Anxiety—racing thoughts, sweaty palms, panicked feelings, pounding heart—this mental health problem is everyday life for many people. In truth, cannabis could be invaluable when it comes to helping with anxiety. Some people even use Sativa or Indica for depression and anxiety on a regular basis with good results. But is Indica or Sativa better for anxiety? It depends. Let’s take a closer look.
Should you try Sativa or Indica for anxiety?
First, to clarify, the bulk of commercially available cannabis available today is hybrid, which means the strains may offer both Indica and Sativa qualities and traits. What you will find, however, is that cannabis strains are either Indica or Sativa-dominant.
Is Indica or Sativa better for anxiety?
The quick answer to “Is Indica or Sativa better for anxiety?” is it can depend on the person, their anxiety symptoms, and even how they perceive the effects of strains containing different cannabinoids and terpenes. Every individual can have a different set of symptoms they want to target, and some people find a couch-locked feeling or a euphoric buzz to be anxiety-inducing.
In general, Indica-dominant strains like Northern Lights and 9# Hammer tend to have higher levels of cannabidiol (CBD) than Sativa-dominant strains like Russian Doll or Sour Diesel. THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) levels in both types can be comparable. There are quite a few people who claim that it’s better to stick with Indica strains for anxiety for this reason, but this may not be true for everyone.
Does Sativa or Indica cause anxiety?
So, does Sativa make you anxious? What about Indica?
Indica strains can be more calming and sedating, while Sativa can be more energetic and uplifting, possibly even making your mind a little more active. Some people find that using a Sativa sets their mind into an introspective overdrive, which may heighten their feelings of anxiety. Just the same, some people find Indica-dominant strains force them to sit still and sit idle with feelings of anxiety, which can also not be good.
It is not necessarily the fact that cannabis is Indica or Sativa-dominant that would make it cause anxiety. The primary thing to blame is the cannabinoids, specifically the THC to CBD ratio. In high doses, THC tends to cause paranoia and anxious thoughts, but this action can sometimes be alleviated with CBD. For this reason, Indica strains do serve some people better without exacerbating anxiety. But, again, this is no hard and fast rule for every person.
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Strains to Try for Anxiety
Different strains work well for different people. So, just because one strain works well for one person’s anxiety may not always mean it will be the best for someone else. Nevertheless, here are a few good strains to consider:
- ACDC: Hybrid – High CBD and Low THC, Calming Effects
- Grandaddy Purple: Indica – High THC, Sedating Effects
- Jack Herer: Sativa – High THC, High THC, Clear-Headed Effects
- Jillybean: Hybrid – Medium THC, Uplifting High
- Purple Urkle: Indica – High THC, Calming Effects
Final Thoughts on Indica vs Sativa for Anxiety
When you are dealing with an issue that can be as ambiguous as anxiety, finding the right strain of cannabis to help can be a highly personal journey. When you stop by to see us at Collective, we will do our best to help you track down the strain that is best for you and your personal symptoms. Feel free to check out our menu to get an idea of the different strains we have available.
