What Strain is Perfect for Me?

This is a question many newcomers to consuming cannabis may be asking. It can be an intense process considering there are hundreds of different types of marijuana strains in the world today. Read on and allow us to guide you in the right direction towards your ideal weed strain.

Choosing the Right Cannabis Strain

Consider the following questions when searching for your medical marijuana strain.

What is a strain?

The scientific community considers a strain to be a pure or hybrid genetic variation of the plant Genus Cannabis. There are three species: Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, Cannabis Ruderalis. Ruderalis is not as popularly known; however, it is a derivative of cannabis with the lowest THC level.

For marketing and medicinal purposes, based on audience insights and collected data, cultivators will develop varieties to highlight specific desired characteristic differences, such as:

• Color
• Density
• Flavor profile
• Aroma
• Medicinal benefits
• Psychoactive effects
• Cannabinoid percentages
• THC vs. CBD

How many strains are there?

Most people who are knowledgeable about cannabis report there are close to eight hundred unique weed strains worldwide, but that number has increased steadily throughout the years. Different strains are created yearly as botanists experiment with crossing one strain with another and changing genetic qualities to invent even more plant quality preferences.

How are new strains produced?

To create new marijuana strains or genotypes, growers will utilize both males and females. The male plants will pollinate the females, and the seeds from the resulting plant are then grown to produce flower-producing females. Once botanists confirm the female sources, they are isolated and developed into different plants from the parent strains, called phenotypes.

Types of Weed

There are three categories to classify different strains based on cultivation and characteristics of the cannabis plant:

Indica

Cannabis Indica is commonly found growing in the dryer climates of the Middle East. They are short and bushy with large, dark green leaves. The buds tend to be much denser in Indica versus Sativa.

Indica strains have higher CBD levels than Sativa. Most Indica weed contains an almost even amount of CBD and THC content. Since Indica tends to be relaxing, they’re best for nighttime use due to the intense body high.  

There are several reasons people may smoke Indica cannabis flower, including: 

• Relieving intense body and muscle pain
• Reducing nausea and increasing appetite
• Easing insomnia and promoting healthy sleep
• Reducing anxiety symptoms

Sativa

Cannabis Sativa does well in warmer regions of the Earth and can thrive with high humidity levels. The typical locations where Sativa strains are grown are Central America, South America, and Southeast Asia. Sativa is tall and slender with thin, light green leaves. 

Many people report that smoking Sativa makes them feel energized, creative and focused. These psychological effects make Sativa strains best for daytime use because using them at night may cause insomnia due to the higher THC content. 

There are many reasons people use Sativa cannabis strains, including: 

• Easing depression symptoms
• Headache and Pain relief 
• Decreasing Nausea
• Fighting appetite loss
• Better Focus
• Head High over Body High

Hybrid

A hybrid is a combination of Indica and Sativa. The amounts can vary depending on the strain, but there are ones that balance evenly, and on the flip side, there are Indica and Sativa dominant hybrid strains. The amount of each, along with cannabinoid presence, will determine the effects you will experience.

Top Nine Most popular strains

For an Active Lifestyle

Super Silver Haze

• Super Silver Haze is bred by Green House Seeds and won first place in the High Times Cannabis Cup several years in the late 1990s
• It has 20 percent THC and 1 percent CBD
• It’s a cross between Haze, Northern Lights, and Skunk
• This marijuana tastes of spicy citrus and smells herbal
• The outdoor flowering time is around 77 days, while indoors is 59 days
• Users say it treats nausea, appetite loss, depression, anxiety, stress, and pain
• There is initially an uplifting, energetic head high that transforms into a relaxed, stress-free body high

Trainwreck

• Trainwreck originated in Northern California
• It has 17 percent THC and 1 percent CBD
• It’s a cross between Mexican and Thai Sativas with Afghani Indica
• It has lemon and pine flavor and aroma profiles
• It has a shorter outdoor flowering period than many Sativas; 8 weeks for indoor
• This strain can be used to treat anxiety, arthritis, PTSD, fatigue, and ADHD
• The effects are euphoric and cerebral encouraging creativity and boosting energy

Blue Dream

• Blue Dream originated in California, on the West Coast
• It has 18 percent THC and low CBD
• It’s a cross of Blueberry and Haze
• It is a Sativa dominant hybrid strain
• Flavor and aroma boast sweet berries
• It has an average of 65 days of flowering time
• This strain is used to treat nausea, depression, chronic pain
• It produces a relaxing, body high, and balanced cerebral stimulation

Best for Medical Conditions

Cannatonic

• Cannatonic originated in Spain, later cross-bred in US government labs
• It is known as the CBD Queen with 9 percent CBD and 4 percent THC
• It’s a cross of MK Ultra and G13 Haze
• It is a balanced 50/50 Hybrid
• The flavor is sweet citrus while the aroma is earthy
• It has an average of eleven weeks of flowering time indoors
• This strain is used to treat muscle spasms, migraines, fatigue, and chronic pain
• It produces a powerful, uplifting, and energetic high, leaving you extremely relaxed

Sour Diesel

• Sour Diesel originated in Staten Island, New York
• The difference is intense, with 19 percent THC and zero CBD content
• It’s a cross between Chemdawg and Super Skunk
• It is a potent Sativa
• The aroma profiles are pungent, and diesel
• It has an average of 77 days of flowering time outdoors
• It’s used to treat stress, anxiety, depression, and pain
• It produces a powerful cerebral and energetic high

Northern Lights

• Northern Lights originated in Seattle, Washington
• It has 18 percent THC and 1 percent CBD
• It’s a cross between Afghani and Thai strains
• It is a potent Indica strain
• The flavor is piney while the aroma is earthy
• It has an average of six to seven weeks of flowering time indoors
• This strain is used to treat insomnia, chronic pain, anxiety, and stress
• It produces a powerful body high leaving you sleepy and hungry

Most Relaxing Strains

Skunk No. 1

• Skunk No. 1 originated in California and later was brought to the Netherlands.
• It has 17 percent THC and 1 percent CBD
• It’s a combination of Afghani, Acapulco Gold, and Colombian Gold
• It is a balanced Hybrid breed
• The flavor aroma is overwhelming and skunky with a hint of tobacco aspects
• It has an average of nine weeks of flowering time indoors
• This marijuana is used to treat depression, anxiety, and appetite loss
• It produces an uplifting, creative cerebral high that leaves you relaxed and hungry

OG Kush

• OG Kush originated in Northern California and was first grown in Florida
• It has 18 percent THC with zero CBD content
• It’s a cross between Chemdawg, Lemon Thai, and the Hindu Kush.
• It is a balanced hybrid breed.
• The flavor is sweet citrus, while the aroma is piney with a strong diesel smell.
• It has an average of eight to nine weeks of flowering time indoors
• It’s used to treat stress, depression, anxiety, nausea, and appetite loss
• Users say it produces a euphoric, happy high leaving you carefree and hungry

Girl Scout Cookies

• Girl Scout Cookies originated in the Bay Area of California
• It has 19 percent THC and 1 percent CBD
• It’s a cross between OG Kush and Durban Poison
• It is an Indica dominant hybrid breed
• The flavor is sweet and minty with an aroma of vanilla
• It has an average of ten weeks of flowering time indoors to reach the prime age
• This strain is used to treat muscle spasms, nausea, appetite loss, and depression
• Users say it produces a happy, cerebral high, leaving you pain-free, euphoric, and hungry

How Can Different Cannabis Strains Enhance Different Experiences Based on Set and Setting?

When it comes to cannabis, the power of set and setting cannot be overlooked. Different cannabis strains can enhance different experiences based on set and setting, influencing the overall effects of the plant. Whether it’s a relaxing night in or a lively social gathering, the environment can greatly impact the way a particular strain affects an individual.

Which strain will your lifestyle prefer?

Now that you understand what a cannabis strain is and why it’s essential to choose the right one, how should you find it for you? Mostly, the difference comes down to the users’ personal preference; however, there are several tips to remember when deciding: 

• Indica and Sativa strains will have their own appearance, flavor profile, and aroma due to terpenes and cultivation processes.
• Certain weed strains can offer a euphoric body high, some will be more calming, and some provide an energetic, creative experience.
• Just because a popular strain may have the same name as another, that does not mean it will deliver the same effect with each use; this greatly depends on the grower and region. 
• We recommend researching your preferred marijuana strain and possibly even finding a quiz; Leafy Mate offers an excellent guide on cannabis strains, and a dispensary worker can also provide guidance.
• Check the cannabinoid content within the strain you are considering so that you experience the effects you’re looking for

Summary

Learning the right strain of cannabis that will work best for you can be an overwhelming process. For example, what is suitable for one person may not be great for another, and then combine that with the vast number of products on the market. Cannabinoids interact differently in each person, so it’s crucial to start with a small dose and increase the amount until you get the effects that feel right for you. We advise continuously checking product labels for dosage recommendations and THC content. Keep these factors in mind as you learn more about how your body responds to different cannabis strains.