7 of the Best Medical Cannabis Strains for Pain and Quick Cultivating Tips

Patients suffering from chronic pain find relief in medical cannabis. Whether it's neuropathic pain, inflammation, fibromyalgia, spinal injury, muscle soreness, headache, or migraines, the evidence is hefty on the efficacy of cannabis and its ability to alleviate pain sensations.  Medical users continually report that cannabis helps them in treating conditions related to pain. The degree of pain relief they experience varies depending on the type of pain, its intensity, and the patient's individual biology, reports suggest. There are different medical cannabis strains that can offer pain relief. Below are seven of the most successful ones. Some users use these strains to treat other ailments as well, while some use them also recreationally.

What are the best medical cannabis strains to treat pain and other ailments?

Most of these strains are readily available to purchase in dispensaries, however, you can always try out to grow yourself.

1. Sour Diesel

Medical qualities: offers long-lasting relief for pain but also stress and mood swings Top reported effects: feeling uplifted and elated, relaxing, alleviating pain Smell and flavor: sour, skunky, pungent, at moments reminds of gasoline  Often called Sour D, this Sativa-dominant cannabis strain, named after its specific pungent smell that reminds of gasoline is a favorite energy and mood booster among recreational users. It's also great for pain relief.  The potent THC strain emerged from the underground cannabis market of the 1990s. There's a dose of obscurity around its origin, but it's very likely its descendants are Super Skunk and Chemdawg 91.  As one of the most appreciated strains for both medical and recreational use, Sour D is always in demand, and it can be found in almost every dispensary.  Cultivation: You can grow new Sour D plants from clones, both in indoor and outdoor settings. For outdoor cultivation, semi-humid Mediterranean-like climates are the optimal environment for this strain.

Cannabis curing in a jar

2. Blueberry

Medical qualities: calming, relaxing, one of the best strains to treat neuropathic pain  Top reported medical uses: lower back pain, migraines, loss of appetite, insomnia, stress, glaucoma, ADD/ADHD and anxiety  Smell and flavor: juicy, fruity, delicious, with a blueberry hint on an inhale and exhale  Emerging in the late 1970s by the mysterious American breeder DJ Short, by some also called the "Willy Wonka of pot," Blueberry is a THC-packed strain that works as an excellent remedy for anxiety. Its THC content can range from 15% to 24%. The strain has also proven extra effective among patients suffering from chronic pain. In 2000, Blueberry received the 'Best Indica' accolade on the High Times Cannabis Cup and was further distinguished as the best strain overall. Both indica Afghani and sativa Thai share their genetics with Blueberry. For its extra sticky buds, a grinder is more than recommended. Proper curing is a must. Cultivation: Blueberry is best to grow outside as the strain really likes sunshine. Consider cropping the top of the plant to make it look more like a bush. When grown into such shape, Blueberry strains give extra buds. 

3. White Widow

Medical qualities: relaxing, happiness-inducing  Top reported medical uses: pain such as lower back pain or migraine pain, insomnia, depression, anxiety and stress, ADD/ADHD, glaucoma Smell and flavor: intense, fruity, and earthy that may remind the users of sandalwood as well as an array of other herbs Billed as one of "the most popular strains in the world" by Popular Science magazine, White Widow is a potent cannabis strain that helps those suffering from chronic pain to sleep off their aches. The strain won the Cannabis Cup in 1995, and apart from soothing pain, it's also appreciated among medical cannabis users who treat anxiety and insomnia.  The strain's clean white buds and crystal resin inspired its poetic name. A White Widow will help you sleep, but it will also give you a euphoric boost, so it might make you elated before drifting off to sleep. It has 16.5% relative THC content, it's a classic Dutch hybrid of Sativa and Indica, and has emerged as a cross between Brazilian Sativa landrace and a resin-heavy South Indian Indica.  Cultivation: White Widow could be easily grown indoors. Prune the plant in the first few weeks of flowering. Use soil or hydroponics. The plant gives moderate to low harvest after a 2-month flowering time. Give an extra week before harvest if you see that the colas need a little more time to go fully ripe. 

Cannabis weight measured in a dispensary

4. ACDC

Medical qualities: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant  Top reported medical uses: pain, epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, side effects from chemotherapy  Smell and flavor: pleasant natural-like sweetness with a mix of spicy, juicy and citrusy One of the best medical cannabis strains for pain sufferers, Sativa-dominant ACDC strains are packed with CBD so much that users report almost no intoxicating effects. A strain of ACDC has 14% relative CBD content, however, since it has a significant ratio of THC, first-time medical users should still start micro-dosing the strain before increasing its dosage. Cultivation: Indoor settings are better for the cultivation of ACDC strains. It takes longer to grow outside, ideally in warm or slightly cooler temperatures, and extra caution on pests management. 

5. Harlequin 

Medical qualities: sedative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory  Top reported medical uses: pain, stress, depression, anxiety, inflammation Smell and flavor: earthy, skunky, and will sometimes remind users of different tastes such as sweet mango For those who want to steer clear from THC-dominant strains, Harlequin, like ACDC, is another viable option. Harlequin's relative 9% CBD content and 5% THC facilitate pain relief in the body without a foggy mind's side effect. The strain is also quick to work and alleviate pain sensations. This CBD-packed, Sativa-dominant is one of the most popular pain-relieving cannabis options. It's a clear-headed buzz, and less intoxicating properties make it perfectly appropriate as a daytime medication. Several pure cannabis varieties borrow their genetics on Harlequin, including legendary Colombian Gold and Thai landrace strains.  Cultivation: Best to grow indoors as Harlequin demands a controlled environment. Avoid growing in a humid environment. Control the humid environment from below 65% relative humidity (RH) by the start of vegetation, then lower weekly until it's below 55% by the time the plants start blooming. At harvest time, the RH should be around 35%. You can still grow Harlequin outside, where the plant is highly resistant to pests and can yield up to two dozen ounces. Low-stress training may additionally improve yields.  Harvest your crop a little earlier than Harlequin's standard flowering time, which is 8-9 weeks; that is if you want to get plant material with an exceptional CBD content.

Green and brown kush buds

6. Master Kush

Medical qualities: wholesome body relaxation, analgesic Top reported medical uses: pain relief, insomnia, offers clarity of the mind Smell and flavor: subtle earthly, citrus scent, reminds of incense  A nicely packed THC strain with around 17% relative THC content, Master Kush is a famous choice for pain sufferers and one of the most renowned Indica strains. The strain is popular for soothing pain effectively and quickly, and it is further appreciated for relaxing the mind from frustrations that usually come from chronic aches and pains. It is also a well-known strain for sleep, so if you have trouble catching zzzs, take a little bit of this strain, and you will drift off to dreamland. Master Kush originates from two landrace strains indigenous to the Hindu Kush mountainous region that spans the Afghani-Pakistani border. The strain has been derived thanks to the efforts of Amsterdam-based Label Seed Company. Cultivation: Can easily fit in a small growing space as Master Kush grows shorter but denser. Try out growing in hydroponics settings. Trim lower buds to push more energy and resources into upper buds. 

7. Afghan Kush

Medical Qualities: powerful sedative  Top reported medical uses: nerve pain relief, insomnia Smell and flavor: intense earthly hash-like aroma followed by a sweet hash aftertaste Afghan Kush is a CBD-packed Indica strain that works miracles when it comes to easing nerve pain. It can also be used as an alternative to a sleeping pill, as it will relax you and put you to sleep fast. Afghan Kush also originates from the Hindu Kush region, where the resin-rich strain has become a famous source of hash. Due to efforts from White Label Seed Company, the seeds have circled the globe, making it available for everyone to grow.  Cultivation: Ideal to grow on temperatures between 65-80 degrees °F. Implement strategies to keep mold and moisture away from the plants, regardless if you cultivate the plants indoors or outdoor. Experiment with hydroponics to boost the yield and potency of your Afghan Kush darlings.