Dealing with chronic pain is difficult -especially when your only options for treatment are liver-destroying NSAIDs, and big pharma-approved opioids. While these drugs can bring temporary relief, they often do more harm than good.
Medical marijuana has become a popular alternative to conventional medicine, as it has little negative side-effects, and in many instances produces even better results.
So if you’re in pain and have a medical marijuana card, or live in a recreation area, make sure you give one of these strains a try. Every person is different, so it’s difficult to prescribe specific marijuana strains for specific treatments.
The best thing you can do is start slow with something that your budtender recommends based on your experience level and symptoms. If that doesn’t work for you, then try something else. The best part is that you can keep trying new cannabis products until you land on something that works best for you. For now, here’s a list you can ask your budtender about at the dispensary.
White Widow
White Widow comes with a very high THC content -somewhere around 20%- which lends well to helping you relax and find some relief from chronic pain.
Since this strain is stronger than most, you should start slow if you’ve never smoked before. While White Widow is technically a hybrid, it is indica-dominant, so you’ll likely find yourself indi-couch afterwards!
Bubba Kush
Just about any of the Kush variants will be helpful in treating chronic pain, but this one stands out among the crowd as a potent sleep aid. It’s indica-dominant, so you’re going to feel very relaxed -you might want to put on a movie to fall asleep to because Bubba Kush will knock you out!
Jack Herer
This strain is named after the famous cannabis activist and author, Jack Herer. Unlike the first two on this list, Jack Herer is a sativa-dominant strain. It’s typically used to treat depression, lack of appetite, and fatigue due to its uplifting effects, and it’s also a potent medicine to treat pain.
Blue Dream
Blue Dream has recently grown in popularity among smokers and growers for its potency, aroma, and flavor. It’s THC content typically falls somewhere between 17-23%, and as a sativa-indica hybrid, it’s great for both relaxation and conversation.
AK-47
While most hybrid strains are usually derived from only 2-3 different plants, AK-47 is a cocktail love-child of four different strains, coming from South America, Mexico, Thailand, and Afghanistan. The name might lead you to believe you’re in for a violent experience, but the only thing AK-47 assaults is your bad vibes!
This strain is used to relieve pain, eliminate stress, and lift your spirits. Just make sure you don’t smoke it right before bed because it will give you a boost of energy!
Northern Lights
Northern Lights is a globally-popular and award-winning indica strain producing a body-numbing high that will leave you relaxed and pain free. Alongside pain relief, Northern Lights is also great for helping you unwind after a long day, and will certainly help you get to sleep despite aches and pains!
You won’t have any trouble finding this strain at your local dispensary, so make sure you ask.
Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel is another widely popular cannabis strain. It’s sativa-dominant, so you’ll feel energized, uplifted, positive, and ready to take on the day -on top of the pain relief! Sour diesel is one of the most popular strains on the market, so you won’t have any trouble finding it at a medical dispensary!
Harlequin
While the effects of THC-heavy strains are fun, if we’re being honest, not everyone enjoys them. In fact, some people just want relief from pain without having to live in a mental fog. This is where Harlequin comes in.
This strain is CBD-heavy, meaning it will help your pain melt away without leaving you glued to a couch. There is still some amount of THC present, so you’ll feel some relaxation, and shouldn’t operate heavy machinery, but for those who want relief without a debilitating high, Harlequin is your go-to!
Master Kush
If you thought Bubba-Kush was the sleep aid of cannabis strains, think again! Master Kush is appropriately named, as even a small dose right before bed will pull you down into a painless sleep. Be sure to ask your budtender about this one if pain is keeping you from sleep.
For those not interested in smoking cannabis, be sure to check out this article on Veriheal to learn more about the many different topical cannabis products available to treat chronic pain directly at the source.
Conclusion
Chronic pain doesn’t have to keep you from a normal life, so make sure you check out these cannabis strains and you’ll be feeling better in no time!
