Top 10 Cannabis Strains For Relaxing

Putting your feet up with a nice joint or a packed vaporizer is a stoner pleasure. Cannabis helps most users relax and unwind. Everyone’s ECS or endocannabinoid system is unique. Tolerance to cannabis varies from person to person and builds over time with continued use.

Homeostasis is the term scientists use to describe a state of internal equilibrium. When it comes to cannabis, a diverse cannabinoid profile is more likely to deliver a well-balanced high. This is known as the “entourage effect”. In particular, CBD and THC have synergy. CBD relaxes the body, but it also seems to curb the psychoactive effects of THC to help relax the mind, too.

WHAT’S BEST, INDICA OR SATIVA?

Genetics have a tremendous impact on the kind of high buds will be packing. Many pure (or near-pure) sativa strains have a powerful cerebral effect due to high THC content and negligible CBD. The effects are usually short-lived, but can be an intense, almost trippy ride. However, with the right sativa-dominant strain, the high can be a potent stress-reliever and mood-booster.

Indica cannabis is generally heavier on the body and induces a more dreamy high. Obviously, many indica strains are great for relaxing. That being said, hybrids are amongst the finest chill-out strains on our list. This is because of their amazing cannabinoid profiles and the chilled-out vibe they provide in just a few tokes.

ZAMNESIA’S TOP 10 CHILL-OUT CANNABIS VARIETIES - HYBRIDS

1. OG KUSH

OG Kush is probably the most sought-after marijuana on the planet right now. This uber-potent Kush is world-renowned for its initial uplifting head buzz, followed by a powerful couch-lock. As is the case with game-changing genetics, this strain is often imitated and outright faked. If you want the real-deal dankness, we recommend our very own Zamnesia Seeds OG Kush. 

Aside from being perfect recreational chill-out weed, those frosty, lime green nugs also have medicinal applications. ADHD, migraine, stress, and depression patients have anecdotally reported improvements using this strain.

2. TRAINWRECK

Those seeking another West Coast classic that's perfect for chilling out will easily find it with Trainwreck. While it's a somewhat mysterious mix of Northern Californian genetics, she delivers a hugely relaxing and soothing stone. Her trademark uneven growing structure makes her instantly recognisable in the grow room or in the great outdoors. Plants are typically weighed down during flowering, showcasing long-running colas and chunky side branches, often more prominent on one side than the other.

Rich, earthy flavours with a hint of lemon and pine are your first reward for cultivating Trainwreck. She also boasts a euphoric, cerebral effect that culminates in a mellow physical sensation ideal for any time of the day. All of these attributes make Trainwreck an irresistible stash. Currently, Green House Seeds offers outstanding photoperiod feminized Trainwreck seeds.

3. BLUE DREAM

A delicious, mouth-watering blend of Blueberry and Haze genetics, Blue Dream has been a mainstay among the cannabis community due to its ability to hit you with a one-two head-body combination. For those that want a truly relaxing, dreamy high, Zamnesia Seeds' version more than fits the bill. First, a wave of euphoria gently rolls over the brain lobes, causing any pent-up tension to simply wash away. The second stage of the high is a real creeper. Gradually, a physical stoned sensation builds that soothes the muscles. Blue Dream is perfect for a tranquil toke after a long day.

For those with smaller grow-ops, or who are just too impatient to wait the 9–10 weeks of flowering required, there's a delectable autoflowering version called Blue Dream'matic by FastBuds.

4. GIRL SCOUT COOKIES

Sweet, sweet cookies. Girl Scout Cookies is a decadent dessert cannabis strain that won’t exactly melt in your mouth. Rather, this weed will likely melt you into the couch. This awesome OG Kush and Durban Poison hybrid blend is devastatingly potent with THC levels 23% and above. Our very own Zamnesia Seeds edition won’t disappoint pheno-hunters. Alternatively, Cali Connection Seeds will hook you up with the thin mint pheno.

INDICA & INDICA-DOMINANT

5. BUBBA KUSH

A true indica-dominant classic, Bubba Kush is the end result of crossing Bubble Gum with Kush. With a strong hash-like flavour and aroma with touches of sweetness and earthiness, this cultivar will soothe even the most stoic of stoners. As a multi-award-winning strain, Green House Seeds' Bubba Kush has undoubtedly built a reputation for herself, and delivers on all counts, particularly when it comes to the soothing nature of her high.

Barney's Farm's version provides the same excellent indica experience, and is just as easy to cultivate. Taking 8–9 weeks to flower, growers will be treated to a bevy of tight buds ready to be used. Bubba Kush is a safe bet for any grow-op and won't give you any unpleasant surprises—just a straight-up relaxing vibe.

6. NORTHERN LIGHTS

Northern Lights is the original couch-lock cannabis. Easy to grow, highly productive, and still potent even by today’s standards, Northern Lights by Royal Queen Seeds and Zamnesia Seeds are true to the 1980’s original.

The happy head-buzz and long-lasting physical stoned effects of Northern Lights are guaranteed to chill you out in just a few tokes. Full-bodied earthy-Kush flavour will keep you coming back for more. Northern Lights is perhaps the most versatile strain on this list and recommended for beginner growers or any grower with high standards.

7. BLUEBERRY

Blueberry is the juice your grow-op needs. You really should enjoy the taste of your chill-out cannabis, and this sweet indica delight does not disappoint on flavour. Master Breeder DJ Short’s beans are the classic stretch indica original. While Zamnesia Seeds’ stockier edition of Blueberry is more micro-grower friendly, both are bursting with sweet berry flavour.

The tranquilising physical effect of Blueberry is a fantastic pain-reliever and not too cerebrally overwhelming. It’s hard to feel the blues after a few hits of this relaxing reefer.

SATIVA & SATIVA-DOMINANT

8. PURPLE HAZE

Purple Haze all in your brain and you can’t complain. Jimi was onto something with this euphoric sativa. This old-school sativa is still available from Positronics Seeds and White Label Seeds. In an age of super-potent, ever increasing THC levels, the clear and uplifting high from Purple Haze is a rarity.

As the name implies, Purple Haze can develop a beautiful purple colour to her foliage and flowers in cooler conditions during bloom. Purple Haze is feel-good weed. Moreover, she tastes as good as she looks. Smooth and easy on the throat with a mix of sweet and floral flavours.

9. LEMON HAZE AUTOFLOWERING

Sativa-dominant autoflowering hybrids reduce both the flowering period and excessive height of photoperiod sativa strains. Plus, they can do it independent of the light cycle. Ultra Lemon Haze by Auto Seeds rarely exceeds 1m in height and gives growers with smaller grow spaces the chance to crop a Haze in less than 100 days from seed.

Similarly, Super Auto Lemon Haze by Sensible Seeds is a low-maintenance auto Haze. However, she can stretch a little taller to about 1.2m. The combination of ruderalis and Haze genetics moderates the powerful cerebral sativa high and makes the auto hybrids more of a chill-out smoke. If you enjoy citrus-flavoured weed and just chilling out, consider these two autos.

10. STRAWBERRY COUGH

Strawberry Cough is the relaxation cannabis of choice for the veteran toker. Dutch Passion created this sativa-dominant beauty over two decades ago, and she is still a grow room favourite across Europe and the US.

Strawberry Cough's unique strawberry flavour and Skunky-fruit aroma continues to endear her to both medicinal and recreational users. Anxiety and bad vibrations will fade away with a lung full of Strawberry Cough. This mellow sativa will make you cough on the exhale, but she is not devastatingly potent. Strawberry Cough is a fun social smoke perfect for relaxing with friends.

Luke Sumpter

With a BSc (Hons) degree in Clinical Health Sciences and a passion for growing plants, Luke Sumpter has worked as a professional journalist and writer at the intersection of cannabis and science for the past 7 years.

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