What Terpenes are Good for Aiding Anxiety?

It's fair to say that there's been quite a bit to be anxious about over the last few years. Between the global pandemic that forced everyone into both physical and social isolation and the notoriously out-of-balance work-life balance here in the U.S., many American adults have been dealing with some anxiety over the past couple of years.

In fact, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health, more than 40 million American adults have been diagnosed with some anxiety-related disorder. For some perspective, that's nearly 20 percent of all American adults. So whether it's a standard panic disorder or more complicated conditions like OCD, PTSD, or social anxiety disorders, that's a whole lot of anxiety.

That's likely a key reason why so many folks here in the U.S. have gotten medical cannabis cards of their own. After all, more than 5 million Americans have gotten cards of their own, and quite a few states all over the nation have officially listed anxiety-related issues as qualifying conditions. After all, that makes a whole lot of sense, considering research shows that more than 80 percent of medical patients said their medical cannabis products helped with symptoms associated with "anxiety, stress, and depression relief."

With all that in mind, however, those looking for profound relief from their anxiety will undoubtedly need to consider the terpene profiles of their cannabis. Knowing and understanding the best terpenes for anxiety will go a long way to helping you get the absolute max from your cannabis products. That's why we'll touch on some of the most powerful anti-anxiety terpenes found in cannabis products today, but we'll go in-depth on how and why they work the way they do!

This article will touch on some of the best terpenes for anxiety and depression, breaking down and highlighting some of the most calming, soothing terpenes that can help you relax, destress, and feel a little bit less anxious. So with that in mind, let's get right into it!

The Basics of Terpenes

Before we dig too deeply into how and why some of the best terpenes for pain and anxiety work, we should first go over the basics; after all, not everyone can be a cannabis industry pro or long-term stoner aficionado. So to highlight and break down some of the best terpenes for anxiety, we'll first need to figure out exactly what terpenes are in the first place, right?

So first off, let's define some basic terms. As we've covered here at Where's Weed before, terpenes are oils produced by plants that have strong odors to repel potential predators and attract insects that help with pollination. Found in almost every plant in existence, there are over 50,000 terpenes discovered to date, with over 150 different cannabis terpenes known to exist. Terpenes are believed to have many medicinal benefits, including inflammation, nausea, pain relief, and stress reduction. Each strain has a unique amount and combination of terpenes, which is why strains smell and taste different.

So why does this matter when it comes to cannabis? Terpenes pair well with and amplify the many effects of cannabinoids. So not only do they add to the flavors and aftertaste of the cannabis itself, but they actually can add to the already powerful anti-anxiety properties of cannabis.

So, with that in mind, let's talk a little about some of the most calming terpenes you'll be able to find in cannabis products all over the U.S.

Best Terpenes for Anxiety Relief

So now that we're crystal clear on the basics of what exactly terpenes are and how they work, let's isolate and break down exactly which ones are best for helping to relieve anxiety, depression, and a variety of other issues. Let's get right into it!

Limonene

Unsplash

One of the most common and potent terpenes effective for easing anxiety issues, limonene is among the best possible options. Not only is limonene psychoactive, but its citrusy sensations are lovely as an anti-anxiety and antidepressant as well. It's also fantastic for restlessness and paranoia, making it a versatile and potent terpene to pair with your cannabinoids. On top of that, it's widespread and found in a massive amount of cannabis strains.

Myrcene

Another incredibly popular terpene, myrcene, is known for its potent anti-anxiety, pain-numbing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Not only is it a powerful sedative, but it pairs well with THC and helps to amplify its effects. In fact, myrcene is known to be exceptionally compatible with THC, which is the primary cannabinoid component of pretty much any cannabis product you'll get from dispensaries.

No matter how you slice it, myrcene is one of the best terpenes out there for easing and reducing anxiety or anxiety-related issues.

Linalool

Unsplash

Typically found in well-loved plants like lavender, jasmine, and basil, this terpene also has a clear role to play when it comes to reducing anxiety. This overall soothing terpene is renowned for its ability to pair with cannabinoids to ease depression, anxiety, and many other qualifying conditions. So whether it's relaxing after a long hard day or soothing the mind thanks to its powerful properties, or just taking the edge off ahead of social gatherings, this terpene is a fantastic option and something you should absolutely seek out on the dispensary product label.

Best Strains for Anxiety Relief

So now that we've dug deep into which terpenes are best at working with cannabinoids to relieve anxiety and help you take the edge off, let's highlight some strains with the right mix of cannabinoids and terpenes to get the job done!

After all, we all know the potential cannabis has for making anxiety worse and further stressing people out. Those negative consequences can be severe, especially if you end up picking up the wrong strain from your local dispensary.

So with that caution in mind, take our advice and check out some of the following strains that are best for easing and reducing anxiety!

Harlequin

Renowned as one of the best medical cannabis strains around, Harlequin is packed with helpful terpenes and cannabinoids that work hard to get the job done. When you spark up this strain, you get a heavy dose of myrcene, alpha-pinene, and beta-caryophyllene, along with a near 5:2 CBD to THC ratio. No matter how you slice it, this strain is an absolute powerhouse regarding anxiety relief.

So if you're looking for a strain that won't leave you too high and couch-locked thanks to its low THC level and diverse terpene profile, it's hard to go wrong with the Harlequin strain. We highly recommend this strain if you're trying to take the edge off.

OG Kush

Like its namesake, OG Kush is one of the best strains out there for stress, depression, and anxiety relief. Packed with limonene, myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, and linalool, this terpene-rich strain's product label reads like it was designed in a lab to chill you out and relieve your stress and anxiety.

This well-balanced Sativa-dominant hybrid isn't for the faint of heart, to be clear. This strain has a very high THC level. But those previously mentioned terpenes do a great job of dampening things a bit and making this incredible strain a fantastic option for easing and reducing anxiety. So if you're a frequent cannabis user who may have built up a bit of resistance,

With enough cannabinoids to properly sedate you and a terpene profile, you can't go wrong with OG Kush. We highly recommend picking up this strain from the dispensary; just make sure you dose yourself properly!

MediHaze

Now that we've touched on a heavy THC strain let's focus on a more lightweight strain instead. Last but certainly not least, the MediHaze strain is known for its incredibly light psychoactive properties and rich terpene profile.

Packing somewhere between only 4 to 13 percent THC and an average of about 9 percent THC, this strain is perfect for newbies and lightweights alike. To pair with that cannabinoid profile, a heavy dose of limonene, beta-caryophyllene, and linalool, you've got a powerful anxiety-reducing machine of a cannabis strain.

Often leaving users feeling relaxed, happy, and energetic, this strain is believed to be great for relieving anxiety and stress-related issues, along with other conditions like migraines and general pain. No matter how you slice it, this fantastic medical strain is far and away one of the best around. If you can get your hands on this one at your local dispensary, we highly recommend it!