Dealing with chronic or acute pain can really put a damper on your life. In fact, globally, chronic pain is the number one cause of disability and disease burden. Pain doesn’t just make it hard to move, it can also worsen mental health and has been linked directly to conditions like depression and anxiety.
Thankfully, cannabis has shown potential in alleviating pain to help people feel like themselves again. But some cannabis strains seem to be better at achieving this than others. What are the best strains for pain you need to try?
The Best Weed Strains For Pain
The best strains for pain are often indica-dominant, but not always. While many people can benefit from the strong sedating effects of a potent indica, sativa-dominant strains featuring a therapeutic blend of both THC and CBD can often get the job done just as well.
Here are 5 strains that we think are a great choice for helping patients to treat their pain.
Northern Lights
Because of its overwhelming indica effects, Northern Lights is one of the most commonly cited strains for pain. An inbred descendant of Afghan Kush, Northern Lights is a pure indica that is very similar to other strains in the Afghan and Hindu Kush lines. This strain’s powerful full-body effects produce a mix of euphoria and sedation that is perfect for treating pain. Not only will Northern Lights relax your muscles, joints, and nerves, but it will also relax your mind.
Afghan Kush
Also known as Afghan OG, Afghan Kush is an infamous strain descending from the Hindu Kush mountain range. Similar to Northern Lights, this pure indica produces a deep full-body buzz that will have you feeling relaxed and euphoric all over. Afghan Kush doesn’t just contain an impressive amount of THC, but also contains a hefty dose of therapeutic CBD. This powerful combination of cannabinoids makes this strain a great choice for treating conditions such as pain, insomnia, stress, and anxiety.
White Widow
White Widow is a legendary strain known for its robust blend of indica and sativa effects. This 60/40 sativa-dominant hybrid immediately hits you with waves of physical and cerebral euphoria that will have you forgetting your problems in no time. Thanks to this potent combination of effects, widow is not just great for alleviating pain but also for treating the psychological stress that can often come with it.
Harlequin
Harlequin is a sativa-dominant hybrid that contains a roughly 1:1 to 2:1 THC to CBD ratio. Its hefty CBD content mutes out much of the THC’s euphoria, resulting in a much more relaxing and less stimulating buzz than most other strains. This lack of euphoria and stimulation means that Harlequin won’t distract you or sap your productivity, making it perfect for medicating during the daytime.
ACDC
Similar to Harlequin, ACDC is a sativa-dominant strain that contains a mix of both THC and CBD. However, ACDC tends to contain more THC, usually reaching a 3:1 or even 4:1 THC to CBD ratio. This means that it produces a similarly mellow and relaxing buzz, but with more euphoria. ACDC produces a deep sense of physical relaxation laced with an uplifting euphoria that is perfect for medicating both the mind and the body.
(Make sure to check out our post on strains for sleep, too!)