Even diehard MJ fans must admit you could have too much of a good thing. And by “good thing,” we’re talking about delta 9 THC. As cannabis fans are well aware, this cannabinoid is most responsible for weed’s psychoactive properties. On the positive side, THC could induce deep relaxation and euphoria. However, it’s also possible for THC to provoke nasty side effects like panic attacks, confusion, and hallucinations.
Scientists are still learning the intricacies of how THC works, but there’s no doubt this cannabinoid can cause trouble in some patients. In fact, some research suggests a few people may have a genetic predisposition to pot-related paranoia.
But that doesn’t mean people who are “THC sensitive” can’t enjoy a toke now and again. Indeed, thanks to the CBD flower revolution, there are loads of low-THC strains that look, smell, and taste like weed. Since these strains have ≤ 0.3 percent THC, there’s virtually no chance users will experience side effects like hysteria.
So, Does Low-THC Always Mean Less Anxiety?
How THC affects you depends on many factors, including your genetics, metabolism, and tolerance level. Indeed, fascinating research out of the University of Western Ontario suggested THC could affect the brain in one of two ways. If THC activates the frontal lobes, there’s a “high” chance you’ll love smoking weed. However, if THC binds to the back of your brain, you will probably experience paranoia.
How THC interacts with your ECS is primarily a matter of genetics. Just like some people are born with peanut allergies, some of us may be born with a genetic predisposition towards pot.
However, there’s some evidence that suggests small doses of THC may help mellow us all out. In fact, a trial out of the University of Illinois found that low amounts of THC may have a relaxing effect on people. Patients who took higher doses of THC, however, were more likely to experience adverse side effects.
There’s also strong evidence that suggests CBD could counter THC’s psychoactivity. Numerous reports show that CBD can block THC molecules from landing on the brain’s CB1 receptors. There’s also strong evidence that CBD on its own has anti-anxiety properties.
While all of this research is preliminary, it suggests that strains with high CBD and low THC have the lowest potential for paranoia. Hopefully, as researchers continue to explore this issue, we’ll better understand how to manage THC effectively. If you want to learn how low-dose THC affects anxiety, be sure to read our previous post on microdosing CBD hemp flower.
Do Sativas Seriously Make You Stressed?
It’s widely known in weed circles that sativas are worse than indicas for people prone to paranoia. Supposedly, since sativas have an energizing effect, they could overstimulate an anxious toker’s mind.
While many weed fans subscribe to this belief, there’s no scientific evidence this is the case. Indeed, many pot fans now believe aromatic terpenes may play a more significant role than sativa-to-indica percentage.
For instance, some evidence suggests that strains with myrcene or beta-caryophyllene have a sedative or anti-anxiety effect. Since most indicas have high myrcene counts, this may explain their propensity towards deep relaxation.
Also, most marijuana strains in the sativa lineage have more THC than indicas. This higher dose of THC may be the root cause behind sativa’s “anxiety edge.”
Whatever the truth is, it’s usually safer for people to choose indica dominant strains if they’re concerned with THC exposure. Indicas are always associated with profoundly relaxing effects, which is a better fit for people suffering from stress or anxiety.
Ultra Smooth Hemp Strains That Won’t Provoke Paranoia
Although all hemp strains carry a minimal risk of THC exposure, there are a few hybrids that are better known for their soothing properties. Here are a few names we’d suggest for people who are extra concerned about THC exposure.
Cherry Wine
Cherry Wine may be a 50/50 hybrid, but it has gained notoriety as a nightcap strain. Fans of this hybrid consistently rave about its soothing properties, which may be due to high traces of the terpenes linalool and beta-caryophyllene. While Cherry Wine has a sweet flavor profile, there are also plenty of sultry and spicy notes to create a nuanced experience. Anyone who wants to chill with an “earthy charcuterie board” won’t be disappointed with some Cherry Wine nugs.
OG Kush
Often dubbed the “Best Strain Of All Time,” OG Kush is the crown jewel of Cali hybrids. While the authentic OG isn’t OK for beginners, Cannaflower’s hemp OG Kush flower has all the original’s earthy flavors without excessive THC. Even if you’re new to cannabis, you won’t have to worry about paranoia with our CBD-heavy OG Kush nugs. Plus, since OG Kush is indica dominant, it will probably have a calming effect on your mind.
Bubba Kush
You could think of Bubba Kush as an OG Kush variant with an extra dash of indica. Both of these strains share similar genetics, but Bubba Kush ramps up the sedative effects. Indeed, due to Bubba Kush’s potent soothing properties, users must reserve it for nighttime use. Like many other indicas, Bubba Kush has high traces of myrcene, which may explain its musky odor and relaxing effects. Anyone who’s struggling to go to sleep may want to give Bubba Kush a try.
Elektra
The Elektra hybrid is all about harmony. As a near-perfect 50/50 hybrid, Elektra offers users a well-rounded experience that’s neither too sedating nor too invigorating. The sedating properties of terpenes like myrcene are balanced by high alpha-pinene and limonene percentages. In addition to balancing out its effects, these terpenes give Elektra enticing citrusy and woodsy aromatics. No matter when you choose to smoke Elektra, there’s little chance it will provoke a panic attack.
Remedy
Even if you know nothing about MMJ history, you could probably guess what the Remedy strain was designed for. Yep, this blend of Cannatonic and Afghani Skunk was bred for its medicinal properties. Specifically, breeders wanted to ensure that Remedy had a high CBD count to counter any risk of paranoia. Most tokers claim Remedy has a slightly sedating effect with delightful floral aromatics. Whether you have an MMJ card or not, Remedy is a refreshing way to end a long day.
Prevent Paranoia With Cannaflower’s Low-THC Hemp
The fear of a panic attack often holds new customers back from trying cannabis flowers. However, there’s mounting evidence that high-CBD hemp could provide anxiety sufferers with stress relief and minimal side effects. As long as THC stays below the ≤ 0.3 percent threshold, hemp should have a soothing, subtle effect on your ECS.If you want to put hemp flowers to the test, Cannaflower has loads of strains to choose from. Please take your time reading the lab reports and reviews for each of our American-grown hemp strains. We promise each of our artisan-grade hemp flowers meets the highest standards for quality and potency.
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