic is another great high CBD strain for reducing anxiety. With a CBD content as high as 17% and less than 6% THC, this strain offers you relaxing yet uplifting qualities without any psychoactive effects of THC.

Additionally, its profile makes it among the go-to medical marijuana strains. However, you will be surprised to know that cannatonic is not as sedative as its name implies.

3. Sour Tsunami

Sour Tsunami is also a favorite in the medical marijuana community for a good reason. This high CBD sativa-dominant strain with about 11% CBD and less than 7% THC was specifically bred by crossing NYC Diesel and Sour Diesel.

Why? For its high CBD content.

Sour Tsunami users have reported a significant decrease in anxiety and depression. Additionally, low THC levels work to provide relief from inflammation and pain.

This medicinal strain will leave you feeling relaxed and clear-headed, making it a great CBD flower for anxiety.

4. Harle-Tsu

Created by the late Lawrence Ringo, Harle-Tsu is a hybrid cross between some of the highest CBD strains, Harlequin and Sour Tsunami. With about 11% CBD and less than 1% THC content, this hybrid strain provides strong anti-anxiety and calming effects.

However, you will not feel zoned or stoned as the strain has virtually no THC. In addition to stress and anxiety relief, users report feeling relaxed and happier.

Harle-Tsu also provides inflammation and pain relief.

5. Canna-Tsu

As the name suggests, Canna-Tsu is a hybrid strain of Cannatonic and Sour Tsunami. It is created equal, meaning it has a 1:1 CBD/THC ratio.

This high CBD strain helps reduce high anxiety levels by offering you calming effects. Although this strain will not get you stoned, it is also not recommended for beginners with a general or social anxiety disorder.

In addition to reducing anxiety, Canna-Tsu also packs anti-inflammatory properties. This strain is suitable for day or nighttime use.

6. Sour Space Candy

Sour Space Candy is part of the high CBD, low THC hemp strains on the CBD market. This strain is advisable for daytime use as it reduces anxiety and depression while still allowing you to focus.

If your social anxiety disorder is keeping you from social interactions, Sour Space Candy helps uplift your mood without the THC high.

7. ACDC

Although a sativa-dominant strain, ACDC is one of the highest CBD strains that helps manage stress and anxiety. With a CBD: THC ratio of 20:1, this strain will make you feel calm, relaxed, and happy.

Additionally, ACDC does not cause any psychoactive effects. The only downside of using ACDC cannabis strain is that it causes dry mouth. However, its benefits as a medicinal strain far outweigh the disadvantages.

8. Elektra

If you are looking for a low THC high CBD strain that reduces your anxiety, calms and relaxes you but has no high effects, then Elektra is it. This strain is particularly great for beginners and helps manage depression and anxiety.

Elektra is also great for daytime use, thanks to its CBD: THC ratio. However, keep in mind that its aroma and pungent smoke get mixed reviews from users.

9. Ringo’s Gift

This high CBD hybrid strain is a cross between ACDC and Harle-Tsu. Users love the reduced anxiety and stress levels they experience from using this strain.

Ringo’s Gift also helps improve your sleep quality, especially if your anxiety disorder keeps you awake at night.

10. Remedy

This 14% CBD strain gives you a calm and peaceful mellow effect without any mind or body psychoactive effects. As the name suggests, Remedy is great for stress and anxiety control, helping you enjoy calm and Zen moments.

Besides its anti-anxiety properties, Remedy is used to treat inflammation, pain, and even seizures.

11. Trident

This CBD strain for anxiety boasts about 12% CBD and is less than 6% THC. It is a go-to strain for people looking to stay mentally focused with controlled stress and anxiety levels.

While most users report feeling relaxed from using this strain, you may experience mild psychoactive effects. For this reason, Trident is not recommended for beginners.

12. Lifter

Lifter has 18% CBD and less than 1% THC. For this reason, it is good for managing anxiety disorders as it has uplifting effects while keeping you relaxed.

Although it has a weird “funky cheese with hints of fuel” aroma, users rave that this high CBD strain makes them happy and relieves their pain.

Things To Keep in Mind When Trying CBD for Anxiety

Although high CBD strains help manage anxiety, you will find that some of them contain some amount of THC. This is because THC (at low doses), paired with CBD and terpenes, helps ease anxiety.

Determining how any amount of THC will affect you (or anyone else) is quite challenging. Below are tips to remember when trying out the best CBD strains for anxiety.

• Start with a low THC high CBD strain, then give it time to work before switching to a new strain.

• Consider exploring non-smoking methods to protect your lungs. This could be by using gummies (super tasty and fun!) and oils for anxiety.

• Avoid activities like driving for about 6 hours or more after use, especially if you are experiencing any effects.

• Consult your health practitioner before using CBD products if you are on anti-anxiety medication.

• Check your state’s legislation regarding legal THC and CBD levels. Remember to counter-check the same when traveling from one state to another since the legislation varies in each state.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

1. What Makes a Strain High in CBD?

Ideally, high CBD strains have more than 10% cannabidiol(CBD) and less than 0.3% THC. The THC must be within the legal limit in the US. Additionally, the low THC allows you to reap its benefits while avoiding the high, which causes adverse effects for people with anxiety disorders.

2. How Do You Use CBD Hemp Flowers for Anxiety?

Smoking is one way to use high CBD hemp strains for their anti-anxiety and therapeutic benefits. Additionally, vaping and dabbing can also help you reap the benefits.

However, other methods of consuming high CBD products, like gummies and oils, are also extremely effective for managing anxiety.

Innovative Extract’s CBD Products for Anxiety

 

 

Finding CBD-infused products for managing anxiety is not an easy task. This is because there are many factors to consider, like the CBD type, concentration, hemp source, and third-party laboratory tests, before buying.

Here at Innovative Extracts, we understand that quality CBD products are important for your health and overall wellness. For this reason, we ensure that our hemp is grown on safe farms in the United States and extracted using the best practices in the industry.

Our broad-spectrum CBD and full-spectrum CBD products for anxiety are tested by an independent third-party lab to ensure they are quality and safe for your health.

If you are ready to get your life back from anxiety and enjoy precious moments with loved ones, try out our anti-anxiety range today. You can also contact us to learn more about our products.