What makes the best strains for depression? This is a question scientists are currently exploring with promising results.
Along with THC and CBD, experts are beginning to reveal additional therapeutic properties present in terpenes found in cannabis.
Admittedly, more research is required to uncover the full therapeutic potential of cannabis.
Experimenting with marijuana doesn’t pose the same risk as testing other pharmacological treatments. There’s little harm in searching for the best marijuana for depression—and the results are in.
Explore more cannabis strains for depression
Here are ten of the best marijuana strains for depression.
Northern Lights
Our best strains for depression start with Northern Lights. This indica-dominant hybrid is a favorite for its sedative effects and appealing flavors.
Sow these Northern Lights auto seeds and harvest up to 17.5 oz./ m² just 65 days after germination.
Cannabis grown with Northern Lights auto seeds contains 12–14%THC and 0–2% CBD. Less experienced smokers consuming in moderation may enjoy the benefits of Northern Lights without getting overwhelmed.
Northern Lights delivers positivity and tranquility, making it one of the best strains for depression. A boost of euphoria lifts your spirits, leaving you in a state of mental calm and inner peace.
The physical properties of Northern Lights enhance those feelings of tranquility. Tension melts away in the face of full-body relaxation.
Northern Lights contains linalool, myrcene, limonene, and beta-caryophyllene. Linalool has calming effects, while myrcene possesses sedative qualities. Limonene and caryophyllene have strong antidepressant properties.
Jack Herer
Jack Herer auto is named after a proponent of cannabis legalization. This cultivar carries Haze, Northern Lights, and Shiva Skunk genes.
This auto variant has a short flowering time and yields 12–14 oz. /m². Expect these seeds to mature in 8–9 weeks.
Jack Herer contains 10–16% THC and 0–2% CBD, providing a smooth smoking experience for all. Its easygoing nature makes Jack Herer one of the best strains for depression.
Feelings of euphoria and mental energy take hold quickly. Worries evaporate, leaving you feeling positive and invigorated. The cerebral buzz is uplifting without becoming hyperactive.
Jack Herer’s physical effects provide a mellow feeling of calm without interfering with the optimistic sativa buzz. Couchlock only occurs in large doses, making this one of the best weed strains for depression.
Limonene gives the buds a fresh citrus flavor and an uplifting high. Terpinolene helps alleviate anxiety.
Harlequin
Some of the best strains for depression contain lots of CBD. Harlequin feminized is a sativa-dominant medicinal hybrid. This is a cross of Colombian Gold, Thai, and Swiss Sativa.
Harlequin seeds are feminized, making it easy to raise a productive crop of therapeutic cannabis. Harlequin flowers for 7–9 weeks, yielding 19.5–21 oz. m/² indoors.
The pine-scented buds of Harlequin contain 3–6% THC and 6–8.5% CBD. This level of cannabinoids provides a calm, upbeat buzz without causing much intoxication.
You’ll also find abundant amounts of the beneficial terpenes myrcene, limonene, and beta-caryophyllene here.
This is one of the best strains for depression for users who need to remain alert. Consuming during the day won’t compromise your mental state or impede your movement.
Granddaddy Purple
Granddaddy Purple feminized (GDP) is an indica-dominant hybrid of Purple Urkle and Big Bud. If you’ve got a high tolerance for THC, this is some of the best marijuana for depression.
GDP is one of the trickier ones to grow on our list of best strains for depression. This purple phenomenon rewards experienced cultivators with yields of 16–21 oz. /m² indoors.
Flowering lasts 8–10 weeks. Buds ooze a sweet and earthy fragrance, containing 22–24% THC and 0–2% CBD.
The grape-flavored smoke provides a long-lasting, relaxing, euphoric buzz. High amounts of THC make GDP one of the stronger strains for depression.
GDP features a cocktail of terpenes, with limonene, beta-caryophyllene, and myrcene appearing once again.
Marijuana strains for depression with high levels of cannabinoids like GDP should be consumed in moderation.
Cannatonic
The next strain for depression is the mighty Cannatonic feminized. This CBD-heavy hybrid is the result of crossing G13 Haze and MK Ultra.
Cannatonic is gaining a reputation as one of the best strains for depression. This cultivar produces buds with 4–6% THC and 13–17% CBD after 8–10 weeks of flowering.
With a high CBD: THC ratio, members of the medicinal community are hailing Cannatonic as an excellent weed strain for depression.
Spark up for a boost to your mood while remaining lucid. There’s almost no psychoactivity here, making it ideal to consume during the day.
Physical serenity accompanies the clear-headed, optimistic high, calming without causing sluggishness.
The refreshing terpene limonene adds more than lemon-lime flavors. Early studies show it possesses properties that may help alleviate symptoms of depression.
OG Kush
OG Kush feminized is a favorite of the medicinal crowd, so it’s no surprise to see it among the best marijuana strains for depression.
It’s not purely medicinally focused, but its unique terpene profile and chilled-out buzz make OG Kush some of the best weed for depression.
OG Kush is a cross of a lemony Thai landrace and a Kush/Chemdawg hybrid. The result is a tough indica-dominant cultivar that’s easy to grow and flowers for 55–60 days.
Once harvest arrives, OG Kush yields 16–21 oz. /m² in an indoor setup. The dense, fruity buds pack in 15–20% THC and 0–2% CBD.
Inhaling the sharp, fruity smoke imparts a dose of stress relief. An initial surge of euphoria lifts your spirits, driving away worries and negativity.
While OG Kush is one of the best strains for depression, it has a potent indica side that some may find overbearing. Even moderate amounts have the potential to cause couchlock.
Linalool and myrcene enhance the calming qualities of OG Kush. Beta-caryophyllene and limonene improve its mood-boosting properties.
Blackberry Kush
Blackberry Kush fem is one of the fruitiest strains for depression around. This indica-dominant blend of Afghani and Blackberry delivers a mix of uplifting sativa and calming indica effects.
Blackberry Kush seeds are feminized with a strong set of genetics, making tough plants. Flowering takes 8–9 weeks, and indoor gardens yield around 17.5 oz. /m².
The 16–20% THC and 0–2% CBD result in a potent experience. A boost of euphoria chases away bad feelings and leaves you blissfully content and filled with optimism.
Blackberry Kush’s indica side emerges with a bang, producing a sedative buzz. This heavy-duty body stone makes Blackberry Kush one of the best weed strains for pain and depression.
An abundance of limonene and myrcene boost the weed’s antidepressant and sedative properties.
Sour Kush
Sour Kush fem is a combination of Sour Diesel and OG Kush. With two well-known therapeutic strains for parents, Sour Kush is positioned to be some of the best weed for depression.
Sour Kush’s indica-dominant nature is evident in its stocky growth profile. Caring for Sour Kush is straightforward, with pruning the main concern.
Indoor gardens yield 16–17.5 oz. /m² after a flowering period of 10–11 weeks. Buds are fragrant, exuding a mix of spice, earth, sharp citrus, and fuel notes. THC levels range from 16–21%, with 0–2% CBD.
Sour Diesel brings its uplifting qualities to this strain for depression, providing an intense shot of optimism. Alongside its elevating qualities is a psychoactive side capable of giving you a new perspective on the world.
The powerful genes of OG Kush lend Sour Kush an intensely relaxing quality. Physical stress brought on by anxiety melts away under its mollifying influence.
Sour Kush is host to terpenes with antidepressant and calming properties like linalool, limonene, myrcene, and beta-caryophyllene.
Laughing Buddha
Laughing Buddha is a great way to beat the blues and one of the best marijuana strains for depression. This effusively upbeat hybrid is a cross of Thai and Jamaican landrace cultivars.
With two sativas for parents, Laughing Buddha is tall, slender, and needs some experience to get the best results. She flowers for ten weeks, yielding 16–22 oz. /m² inside.
Buds are moderately dense, deliciously fruity, and contain 20% THC and 1–2% CBD. Smoking provides a mostly cerebral experience, with a touch of indica for good measure.
Spark up, and experience sweet pineapple and citrus flavors followed by a surge of optimism. The swift onset of effects may cause you to burst out laughing in joy and surprise.
Feeling blue is almost impossible when smoking Laughing Buddha, and its mild physical buzz only enhances the feelings of inner peace.
You may notice a pattern emerging in the terpenes in these strains for depression.
Limonene, myrcene, and beta-caryophyllene are frequently present thanks to their depression and anxiety-busting qualities, and Laughing Buddha continues the trend.
Pennywise
Pennywise is a hybrid of Harlequin and Jack the Ripper. Calming properties and a high CBD content make it one of the best CBD strains for depression.
Pennywise is a highly mold-resistant cultivar thanks to hardy genetics. The flowering period lasts 9–10 weeks, with indoor setups yielding 12–16 oz. /m².
Pennywise contains an even split of CBD and THC, with 13.5% each.
Dense Pennywise buds possess a mix of flavors, with fruit, coffee, and earth notes blending seamlessly to create an interesting smoke.
Smoke Pennywise for a highly relaxing experience with huge therapeutic potential. The 1:1 ratio keeps psychoactive effects mild, making daytime consumption possible.
A subtle boost to mood and a feeling of general calm and well-being are some of the most frequently reported effects of Pennywise.
A firm physical buzz slowly takes hold, serving as a wonderful de-stressing full-body massage with a sedative twist. Pennywise is another strain for depression with plentiful amounts of limonene, myrcene, and beta-caryophyllene.
Tips for choosing the best cannabis strains for depression
Symptoms of depression are as many and varied as there are types of cannabis. Suggesting a single best strain for depression is difficult and far from an exact science.
Here are a few tips to help you choose the best strain for depression.
- Experiment: Everyone reacts differently to cannabinoids and terpenes. Finding the best strain for depression takes some time and experimentation.
- The right cannabinoid profile: Some people are sensitive to THC or may want a non-psychoactive solution that won’t interfere with their everyday lives. If you count yourself among this group, consider high CBD options.
- Dosage is everything: When using weed strains for depression, the right dosage is crucial. Everyone’s tolerance levels and cannabinoid receptivity vary—getting it right may take some time.
- Get scientific: If you want the best marijuana for depression, start tracking your experience. Record your feelings before and after consumption and dosage amounts.
After a while, you’ll be able to identify your needs and which weed strains for depression give the most benefits.
Spark up and smile
While the research on cannabis and depression isn’t finalized, there’s enough potential to take notice. If smoking brings relief, spark up, cheer up, and carry on.
Enjoyed this list of the best strains for depression? Why not check out some of our other cannabis-related content?
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