Are you tired of treating your medical condition with medications that bog you down with side effects?
Or maybe they just aren’t doing the trick.
Have you considered trying marijuana to help alleviate your symptoms?
Regardless of your feelings about cannabis, there is mounting evidence that different types of marijuana contain compounds that can help relieve pain, nausea and other symptoms of diseases.
But with so many strains available, it can be difficult to know where to begin. So we’re here to help.
Understanding the Types of Marijuana
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Over the last several decades, the bulk of literature on different kinds of marijuana has talked extensively about indica, sativa, and hybrid. As such, marijuana has, for a long time, been divided into these three categories.
The original belief was that indica (called this because it originated in the Hindu Kush mountains of India) was the type that gave you a great mellow. Meanwhile, sativa was the one that would energize. A hybrid could go either way.
Industry experts are now debunking this belief.
Mostly because when they take a look at the chemical makeup of the flower, there are no identifiable characteristics that are consistent with indica, sativa or hybrids.
That means that indica could make you excitable, while sativa might send you to the couch for a nap.
So when choosing a strain, it’s more important to pay attention to the THC or CBD content.
The Cannabinoids – THC vs. CBD
The cannabis plant is comprised of hundreds of chemical compounds called cannabinoids. And they interact with the human endocannabinoid system in a very specific way.
This is part of what makes the plants differ so much from one another.
The two most common of the cannabinoids are THC and CBD. These are the two to which you want to pay the most attention.
THC resembles the cannabinoid chemicals that occur naturally in your body. Ingesting or inhaling THC can stimulate hunger and make you feel high.
CBD, on the other hand, does not deliver a high. Even so, it does interact with pain receptors in the brain.
So which one will help treat you?
Since THC stimulates hunger and gives a sense of well-being, patients seeking relief from nausea and pain often choose strains that are THC-dominant.
But while the psychoactive effect of THC makes some users feel high, for others it can create anxiety. So CBD dominant strains are often chosen for those struggling with pain or anxiety.
Strains with balanced levels of THC offer mild psychoactive effects in tandem with symptom relief. These tend to be a good choice for novice consumers seeking an introduction to cannabis’ signature high.
Another thing to consider is the desired duration of the effects.
When you’re first experimenting with cannabis, inhalation methods like smoking and vaping, or tinctures will give you the short-term experience.
Once you find a strain that seems to work for you and you want the effects to last longer, then you can consider edibles. Just start with a low dosage.
The Magic of Terpenes
Once you’ve determined whether you want to go with a THC-dominant or CBD-dominant strain, the next thing you need to know is about terpenes.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds produced by plants and fruits. You’ve experienced them if you’ve ever sniffed an orange or a hoppy beer.
Think of terpenes as marijuana’s version of aromatherapy.
For example, both lavender and peppermint have glands that emit scents. Lavender’s scent promotes relaxation while peppermint’s effect is uplifting.
Cannabis plants have those same scent emitting glands. And they’re what make one strain smell like berries, while another strain smells like pine.
The strain Tangie, for instance, carries a distinctive citrus aroma. But DJ Short’s Blueberry most definitely smells like… blueberries.
More so than whether a plant is indica or sativa, terpenes seem to be crucial in driving the sedating or energizing effects of a plant.
That’s why it’s helpful if you can smell the strains you’re considering buying. Because if you feel that a certain THC dominant strain will benefit you, but you get it home and can’t stand the smell, you can be sure it’s not going to serve you.
Even if on paper a strain you’re considering seems perfect, remember to trust your sniffer and your intuition. They will serve you in the long run.
Popular Marijuana Strains
Listed below are some of the most popular strains and the reported symptoms they have helped to relieve in some people.
It’s important to remember that every human body is unique and your own individual response to a strain could be different from what’s listed here.
Also, keep in mind that certain strains of marijuana are effective in helping you deal with your symptoms. There is no implication that marijuana will cure your ailment.
- Acapulco Gold – fatigue, stress, pain, and even nausea
- Afghan Kush – anxiety, nausea, and pain
- Blue Dream – pain, cramps, and inflammation
- Bubba Kush – pain, anxiety, and insomnia
- Fruity Pebbles – stress and nausea
- Granddaddy Purple – nausea and insomnia
- LA Confidential – inflammation and chronic pain
- Northern Lights – insomnia, pain, stress, and depression
- Purple Kush – pain and muscle spasms, insomnia
- Sour Diesel – pain and low energy
- Super Silver Haze – pain and nausea
- White Widow – pain, fatigue, and depression
If you have trouble finding a strain that works to alleviate your symptoms, don’t worry. You can always arrange a consultation with a cannabis specialist. Learn more about how such an expert can help you find the perfect solution.
No Need to Be Confused
If you’re struggling with uncomfortable symptoms from a medical condition, we hope that this guide is helpful to you.
Trying to make sense of the many types of marijuana and how they will affect you can feel like just another thing to tackle.
But if you’re able to take the time to experiment with a few different strains, it could make a big difference in your life. It already has for so many before you.
And for more helpful tips and advice about all things cannabis, keep checking back with our site for new and informative guides to help you navigate this exciting new industry.
Additional informations that might help you:
- THC and CBD Dominant Strains: THC-dominant strains can stimulate hunger and create a sense of well-being, useful for patients with nausea and pain. However, they can also cause anxiety for some. CBD-dominant strains are often chosen for pain or anxiety relief. Strains with balanced levels of THC and CBD offer mild psychoactive effects along with symptom relief, suitable for novice users.
- Role of Terpenes: Terpenes are aromatic compounds in cannabis that can influence its effects. For example, Tangie carries a citrus aroma, while DJ Short’s Blueberry smells like blueberries. Terpenes play a significant role in determining whether a strain has sedating or energizing effects.
- Popular Strains for Various Conditions: Some well-known strains include Acapulco Gold for fatigue and stress, and Afghan Kush for anxiety and pain.
- Sativa and Indica Differences: Sativa strains are known for their energizing effects and are suitable for daytime use, whereas indica strains are relaxing and recommended for nighttime use. Hybrid strains combine the characteristics of both sativa and indica.
- Specific Strain Recommendations: Sativa strains like Green Crack and Jack Herer are suggested for conditions like ADHD and depression, while indica strains like Platinum Kush and Grandaddy Purple are recommended for anxiety and insomnia.
- Hybrid Strains: Hybrids can be sativa-dominant, indica-dominant, or balanced. They are often cultivated for specific medicinal effects and are favored for their versatility in treating various health conditions.
- Administration Methods: The effects of medical marijuana can vary depending on how it’s administered, with inhalation methods like smoking or vaping providing immediate effects, while edibles have a delayed but longer-lasting impact.
- Personalized Medicine Approach: It’s important to consider individual responses to different strains, as effects can vary greatly from person to person. Consulting with healthcare professionals and considering one’s own medical condition, desired effects, and personal preferences are crucial in selecting the right strain.
- Potential Benefits and Drawbacks: While medical marijuana offers many potential benefits, it’s important to be aware of the possible drawbacks, such as the psychoactive effects of THC, which may not be suitable for everyone.
- Strain Selection for Specific Conditions: Certain strains are recommended for specific conditions like cancer, chronic pain, depression, glaucoma, headaches, insomnia, joint pain, multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, and nausea.