Cannabis Strains for Pain You May Not Have Tried (Yet)

Life with chronic pain is very hard; that’s why patients often explore cannabis strains for pain. And unless you have experienced what it is like (or cared for someone who has), it can also be challenging to understand.  No one likes to be in pain, and we take steps to resolve symptoms as soon as possible.

But when you have chronic pain, those regular steps to resolve it may not work.  Sleeping or applying heat or cold and other protocols may not help many patients.  And that leaves them suffering from debilitating chronic pain every day of their lives.  

Until doctor-supervised medical marijuana was a legal option, patients were left with very few alternatives.  Other than prescription NSAIDs or opioids, we now know may cause significant health risks. Particularly for people with chronic pain who need to take those medications for indefinite periods.  

If you have been thinking about getting your medical card because you would like to try cannabis for your pain symptoms, our physicians can help.  But if you already have your medical card and want to learn more about strains that patients feel are highly effective for pain, check out our top picks. And get some suggestions about how other patients manage their daytime and evening symptoms with different strains of cannabis. 

Researching Cannabis Strains for Pain Before You Visit a Dispensary 

Patients who receive their recommendation or medical card can visit a dispensary to learn more about strains and products.  But if this is your first time visiting a medical cannabis dispensary, you may not know what to expect.  Or how to make the most of your first visit.

Cannabis dispensaries will create a patient profile for you. That means you may want to schedule an appointment for the first time. It will give you sufficient time to provide the information and guidance on the type of cannabis products you may want to try for your symptoms. 

Budtenders are a wealth of information about cannabis.  But you can help by doing a little research into different strains that may be appropriate for you.  Then, you can visit your dispensary with a list in hand.  And if the dispensary doesn’t have that specific strain, they can recommend another with a similar terpene, flavonoid, and cannabinoid profile. 

Moose and Lobstah

Even if you have been using medical cannabis for several years, you may not have heard about this strain.  Moose and Lobsta (aside from having a pretty funny name) haven’t been well-known.  But this Sativa is building a reputation for targeting pain symptoms. 

• THC 16% 
• CBD 0.34 – 0.51%
• CBG 0.48 – 0.98%
• CBN 0.20 – 0.28%
• THCV 0.36 – 0.53%
• Sativa dominant (30% Indica).
• The aroma and flavor of diesel, skunk, and sweet fruit.
• Fast-acting for many patients (psychoactive effects in both the head and body).
• Can provide an energy boost (daytime use) with sedating finish.
• It may help patients with pain, depression, or anxiety.

Moose and Lobstah x Goji OG Strain was developed by crossing S and E OG, Cbd Sweet, and Sour Widow cannabis.  Because the strain seems to have a strong cerebral effect, some patients have reported relief from neuropathic pain symptoms. 

The terpene profile of Moose and Lobstah is unique.  The dominant terpenes are Ocimene, Limonene, and Phellandrene, with a small amount of Caryophyllene.  Clinical studies suggest that Ocimene may provide anti-inflammatory benefits and inhibit enzymes contributing to complications for patients with type 2 diabetes. 

White Widow

Crossed between Brazilian Sativa landrace and South Indian Indica, White Widow earned its name from the plentiful white trichomes. And it has earned a reputation for providing help with pain relief without feeling too drowsy. 

White Widow is an Indica dominant hybrid of cannabis that is popular with patients struggling to manage chronic pain symptoms. The cannabis strain profile for White Widow includes:

• THC 18 – 20%
• Indica dominant (40% Sativa).
• The aroma and flavor of skunk, spice, and fruit.
• Myrcene dominant terpene, with caryophyllene and pinene content.
• Help with chronic pain and mood disorders (anxiety, PTSD, and depression).

Chronic pain isn’t just felt in the body. A mental component of chronic pain impacts mood and energy levels, and many patients can be “pain-focused” in their thoughts. And that can cause sleep disruptions or insomnia.   White Widow can have a very analgesic effect on physiological pain while providing a euphoric feeling that may help patients “take a mental break” as well. 

OG Shark

This strain of cannabis is famous worldwide for some good reasons. But you may find it a little challenging to see in the United States.  Flower from OG Shark is reported to help patients with headaches, migraines, and chronic pain.  And it is ranked highly as a top choice to help moderate general pain symptoms.

There are a whole lot of cannabinoids and terpenes packed into OG Shark.  Here’s what you need to know about this strain:

• THC 21 – 25%
• THCA 22%
• CBD <0.1%
• CBDA 0.10%
• Sativa dominant (40% Indica).
• Flavor and scent of fresh blueberries and woods.
• Dominant terpene is β-Caryophyllene, with Myrcene, Limonene, Linalool, Bisabolol, Humulene, Trans-Nerodiol, and Pinene content. 
• It may not be appropriate for people with moderate to severe anxiety, as some have reported paranoia symptoms.

OG Shark was crossbred from Blueberry and Diesel. It tends to provide heavy psychoactive and physiological sedation when used medicinally. This strain of cannabis is highly rated for pain relief but is challenging to find in the United States.  Consider asking your dispensary if they plan on cultivating it for patients. 

Dogwalker OG

This cannabis strain may not be on your radar (yet) when you visit a medical dispensary.  But when you learn about the concentration of terpenes (terps) and alternative cannabinoids, you’ll understand why it is so popular for patients. 

Dogwalker OG is a higher-potency Indica dominant strain.  Patients who have reviewed Dogwalker OG have said it provides strong and long-lasting psychoactive and physiological effects.  If you are a patient who is new to using medical cannabis, this strain should be used with caution. And it is not recommended for daytime use. 

• THC 24-26%
• CBD <1%
• THC-A 16.6%
• CBC 0.2%
• CGB-A 0.3%
• Indica dominant hybrid.
• Dank (strong) scent of skunky (Afghan Skunk), wood notes, and very pungent.
• Dominant terpenes are β-Caryophyllene (0.22%), Beta Myrcene (0.13%), Limonene (0.11%) and Linalool (0.13%).  Alpha Humulene and Alpha Pinene terpenes are also present in smaller amounts. 

Bred from Albert Walker and Chemdawg 91 strains, Dogwalker OG has a sedative effect, which may make it a suitable choice for patients with chronic pain, muscle spasms, or high anxiety levels. Nighttime use of Dogwalker OG may help reduce problems with disrupted sleep or insomnia. 

Gorilla Grapes

The Gorilla Grapes strain is a cross between Original Glue and Vino OG.  It is a dense flower that is olive colored with dark purple and red coloration and a thick layer of trichomes. Gorilla Grapes cannabis is more than just a pretty bud, however.  It is packed with uncommon terpenes that may provide medicinal benefits. 

• THC 19-28%
• CBD 0.37-0.45%
• CBG 0.12-1.07%
• CBN 0.31-0.23%
• THCV 0.21-1.34%
• Hybrid (50% Indica)
• Fruity grape or pear flavor with spicy undertones. 
• Hybrid but leaning to higher Indica strain.
• Dominant terpenes are β-Caryophyllene (0.47%), Terpinolene (0.26%), Humulene (0.16%), Borneol (0.05%) and Sabinene (0.05%).

Gorilla Grapes are packed with higher content of alternate cannabinoids (THCV, CBG, and CBN), and the strain has a unique terpene profile.  Borneol may be the star terpene in Gorilla Grapes, and it has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Borneol occurs naturally in health-promoting herbs like mint, rosemary, and camphor.  It is prepared in topicals to help numb pain and provides a cooling sensation.  For topical pain relief, you can find it in many formulations (prescribed and over-the-counter). 

When borneol is consumed in cannabis strains for pain, it may help with circulatory problems, pain, and digestive (gastrointestinal) problems.  And it has been shown to help decrease stress and anxiety. Some studies suggest that borneol may also be an anti-carcinogenic (cancer-fighting) herb and may help reduce inflammatory diseases like heart disease. 

Sabinene is one of the rarest terpenes found in a cannabis strain. It is known for providing anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits.  That means it could benefit patients more susceptible to infections, like individuals with diabetes. It may help protect cells against oxidative damage. 

White Buffalo 

Remember the movie “Dances with Wolves” with Kevin Costner? Tatanka! Not kidding, though; that is the nickname for the White Buffalo cannabis strain if you go looking for it in your local medical dispensary.  White Buffalo is a Sativa dominant hybrid cross between Blackberry Kush, Bay 11, and Romulan. 

• THC 15-20%
• CBD 0.1%
• CBG 0.42-1.92%
• Sativa dominant strain (20% Indica).
• Flavor notes of herbs and spices, with undernotes of diesel and fruit.
• Dominant terpenes are β-Caryophyllene, Myrcene and Limonene. 

Some patients who have reviewed White Buffalo state that the strain provides an uplifted mood with energizing psychoactive effects. White Buffalo may help improve energy and focus immediately after consumption; however, some report that it turns into a sedating and relaxing experience. Without impacting mental acuity.

When used medicinally, White Buffalo may be one of the cannabis strains for pain that can also help patients with anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD. The White Buffalo strain may also help patients moderate migraine symptoms, fatigue, and insomnia. 

Explore Different Cannabis Strains for Pain

A doctor-supervised cannabis treatment plan and other therapies may help moderate chronic pain symptoms. For some patients, cannabis has provided relief that they could not achieve with conventional treatments. And there are many different types of cannabis strains for pain you may try.

If you have just received your medical card, talk to your local dispensary about your symptoms. Budtenders can help you track the strains you have tried and suggest types of cannabis with unique terpene profiles that may provide better results.

DocMJ makes applying for your medical card easy. If you are a patient who wants to join the medical cannabis registry in Texas, Florida, or Ohio, our physicians are ready to help. Schedule your medical marijuana health evaluation today. Start your journey to better symptom management with DocMJ.