With the excitement of the holiday season comes an ever-growing list of things to do and places to be. Thanksgiving weekend is the official start line before the December holiday season hits, but it can feel like a marathon of extra activities that can, at times, feel difficult to manage. The holiday stress is real.
The fatigue you may feel in December is real, with all the preparations. You want to make sure that when the main event happens, you have some energy left to actually enjoy the holiday season. Or to navigate any nerve-wracking family dinners.
Did you know that some cannabis strains (particularly the Sativa dominant hybrid type) can help you perk up for everything from Christmas day festivities to New Year’s Eve parties?
If you are a patient with a medical card, there are specific strains that can provide that extra energy boost when you need it most and help you power through the holiday season.
Check out some of the cannabis strains that can help you power up and make the most of the holidays. Some of the strains have a knack for increasing one’s appetite, so keep some of those delicious holiday food handy.
Can You Use More Than One Cannabis Strain?
New patients sometimes feel that they should use only one specific strain, and that is usually the one that works best for their baseline symptom management goals. Don’t get stuck in a strain rut! You can research and choose a variety of strains to help you with certain activities.
For example, patients can choose Indica dominant cannabis strains for mild to moderate sedation and pain relief. This can help you unwind with relaxing effects that may improve your quality of sleep. Pain symptoms are a leading cause of insomnia for patients, and Indica strains can be a good choice for nighttime use.
Daytime use strains may have a lower THC potency but a higher cannabidiol (CBD) ratio. If you work during the day from home, for example, you need to stay focused and alert, so higher potency strains are not the best choice. No one wants to fall asleep on a Zoom call! Strains that have higher CBD content taper off some of the psychoactive effects and impairment that cannabis can cause.
Consequently, if you are feeling like you have low energy but are heading out to a social function, high-energy cannabis strains may be the perfect “pick me up” to help you enjoy yourself. Most Sativa strains that can boost energy levels can also make you feel more talkative and help you engage more comfortably if you struggle with social anxiety.
Tips for Choosing a High-Energy Strain to Help With Fatigue
If you are looking for guidance on strains that can provide an energy boost, the best place to start is researching different options online. Sources like Weedmaps and Leafly provide a directory of strains and can help you create a list of choices you may want to try.
One of the other benefits of using an online strain directory is that you can search for strains that are actually available at a dispensary near you. That way, you won’t waste time traveling to dispensaries trying to find a strain that isn’t available in your state.
Lower THC potency is key when selecting a high-energy strain. The higher the potency level, the more likely you are to realize the opposite effect: feeling sluggish and tired rather than energetic. Since cannabidiol (CBD) can reduce some of the psychoactive effects of cannabis, you may also want to avoid strains that have high CBD content.
Minor cannabinoids also play an important role if you are looking for an energy boost from cannabis strings. Cannabigerol (CBG) has been shown to increase energy, focus, and alertness for some people. Known as the “Mother of all Cannabinoids,” CBG is naturally found in low concentrations in select strains; aim for a ratio of 1% CBG where possible.
Cannabis Strains That Can Boost Your Energy Level
The availability of strains of cannabis varies depending on where you live. Medical cannabis dispensaries will carry a broad selection of the strains most popular for medicinal use. If you cannot find a specific strain near you, talk to your local dispensary. They may have suggestions for alternative strains that may be close to what you are looking for.
The following strains, according to online reviews, may provide the best results if you are looking for an energy boost over the holiday season.
Chocolope
As the name suggests, this cannabis strain has a delightful flavor reminiscent of chocolate and coffee, with earthy undertones. The average THC content of Chocolope ranges from 15% to 25%, and the strain has low CBD content, which can help knock fatigue out of the window if you are feeling low-energy.
Durban Poison
When it comes to energetic strains, you will find Durban Poison at the top of the list. Durban Poison has an average THC content of 15% to 25%, with nominal CBD content of less than 1%. This strain can taste like licorice and anise, with spicy and citrus notes and a sweet aftertaste.
Reviews of Durban Poison suggest this strain can help increase focus and creative energy, with a pleasant and comfortable sense of euphoria. Durban Poison has impressive minor cannabinoid content containing cannabichromene (CBC), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and cannabigerol (CBG).
Ghost Train Haze
When it comes to high energy, Ghost Train Haze may be one of the best cannabis strains for people who are experienced medical cannabis users. Ghost Train Haze averages on the higher end of THC potency at 20% to 25% or more.
Like most high-energy cannabis strains, Ghost Train Haze has low CBD content (>1%) and can provide strong cerebral effects as a result. Reviews state that this strain can cause intense and uplifting feelings of happiness, a euphoric high, and bursts of creativity, focus, and concentration. Some patients with ADHD may find this strain helpful.
Minor cannabinoid content in Ghost Train Haze includes cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabichrome (CBC). Because of the high potency of the strain, consuming a lot of it may cause feelings of anxiety or paranoia, so less is more as a guidance for using Ghost Train Haze.
Green Crack
You can often surmise the effects of a cannabis strain by the name, and that is true for Green Crack. This is one of the most popular sativa-dominant hybrid strains for many reasons, one being that it can deliver relaxing but energetic experiences. This strain has a sweet and tangy flavor.
When it comes to minor cannabinoids and energy-inducing strains, you may notice some similarities. Green Crack contains cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabichrome (CBC) and low (>1%) average cannabidiol (CBD) content.
The THC content of Green Crack can vary widely depending on the cultivar, and it may average from 15% to 25% or higher. According to reviews, one of the downsides of this strain is that it may cause increased heart rate and nervousness.
Jilly Bean
A rare but valuable strain, Jillybean, can be hard to find at licensed dispensaries, depending on where you live. Jillybean is on the lower scale of THC potency, averaging 15% to 18%, and has CBG (cannabigerol) and CBC (cannabichromene) minor cannabinoid content.
The jelly bean flavor is what inspired the name for this strain, as it has a hint of sweet candy flavor with orange and mango undertones. It also has a somewhat tropical smell that people enjoy. Unlike other types of energy-boosting strains, online reviews suggest that Jillybean is less likely to cause overstimulation. Just a nice, happy, and moderate level of energy, with a lower-than-average potential to cause symptoms similar to anxiety or paranoia. It is a great strain with both uplifting effects and calming properties.
Super Silver Haze
One of the most well-known marijuana strains, Super Silver Haze, can help you power through long days and all the delicious Christmas treats. This award-winning strain may be the perfect “pick me up” if you suffer from fatigue or chronic stress.
Super Silver Haze has an average THC content of 18% to 23% with trace minor cannabinoid content of CBG (cannabigerol) and CBC (cannabichromene). Consuming this strain, you may detect citrus and sweet flavors with some spicy and earthy undertones. Super Silver Haze flower is dank, with a skunk and fruit-like scent when incinerated.
XJ13
Weird name for a strain, right? The name is a nod to the crossed cannabis genetics of Jack Herer and G13 Haze. The average THC potency of XJ13 ranges from 15% to 22%. Minor cannabinoid content is no surprise; XJ13 has CBG (cannabigerol), CBC (cannabichromene), and THCa. Cannabidiol (CBD) content is less than 1% in this strain.
The XJ13 strain has become popular not only because of the energetic effects but also because reviews suggest that it can provide a clear-headed, creative, and focused cognitive and mood enhancement. Reviewers describe it as a functional, comfortable, and controllable energy experience.
Why Pure Sativa Strains May Not Be The Best Choice
Sativa cannabis strains are known to provide a euphoric high and feelings of happiness and energy. That makes Sativa cannabis strains the best choice if you are heading out for holiday season social time or if you have a lot of preparation to do, like wrapping a ton of presents or baking millions of holiday cookies.
However, a Sativa dominant strain may not be your best choice. When you take cannabis that is predominantly Sativa, there can be some unpleasant psychoactive effects. For example, high doses of pure Sativa may create symptoms of anxiety and paranoia.
Try lower THC potency strains with higher levels of CBG and CBC minor cannabinoids and low cannabidiol (CBD) content to ramp up your energy.
Aaron Bloom, an experienced healthcare attorney, serves as the CEO of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers, where he has overseen the organizations’ mission and growth since 2016. In addition to his leadership roles, Aaron serves on the Board of Directors for Waterfall Bank, bringing his expertise in healthcare, compliance, and strategic growth to the financial services sector.
Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives stems from more than 20 years of owning, operating, and representing traditional healthcare organizations. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to finding better ways to relieve suffering and expand access to innovative, patient-centered care. As CEO, Aaron works each day to help patients achieve better health and wellness through the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis and other evidence-based alternative medicines.