The Best Terpenes for Stress and Anxiety
Many people deal with anxiety disorders that affect their mental and physical health. While pharmaceutical treatments are available, cannabis offers a more natural solution in the form of terpenes.
So what terpenes help with anxiety? Keep reading as we look at some of the best terpenes for stress and anxiety. Terpenes and cannabis have a lot to offer. Learn how to take advantage of them to live your best life.
What Are Terpenes?
Before we list which terpenes work best for stress and anxiety, let’s discuss what terpenes are. Terpenes are aromatic compounds that create flavor and scent in plants like pine, lavender, orange, and rosemary. They are also abundantly present in cannabis. By now, scientists have found over 250 terpenes in cannabis plants.
What does this mean for us? When we use cannabis products, these terpenes enter our bodies, bringing various health benefits. One of the best benefits of terpenes is for reducing stress and anxiety.
How Do Terpenes Work in the Body?
Those using marijuana for PTSD are probably familiar with the works of terpenes. These compounds work together with marijuana’s other constituents, like cannabinoids, to regulate the endocannabinoid system.
This cooperation leads to a well-known phenomenon called the entourage effect. According to this effect, compounds in cannabis work better synergistically. This synergy provides a sense of calm in users and produces various effects depending on the type of terpene. With all the different terpenes in cannabis, one question remains. What terpenes help with anxiety?
The Best Terpenes for Anxiety and Stress
The benefits of medical marijuana for mental health are plenty. Stress relief is one of the most sought-after ones. To get the most out of this plant and reduce your anxiety, you should look for cultivars with the following terpenes.
1. Alpha-Pinene
Alpha-pinene is a common terpene in pine trees. It’s also present in various marijuana strains like Blue Dream and OG Kush.
Studies on the anxiety-reducing effects of this earthy terpene show promising results. One study points to its potential for stress relief when inhaled. There is also talk that alpha-pinene can reduce the unwanted anxiousness associated with too much THC.
Alpha-pinene is not just one of the best terpenes for anxiety but also great for improving cognitive function. It can make your brain sharper by inhibiting or reducing the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.
2. Beta-Caryophyllene
Beta-caryophyllene is another terpene responsible for the scent of black pepper, cloves, and rosemary. Girl Scout Cookies and Bubba Kush are full of this terpene.
Experts argue that cannabis strains with beta-caryophyllene are the best for relieving anxiety. Pre-clinical studies attest to these arguments. According to these studies, beta-caryophyllene acts as an agonist to CB2 receptors and induces anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects.
Apart from being one of the best terpenes for anxiety, beta-caryophyllene is also great for pain management. Medical professionals are also pointing to its anti-inflammatory potential for Alzheimer’s patients.
3. Linalool
What is another terpene that helps with anxiety? Don’t be surprised to see linalool on our list. This aromatic terpene of lavender and basil is also present in cannabis cultivars such as Granddaddy Purple and Kosher Kush.
The soothing effects of this terpene lie in its floral scent. Studies show that linalool can reduce aggressive behavior while alleviating stress. It can also make selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) battle depression.
Besides being one of the best terpenes for anxiety, linalool can also alleviate inflammation and fight microbes to help you live a healthier life.
4. Limonene
This promising terpene creates the characteristic citrus scent of lemons and oranges. You can find it in marijuana strains like OG Kush, Durban Poison, and Jack Herer.
As one of the most abundant terpenes in cannabis, limonene offers stress-reducing effects. Studies show that limonene induces these effects through the A2A receptor-mediated regulation of neuronal activities.
Limonene also has the potential to reduce restlessness and paranoia while acting as an antidepressant.
5. Myrcene
What is the last terpene to help with anxiety? Meet myrcene. This monoterpene is abundant in herbs like hops and lemongrass. Cannabis strains such as Blue Dream, Bubba Kush, Granddaddy Purple, and Harlequin also have high amounts of myrcene.
The sedative-like properties of myrcene make it one of the best terpenes for anxiety. According to studies, this terpene’s anxiolytic effects are one of its main biological characteristics. Myrcene is also one of the most common terpenes found in marijuana strains that doctors prescribe to their patients.
In addition to its stress-relieving effects, studies report that myrcene also possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.
15 Marijuana Strains With Calming Terpenes
Now that you know which terpenes can help you battle anxiety, it’s time to learn more about the strains that have them. There are different marijuana strains you can use, but here are our top picks for stress relief.
1. Blue Dream
Blue Dream is high in the best terpenes for anxiety, including myrcene, alpha-pinene, and caryophyllene. This sativa-dominant hybrid of Blueberry and Haze, with an average of 18% THC, emits sweet berry flavors that create full-body relaxation.
2. Blueberry Cheesecake
Myrcene is the dominant terpene in Blueberry Cheesecake, followed by caryophyllene and pinene. This sativa-dominant hybrid is a cross between Big Buddha Cheese and Blueberry, providing stress-relieving effects with 15% to 24% THC and a sour, fruity scent.
3. Bubba Kush
Remember what terpenes help with anxiety? This strain is high in two of them, limonene and beta-caryophyllene. Bubba Kush is a classic indica with 15% to 22% THC and earthy flavors that will leave you calm and anxiety-free.
4. Cannatonic
Myrcene is the dominant compound in Cannatonic as one of the best terpenes for anxiety. This sativa-heavy hybrid of MK Ultra and G13 Haze with 7% THC creates a mellow high and helps you forget your worries with its subtle spicy aroma.
5. Durban Poison
This pure sativa strain is high in stress-relieving terpenes like beta-caryophyllene, limonene, and linalool. With 15% to 25% THC and a spicy, citrus taste, Durban Poison promises you a calm and sedated mind.
6. Girl Scout Cookies
As one of the top 30 strongest marijuana strains, Girl Scout Cookies has powerful anxiolytic potential with 25% to 28% THC. This hybrid of OG Kush and Durban Poison has calming terpenes like linalool, myrcene, pinene, limonene, and caryophyllene, to bring you peace with notes of spice and lemon.
7. Granddaddy Purple
Granddaddy Purple has some of the best terpenes for anxiety, including myrcene, caryophyllene, and pinene. This purple weed is a famous indica hybrid of Big Bud and Purple Urkle that relieves mental tension with 17% THC and sweet notes of grape and berry.
8. Harlequin
Now that you know what terpenes help with anxiety, you can choose Harlequin, which is rich in alpha-pinene. This sativa-dominant hybrid of Colombian Gold, Thai, and Swiss Landrace promises you a clear head with 4% THC and a musky, tropical scent.
9. Jack Herer
This sativa-dominant hybrid of Shiva Skunk and Northern Lights #5 is rich in caryophyllene. The citrus and pine aromas of Jack Herer, with 15% to 24% THC, promise powerful stress-relieving effects.
10. Kosher Kush
Kosher Kush has alpha-pinene, limonene, and caryophyllene, which are some of the best terpenes for anxiety. This award-winning strain is a mostly indica cross with a mysterious heritage but strong THC content that can reach 26%. Kosher Kush has an earthy scent that will wash away all your worries.
11. Northern Lights
This strain is high in soothing terpenes such as myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, and pinene. Northern Lights strain is an indica-dominant hybrid of Afghani and Thai with spicy pine flavors. With 16% to 21% THC, this strain creates tranquilizing feelings that will calm your roaming mind.
12. OG Kush
OG Kush has a rich profile with some of the best terpenes for anxiety, like caryophyllene, limonene, and myrcene. This indica hybrid is another strain with unknown parents. With an average THC content of 20% and spicy citrus flavors, OG Kush promises a mood-boosting effect.
13. Remedy
If you remember what terpenes help with anxiety, you will appreciate the high amounts of myrcene and pinene in this strain. Remedy is an indica-dominant hybrid of Cannatonic and Afghan Skunk with a lemon-pine scent. Its low THC content of 0.7% to 1% gives you the anxiolytic effects of marijuana without the intense high.
14. Super Sour Diesel
Super Sour Diesel is rich in some of the best terpenes for anxiety, including beta-caryophyllene and myrcene. This sativa-dominant cross between Super Silver Haze and Sour Diesel has 18% to 20% THC and a diesel taste. You can expect long-lasting anxiolytic effects from this strain.
15. White Widow
White Widow has stress-relieving terpenes like myrcene, caryophyllene, and pinene. This indica-dominant hybrid of Brazilian sativa and South Indian indica has an average THC content of 16%. Its earthy scent provides a soothing effect after a cognitive-driven high.
Find Relief from Anxiety With Ozark MMJ Cards
Now that you know what terpenes help with anxiety, you can get your medical marijuana card to find some relief. Ozark MMJ Cards offers affordable medical marijuana certifications and card renewals in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
We can help you get your MMJ card so you can ease stress with the best terpenes for anxiety. Contact us now to talk to an expert and begin your certification. If you enjoyed this article, visit our cannabis blog for more fun reads!