The Best Marijuana Strains for Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stressful situations or life-threatening events.

When it appears occasionally, this is pretty normal. After all, we all get stressed from time to time.

But when a person enters a loop where anxiety becomes their everyday companion, it’s a sign that the situation needs fixing.

Unfortunately, conventional medicine doesn’t have much to offer to people suffering from anxiety disorders.

Commonly prescribed anxiolytics and antidepressants may mask the symptoms, but the list of side effects they may induce outweighs the potential benefits.

This is where cannabis steps forward.

Marijuana has a well-documented record of anxiolytic and antidepressant properties with only minimal (if any) side effects. Cannabinoids — the active compounds in marijuana — have been investigated as potential agents in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, chronic stress, attention disorders, fatigue, on top of other mental disorders.

In this article, we review our top 4 marijuana strains for anxiety. We’ve compiled both classic buds and less obvious choices — all of which should provide relief from everyday worries.

1. Sour OG

Also known as 818 Headband, Sour OG is a cross of two world-famous strains — OG Kush and Sour Diesel. 

Sour OG holds a 50/50 ratio of indica to sativa, ensuring a balanced sensation of uplifted mind and relaxed body. The THC content of this strain generally sits around 22%, with some phenotypes reaching up to 27%.

Appearance-wise, Sour OG is rich-green with white crystalline trichomes and orange hair. The buds are round and densely packed with a generous coating of resin indicative of its above-average THC concentrations.

This hybrid smells like lemon, pine, and gasoline, with a fruity and sweet aftertaste on the exhale.

The aromas of Sour OG herald calming and uplifting effects. Limonene, the terpene responsible for the anxiolytic effects of cannabis, staves off stress and fights fatigue. 

These calming traits, combined with decent relaxation provided by the strain’s indica-driven nature, make Sour OG one of the best marijuana strains for anxiety. It works best at low to medium doses because the elevated THC content can backfire on the user and actually bring the opposite effect, whereas pinene can induce euphoria and promote alertness.

2. Jack Herer

Jack Herer is a strain named after a lifelong cannabis advocate and the author of “The Emperor Wears No Clothes.” Similar to its patron, Jack Herer is extremely popular among cannabis aficionados. It’s also our second best marijuana strain for anxiety due to its unique effects.

Sporting up to 24% THC, Jack Herer packs a punch, so it’s good if you have some prior experience with lower potency strains. Like many anxiety-relieving strains, this sativa-dominant hybrid, offering a full bouquet of citrus fruits, from hints of orange to notes of lemon and lime accompanied by floral undertones.

When smoked, the flowers of Jack Herer give off surprisingly clean and herbal aroma. The smoke is smooth and easy on the throat, tasting similarly herbal and a bit more pungent.

Jack Herer is a fast-hitter. Users are embraced by a strong headrush that is more invigorating than confusing. The initial burst of euphoria slowly makes a transition to a sense of relaxation as the high continues. If you feel like taking a walk in a park for brainstorming and visualization, this is hands down one of the best strains to choose for that mood.

Jack Herer is typically used to fight chronic stress, anxiety, and depression, although many patients also use it to treat pain, migraines, and insomnia.

3. Girl Scout Cookies

Whether you need strong relief from anxiety or you just want to step up your game and discover the new meaning of euphoria, then you’re in for a real treat with Girl Scout Cookies.

Bred by a growing collective that’s known as Cookie Farm, this train made it to the mainstream when the guys from Cookie Farm passed their product into the hands of Wiz Khalifa who further popularized the strain across the U.S.

Girl Scout Cookies is a truly unique strain when it comes to its cannabinoid profile. Not only does GSC boast an average THC content of 28%, but it also has a 1% CBD and CBN, which should be enough to entice you — especially if you’re struggling with recurring anxiety and poor sleep quality.

At first opening of the jar, Girl Scout Cookies give off a sweet, earthy aroma that only gets sweeter as you break up the buds. The smoke is surprisingly smooth and will certainly encourage you to dive deeper into the effects offered by these bright green flowers with purple leaves and fiery orange hair.

GSC will instantly catapult you into a wave of blissful relaxation followed by a cerebral rush that tingles the back of your head and brings you into a happy state of mind with very little effort. That’s why it’s often picked as one of the best medical marijuana strains for depression by our consumers. Keep in mind to have a bag of snacks nearby because the strain is also known for giving a powerful case of the munchies.

4. Strawberry Cough

Strawberry Cough is a sativa-dominant hybrid popular for its strawberry fragrance and flavor. This strain gives the user a clear-headed experience and comes with remarkable amounts of THC that sits around 26%.

Strawberry Cough grows pretty small and dense buds that are coated with a blanket of crystalline trichomes, only adding more glamour to its already amazing bag appeal.

Despite its high THC content, the effects provided by Strawberry Cough are easy-going. At first, you may start coughing because of the thick smoke teasing your throat, but once you’re done, the high will gently start flowing to your head, giving the first signs of the aforementioned euphoria.

Strawberry Cough is the strain of choice for many anxiety sufferers who are looking for stress relief with only little sedation. Other mental conditions that this flower may alleviate include PTSD, depression, problems with focus, and hyperactivity.

What strains do you use to fight anxiety? Share your picks in the comment section!