Jul 07, 2023

Strains for OCD

Living with OCD can be extremely challenging. Not only can it interfere with everyday activities and cause incredible amounts of emotional distress, but OCD tends to cause extreme physical discomfort as well. If you’re struggling with OCD, you may struggle with excessive worry, anxiety, tension, and depression. This can make you feel powerless, isolated, and completely exhausted. With doctors most often turning to anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications, all of which come with a list of potential long-term side effects, it's no wonder why cannabis has become popular for this condition. If you’re looking for the best strains for OCD, you’ve come to the right place.

Cannabis and OCD

For centuries, medical practitioners around the world have used cannabis as a treatment for pain, insomnia, and a host of other conditions. There is a reason for this. Studies have shown it alleviates many symptoms.

While the conventional go-to SSRI medications for OCD work by producing serotonin in the brain, cannabis affects a brain substance called anandamide. When anandamide reacts with the THC and CBD compounds in marijuana, it produces a calming feeling, thus reducing anxiety. The good news is, for most OCD sufferers, reducing anxiety usually reduces the compulsive urges that go along with it.

Treatable Symptoms

Stressed woman-strains for OCD

Cannabis strains for OCD can help alleviate the following physical and psychological symptoms:

Impulsive, repetitive behaviors and urges
Racing thoughts
Generalized anxiety and social anxiety
Depression
Stress and tension

Cannabis may also help reduce the unpleasant side effects caused by certain OCD medications including, but not limited to the following:

Nausea
Seizures
Irritability
Weight loss
Insomnia
Headaches
Abdominal cramping

CBD or THC?

Studies have shown that chronic OCD patients respond well to CBD-dominant and THC-dominant cannabis strains. One isn’t better than the other. They are just different. For this reason, you might want to try CBD-dominant strains as well as THC-dominant strains, to see what works better with your body chemistry. What works great for one person, simply won’t work the same for another. If you are new to cannabis, you may want to opt for a CBD-dominant strain over a more potent THC-dominant strain, as THC strains can produce a more altered feeling.

Something else worth noting when selecting a strain is that the terpenes in the strains play a role in its effectiveness. Terpenes are the aroma and flavor compounds found in marijuana resin and many have anxiety-fighting properties. Some of the best terpenes for OCD and anxiety include limonene, caryophyllene, pinene, and linalool. By choosing cannabis strains high in these terpenes, you may experience a boost in effectiveness.

Indica or Sativa?

Cannabis is complex, and THC and CBD aren’t your only considerations when choosing strains for OCD. You’ll also find it beneficial to explore different indica and sativa strains as well.

Sativa strains can produce a powerful cerebral high. They are very stimulating and have been compared to drinking a cup of espresso. However, when too much is consumed these strains can sometimes cause paranoia and anxiety, which is the opposite of what you want. People with serious anxiety issues may wish to avoid sativa strains altogether, and others may wish to opt for hybrid strains. When it comes down to it, both indicas and sativas can be good for anxiety. However, much depends on your chemical makeup, how severe your anxiety is, and the type and amount of cannabis you consume.

Indica strains have a considerably different effect than sativa strains. With an indica strain, you’ll feel relaxed, calm, and uplifted. Indicas are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a sense of calm. Indica strains are particularly helpful with slowing down racing thoughts, releasing tension in the body, and getting rid of excessive worry. If you’re just starting out with medical strains for OCD, you’ll probably find it most helpful to focus on an indica dominant strain over a sativa. However, trying different strains will help you find one that works best for you.

Best Strains For OCD

What strains are the best for OCD? The answer is, it depends. What works for one person, won’t necessarily work the same way for another. If you’re struggling with OCD, it’s important for you to try different strains with varying amounts of THC and CBD, to find what works for you. Additionally, you can ask a cannabis consultant at a dispensary for help. However, to get you started here are the most commonly used and highly effective strains for OCD:

Cherry Pie

Cherry Pie is an Indica-dominant hybrid strain with average THC levels. It’s the result of crossing Granddaddy Purple with F1 Durb. It’s well-known for relieving tension and for creating feelings of happiness and well-being. For this reason, the Cherry Pie strain is widely used by OCD patients for managing stress and anxiety.

Charlotte’s Web

This world-renowned medical strain is nearly all CBD, containing less than half of a percent of THC. You won’t get a mental buzz with this strain, so it’s perfect for use at any time of the day. Charlotte’s Web is extremely popular for its ability to treat mental disorders like anxiety and depression, as well as physical problems such as epilepsy, and chronic pain.

Cannatonic

Cannatonic is a potent CBD-dominant hybrid strain, with THC levels at about 4%. This strain is ideal for OCD patients because it’s indica leaning. Cannatonic is well-known for its ability to kick stress and anxiety to the curb. It’s also widely used to treat muscle spasms, migraines, and chronic pain disorders.

Harlequin

Harlequin is a very popular high CBD, low THC sativa strain. It’s known to be both relaxing and creative. It won’t give you the cerebral high experienced by consuming most sativa strains, but don’t let that fool you. This strain packs a punch in all the right places and is one of the best strains for OCD.

Cherry Kola

Cherry Kola is an indica-dominant hybrid that is dominant in the terpene limonene. This award-winning strain is known to bring instant relief from stress, compulsions, and agitation. The Cherry Kola strain is also great for insomnia and for inducing a tranquil, euphoric high like no other strain can deliver.

Other Strain Options

Here are a handful of honorable mentions that have mild to moderate THC levels and are known to be helpful:

Cinex strain — sativa-dominant hybrid
Three Kings strain— hybrid
Dutch Treat strain — hybrid
Blackberry Kush strain— indica

Here are some high-CBD strains that are known to help with severe OCD-related anxiety:

One to One strain— hybrid
ACDC strain — hybrid

Girl Scout Cookies strain — hybrid
Northern Lights strain — indica
White Fire OG strain — hybrid

If you need help choosing the best strains, come see our knowledgeable cannabis consultants at one of our two beautiful JANE Dispensary locations: our Cotati dispensary, or Santa Rosa dispensary. Or, browse our online dispensary for pickup or delivery options for your favorite cannabis products.

*This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult a doctor.