Does sativa really relieve anxiety? Find out how Cannabis strains can help.

Jul 14, 2022 | Cannabis

Medical cannabis can help people with mental illnesses get their lives back. Patients with anxiety disorders swear by marijuana’s ability to relax their muscles, calm their minds, and even stop panic attacks.

If you’ve never tried cannabis before, you might be surprised by how well it can treat anxiety. Sativa is one of the options you should think about if you’re interested in taking your first hit of this miracle plant.

Does Sativa Relieve Anxiety?

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in the United States, with 19.1% of U.S. adults reporting the disorder in the last year. There are many options for treatment, but some patients may not want to take prescription medications, so they’re on the hunt for other solutions.

A recent study really highlights how helpful cannabis can be for anxiety patients. Medical cannabis users reported a 58% reduction in anxiety and stress following cannabis use.

Researchers found that even just two puffs from a vape or joint can be enough to bring you out of a panic attack or settle your mind.

Another study found that cannabis helps anxiety at low doses. However, be careful with the amount you consume, as it can actually make symptoms worse when you take too much.

If you have trouble managing your anxiety symptoms, trying sativa strains might make a huge difference and help you live a more carefree life.

Sativa vs. Indica

Both sativa and indica strains can help people with anxiety.

Sativa strains make you more active. You’ll feel productive and creative, and your mood can improve substantially.

Since sativa causes your brain to start running faster, it can actually make anxiety worse for some users. You may notice your mind racing and your heart beating faster after a hit of sativa.

This doesn’t mean that you should count out sativa altogether, as it can help some patients. To lessen your chances of having a bad reaction, take a very small dose your first time and work up to a higher one if necessary.

Some people may find more luck using indica strains to help ease their minds. Indica tends to bring on a body high. It can relax your muscles and slow your breathing.

CBD and THC affect your body and mind differently. Using a CBD-dominant strain can have positive effects on your mental health. The best THC to CBD ratio is high in CBD, because it can balance out the psychoactive effects of THC.

If you have social anxiety and are planning to go to a party, you might want to take a sativa edible to have fun throughout the night. If you plan to stay in and need to decompress from the stresses of the day, try an indica-dominant strain instead.cannavative gummies

How to Try Cannabis for Anxiety

Interested in the medical benefits of cannabis? You should have a plan for the first time you use it.

Each delivery method has its pros and cons when you’re looking to lessen the symptoms of anxiety. If you need relief from a panic attack ASAP, reach for cannabis flower or a vape. Smoking or vaping will kick in the fastest.

If you want to combat generalized anxiety, cannabis edibles or tinctures take about 30-90 minutes to start working, but can also last much longer. Some edibles can last for 6-8 hours, keeping you cool and collected for an entire evening.

The side effects of marijuana can make your anxiety and stress worse, so try not to take your first dose when you’re about to have a panic attack. Instead, choose a day when you’re feeling okay to test the product.

Try lower doses when using sativa for anxiety. If you find yourself having a bad reaction, know that you won’t have any permanent issues and that you’ll sober up soon.

If you’re starting to “green out” and want to stop your reaction immediately, you can try taking some CBD (make sure it has no THC), sniffing some black peppercorns, or drinking some lemon juice.

After that, try to find a comforting place to lay down and ride out the rest of your high. Next time, you might want to try an indica strain or a lower sativa dose.

A healthcare professional can help you figure out how to incorporate sativa into your mental health treatment plan. While budtenders can be a great resource, they can’t give out medical advice.

Best Sativa Strains For Anxiety

One of our quality budtenders can help you find the best strain for you! Here are a few tried and true sativa strains to help with your mental health.

Sour Diesel

Tend to have anxiety in the morning? Sour Diesel is the best option for a wake and bake to help you get you ready to face the day. It has a 26% THC content while still keeping 2% CBD. This will keep you balanced even while your energy is high.

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Jack Herer

If you carry your anxiety in your body, Jack Herer will loosen up your muscles and help you relax. At higher doses, you’ll feel an energizing tingle travel down your neck and through your limbs.

Harlequin GDP

Harlequin GDP is one of the most popular strains with medical patients to reduce anxiety. It has a 1:3 CBD to THC ratio, which evens out your experience. This type of cannabis is weaker than other options, so it’s a good beginner strain. This is especially if you don’t want to feel any psychoactive effects.

So does sativa relieve anxiety? Science and anecdotal evidence from medical cannabis patients say it definitely can!

If you’re looking for a holistic approach to managing your anxiety symptoms, stop in and learn more about our quality products!

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