When it comes to choosing a weed strain, it can be confusing. Lots of choice, wacky names, wild THC percentages, and no clear roadmap.
It can be overwhelming, especially if you’re looking for healing, not just a high.
Here at High & Polite, we believe cannabis should be used with intention, especially if you’re navigating chronic illness, stress, anxiety, pain, or just want to optimise your health.
Cannabis isn’t one-size-fits-all.
And understanding which strain is right for you can be the difference between feeling sedated and foggy… or finally getting a decent night’s sleep and easing inflammation without sacrificing clarity.
This guide will help you find the right cannabis strain for your health needs.
First, let’s reframe the question
Instead of asking “What’s the best strain for anxiety?” or “What strain should I use for pain?”, let’s shift the perspective:
“What is my body asking for right now, and what type of cannabis will support it?”
This simple shift puts you in control, where you belong.
Because your health is your responsibility. And your cannabis choices should reflect your unique biochemistry, preferences, and wellness goals.
Know your goals
Start by getting clear on what you’re trying to achieve. Here are some common intentions and how cannabis can help:
- Better sleep
- Reduced anxiety or stress
- Relief from chronic pain or inflammation
- Improved focus or energy during the day
- Support through hormonal shifts or menstrual symptoms
- Digestive or gut health support
- Boosting appetite or reducing nausea
- Easing symptoms of autoimmune conditions
Write down your top 1–2 goals. From there, you can start narrowing down the type of strain and method of consumption that’s likely to work best.
There are two main cannabinoids you need to know about: THC and CBD
Every strain contains different ratios of THC and CBD, and these cannabinoids affect the body and mind differently.
- THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive compound that produces a high. It’s excellent for pain relief, sleep, appetite, and relaxation, but can also cause anxiety or paranoia in high doses or in sensitive people.
- CBD (cannabidiol) is non-psychoactive and known for its calming, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Many people find it helps with anxiety, pain, seizures, and overall stress response without feeling intoxicated.
Here’s the thing: you don’t always need high THC to get results.
For health-conscious adults, especially those new to cannabis or sensitive to THC, balanced or CBD-rich strains can offer incredible benefits without leaving you glued to the sofa.
What about indica vs. sativa vs. hybrid?
Traditionally, strains are grouped into three categories:
- Indica – often described as relaxing, sedating, and body-focused.
- Sativa – energising, cerebral, uplifting.
- Hybrid – somewhere in between, combining traits of both.
But honestly, this system is outdated.
Modern cannabis chemovars (chemical varieties) don’t fit neatly into those buckets. What really matters is the strain’s cannabinoid and terpene profile.
Let’s talk terpenes
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds in cannabis (and all plants) that affect both scent and effect.
They’re what make one strain smell like lemons and another like diesel. But more importantly, they shape how a strain makes you feel.
Some key terpenes to know:
- Myrcene – sedating, calming; found in many indica-leaning strains.
- Limonene – uplifting and mood-boosting; found in citrusy sativas.
- Linalool – soothing, anti-anxiety; also in lavender.
- Caryophyllene – anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving; found in black pepper.
- Pinene – alertness and memory support; also in pine needles.
A strain high in limonene and pinene may help with low mood or fatigue, while one high in myrcene and linalool might be perfect for anxiety or sleep.
Practical tips for choosing a strain
Now that you’ve got the foundations, here’s how to actually find your match:
1. Start with a journal
Track how different strains make you feel. Note the name, THC/CBD %, terpene profile (if available), method of consumption, and your results.
2. Don’t chase high THC
More isn’t always better. Strains with 10–15% THC and moderate CBD often offer more balanced effects, especially for therapeutic use.
3. Use high-quality cannabis
Always look for high quality cannabis from reliable sources. In the UK, this can be difficult unless you are getting legal medical cannabis or are growing your own.
4. Try microdosing
Sometimes less is more. Especially if your goal is stress relief or focus. Start small and see how your body responds.
5. Choose your method wisely
At High & Polite, we strongly recommend dry herb vaping, oils, or edibles over smoking. Why? They’re cleaner, healthier, and allow for better dosage control.
Popular strains for specific needs
Here are a few starting points, but remember, everyone’s body is different:
- Sleep: Granddaddy Purple, Northern Lights, Pink Kush (look for myrcene and linalool)
- Anxiety/Stress: ACDC, Cannatonic, Harle-Tsu (high-CBD strains with calming terpenes)
- Pain/Inflammation: Bubba Kush, Remedy, strains high in caryophyllene and CBD.
- Energy/Focus: Jack Herer, Durban Poison (pinene and limonene-rich)
- Hormonal Support: Blue Dream, Critical Mass (gentle hybrids with balanced effects)
Finding the right strain is a journey. And it’s okay if it takes time. You might respond differently at various stages of your health journey, menstrual cycle, or life in general.
Trust your body. Track your responses. And don’t hesitate to pivot when something doesn’t feel quite right.
A note on legality
We know that UK cannabis laws are still frustratingly behind the science. But there are legal options available, especially high-CBD flower, oils, and medical cannabis prescriptions through private clinics.
Join the movement
Want help navigating cannabis for health? Looking for trusted, evidence-based updates on new strains, safe consumption, legal changes in the UK, and natural wellness?
We’ve got you.
👉 Join 17,000 other canna-curious readers and become part of the High & Polite community, where plant medicine meets real-life healing.
