I’m the Problem: In Search of the Perfect Strain for Anxiety

This article first appeared in the Flower edition of Fat Nugs Magazine, published in fall of 2024.

Hi. It’s me, I’m the problem, it’s me.

I am an anxious girl. I live in a world of made-up scenarios. I hurt my own feelings with the outcome of these scenarios more often than I’d like to admit. Medically speaking, I have acute anxiety disorder with a scosh of complex PTSD.

Searching for the Perfect Strain for Anxiety

I have tried to love cannabis SO. MANY. TIMES. I want to love cannabis. I want some natural relief. As a recent addition to this publication– and the only staff member that can’t regularly, actively, and enjoyably partake in the plant we are heralding– I am on a mission to find cannabis that is right for me. I’m in search of the cannabis equivalent of Xanax.

Smoking is tricky for me. I’ve tried so many strains (of which I have no idea what kind or any of the details). Luckily, my dear friend and medicine woman turned me onto the smell connection thing. I tried smoking only the flower that smelled good to me. No matter how much it seemed to jive with my internal cannabinoid system, the initial inhale always spawned an anxiety trigger. It could turn into something enjoyable if I was in the right atmosphere (parties with friends, specifically), but it was always there, creating a hurdle to the desired effect. Once arrived, it could be great fun, so I need to get rid of the hurdle.

I’ve enjoyed smoking the CBD forward flower just for the ritual of smoking, but it doesn’t give me the relief or release or slight euphoria I am hoping for. I’ve had some success with gummies but even the lowest doses can let my old friend anxiety creep in.

All of this is to say that I am still on the lookout for that perfect strain, perfect delivery system for anxious girl life. I’m not giving up! Luckily, I work great and knowledgeable people at Fat Nugs that are open to guiding me into new avenues, strains, concoctions, etc. If cannabis was legal in Texas it would be a whole helluva lot easier…

If anyone has any recommendations or has been down this road, I’d love to hear.

– Anxious, but hopeful, Christina