When it comes to effects, Sativa strains may vary but they are usually beloved for their invigorating and euphoric properties. The kind of high that Sativas are usually cerebral and energetic. This is why these strains are usually used medicinally to treat conditions such as depression, stress, and fatigue.
However, one medicinal trait that really isn’t very common among Sativas is pain relieving properties. Though pain relief is usually associated with Indicas and hybrids, some Sativa strains also display that kind of medicinal quality.
If you are someone who loves the effects of a good Sativa but also need to use it for pain relief, here are the best strains you should consider:
1.) Harlequin
Though not a pure Sativa, Harlequin is 75% Sativa. It is a strain that descended from the popular landrace Colombian Gold and other Thai and Swiss landraces. And though it is a Sativa-dominant plant, it does not have the usual racy effects that most of its brothers and sisters possess.
Instead, Harlequin induces a relaxing euphoric high that hits the head with an uplifting kind of buzz. Nevertheless, it still makes the user feel more focused and also energetic without the psychedelic effects of other Sativas. The Indica part of this strain is what is responsible for the calming and relaxing high that does not make the body too heavy or lazy.
Harlequin is arguably one of the best strains and Sativas for pain relief due to its rich CBD to THC ratio that is about 5:2. Basically, CBD works to fend off the anxiety and panic that is often induced by THC. CBD also works as an amplifier of sorts to the painkilling properties of THC. And due to the fact that Harlequin has quite a high CBD level, it works perfectly as a pain-relieving Sativa that is almost unmatched.
2.) ACDC
Not entirely a Sativa itself but a Sativa-dominant phenotype of the unique Cannatonic, ACDC was almost purely bred for medical use because of its extremely low THC levels and remarkably high CBD count.
ACDC does not have the intoxicating effects that most Sativas have. Instead, it promotes a light and mellow kind of energetic state that also tends to make the user feel happy, focused, and relaxed all at the same time.
Bred to have one of the highest CBD levels, this strain has a CBD to THC ratio of about 20:1. What this means is that its potential as a medicinal strain is extremely high. It is widely used to help cancer patients manage and treat pain. It is also used to treat anxiety and chemotherapy side-effects.
3.) Blue Dream
Though classified as a hybrid, it is still a Sativa-dominant strain that is only about 40% Indica. Given that it can be considered a well-balanced Sativa strain, it has an effect that tends to induce a mellow type of mental invigoration to make the user feel a bit more energetic and inspired.
Working in conjunction with that euphoric invigoration is a full-bodied relaxing effect that makes the user feel calm, happy, relaxed, and uplifting all at the same time. This makes this strain a favorite among beginners and casual users.
Medicinally, because of the relaxing effects, it got from its Indica side, Blue Dream can be used as a pain-relieving treatment. In other cases, it also works well against stress, depression, headaches, and fatigue. It simply has a lot of medicinal benefits on top of its pain-relieving qualities.
4.) Sour Tsunami
A 60% Sativa-dominant strain, Sour Tsunami has the good properties of a fine Sativa and the body effects of a good Indica. It was bred by the late Lawrence Ringo to be low in THC and high in CBD. It was a four-year labor that led to a strain that carries the focused and uplifting effects of Sativas and the great medicinal qualities of an Indica.
Sour Tsunami is known for its mellow type of high that tends to relax the user into a state of euphoria. Nevertheless, he/she will still be able to retain focus as the relaxing effects don’t tend to promote lethargy or laziness.
Bred as a medicinal strain due to its high CBD to THC levels, Sour Tsunami is an effective treatment for a lot of medical conditions. These include pain, fatigue, depression, and stress.
5.) Canna-Tsu
A descendant of the CBD-rich Sour Tsunami, you can also expect this strain to be just as effective as a medicinal strain. Canna-Tsu is a Sativa-dominant strain that brings about a mellow and light type of mental high that promotes happiness and creativity.
Due to its Indica side, Canna-Tsu also works to make the user feel relaxed and contented as a calming body high washes over him/her. Nevertheless, it does not overlap with the mental clarity this strain initially provides.
Because of its high CBD levels, Canna-Tsu is an effective treatment for chronic body pains and inflammation. It also works well against the symptoms of stress, depression, and other mood-related conditions.
6.) AK-47
AK-47, a 65% Sativa-dominant strain, is not as intense as its name might make it seem like. In truth, it is one of the more mellow types of Sativas that helps make the user feel mentally focused and alert while also clearing the mind of any hazy thoughts that tend to cause anxiety.
Medicinally, AK-47 works well against a lot of medical conditions such as depression and stress. And because of its Indica side, it has a relaxing effect that helps in eliminating chronic pain and other physical ailments.
7.) Jack Herer
The quintessential Sativa, Jack Herer is a strain developed in honor of the late great cannabis influencer and marijuana activist Jack Herer (https://jackherer.com/). It is one of the most influential and most popular strains in all of existence because of its great effects.
An award-winning strain, Jack Herer promotes a happy and euphoric feeling that helps in energizing the user’s overall state. Because it is a Sativa, it also induces a mentally focused high that helps the user get through the day with flying colors.
As a medicinal strain, Jack Herer also has its own potential. While it is mostly used to fend off stress, depression, and fatigue, it can be used for chronic pain relief.
8.) Sour Diesel
This 80% Sativa was created by crossing Chemdawg 91 with Super Skunk. It is well-known for its pungent taste and aroma and for its psychoactive type of high. It is basically one of the Sativas you should go to if you want a trippy kind of buzz.
As a potent Sativa itself, this strain induces a happy and energetic high that tends to uplift the mood with a rush of euphoria that hits the head. To some extent, it can also promote creative thoughts that can help the user become more productive.
Despite its low CBD levels, Sour Diesel is an effective pain reliever of Sativa. This means that it can help ease users and patients of chronic pains without having to make him/her feel lazy and heavy. It also works as a treatment for headaches and mood conditions.
9.) OG Kush
OG Kush is a well-balanced strain that tests show is a Sativa-leaning variety. It has a mysterious background in terms of its genetic history but it is essentially a popular strain because of its balanced effects.
Like most well-balanced strains, OG Kush delivers a happy and euphoric kind of high that uplifts the user’s mood and outlook. And, because it also displays Indica properties, it can help make the user feel calm and relaxed throughout the day.
Because of its well-balanced effects, this Sativa-dominant strain provides a lot of medicinal benefits on top of how it can help manage pain. It can also be used to treat depression, stress, and insomnia.
10.) Durban Poison
Hailing from the African city of Durban, Durban Poison stands as one of the most popular landraces of Sativa due to the uplifting and energetic high that completely makes the person feel like he/she can take on the world.
On top of how it helps induce a potent energetic buzz, this strain’s intense euphoric high makes the user feel a lot happier. The same sensation also helps improve creative thinking and focus. This makes it a Sativa strain you should always have by your side early in the morning.
While pure Sativas such as Durban Poison is popular for how they help treat depression, stress, and fatigue, this strain can also be helpful when it comes to treating pain though it may not be as effective as some of the other strains on this list.
Sativa strains might be more popular as mood enhancers that aid in fighting stress and depression but there are still certain varieties that are capable of pain relief especially if they are bred with Indicas or CBD-rich strains. It all depends on genetic makeup and, to a certain extent, how some users and patients react to the medicinal benefits these strains posses.
