How to decide which marijuana strains to try

Choosing the right cannabis strain can feel overwhelming, especially for people who are new to using cannabis.

With hundreds of options on the market, it’s easy to get lost in the names, effects, and chemical profiles. Read on for a guide that breaks down how cannabis strains work and how to select one that fits your goals, preferences, and experience level.

What is a weed strain?

A weed strain, also called a cultivar, refers to a specific variety of the cannabis plant grown for its unique combination of:

• Effects
• Flavor
• Aroma
• Chemical makeup, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and more

While many people still divide strains into categories like indica, sativa, or hybrid, it’s more helpful to consider their cannabinoid and terpene profiles when choosing the right one.

Strains are often known for their different effects — from relaxing to energizing to appetite-boosting — but these can be subjective. You may respond differently to a strain than another person, and finding the right one may take some trial and error.

And because strains aren’t strictly regulated, there can also be some variation in products that claim to be a single strain. This means that sometimes, especially with popular strains, strain names may be used more for marketing purposes rather than a truly accurate label.

How do weed strains work?

Cannabis affects the body because it contains cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which interact with your endocannabinoid system.

THC causes psychoactive effects, or “the high” many associate with cannabis, while CBD provides more calming, non-intoxicating effects.

Terpenes, the aromatic compounds found in cannabis, also influence the experience. For example, myrcene may promote relaxation, while limonene tends to be more uplifting.

The overall experience you get from a strain is the result of the entourage effect, a theory that suggests cannabinoids and terpenes work together synergistically.

How to choose a weed strain

Use the following tips to narrow down your strain options:

• Define your goal: Are you looking to relax, relieve pain, boost energy, or focus better?
• Consider the THC and CBD ratio: More THC means stronger psychoactive effects and symptom relief for medical users. More CBD offers anti-anxiety and calming effects with gentler symptom relief. A 1:1 THC to CBD ratio is a good place to start if you’re new to cannabis.
• Understand terpenes: Look at the dominant terpenes in the strain and ensure they add to your desired experience, like myrcene for relaxation, pinene for alertness, and linalool for its calming properties.
• Match it to the time of day:Energizing strains are better for daytime, while sedating ones may be better for night.
• Read labels and lab results: Look beyond strain names. Check cannabinoid percentages and terpene profiles on your product’s certificate of analysis (COA) to understand what it contains.

Is it safe to mix different strains or products?

It’s generally considered safe to experiment with different strains or forms of cannabis, such as combining edibles with flower. Still, people new to using cannabis should proceed cautiously.

Overconsuming THC can lead to unwanted side effects like anxiety or drowsiness. Always start with a low dose and gradually increase as needed.

The takeaway: Plan ahead to find the best strain for your needs

There’s no single best strain, but different strains may suit your different needs.

It’s best to focus less on trendy names and labels like indica and sativa and more on a strain’s cannabinoid profile, which influences how it will make you feel.

If you want to take it a step further, keep a journal to track effects and preferences of different strains. Over time, you’ll develop a personalized approach to choosing the ideal weed strain for your needs.

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Resources

• Beta-myrcene as a sedative-hypnotic component from lavender essential oil in DL-4-chlorophenylalanine-induced-insomnia mice. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/9/1161
• Linalool as a therapeutic and medicinal tool in depression treatment: A review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9886818/
• Therapeutic potential of α- and β-pinene: A miracle gift of nature. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6920849/