When discussing the constituents in marijuana, one of the abbreviations is much more recognizable and renowned than the other. It’s safe to say that most people familiar with cannabis know what THC stands for – tetrahydrocannabinol – and what it does. Even though CBD – cannabidiol – is very much THC’s equal when weighing the make up of marijuana, most people aren’t aware of it or how it contributes to the marijuana experience. High CBD strains aren’t as high-profile as high THC strains, but there’s some pretty straightforward reasons for that.
THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana, and that’s the sensation that most recreational users of marijuana are after AND the same one that has lead to the drug being villainized the way it has been for decades. CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t promote psychoactive responses and takes a bit of a back seat to THC in the notoriety – good or bad – department as a result. What CBD strains of marijuana do have, however, is an ability to work with the human body’s endocannabinoid system to provide relief of many painful or mentally / physically debilitating conditions. If you suffer from one of them and are wary of relying on pharmaceutical cures, then CBD rich strains are something you might want to consider.
Getting to Know the Endocannabinoid System
Your endocannabinoid system is a system of neurons, neural pathways, neurotransmitters, and cannabinoid receptors in your central nervous system that interacts with cannabinoids. It is present in your lungs, liver, intestine, spleen, kidneys, lymphatic and nerve tissue and plays a part in regulating appetite, pain sensation responses, mood, memory, immune function and response, stress response, sleep, cellular life cycles, physical exercise response, fertility, pregnancy, prenatal and postnatal development.
Unlike THC slanted strains, high CBD strains take an entirely different path within the body. The two of them are focused on entirely different destinations. THC has its eyes set CB1 receptors in the body, while CBD is focused on CB2 receptors. CB2 receptors are found in the immune system, brain, gastrointestinal system, and peripheral nervous system.
In many ways, it was the ongoing discovery of the health and treatment benefits of CBD that gave wings to the legalization of medicinal marijuana. The best CBD strains have always had users raving about how they can effectively treat their conditions with a natural alternative to traditional medicine.
There are piles of anecdotal evidence suggesting CBD has neuroprotective, antiepileptic, hypoxia-ischemia (oxygen deprivation to brain or blood), anxiolytic (anxiety), antipsychotic (psychosis and psychotic symptoms), analgesic (pain), anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic and antitumor properties to it.
High CBD strains have shown promise for treating the following conditions:
- Epilepsy
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Huntington’s Disease
- Hypoxia-ischemia Injuries (i.e. strokes)
- Pain
- Psychosis
- Anxiety
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Diabetic Complications
- Addiction
- Depression
- Cancer
- Nausea
- Inflammatory Diseases
High CBD Strains of Marijuana and Medicinal Applications
Marijuana is one of three different types; Sativas, Indicas, and Hybrids (a mix of Sativas and Indicas). CBD strains can belong to any of the three, so let’s look at some of the more well-known ones that qualify as high CBD strains.
Sativas
Charlotte’s Web – This strain is effective for reducing the severity of epileptic seizures. It has almost no THC content, making it ideal for pediatric use or for anyone who doesn’t want psychoactive effects.
OG Kush CBD – This strain has an even 1:1 CBD / THC ratio and is renowned for helping with tension, pain, anxiety, and sleeping disorders.
Rafael – One of the members of the CBD rich strains club, with an 18:1 CBD / THC ratio and good for insomnia and digestive disorders.
Harlequin – Always CBD heavy but has enough of THC content to balance it nicely. Harlequin is reported to be good for people with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder).
CBD Compassion – Has a roughly 1:1 CBD / THC ratio most of the time and reported to be especially good when taken right before bed for body tension, pain, and insomnia.
CBD MediHaze – This strain has an even ratio of CBD to THC and is good for relieving social anxiety.
Jack Herer – A ‘daytime’ sativa good for treating low-grade stress, depression and anxiety.
Indicas
CBD Shark – Sports a nice 1:1 CBD / THC ratio and relieves pain, anxiety, inflammation, and more.
Remedy – Definitely one of the best CBD strains for sheer potency. It has a CBD / THC ratio as high as 15:1 and excellent for addressing seizures, pain, inflammation, and anxiety.
Pennywise – Has a balanced 1:1 CBD / THC ratio and can relieve arthritis, epilepsy, and cancer-related pain and other symptoms.
Hybrids
Note: Hybrids generally have the highest CBD percentages of the 3 strain types.
Cannatonic – Can go as high as 5:1 in favour of CBD, and effective for muscle spasms, migraines, and chronic body aches caused by psychological stressors.
Harle-Tsu – A mix of 2 strains both high in CBD – Harlequin and Sour Tsunami – and effective for sleep disorders, anxiety, and being unable to relax.
Ringo’s Gift – The hybrid equivalent of Remedy, this is another one of the CBD strains that is full of cannabinoids. It has gone as high as a 24:1 CBD to THC ratio and is very good for addressing attention disorders (ADD / ADHD).
ACDC – Commonly comes in at 19% CBD and is good for treating problematic anxiety disorders in people of any age.
Valentine X – another CBD-heavy strain with a strong 25:1 CBD to THC ratio and recommended for seizures, inflammation, and pain and other effects of cancer.
There’s much more to learn about the best CBD strains. Finding the one that will be best for you often involves speaking with a knowledgeable dispensing practitioner. What you’ve read here is simply an introduction to high CBD strains. Hopefully it will give readers a little more incentive to look into the therapeutic value of CBD for themselves.
Here’s to you finding the best path to your best health.
