Best Cannabis Strains for Relaxing

It’s still 2020 unfortunately – the year in which we could ALL use some serious rest and relaxation. While exposure to stress is nothing new, in this year, it feels like stress levels and feelings of anxiety have never been higher amongst the general population.

While we all crave a return to “normality”, the reality is that pre-COVID-19, our lives were hardly a gentle walk in the park – Deadlines, bills, work, family problems and increasing demands of our time from technology have left us feeling increasingly stressed and unable to relax. And don’t take my word for it, recent studies have confirmed that our collective levels of stress and anxiety continue to grow despite advancements in science, health-care and technology. 

Indeed, while life was supposed to get easier as we evolved and our ability to harness technology increased, statistics show that we actually work more and longer hours than we did in the 1980s. 

However, while stress might seem unavoidable in our collective annus horribilis, it has never been more critical that we all try and find time to rest and recover from these daily stresses and worries. Luckily, cannabis could be a new best friend in these increasingly worrying times.

Before we learn about the best cannabis strains for relaxation, it is important to understand why relaxation is actually an important part of our lives.

Increased Stress a Danger to All of us

When we experience stress or a dangerous situation, our sympathetic nervous system directs the body’s rapid involuntary response. This causes a flash flood of hormones that help to boost the body’s alertness and heart rate by sending extra blood to the muscles.

These potentially hazardous situations allow our sympathetic nervous system to remain engaged, keeping the body and mind in either “fight or flight” mode. This physiological response has evolved through time and helps to keep us safe and alive. However, in modern times, this system is becoming increasingly triggered by sources of anxiety that are not legitimate threats to our health or safety. 

Indeed, the hormonal effect caused by this response can cause serious side effects and become hugely detrimental to a person’s quality of life.

Ever feel anxious when a stranger comments on your social media? Or what if you’re running 5 minutes for a meeting? What about when you run out of battery on your cell phone? Or if your wifi connection drops for a moment?

All of these kinds of fairly meaningless, insignificant situations are causing increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression for all of us. 

So, what can we do? 

While turning the phone off is probably a good start, it is increasingly vital that we can find as many ways as possible to bring about the relaxation response, activating the parasympathetic nervous system which helps to calm the body down. 

For some people, it might be yoga or meditation, for others a long walk or a good book, however, for a growing number of people, increased access to cannabis has provided many with a new and alternative means to achieve a higher level of relaxation.

With cannabis beginning to lose its stigma, more and more people are now beginning to use marijuana to help activate the relaxation response to find a place of calmness in an otherwise, hectic and stressful world.  

Indeed, a study published in 2017 revealed that 37% of American cannabis users claimed stress relief as their primary reason for using marijuana. 

With legality continuing to spread across the globe, so too are the number of people gaining access to cannabis and its highly publicized stress-relieving ability.

No longer a dirty secret, it would seem like an acceptance and understanding of cannabis medicinal benefits has finally brought a legitimacy to this truly versatile and wonderful plant.

Important Factors to Consider

Choose the right Environment. 

If you want to relax after a long day, finding a comfortable place that makes you feel at ease is a good start. For many, it might be a sofa or maybe a nice warm bath. Just make sure you are in a position where you can chill out, kick back and get ready to enjoy an intensely relaxing body high.  

Choose the right Strain. 

While some strains have different effects, typically, the best strains for relaxing tend to be indica-dominant and contain a balance of both THC and CBD. Sativa-dominant strains typically tend to be uplifting with psychoactive effects and a cerebral high, as opposed to relaxing. Some high CBD strains can help your mind to relax while also preventing couch-lock. However, if you want a sedating, relaxing experience, indica-dominant strains with higher THC levels than CBD are preferred. 

Furthermore, it is thought that the best weed strains for relaxing also include high levels of the terpenes myrcene, caryophyllene and Linalool. 

While our understanding of cannabis was once a rudimentary “indica or sativa” approach, we now know that the cannabinoid profile and terpene content of a strain will impact its many effects on the consumer. 

As such, when browsing your favourite strains at MGS, look for terpene combinations like those mentioned above that could prove to be ideal for relaxing.

Moderate your Dosage 

For newcomers, the best advice is “start low, and go slow”. Depending on several factors like gender and weight, the amount of cannabis you need to feel its beneficial effects does vary; however, take it slow and see what works for you. 

Find the Best Method of Delivery 

Increasingly, more and more people are beginning to find alternatives to smoking when it comes to their preferred method of consumption. Consider a vaporizer which allows you to moderate your consumption while also getting the authentic flavour provided by the numerous terpenes, and relaxing effects offered by your preferred strain. 

Here at MGS, we have a huge range of popular strains that are ideal for relaxation. Check out our detailed product descriptions where we provide all the relevant details on THC level, CBD content, terpene profile analysis, and potential effects, both recreational and medically for each individual strain. 

From fruity Strawberry Cough and the legendary high THC Sour Diesel to hybrid strain favourite Blue Dream, our vast range of marijuana strains including both recreational and medical marijuana choices are sure to provide you with the relaxation you’ve been craving!