How to Choose the Right Cannabis Strain for Your Mood?
Some cannabis strains can energize and freshen up while others are downers. People can experience uncontrollable laughter from smoking pot or it can be a tranquilizing affair, calming down the mind and falling asleep easier. How do you tell which strain of weed is right for you and how to make a choice?
Not every cannabis strain is made equal. There are hundreds and hundreds of strains to choose from and sometimes you want to know what to expect from a smoke. You may have a preference for strains that boost energy, creativity and ideas. Or you just want weed for a complete mental relaxation and being able to fully enjoy each bite of the meal you prepared as you watch your favorite TV show. So yes, how to choose the right cannabis strain depending on your mood is important.
Different Types of Cannabis Strains
If you are at least a little bit familiar with cannabis, you will be aware of the common labels seen on different types of weed products. Words like indica, sativa and hybrid are the three most common pointers to the type of cannabis and they do inform on some general herb characteristics. Therefore, Indica is generally associated with calming, sedating effects, while Sativa is all about energy giving, inspiration and stimulation. Hybrid combines traits of both.
But after decades of matching cannabis strains and creating new genetics out of classic strains and hybrids, it has led us to a situation where these popular designations - Indica, Sativa, hybrid - have been a bit emptied of meaning. Smoking ‘sativa’ cannabis doesn’t necessarily mean it will always energize you or give you a cool idea for your upcoming house renovation project. Vice versa, smoking ‘indica’ will not necessarily bring you down and can in fact make you more chatty and happier.
Seeds Sold Under the Same Name Might Not Have Same Genetic Content
Beyond the common designations such as ‘indica’ and ‘sativa’ there are some really famous cannabis strains that more or less everyone who at least occasionally smokes has heard of at some point. Think of staple strains such as Northern Lights, Gorilla Glue or Lemon Haze. These are all amazing and successful strains, widely popular with users all around the world. If you look for some of those strains in dispensaries or on the internet, you might notice that fairly frequently they are not exclusive to just one manufacturer.
Sometimes manufacturers just push a product with an existing name because they believe they have a seed offer that matches the expected characteristics of that strain. There would be consistencies among strains sold under specific names, but the more common the strain name - the greater the chances a wider variety of different products are sold. To give an example, you are buying Northern Lights but at the same time you are not buying genuine Northern Lights. It might be good, but it may not be the best; it may not be as therapeutic as Northern Lights is supposed to be. If you want to be sure that you are acquiring a high-quality product, make sure that you purchase your seeds and strains from a quality source.
Don’t Forget That Everyone Reacts Differently to Cannabis
Even if everyone says that Afghan Kush or Northern Lights helps them better sleep, or that Gelato causes euphoric ‘high’ - you may still personally react differently to it. Everyone’s reaction to cannabis is unique, and while there would be some expected common reactions, sometimes a strain will not work the way you expect or want for you. In that case, it’s important to move on and try something else. Such as trying another cannabis strain that has similar properties with what you had before, and you may suddenly find out that the second pick better suits your mood and needs.
How to Choose the Right Weed Strain?
Making more informed decisions on what type of strain you choose gets easier as you get more experience with cannabis. Friends who consume cannabis longer than you can be important knowledge resource - just ask them for some tips. Bud tenders working in the dispensaries are also well-clued on the products they sell - you can discuss with them what you are looking for and they can surely come up with some cool recommendations as well.
Doing your own research can also help. A great internet resources where you can get a better idea on the effects of almost any cannabis strain is Leafly. Users can rate their experiences on this platform and say what they felt from smoking a certain strain. Let’s check some of their aggregate results.
Relaxation Strains
Indica-dominant cannabis strains that prompt relaxation usually have a good balance of THC and CBD, and perhaps other minor cannabinoids. Here are some popular options, according to votes by Leafly users:
- Dosidos
- Slurricane
- Purple Sunset
- Blue Cookies
- Sundae Driver
- Gelato
- Blue Cookies
Energizing Strains
When you are through a difficult period in life, energizing strains that can stimulate euphoria might be just what you need. Here are some of the top Leafly picks:
- Bruce Banner
- Paradise Waits
- Euphoria
- Jack Frost
- Apollo 11
- Dutch Treat
- Gelato
Focus Strains
Both THC-dominant strains and CBD-dominant strains can help you with focus, but it again comes down to your exact needs. For those who want to clear their mind and thoughts, Indica-dominant strains or hybrids may do a better job. For those feeling unmotivated and struggle to sit and complete their tasks, Sativa-leaning strains might be a better shot.
Sativas:
- Durban Poison
- Green Crack
- Cinex
- Super Jack
- Allen Wrench
Hybrids:
- Red Congolese
- Sour Patch Kiss
- Double Dream
- Alice in Wonderland
Sleep Strains
One of the most common reasons people use cannabis is to get a better sleep. With our modern way of life, sleep problems have become very common and almost every person will complain at some point that they have their sleep disrupted or get less than the recommended 8 hours of sleep. Indica strains or CBD-rich cultivars are the go-to options for improved night rest. The top results from Leafly recommend the following indicas:
- Darth Vader OG
- Afgoo
- Herijuana
- Purple Urkle
- Pure Kush
- Jupiter OG
We’ve written about sleep strains before on Soft Secrets. Check out this list which numbers and details eight strains that can help get a good night’s sleep.
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Stephen Andrews
