Cannabis use is on the rise in the US. In a 2018 study, while there is a decrease in cannabis use among teenagers, there is also an outstanding increase among American adults using cannabis daily.
The industry has significantly grown mostly because cannabis strains are versatile forms of medications. But, as any medical or recreational marijuana users report, not all cannabis strains are created equal. Different cannabis strains produce different effects on users and are used for different reasons.
Cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD, is the second most active ingredient in cannabis (marijuana). CBD is an important element of medical marijuana. It is directly derived from the hemp plant, a popular cousin of marijuana, and is manufactured in laboratories.
Unlike THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol), its euphoric sister, CBD plays it cool, giving users non-intoxicating, relaxing effects that lend themselves to a therapeutic potential of personal and medicinal benefits.
Since CBD doesn’t produce stoney side effects common if high-THC strains, this is a great option for most users who need help to clear their head while treating pain, headaches, nausea, anxiety, stress, epilepsy, muscle spasms, and many more.
What is CBD for?
Although there is only limited research conducted, CBD has valid health benefits. Even without an FDA regulation, studies have proven that broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD can efficiently treat anxiety and pain. As of the moment, there is only one FDA-approved product, Epidiolex, used to treat seizure disorders like Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
The Most Common Uses of CBD
- Lessening the symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Treating pain relief symptoms like migraines, muscle spasms, and pains
- Improving sleep
- Relieving symptoms of inflammatory diseases
- Reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea
- Helping with behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
- Managing multiple sclerosis and improving mobility
Major Types of CBD Product Categories
Oils and Tinctures
CBD oils come in either a capsule or liquid form. Patients can either use the dropper and add the oil to their drinks or foods, or they can take these forms of cannabis strains independently. Liquid tinctures are directly taken under the tongue.
Tinctures are taken at higher concentrations than oils. Meaning if patients take 1 milliliter of a tincture, they have to drop the concentration down to 0.5 milliliters. As a rule of thumb, patients can start taking smaller doses of oil (.25 milliliters) and slowly increase their dosage over time.
Edibles
Edible CBD products are now becoming very popular CBD strains because of their flavor profile and convenience. With CBD edibles, users have several options in potency, prices, and flavors. These edibles have everything, from cookies to gummies, granola bars, and chocolates.
Topical
Cannabidiol is also available in salves, and topical creams directly applied to the skin. Popular wellness products in this form include ointments, creams, and lotions. Since a topical CBD product doesn’t have high CBD content and won’t produce mind-altering effects, this makes an ideal strain for joint inflammation, muscle pains, or nerve pains.
What is a CBD Strain?
If you don’t know enough about cannabis, you might come across the words Indica, Hybrid, and Sativa dominant strain. Many users identify these as the three major categories of CBD.
Indica originates from the Hindu Kush mountains of India. This CBD strain is said to have relaxing effects on users. Sativa dominant has a more energizing effect, while the hybrid is a combination of both.
Determining the Right CBD Dosage for Users
Can users take high levels of CBD? Will high amounts of cannabidiol help users feel relaxed faster? How about low THC levels? Will low THC levels mean less efficient cannabis strain?
The dosages of CBD are expressed in milligrams. Epidiolex, for example, starts with a 2.5 mg dose taken twice daily. After one week, users can gradually increase their dosage to 5 mg. For the rest of the other CBD strains on the market that are not FDA-regulated, there is no established CBD concentration guideline, making it even more challenging to determine how much one can take.
However, there are other factors for recognizing the correct CBD dosage and the form of CBD strain users take. Plus, different CBD strains also mean they have different times to take effect.
Edibles, capsules, and oils take about 30 minutes to an hour to take effect. Vaping and smoking CBD is significantly quicker, considering CBD absorbs in the bloodstream and not in the digestive system.
What does it mean for a strain to be high in CBD?
Just as users can share strains high in Sativa, THC, or Indica, you can also search for high CBD strains. Here are some of the top high CBD strains users can enjoy, provided they are not looking to get blazed out of their minds. Remember, cannabis strains are not an exact science, so expect them to affect people differently.
What is Harle Tsu?
This is a cross between Sour Tsunami and Harlequin. This cannabis strain is 20-24 percent CBD, 1 percent THC, and has a 20:1 CBD:THC ratio, although this will vary depending on the season and the grower. This ratio makes it virtually impossible for users to get high. Harle Tsu is often used to reduce inflammation and chronic pain. Like most popular CBD strains, Harle Tau also aids in relaxation. It has earthy notes, together with pepper and pine, and has a subtle sweet taste.
Suzy Q
This CBD strain has around 10 percent CBD and less than 1 percent THC. Described as uplifting and relaxing, this piney taste CBD strain helps relieve nausea, chronic pain, muscle spasms, arthritis, and anxiety, minus the intoxicating effects of THC.
Charlotte’s Web
This is another very popular high CBD strain. Charlotte’s Web has roughly 13 percent CBD and less than 1 percent THC, with a CBD:THC ratio of 30:1. This particular strain was bred specially for the Stanley Brothers, who use it in their Charlotte’s Web variety of health and wellness products like CBD gummies, capsules, oils, and more.
This high CBD strain is calming and is suited to relieve stress and manage seizures, muscle spasms, and chronic pain. The strain was named after Charlotte Fiji successfully managed her seizures using Charlotte’s Web capsules.
Ringo’s Gift
Ringo’s Gift has one of the highest CBD levels, about 11-15 percent, and 1 percent THC level, and with an average CBD:THC ratio of 13:1. This provides users with a mild euphoria but the soothing feeling of relaxation that starts in the head and gradually spreads throughout the body, but do not have psychoactive effects or that “couch lock” effect where users melt into the couch and cannot get up.
Users report that Ringo’s gift helps with migraines, PTSD, anxiety, sleep, and more.
Cherry Wine
This cannabis strain is perfect for foodies and wine snobs. The Cherry Wine CBD strain has aromas of sweet cherry with a hint of black pepper and choose. It offers relief and anxiety and elevates the mood of its user. Cherry Wine CBD strains range from 15%-25% CBD with less than 1% THC and are ideal for those who are suffering from depression, inflammation, and chronic pain.
Sour Space Candy
Its name alone makes you want to have these CBD strains, which are perfect for helping relieve anxiety symptoms. Sour Space Candy has 15 percent CBD and one percent THC.
Harlequin
This CBD strain clocks in around 8 percent CBD and 7 percent THC, with a CHD:THC ratio of 5:2. Harlequin is used to help manage anxiety and pain sans the light buzz and drowsy feeling. Although it doesn’t have the lowest THC, this CBD strain gives users a clear head with mild euphoria. Many users attest to its energizing and uplifting effects.
Sour Tsunami
Sour Tsunami was one of the first high in CBD strains and has remained quite popular today. It has 12 percent CBD and 10 percent THC, with a CBD: THC ratio of 3:1. This CBD strain is effective for treating pain, anxiety, and inflammation and does not cause psychoactive effects commonly associated with high THC levels.
CBD Critical Mass
This cannabidiol strain is not to be confused with the regular Critical Mass, which has above average THC strain. CBD Critical Mass is 9 percent CBD and 6 percent THC. It has a CBD:THC ratio of 3:2. This is excellent for those looking for more subtle CBD levels that only have a subtle buzz or sense of euphoria.
Pennywise
This strain is very high in CBD, with a CBD-THC ratio of 1:1. Pennywise delivers mental clarity and a subtle sense of euphoria. The psychotropic effects of TH are also melted by the CBD in Pennywise. This high CBD but low THC level strain is described as uplifting and can help with anxiety, stress, and conditions like PTSD.
How Much is Too Much in CBD?
There is one clinical review study that has confirmed that people can tolerate CBD doses as high as 1,500mg per day. However, CBD dosage research is still very young, which explains why you cannot find valid points about how much one can take CBD. Further research is needed to come up with a definitive conclusion as far as the ideal dosage of CBD is concerned.
Things To Remember Before Using CBD
While first high CBD strains with low THC levels are generally tolerated, there are still important things to keep in mind:
- Only buy your high CBD strain and low-THC levels from reputable dispensaries. Also, make sure CBD is legal in your state.
- Buy products with third-party testing and a COA (Certificate of Analysis)
- Start slow. Pick strains with the lowest quantities of psychotropic THC levels.
- Remember that smoking, in general, is bad for your lung health. It’s best to ask for specific high-CBD, and low-THC strains in the form of tinctures, oils, vape pens, and the like.
Does CBD Get You High?
CBD is a non-psychoactive compound. Simply put, it doesn’t give users psychoactive effects and cannot make users high. After being extracted from the hemp plant, CBD is added to different products and can provide specific benefits for its users.
Final Word
Although much of the research on CBD is preliminary, various studies show that the high-CBD strains can help with the medical conditions below:
- inflammation and pain associated with arthritis
- nerve pain and pain associated with severe health conditions like MS
- insomnia
- seizures
- anxiety disorders
CBD strains, although not distinctly clear, is said to have an uplifting effect on sleep, anxiety levels, and overall mood because these strain influence serotonin receptors.
CBD is, to this date, continuously evolving in both research and products. While there is minimal research in the field, what is available suggests that cannabis does provide therapeutic benefits and is well tolerated by people. However, more research is still needed to dig into all the other factors of CBD use: the long-term side effects and the correct dosage for an average user.
