Stress is a very common occurrence that nobody can escape. Work, finances, relationships and even sports can trigger stress. Although many people turn to traditional drug-based therapies for help with stress and stress-related symptoms, marijuana can offer a safe alternative for relieving both acute and chronic stress. If you’d like to buy the best weed strains for Mental Wellness use marijuana delivery to your home.

What Exactly Is Stress?

Basically, stress is the body’s automatic response to defend itself against perceived threats. Stress can be a good thing in the sense that it can energize you to perform better in responding to short-term challenges. Stress can be acute with immediate responses to serious urgent challenges. But it can also reach peak levels and persist long term. This is when stress becomes chronic and can have negative consequences for your health.

Chronic stress occurs when a person is faced with constant challenges over a longer period of time. Chronic stress can stem from marriage problems, persistent poverty and an unrelenting negative working environment. Chronic stress can negatively impact:

• The digestive and immune systems
• Muscle function
• Sleep routine and patterns

All of this long-term stress can result in physical effects like:

• Profuse sweating
• Headaches
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Weight gain

On the emotional level, chronic stress can trigger feelings of:

• Insecurity
• Anger
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Sadness

What the Research Says on Cannabis as a Stress Reliever

In April 2018, The Journal of Affective Disorders published an article about research performed by Washington State University. According to the research, cannabis products with high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) promoted a significant reduction in stress symptoms. Most effective for stress relief were products with a THC content of 26.5% and CBD levels of above 11%.

Another group of researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Chicago found that cannabis reduces stress, but only if used in low doses. If high doses of marijuana are consumed, it could have the reverse effect, increasing rather than decreasing stress levels.

Scientists at the University at Buffalo’s Research Institute in turn found that cannabis combats depression specifically caused by chronic stress. They found that THC and CBD replace those chemicals missing from a person’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) and then act as a mood stabilizer, helping ease stress-related depression. Again, low doses were found to be most effective.

Why Use Cannabis As A Supplement Or Substitute For Prescription Drugs?

It is not uncommon for the average adult to find themselves with a mental health challenge, whether it is depression, anxiety, or other conditions. In fact, the National Institute of Mental Health notes that in 2019, an estimated 51.5 million Americans were living with a mental health disorder, equating to 1 in 5 people. For this large cohort of Americans, it can be difficult and frustrating to feel like you’re not getting better, even with prescription drugs. There are a lot of reasons people choose to use marijuana as an alternative treatment.

The truth is, prescription drugs are some of the most dangerous substances on earth. They are addictive and can lead to a myriad of side effects, many of which last long after you stop taking them. For commonly prescribed SSRIs and SNRIs, these include, but are not limited to:

• Agitation
• Decreased sex drive
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Lethargic or sedating feelings
• Weight loss
• Nausea

There’s also an alarming amount of drug interactions that can be potentially fatal when combined with other medications. This is why marijuana, or medical cannabis, is often considered safer than prescription drugs by doctors and patients alike.

Marijuana is a popular alternative to common prescription mental health drugs like antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and pain relievers. Unlike these prescription drugs, marijuana doesn’t have the same addictive properties that lead to withdrawal headaches or even addiction. It also has a very low rate of fatal drug interactions with other medications, if any at all.

Many patients who have had success with marijuana also report that it has a more beneficial effect on mood and anxiety than the prescription drugs they were previously taking.

As stated by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, “It doesn’t have a high potential for abuse, and there are very legitimate medical applications. In fact, sometimes marijuana is the only thing that works. It is irresponsible not to provide the best care we can as a medical community, and that care could involve marijuana. We have been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years in the United States, and I apologize for my own role in that.”

In short:

• Prescription drugs are expensive and can come with dangerous side effects. Marijuana has not shown to be addictive, nor produce damaging side effects.
• Marijuana does not interact with other medications, while prescription drugs often do. Taking marijuana will not cause you to have a heart attack or interact with other medications like an antibiotic.
• Marijuana is natural and does not have harmful artificial ingredients in it, unlike prescription drugs.
• Patients are more likely to experience a complete and long-lasting recovery from their depression when they use marijuana as an alternative treatment, opposed to prescription drugs.

What Kind Of Medical Marijuana Is Best For Stress, Depression And Anxiety?

There are many strains that can help with mental health, including stress, depression, and anxiety. It is important to find something you enjoy so it can be an effective replacement for prescription medications. In order to determine what strains work best for which specific ailments, we have the Strain Assessment Program. Our Patient Pioneers are real patients who review products and strains across delivery formats (flower, concentrates, vapes, etc.) to help MÜV learn about these genetics, bring data to the cannabis space, and assist fellow patients in their medical cannabis journey.

Based on our collected patient Strainprint Data, we show the following strains work best for the symptom relief of stress and anxiety:

There are a number of tried and tested cannabis strains to combat stress. Since everyone’s different, it may take a bit of experimentation to find the strain that works best for you. Here are a few options to consider:

• OG Kush: This marijuana strain comes from sativa or indica plants. OG Kush is ideal for those who find themselves stressed out at the end of a busy work day. OG Kush also seems to be effective at easing stress-induced migraines. It provides an almost immediate sense of happiness and improved mood. This strain should be consumed at home and before bedtime, as many consumers report that it makes them drowsy.
• White Widow: This strain is known worldwide among cannabis consumers. It’s a hybrid between the resin-heavy South Indian indica and Brazilian sativa plants. White Widow results in a strong sense of euphoria, and according to users, boosts energy levels and enhances creativity.
• Sour Diesel: This strain is sativa dominant and is popular for helping consumers feel alert and energetic. Sour Diesel is popular among consumers who experience acute stress with accompanying symptoms such as pain, anxiety, lack of appetite and insomnia.
• Cannatonic: This cannabis strain is generally well balanced in terms of the THC to CBD ratio, though some breeds clock in with a higher CBD content. As a result, Cannatonic has a calming effect that neutralizes anxiety and paranoia.
• Green Crack: Like most of the other marijuana strains, Green Crack also boosts energy levels and creates feelings of happiness. However, this sativa-dominant strain doesn’t make you feel tired or drowsy. In fact, most consumers report that Green Crack imparts mental clarity.
• Blue Dream: Another sativa-dominant hybrid, Blue Dream, tends to have higher THC levels. As a result, it can bring on physical relaxation and boost mood.
• AK-47: Contrary to the intimidating name, AK-47 is known for spurring creativity while providing relaxation. This sativa-dominant hybrid is also known to stimulate appetite, which can be useful for those who lose their desire to eat when they’re under a lot of stress.

All of these cannabis strains help create feelings of happiness and relaxation, so can serve to treat acute or chronic stress. However, as a number of studies have pointed out, cannabis must be taken in low, moderate doses to effectively relieve stress.

Consult with your medical practitioner to get advice on how best to combine cannabis with other types of stress treatment and/or medicines.

Final Thoughts on the Best Marijuana Strains for Mental Wellness

Every person’s body chemistry is different, resulting in a unique cannabis experience. Individual reactions to cannabis varies, with some strains being more effective than others. These are excellent choices for individuals seeking to begin their search.

Consider utilizing one of the above strains if you suffer from mental health issues or are looking for natural ways to balance your mental wellness and emotional well-being.

However, because with any strain, it’s usually best to start with a small dose. That is, at the least until you’ve learned the chemical makeup of the cannabis.