5 Best High CBD / Low THC Marijuana Strains

While there are many people out there who thoroughly enjoy the psychoactive effects of marijuana strains that are high in THC, there are an increasing number of individuals who are beginning to understand the vast medicinal benefits offered by high CBD strains. This is a fairly new discovery and as a result, the importance of CBD when choosing a marijuana strain is a recent trend. With almost too many strains to choose from and the confusion regarding THC and CBD content, it can become overwhelming trying to choose a strain that suits you.

We believe that this should be a simple and enjoyable process which is why we have done the testing and research for you. In this article we will tell you everything you need to know about CBD marijuana strains as well as which ranked best in 2017.

What is CBD?

CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol and is a cannabis compounds that has significant medical benefits but does not make one ‘high’. Whereas THC has psychoactive effects that are responsible for mind altering highs, CBD can actually counteract the psychoactivity of THC. With incredible health benefits, minus the psychoactive effects, CBD is quickly becoming an appealing option for patients looking for relief from pain, seizures, anxiety, inflammation and so much more. Today, CBD can be found in a number of forms and is extracted from the Cannabis Sativa plant, either as hemp or cannabis.

Let’s have a look at the more technical side of CBD. The endocannabinoid system includes two primary types of receptors that bind to cannabinoids: CB1 and CB2. CBD stimulates activity in both these receptors without actually binding to them. This causes changes in any cells that contain either receptor. CB1 receptors can be found in the brain and typically deal with mood, pain, emotions and coordination & movement. CB2 receptors are associated with the immune system and have an impact on pain and inflammation. CBD works its magic by producing more cannabinoids, as needed.

What is THC?

THC is a naturally occurring compound found in the marijuana plant and the main ingredient responsible for giving its users psychoactive effects. It’s official name is delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and it works by binding to the receptors systems in our body. Cannabinoid receptors are concentrated in certain areas of the brain associated with memory, thinking, coordination, time perception and pleasure. Basically, THC works by attaching to these receptors and activates them which in turn affects the memory, movements, concentration, pleasure, thinking, coordination, sensory and time perception. The effects of THC will vary from person to person but are likely to include euphoria and calmness. There is also the possibility of increased appetite, resulting in the ‘munchies’.

What Medical Conditions Do High CBD/Low THC Strains Help?

Back in the day, if you asked the cannabis community what strain of weed they would choose, the answer would usually and unsurprisingly be whichever is the most potent. Cannabis users notoriously sought out the best deal and the strongest strain. Traditionally, the ‘goodness’ of the weed was credited to high levels of THC, the compound that is responsible for the psychoactive effects. However, times are changing and many consumers are starting to prefer high CBD content. High CBD and low THC strains are emerging as promising treatments for a number of medical conditions, most notably, PTSD, Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Another common use is to alleviate chronic pain without the use of prescription medication. There was a study conducted by Xiong et al. in 2012 which found that CBD significantly reduced pain and inflammation in rats and mice. As a result, researchers concluded that CBD could be used to treat chronic pain and is now being used to treat multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia. A different study, also done on rats, was conducted in 2016 and found that CBD was a viable method for treating arthritis pain. Rat’s were given CBD gel over the course of four days, with the dosage being upped each day. The study discovered that rat’s experienced reduced pain and inflammation in their affected joints and with no side effects.

Another study has shown that Charlotte’s Webs, a high CBD/low THC strain of cannabis has been used to treat Dravet’s Syndrome. This is a rare condition that has been getting a lot of attention from the media, public and medical community lately. It is a particularly debilitating from of epilepsy that mainly affects children. A little girl, named Charlotte Figi who suffers from Dravet’s Syndrome, experienced a drastic reduction in the number of seizures that she has a day, thanks to the life-changing effects of CBD.

In recent years, CBD has also generated a tremendous amount of interest among consumers and scientists in the treatment of anxiety. Numerous animal studies and accumulating evidence from clinical studies suggest that CBD has powerful anti-anxiety properties. While THC could bring about feelings of paranoia, CBD has the opposite effect which is why High CBD content strains should be used in the treatment of stress and anxiety. The even better news, is that researcher’s have still not found any negative side effects associated with consuming CBD.

Without further ado here are 5 of the best high CBD / low THC strains:

1. Charlotte’s Web (One of the Most Famous Weed Strains in the World)

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Charlotte’s Web is a world famous strain with less than 0.3% THC content and has gained popularity as an option for treating seizures and a range of other medical conditions. It is a hemp derived product with a CBD content as high as 20% and little to no psychoactive effects.

We have Charlotte Figi to thank for the popularity of Charlotte’s web, which was used to treat her seizures and became the main focus in a bid to legalize high CBD strains. The only real notable effects of this strain is it’s phenomenal pain relieving ability. There is no ‘high’ and cerebral effect of Charlotte’s web meaning that you wouldn’t even realize that you had taken anything, apart from the fact that it can provide you with exceptional medical relief. You will typically consume Charlotte’s Web in the form of CBD oil rather than smoke. In addition to it’s pain relief abilities and as a treatment for seizures, Charlotte’s web is also used to treat fatigue, muscle spasms, migraines, fibromyalgia and as arthritis.

2. Ringo’s Gift (The Marijuana Strain That Has Nothing to do With Ringo Starr!)

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Ringo’s gift is a combination of Harle-Tsu and ACDC and was named after Lawrence Ringo, a cannabis activist and CBD pioneer. Ringo’s gift can be found in different ratios; the first being a one-for-one strain, meaning an equal ratio of CBD and THC. However, it can have ratios as steep as 24% CBD and 1% THC.

Due to the low THC content, you experience a noteable high but it’s very mild. This strain is a favourite for its mellow mix of cerebral activity and soothing, full-body relaxation, without the “couch-lock” effect. It serves as a fantastic medical option for those who are in pain and are looking for relief other than prescription medication. Ringo’s gift is described as truly refreshing, with combinations of spice, pepper and citrus which bring about a pleasant taste and smell. It’s used to treat anxiety, chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorder, stress, PTSD, arthritis and muscle spasms. It’s a great daytime remedy since you will be relaxed but remain sociable.

3. Avi-Dekel (A Lesser Known Strain from Israel)

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Avi-Dekel is a sativa-dominant strain developed by Tikun Olam to contain high levels of CBD and almost no THC (around 1%). Its CBD content, reaching as high as 15.8 percent, is intended to treat inflammation as well as sleep and digestive disorders. Avi-Dekel is ideal for patients seeking relief without the psychoactive effects of THC.

The Avi-Dekel plant was developed and cultivated in Northern Israel and is still relatively new to the marijuana community. The plant produces nugs with gold and olive green tones. The pleasant earthy aroma of this strain and the interesting nutty and chestnut flavors will make you feel relaxed and uplifted.

4. ACDC (The Marijuana Strain That Leaves You Feeling Thunderstruck)

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ACDC is a sativa-dominant strain with a remarkable ratio of 20:1 CBD THC, meaning that it induces little to no psychoactive effects. The high CBD content has proven to help patients treat pain, epilepsy, anxiety, nausea, tumours, multiple sclerosis, as well as the negative effects of chemotherapy.

ACDC has the appearance of a strange leafy moss with a greenish orange colour and a strange but pleasant taste with a combination of sweet, skunk and earthy flavours. It has a strong euphoric impact that will leave you feeling happy and calm. This is another strain that is perfect for daytime use, since it tends to make users more focused on their work and increases sociability. You won’t find ACDC in the form of cannabis oil because the THC content is above the 0.3% content.

5. Stephen Hawking Kush (Reveals the Secrets of the Galaxy Before You)

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We must start this off with a simple R.I.P. Stephen Hawking is one of the most important people in history and in celebration of his genius it only seems fair to mention this incredible strain.

Stephen Hawking Kush (SHK) is an indica-dominant strain bred by Alphakronik Genes. Considered a high-CBD strain, this bud often features about a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD. However, there are three phenotypes of SHK in total. One of them produces as high as a 5:1 ratio of CBD to THC, meaning that it won’t provide any sort of high at all.

A cross between Harle-Tsu and Sin City Kush, Stephen Hawking Kush is a part of Alphakronic’s CBD+ line, which was designed to breed up CBD. On average, this bud tests about 5 percent THC and 5 percent CBD. Though, there are some samples that test over 20 percent CBD. It has an earthly aroma, leaves a sweet taste in your mouth and will leave you relaxed for at least an hour only after a few tokes.

CBD is a strong anti-inflammatory, making Stephen Hawking Kush an excellent choice for those hoping to manage chronic pain. Those with arthritis may appreciate this bud as a daytime symptoms management tool. Stephen Hawking Kush is also popular among those seeking relief from muscle spasms and tremors.

Stephen Hawking Kush can also be used to provide relief from headaches or nausea. Perhaps thanks to its ability to ease inflammatory pain, SHK can quickly quell a migraine or ease a tension headache.

Final Thoughts About High CBD Strains

As always, it all comes down to personal preference and what specific medical conditions you are looking to treat. The wonderful thing about CBD strains is that you can enjoy a multitude of health benefits with little to no psychoactive effects. Based on the above information, strains that are high in CBD appear to be great in the treatment of PTSD, migraines, inflammation and probably most importantly, even to help with the effects of chemotherapy.

SOURCE

https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/10-best-cbd-cannabis-strains-according-to-leafly-users
https://www.marijuanabreak.com/best-high-cbd-strains/
https://www.leafly.com/indica/stephen-hawking-kush
https://www.leafly.com/hybrid/avi-dekel
https://herb.co/marijuana/news/stephen-hawking-kush
https://www.allbud.com/marijuana-strains/indica-dominant-hybrid/avi-dekel

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