The Best Strains for Pain, Inflammation and Other Ailments

Cannabis has a wide range of therapeutic properties. It can relieve pain, reduce inflammation, promote bone growth and more. But not all cannabis is created equal. Between different genotypes (the genetic programing that promotes certain characteristics of the plant) and phenotypes (the outward presentation of various characteristics), different cannabis strains can have very different therapeutic applications. The best strains for sleep, for example, are not necessarily the same as the best strains for anxiety and depression. When using cannabis therapeutically, the strain you choose matters. The following strains are the best at what they do: helping you feel better.

Pain is simply our body’s way of telling us something is wrong. It happens when nerve signals travel to the brain sending signals of discomfort that may be acute (intense and short-lived) or chronic (persistent, long-lasting pain). Acute pain, such as that following surgery or an injury, is often treated with opioids while the body works to repair itself. However, opioids are not a sufficient treatment for chronic pain, and may even lead to dependency and addiction, making cannabis’s pain relieving properties even more appealing.

The best strains for treating all types of pain are those that contain high concentrations of both THC and CBD. Strains like ACDC with its up-lifting, cerebral high or Blackberry Kush for its relaxing body high are great examples of strains high in both THC and CBD.

When the cause of pain is inflammation, other cannabis strains may be more beneficial. That’s because THC itself does not necessarily reduce inflammation – THCa does. What is THCa, you ask? Well, THCa is simply the acidic, non-psychoactive form of THC. It is a precursor to everyone’s favorite cannabinoid, and gets transformed during the heating process which means that, to get the most anti-inflammatory benefits, you have to consume it without heating or otherwise degrading it.

LA Confidential is a great strain and can provide many beneficial effects for patients.

Topical or juiced cannabis strains high in THCa and CBDa are ideal for inflammation and include strains like Good Medicine due to its high CBD and relatively low THC content, and LA Confidential for its wide cannabinoid profile over-all.

While THC seems to work primarily on nerve impulses throughout the body, CBD has other, more restorative properties. One 2015 study has shown CBD alone – but not in conjunction with THC – helps heal broken bones in rats.

Researchers suggest that deficiencies in endocannabinoid production and CB receptor activation may be partially to blame for bone degradation, suggesting that CBD’s ability to stimulate the endocannabinoid system and promote endocannabinoid production may be the reason it has shown promise in treating bone diseases.

Autism is a mental disorder characterized by difficulty communicating and functioning in a social atmosphere, and repetitive, sometimes self-destructive behaviors. Symptoms of autism can range from mild to extreme based on where the person fits in the spectrum. While many cases of autism are manageable with the use of therapy and support groups, more severe cases require more extreme medication to protect the individual from harm.

Though there are a handful of medications to treat autism, many come with unwanted side effects like weight gain, diabetes and heart disease. Cannabis, however, has also been shown to help lessen the symptoms of autism without the negative side effects. Strains high in CBD are especially promising and include Green Crack for its level-headed cerebral high and relaxing body buzz, and Hindu Kush for its calming effect on the body.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta made headlines a few years ago when he switched his stance from a staunch anti-pot one to someone who promotes pediatric cannabis consumption. After witnessing how effective full-spectrum, high-CBD cannabis strains were at treating the symptoms of Dravet Syndrome, a rare, treatment-resistant form of epilepsy, Gupta went on to pioneer the way towards cannabis for pediatric epilepsy.

One strain, Charlotte’s Web (named after the young girl who inspired Gupta’s stance change), is an excellent choice for epileptic patients because of its high CBD content and relatively low THC content. The White is another great strain for treating epilepsy, as is Grape Ape.

Cannabis is an amazingly versatile plant. Not only is it used in religious practices and the development of industrial goods, it can be used therapeutically to treat hundreds of illnesses and conditions. These are just a few of the ways cannabis can be medically beneficial but there are many more waiting to be tapped into.

Do you use cannabis medically? If so, what strains do you prefer for treating your condition?