Best weed strains that may help PTSD

PTSD is one of the most popular reasons people use cannabis medicinally, seeking relief from symptoms like sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, and fatigue — and the majority of medical cannabis patients report it does wonders. A 2020 review showed 62% of people who used cannabis for PTSD experienced a decrease in their symptoms – with over 50% reporting fewer flashbacks, 67% saying it made them less irritable, 57% experiencing less anxiety. PTSD is the third-most common condition for medical cannabis patients in the US and UK, but despite where you live, there’s solid evidence to support it works. If you suffer from PTSD and are interested in joining the numerous people worldwide who turn to cannabis for support, it’s critical you have a solid understanding of what the best strains for PTSD are. Whether you’re looking for a strain known for fighting fatigue, boosting mood, easing anxiety and inspiring a social vibe, or providing a gentle calm that helps you relax and get a good night’s sleep, the following list of strains was carefully selected to help meet your unique needs. 

From deeply relaxing indicas, to brightly energizing sativa-dominant strains, with a few balanced hybrids that meet in the middle, these strains are the best you’ll find that are reported to effectively manage PTSD. 

Hindu Kush

Hindu Kush is a pure indica landrace from the Kush Mountains stretching Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan, and Northwest India. This iconic strain is famous around the world — delivering the perfect blend of effects cannabis legends are made of. Expect a long-lasting high with a blissfully relaxing experience you’d expect from one of the most respected indica strains of all time. Onset of effects is subtle, slowly building to a sweetly uplifting cerebral euphoria that calms intrusive thoughts and instills a more positive mindset. As the mind and body become more and more relaxed, you’ll find yourself succumbing to a soothing sedative-like effect becoming couch-locked and sleepy. It’s this mind/body blend of soothing euphoria and complete relaxation that make Hindu Kush one of the best strains for PTSD — supporting symptoms like stress, anxiety, cyclical thinking, and sleep problems like insomnia or frequent sleep interruptions.  

24k Gold

24k Gold, also known as 24k and Kosher Tangie, delivers a calm, happy head high that’s pure positive vibes. This sweet, orange citrusy flavored strain inherited the best traits from its popular parents — blending the full-bodied, heavy mental and physical effects of pure indica  Kosher Kush with the delightfully uplifting, highly-focused head high of the largely sativa dominant Tangie. It’s a cross that resulted in a slightly indica dominant strain with 23% THC and a euphoric, relaxing high that’s great for boosting mood and putting you in a better headspace. 24k Gold is said to be ideal for PTSD for a reason — its calming high is known for alleviating stress and depression, soothing both body and mind with a gentle euphoria without causing sedation. 

Cheese

With roots that date back to the 1980s that started out as a Skunk #1 phenotype later crossed with Afghani to boost resin production and yields, Cheese is a legendary indica-dominant hybrid. It contains around 18% THC and produces a pungent, skunky flavor with heavy cheese notes, giving it a distinct, extra-stinky flavor and aroma profile. And it delivers effects that make it shine when it comes to PTSD support — this strain is nothing but pure relaxation from head to toe, with a calm, steady happy high that will have you comfortably content with a smile on your face, without making you sleepy or sedated. Its efficacy for gently boosting mood and alleviating stress and anxiety make Cheese one of the best strains for PTSD there is. 

Sour Tsunami

Sour Tsunami is one of the most popular medical cannabis strains on the market — a CBD-dominant celebrity hybrid that was one of the first cultivars bred to contain more CBD than THC. This Sour Diesel and NY Diesel cross contains around 11% CBD and 10% THC, with therapeutic benefits MMJ patients report help with PTSD. It’s not surprising considering the large body of evidence supporting CBD’s efficacy for alleviating PTSD symptoms. Sour Tsunami produces a very subtle cerebral euphoria, delivering effects that are more clear-headed and focused than intoxicating. Expect to feel happy and relaxed with soothing physical effects said to relieve pain, hypertension, and inflammation while its ability to increase focus makes it ideal for ADD/ADHD. It’s these effects combined with its high CBD / low THC concentration that make Sour Tsunami one of the best strains for PTSD with extremely mild psychoactive effects. 

Rainbow Melon

Rainbow Melon is a perfectly balanced hybrid that blends a perfect combination of uplifted euphoria and relaxation that make it perfect for managing symptoms of PTSD. This Rainbow Chip and Melon cross created by Fast Buds packs a potent 27% THC punch, meaning it’s one of the best strains for PTSD consumers with a high tolerance can appreciate, but it’s not recommended for new users. It tastes like sweet tropical and citrus candy and delivers a powerful happy and euphoric feeling that lifts the spirits and makes you giggly, while relaxing both body and mind without any laziness or sedation. Great for using pretty much anytime of the day, Rainbow Melon is one to keep on your radar when looking for the best strains with high THC that may help PTSD. 

Golden Goat

Golden Goat is a sunny sativa-dominant hybrid that produces a happy, golden glow that’s great for an uplifting boost when you need it most. This tasty strain blends sweet citrus and tart, tangy lemon for a fun tropical flavor, and delivers a euphoric, happy head high said to soothe stress and depression. Expect a surge of creativity and the mental clarity to get your to-do list done, with a relaxing body high that eases physical stress and tension without being sedative in the slightest. Golden Goat is a great daytime strain with 20% THC that delivers a soft burst of sunshine that makes it for managing symptoms of PTSD. 

Pineapple Haze 

Anyone with PTSD who suffers from fatigue will appreciate Pineapple Haze, a highly sativa-dominant hybrid with a fast-hitting energetic high that makes it hard to stay still. This Haze and Pineapple cross contains around 19% THC and delivers an uplifting euphoria that boosts motivation, eases depression, and inspires creativity. It’s seriously almost impossible not to get up and get your groove on after smoking this sweet pineapple and citrus flavored strain. Pineapple Haze is a great option to get your day going, with the invigorating effects that make the best wake-and-bake strains what they are. Its physical effects are slightly relaxing but don’t cause any sedation, meaning it’s one of the best strains for PTSD to smoke on throughout the day.  

Banana OG

Banana OG is an indica-dominant hybrid with a gorgeous tropical banana taste and deeply relaxing, sleepy effects that makes it one of the best strains for PTSD that causes insomnia or sleep disturbances. It contains a 22% THC average that makes it powerful without being completely overwhelming — delivering a soothing, sleepy high with a distinct tingly sensation felt throughout the body that inspires a content calm. These effects are said to help ease pain and anxiety, only adding to its appeal as a strain for supporting symptoms of PTSD. 

Afghan Kush

Afghan Kush is a pure indica strain known for delivering stronger physical effects than it is producing a cerebral buzz. This smooth, earthy flavored strain blends mango and citrus for a slightly fruity aftertaste, and contains around 21% THC with 6% CBD — making it prized for producing a 3:1 THC/CBD ratio that could enhance its therapeutic effects. Expect a strong relaxing feeling to settle over the body that makes you feel slightly euphoric and super lazy. When you find yourself becoming so sedated it’s hard to keep your eyes open, you’ll know sleep isn’t far away. Reported to ease anxiety, chronic stress, and pain, Afghan Kush is commonly used to ease symptoms of PTSD thanks to its sleepy, soothing calm. 

Mango 

Mango is an indica-dominant hybrid with a cannabinoid concentration that blends 19% THC, 10% CBD, and 1% CBN. It delivers a slow-building uplifting high said to break cycles of negative thinking and inspire a happy, high-spirited headspace. These euphoric cerebral effects are soon met with a heavy body high that will leave you feeling blissfully content, couch-locked, and hungry. Mango is one of the best strains for PTSD that eases stress and depression while delivering effects ideal for overcoming lack of appetite and insomnia. With a sweet tropical and fruity flavor that tastes a lot like its name, Mango is truly an amazing treat for supporting symptoms of PTSD.  

The best strains for PTSD are the ones that help you effectively manage your unique symptoms. If you suffer from insomnia or other sleep issues, an indica strain with relaxing, sedative-like effects would be your best bet. On the other hand, if you experience fatigue and depression, a sativa-dominant strain with an energizing, uplifting buzz that boosts mood and motivation would be ideal. 

One of the strongest weed strains reported to help with PTSD is Rainbow Melon — a perfectly balanced hybrid packing a potent 27% THC concentration with blissfully uplifting effects blended with a relaxing body high without any sedation.