Month: March 2019

Purple Kush

This is a potent blend of Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani that produces a 100% pure Indica strain. Purple Kush averages 22% THC and was rated one of the Most Powerful Strains according to High Times Magazine. This is a potent blend of Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani that produces a 100% pure Indica strain. Purple Kush averages 22% THC and was rated one of the Most Powerful Strains according to High Times Magazine. The sweet smell of grape and earthy tones with this strain are the perfect backdrop for its blissful and long-lasting effects that provide a euphoric cerebral experience as well as relaxing body effects to leave you pain free.

Granddaddy Purple

A classic option, Granddaddy Purple was derived by breeding Purple Urkle and Big Bud to produce a potent Indica-dominant strain. Granddaddy Purple was named for its purple hues and grape flavor that is fairly unique to this strain. Producing a serious kick of both physical and cerebral effects, this strain provides overwhelming physical relaxing with an  uplifting euphoria to battle everything from muscle spasms and chronic pain to insomnia and appetite loss.

Girl Scout Cookies

One of the most popular boutique cannabis strains, Girl Scout Cookies is a potent hybrid of OG Kush, Durban Poison and Cherry Kush. In fact, this strain is so potent it can reach THC levels of up to 28% when grown in ideal conditions. With a sweet flavor and a Sativa/Indica ratio of 40:60, Girl Scout Cookies produces powerful yet balanced effects that can last for hours! The result is a mixture of happiness and euphoria combined with heavy hitting couch-lock effects ideal for relaxing the body and relieving pain.

This strain is also high in CBG, which ensures a more balanced experience and prevents paranoia or anxiety in this strain.

Northern Lights

A very well known strain, Northern Lights is a pure Indica that was derived by blending Afghani and Thai landrace strains for potent results. The THC levels typically reach 16 and 21% making it a great medical option. While an Indica-dominant strain, Northern Lights offers a balanced physical and cerebral effects that provides body relaxation and a buzzing cerebral euphoria to boost mood and relieve pain. This strain has a sweet, piney flavor and will help you unwind after a long day and leave your pain at the door as it eases you into sleep.

OG Kush

This Sativa-dominant hybrids history is a little fuzzy but what we do know is that this strain has near-even Sativa and Indica genetics, leading to balanced effects. OG Kush is a potent strain choice with THC levels that can reach up to 21-24% under optimal growing conditions. The high potency results in hard-hitting effects that combine intense euphoria with heavy body relaxation leading to couchlock. The potent and balanced effects are what makes OG Kush an excellent option for managing pain as well as insomnia and even Alzheimer’s Disease.

Skywalker OG

Derived by crossing Skywalker with OG Kush, Skywalker OG is a potent Indica-dominant strain with THC levels that can average around 20-25%. The effects lean more towards Indica with a ratio of 85:15, resulting in heavy physical effects. This strain also provides a mild but uplifting euphoria but is predominantly a body strain that results in couchlock and relaxation, which helps users to fade into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Charlotte’s Web

With high levels of CBD and little-to-no THC, Charlotte’s Web is an ideal strain for patients interesting in soothing relief without the psychoactive effects. Named after a girl named Charlotte, for whom the strain was designed, it is a safe and effective choice even for children. Designed to manage seizures, Charlotte’s Web is also a powerful choice for pain relief.

Cannatonic

Designed to be a high CBD and low THC strain, Cannatonic was bred to treat a variety of pain-related issues as well as manage mood disorders. This strain typically has a higher CBD content of around 10-12% with lower THC levels topping out at 7-15% at most. While this strain does not produce a heavy high, it has pleasant citrus tones and produces very laid back and relaxed effects.

In addition, Cannatonic has been linked to reducing muscle and joint inflammation which makes it ideal for pain relief as well as post-workout use.

In recent years, natural remedies such as CBD oil have grown in popularity, driving the cannabis industry out of oblivion and into the mainstream. In many countries, changes in the law have legalized marijuana for recreational and or medicinal use. Thus, it is possible to buy CBD oil and use it to improve your daily life.

Apart from treating certain medical conditions, cannabidiol (CBD) has other benefits. If anything, it can help you to greatly improve your health and wellness when used on a daily basis. One of the ways to use it is in the form of a vaporizer. Existing evidence shows that CBD is non-toxic and easy for your body to tolerate.

3. Fighting Aging Skin

One of the things that take the glow out of life is having to worry about wrinkles in the skin. One of the reasons for skin aging is oxidation. Due to its antioxidant properties, CBD is a good solution to skin damage due to oxidation. CBD works by targeting the internal and external causes of aging in the skin. To curtain intrinsic factors that cause aging, you may have to ingest CBD in the form of edibles.

Extrinsically, you can add CBD oil to a cream or lotion. It gets rid of the harmful effects of being exposed to ultraviolet rays and other environmental pollutants. Applying the cream topically can help fight aging and improve your everyday life.

5. Improving Heart Health

People who suffer from high blood pressure are exposed to more serious conditions such as heart attack and stroke. It turns out that CBD is effective in helping reduce high blood pressure, thus making a heart attack and stroke more unlikely.

A study on this subject was done by giving CBD oil to 10 men in good health over a prolonged period of time. The result was that CBD reduced the men’s resting blood pressure. It works by promoting artery vasorelaxation. Thus, it promotes optimal circulation and improves heart health.

CBD Works Differently Than THC

Most cannabis users are well versed on the variety of options available, from Indica to Sativa strains as well as high THC to high CBD options. Sleep studies going as far back as 1970 have focused on THC and found it to be an effective sleep aid, particularly when taken at levels of 20% or less THC. On the other hand, research into CBD and sleep actually concluded that this cannabinoid is best used for excessive daytime sleepiness or somnolence as opposed to insomnia as the effects are more alerting than drowsy.

Most recently, a 2015 review of cannabis research found that, for best results, hybrid strains or tinctures with equal parts THC and CBD are ideal for treating sleep disorders.

Indica Still Reigns Supreme

If you are unable to find a balanced THC:CBD strain or oil, the next best option to help fight insomnia and ease you into dreamland are pure Indica or Indica-dominant hybrid strains. Indica strains are bred to induce more physical effects, as opposed to cerebral, and tend to result in heavier body relaxation and sedation versus Sativa strains. While it is unclear exactly why Indica strains are more sedating than Sativa ones, it is theorized that it has to do with the terpene content of these strains. Terpenes are found throughout nature and serve many purposes – they give lavender their scent and calming effectives, provide eucalyptus the relaxing and healing factors and are found in countless other flowers and plants, including cannabis. When it comes to cannabis, terpenes work in conjunction with the various cannabinoids to produce desired strain effects.

Benefits of Aged Flower

One particular fact about cannabis and sleep that you might not know about is that aged cannabis actually makes you sleepier! Over time THC will degrade and is converted to a different cannabinoid known as cannabinol (or CBN). CBN has been found to be five times more sedating than THC, but takes a long time to form – in fact, cannabis buds that contain 20% THC andare is left to age for 3 years will typically produces 3-5% CBN.

Due to the long process to produce CBN, it can be hard to find on the traditional cannabis market but as research surfaces on this powerful cannabinoid, you may see it becoming increasingly common!

Cannabis Helps Your Fall Asleep Faster

One of the major perks for cannabis use against insomnia is that cannabis has been proven to help individuals fall asleep faster, which is a dream come true for many insomnia patients. Even doses as low as 15 mg of THC were associated with reduced sleep latency (time to fall asleep) and increased sleepiness. When using cannabis for sleep, it is best to keep your doses to a moderate level by choosing strains with 20% or less, or dosing 10-15 mg of THC in the evening.

If you dose too much at night, you may find yourself with a weed “hangover” in the morning, resulting in dehydration, dry eyes, lethargy or mild brain fog. As each individual is different, it may require trial and error to find your perfect sleep strain.

Cannabis and Dreams

Another interesting fact surrounding cannabis and sleep is that cannabis use can inhibit REM sleep and reduce or eliminate dreams. While this may be a downside to some individuals, this is particularly beneficial to individuals who cannot sleep due to PTSD. While cannabis use reduces REM sleep, it has been found to facilitate falling asleep faster (as mentioned above) as well as increasing Stage 4 sleep. Stage 4 sleep occurs right before REM sleep and is a state of very deep sleep whereby the brain almost exclusively produces slow brain waves known as delta waves; when woken from this sleep stage people often feel disoriented. So, while cannabis reduces REM sleep it does not alter an individual’s ability to sleep soundly and deeply.

Promotes Better Breathing

Some individuals may find their insomnia to be caused by sleep apnea. While these individuals can fall asleep easily, this condition affects their ability to stay asleep, which is vital for proper rest. Individuals with sleep apnea are often woken many times throughout the night due to being unable to breathe properly. Fortunately, cannabis may be able to assist with this as explored in a 2002 study that found THC can restore respiratory signaling as well as in a 2013 study that concluded sleep apnea was improved by a drug that mimics THC.

Use With Natural Remedies for Best Results

Lastly, while cannabis can do wonders for assisting with insomnia caused by PTSD, anxiety and pain, pairing cannabis with other natural remedies can further maximize its effects. As mentioned earlier, cannabinoids work with terpenes in bud for full-spectrum effects. Pairing your THC with essential oils (ie: terpenes), such as taking a bath in lavender epsom salts or using eucalyptus essential oils or just sitting down with a cup of chamomile tea, can improve success and help you put your insomnia to rest.

Willy’s Wonder

Willy’s Wonder is a truly mellow marijuana strain despite its lower cannabinoid content, which consists of 10% THC and 5% CBD. However, this strain clearly has excellent benefits and, even in mild amounts, provides heady effects and body relaxation.

Strawberry Cough

An exceptionally relaxing marijuana strain, Strawberry Cough is an 80% Sativa-dominant option. Renowned for its solid aroma and strawberry taste, this strain has high THC content reaching up to 26% and higher levels of CBN. In addition to the flavor, this strain gets its name from the thick smoke it generates that can leave even the most experienced tokers coughing. This strain is fast acting and provides relaxing benefits and a boost in energy upon the inhale. Strawberry Cough will keep any user quite satisfied and relaxed. Dehydration and dry mouth are the principle side-effects of this strain.