What Strains of Cannabis are Best for PTSD?

PTSD, short for post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental disorder that affects people who have suffered from severe trauma. It is common in people exposed to violence, accidents, or combat. It is difficult for people to cope with their daily life, and it affects their physical and mental health. PTSD is a serious condition that affects 5% of the total U.S. population every year.

PTSD affects every individual differently, but general symptoms include anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, and depression, among others. These symptoms can be debilitating.

The usual treatment methods include medication and counseling. However, in recent years, researchers have tested the effectiveness of cannabis in treating the symptoms of PTSD, confirming its therapeutic effects on the mind and body.

Understanding PTSD and Its Symptoms

PTSD is a mental disorder that is identified by severe symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. It is difficult for PTSD patients to lead a normal life as they constantly experience feelings of anger, sadness, fear, and detachment. Medical marijuana is a potent remedy for PTSD due to its feel-good effects combined with compounds that help promote relief and relaxation. Since medical cannabis is known for alleviating stress, anxiety, and sleep difficulties, it can be a suitable treatment option for PTSD patients.

How Cannabis Can Help PTSD

Cannabis is a complex plant made up of numerous cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. Each component has unique properties that result in different effects on the mental and physical aspects of the body. Overall, cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system to influence mood, stress response, and sleep.

Below is a list of compounds found in cannabis and what they offer for PTSD patients.

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis best known for its calming effects. It helps relieve anxiety.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a psychoactive compound that helps with mood and sleep stimulation.

Choosing the Right Strain for PTSD

Choosing the right strain depends on your symptoms. Here is a brief overview of what you should look for when purchasing medical marijuana products for PTSD.

CBD vs. THC: CBD is ideal for people looking to manage anxiety and sleep without getting high, while THC can offer mood elevation and relaxation.
Indica vs. Sativa: Indica strains tend to relax the body and promote sleep, while sativa strains provide energy and focus. Hybrid strains balance both.
Terpenes: These are essential oils in cannabis that influence the effects of relaxation, relief, and euphoria. For PTSD, the most effective strains have calming terpenes like linalool or limonene.

Top Strains for PTSD

Each cannabis strain has different properties and induces different effects on the body. While the best strain for you depends on the symptoms you are trying to address and your preference, here are some of the best medical marijuana strains that PTSD patients usually prefer.

High-CBD Strains

These strains have high levels of CBD and low levels of THC. They are perfect for anxiety, sleeping disorders, and relaxation without any psychoactive effects. Some popular high-CBD strains are:

ACDC: Alternative Cannabinoid Dietary Cannabis (ACDC) is a high CBD strain that helps with conditions of stress and anxiety. Its terpene profile includes herbal, spicy, woody, and citrusy qualities.
Charlotte’s Web: This is another famous strain known for its calming effects with minimal psychoactive impact. It is a hemp-derived strain with non-intoxicating properties.
Harlequin: Harlequin is a CBD-dominant strain with a 5:2 CBD to THC ratio. It provides clear-headedness and relaxation without sedation or intoxication, perfect for relieving anxiety and inducing positive feelings.

Balanced THC-CBD Strains

The balanced THC/CBD strains have equal parts of CBD and THC. These strains are great for mild to moderate relief.

Cannatonic: This strain is known for creating a soft high along with uplifting and relaxing effects. It is mostly used for medical purposes because it helps a lot with pain, migraine, and muscle spasms. With mild euphoria, cannatonic eases anxiety and stress in PTSD patients.
Sour Tsunami: This strain is specifically created to have high CBD content to treat pain and inflammation without the high effect of THC. It has citrus, earthy, and diesel flavors with myrcene, pinene, and terpinolene terpenes. It is perfect for calming the patient without intense psychoactive effects.

High-THC Strains

THC-dominant strains may provide relief from severe PTSD symptoms.

OG Kush: This strain has a 19.1% THC content and terpenes like myrcene, limonene, humulene, and Pinene. It offers a tranquilizing high, inducing feelings of happiness and euphoria.
Girl Scout Cookies: This hybrid strain is known for its euphoric effects with full-body relaxation. With a 19% THC level, it will leave you feeling happy, hungry, and stress-free. It helps manage mood swings and stress and stimulates appetite in PTSD patients.
Granddaddy Purple: This strain is known for its euphoric and relaxing effects. It brings feelings of sleepiness and hunger, helping treat PTSD-related insomnia, appetite loss, and stress.

Other Considerations

Cannabis has a lot of benefits, but there can also be a few side effects, like dry eyes, sore throat, paranoia, or dependency. Patients should consider the following factors to ensure effective treatment without falling victim to the adverse effects.

Individual Variability: The effects of marijuana vary for people based on their weight, age, endocannabinoid system, and other factors. It is always better to start with low doses, find what works best for your symptoms, and gradually increase the dosage and potency.
Legality: It is also important to check the legality of cannabis products in your state. If you are traveling, make sure you abide by the rules and laws of the state you’re traveling to. Make sure you have a medical marijuana card with you to avoid legal troubles.

Find the Right Strain

Cannabis is beneficial for many mental disorders and physical health conditions, including PTSD, stress, and anxiety disorders. Certain strains like ACDC, Cannatonic, OG Kush, and Granddaddy Purple can help relieve symptoms of PTSD like anxiety, stress, appetite loss, and mood swings. They help relax your mind and body, inducing euphoric feelings to help you escape from the negative effects of PTSD. However, finding a strain that works best for you requires trial and error, mainly because different strains can have different effects on different individuals. It is best to seek professional help for strain recommendations to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Cannabidiol (CBD)