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The saying “men are from Mars and women are from Venus” may have started as a lighthearted comment to highlight the differences between temperaments in women and men. But there’s a kernel of truth there.
Men and women are different—especially when it comes to their health. Women’s bodies need different types of care for issues that don’t just affect them in obvious ways—like periods—but also with the not-always-easy-to-grasp conditions like hormone changes due to menopause, problems sleeping, mood swings, back pain or dysmenorrhea (aka menstrual cramps).
RELATED: 5 WAYS MARIJUANA AFFECTS MEN & WOMEN DIFFERENTLY
When it comes to these types of health concerns, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Fortunately, cannabis has been shown to have healing properties for women, whether used for body aches, insomnia, menstrual cramps or anxiety.
How Women Can Use Medical Marijuana
It may take some trial and error to find just the right strain that works for you, but knowing the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) levels along with the type of strain helps narrow the field down quite a bit.
There’s also the question of when to use cannabis for a particular malady; some women may need to treat insomnia, while some may need help controlling anxiety during the daytime. With that in mind, here are six strains that have been shown to be effective for a variety of ills—three for daytime use and three for nighttime.
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Cannabis Strains for Daytime Use
Cannatonic
Cannatonic has a higher level of CBD relative to THC. For most people, this means it won’t create any psychoactive effects—perfect for daytime use. Cannatonic is known for creating happy and uplifting feelings, making this hybrid strain best to treat anxiety, depression and insomnia—conditions some women experience during their period or menopause.
Durban Poison
With a THC content that can get up to 24%, Durban Poison is a good choice for women who want to medicate during the day, but who also need to stay productive; consumers almost universally report that the strain doesn’t make them sleepy or drowsy. This sativa strain is often used to treat depression, anxiety and chronic pain—symptoms faced by many women who suffer from PMS and/or menstrual cramps.
OG Kush
OG Kush is a well-known hybrid with THC levels that can go as high as 26%, which can lead to elevated levels of psychoactivity. OG Kush also has fairly high levels of limonene and linalool, terpenes that can help fight against depression, migraines and stress. That’s why some women choose this strain when experiencing painful symptoms related to PMS and menstrual cramps.
Marijuana Strains for Nighttime Use
Arjan's Strawberry Haze
This sativa strain is good for depression, fatigue and migraines. While Arjan's Strawberry Haze is popular for daytime use because it's known to encourage creativity and sociability, it also works well for some insomnia sufferers. This hybrid strain is a perfect nighttime choice for women going through a hormone imbalance.
Cherry Pie
Cherry Pie is an indica-dominant strain that actually smells like cherries and is used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, bipolar disorder, pain and migraines. With 13–23% THC content, it’s known to create feelings of euphoria followed by deep sleep after two to three hours. This could be a great strain for women looking for an elevation in mood before a great night’s sleep.
Grape Ape
Grape Ape is a popular strain used by many to treat insomnia, pain, depression and anxiety. Consumers also report improved mood, making this indica strain the right choice for women who need a pick-me-up at night. Sometimes Grape Ape’s effects can be strong, leading to “couch lock,” so if you’re in need of some pain relief from PMS, menopause or painful periods, choose this strain to relax and watch a movie before bed.
Photo credit: Omar Lopez
If you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our Cannabis 101 post. HelloMD can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.
