While many strains of cannabis get you high, some people simply enjoy the taste and aroma of certain types but don’t want to experience the psychoactive effects. Yoga is a great stress reliever because it’s manageable and accessible.
In this guide, we highlight 13 of the highest-rated recreational cannabis strains for stress relief.
Found here, our list includes indica, Sativa, and hybrid strains—which many of us have grown or will grow in our garden. And while we don’t list any high-CBD strains, we do include a few that are known to have lower THC levels.
Indica or Sativa: Which Is Best for Relieving Stress?
People who have a hard time managing stress and anxiety tend to prefer indica strains of marijuana over Sativa strains. Indicas are better for relaxation, whereas many high-THC Sativa strains can increase stress and paralyze creativity.
That isn’t always true, however.
Some Sativa strains can be just what the doctor ordered, especially when you need to stay motivated and energized all day long. To de-stress, your choice of cannabis strain will depend largely on the type. Let’s take a look at some strains that are great for stress relief.
Relieving Strains for Every Situation
It depends on the time of day, but certain strains can be more effective when reducing stress.
While many Indicas will help reduce stress, they can leave you couch-locked or send you to bed early. Sativa strains typically produce stimulating effects that are best suited for daytime use.
Jack Herer
Taking notes from its parent strain Northern Lights, Jack Herer offers a euphoric, uplifting high that helps you release stress without feeling overwhelmed or too cerebral.
Flo
The 1996 Cannabis Cup winner is a hybrid strain that pairs the relaxing effects of an indica and the euphoric, uplifting high of a Sativa. And with a short time that flowers bud more than once per year, Flo is reliably suited to serve as one of the best strains for stress relief throughout the year.
Green Crack
The invigorating mental buzz you get from Green Crack may not be right for individuals who are prone to severe anxiety or paranoia. But the positivity and focus it provides have made this a popular daytime strain of marijuana for stress relief—especially if you are also dealing with depression.
Blue Dream
The most popular strain of cannabis, in terms of sales, is a Sativa-dominant hybrid. Many people say this type has stress relief properties. The happy, relaxing high has been lauded for its ability to relieve stress without leaving you sedated.
AK-47
While you might not expect a strain with such an intense name to be very mellow, AK-47 has become a stress-relieving staple for many cannabis consumers. The Sativa-dominant hybrid delivers a relaxing yet engaging and lasting high, so you can stay focused and social all day long.
Sour Band
Headband combined with Sour Diesel and Headband to create a potent, versatile strain that provides relief from pain and tension while maintaining energy. And with large, dense flowers and a diesel/sour lemon aroma, we recommend this strain whether you need daytime stress relief or you just love smoking great cannabis.
Durban Poison
True to its name, Durban Poison has an intense high that is perfect for when you’re looking for relief from stress. Known for its resinous flowers, Durban Poison can also be made into concentrates such as CO2 oil or shatter.
Blue Healer
Blue Healer is a Hybrid strain with low THC levels and higher CBD content. It’s fairly easy to come across, though. The short-lived but soothingly relaxing effects of the drug offer relief from stress and pain without overpowering the consumer.
Afghan Death
Afghan Death is known for its high production of resin and sweet, earthy aroma. With a deep, sedating high that eases you into sleep (instead of knocking you out), the potent strain is commonly used to treat insomnia, pain, and stress.
GG4 (aka Gorilla Glue #4)
A potent, resin-covered hybrid, GG4 delivers heavy relaxation and euphoria that leaves many smokers happily couch-locked. GG4 is a highly therapeutic strain, not to mention it has multiple Cannabis Cup awards.
OG Kush
This indica-leaning hybrid is a stress-relieving dynamo. If stress is an empty aluminum can, OG Kush is the elephant stepping on it.
Its strong, relaxing, and euphoric high have made OG Kush one of the best-known strains in the world, as well as one of the best at reducing stress.
Tahoe OG
Tahoe OG has both a strong and heavy body high. It’s not recommended for the day of an event if you want to feel awake while taking it. But if you’re looking for help kicking anxious thoughts so you can get a good night’s sleep, look no further than this relaxing, stress-relieving indica-dominant hybrid.
Chemodo Dragon
A cross between Chem Dawg #4 and Gupta Kush, Chemodo Dragon is a Sativa-dominant hybrid strain that has outstanding lemon zest, pine, and Kush flavor with an active, invigorating high. While Chemodo Dragon is an energetic Sativa that won’t leave you couch-locked, its strong, heady high make it better suited for evening use (at least for many cannabis consumers).
Other Stress-Relieving Cannabis Products
Looking for a strain that’s not in stock or is unavailable? You can find out what other alternative cannabis items might help you get your life back on track.
Here are a few tips for finding the right marijuana product, whether in concentrate form, as an edible or topical cream.
Look for a 1:1 THC: CBD ratio, which can be easier to find in marijuana edibles and CO2 oils at many recreational dispensaries. Cannabidiol (CBD) provides many of the medical benefits of cannabis while counteracting some of the psychoactive effects of THC, allowing for a less intense high that doesn’t skimp on stress relief.
Shop for cannabis that contains either myrcene or limonene for the desired effects. Isovaleric acid and beta-caryophyllene have been linked to better sleep and elevated mood, respectively. Much like our pets, children are usually found in cannabis strains with more relaxing and euphoric effects.
CBD edibles and patches are a great option for those who don’t want to inhale marijuana smoke but still want the drug’s benefits.
