10 Cannabis Strains to Get You Through the Winter

It’s that time of the year again. It’s freezing cold, snowy, and raining across most parts of the US. The worst part is that you still have to do Christmas shopping with the terrible weather outside. This makes it difficult to get up and about. But you don’t have to worry. 

Several cannabis strains will help you cope with the winter blues. Weed strains are not necessarily seasonal, but some strains just give off wintertime vibes. Probably you’re looking for an adrenaline-packed sativa to come in handy while you ski. Or maybe you want a strain to calm you down after a day spent having fun in the snow. Regardless of your needs, there are perfect marijuana strains for wintertime activities. Read on for more insight into cannabis strains to get you through the winter.

Winter Blues and Depression

The harsh winter weather forces people to hibernate in their homes. This leads to claustrophobic depression and anxiety that may manifest in the form of cabin fever. Winter also causes millions of people to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). 

The seasonal affective disorder is rife in climates characterized by less sunlight at specific times of the year. Symptoms may include:

•   Social withdrawal
•   Hopelessness
•   Melancholy
•   Fatigue

SAD is at times linked to genetics and not specifically to a lack of sunshine or cold climate. If you lived in another region in the US or another part of the world and grappled with SAD while living there, chances are your body could still be naturally wired to the fluctuating seasons. Therefore, SAD may, sadly, crop up regardless of your location. 

In this guide, we look at 10 winter-friendly strains to help combat seasonal affective disorder and have you tromp through the snow.

Jack Herer

The famous Jack Herer strain is ideal for use throughout the year. However, it may be particularly helpful if you’re bearing the brunt of SAD this winter. If you’re feeling depressed, hopeless, and struggling with a lack of focus because of winter blues, Jack Herer may be the real game-changer. 

This famous strain is a combination of a Haze hybrid, Shiva Skunk, and Northern Lights #5. It is surprising how this sativa-dominant hybrid feels all sativa. This is because it delivers a stronger high compared to most of its counterparts.

The strain was named after its founder, Jack Herer, a cannabis activist who penned “The Emperor Wears No Clothes.”

The essence of creating this strain was to focus on cerebral elevation. So, using Jack Herer during the winter season may help you meet your planned goals. This is because you experience an uplift in mood, concentration, and creativity. This strain is perfect for use anytime throughout the day, as well as at bedtime.

The Wedding Cake 

The name Wedding Cake evokes more of a happy spring feeling as opposed to a snowy winter one. However, this indica-dominated strain is ideal for relaxing near the fireplace or watching television during inter. 

Wedding Cake is a cross between the famous Cherry Pie and Girl Scouts strains. It’s somewhat sour and spicy with a tinge of vanilla creaminess. This gives it a flavor akin to a cherry vanilla clafouti. The strain also boasts a rich mouthfeel that feels self-indulgent, similar to a winter dessert.

Wedding Cake delivers a balanced high. It starts with a cerebral high, along with feelings of euphoria and racing thoughts. The body high then kicks in, leaving your legs warm and heavy. If you’re planning to binge on movies on a cold, rainy night, this is the ideal cannabis strain for you. It makes your mind stay fully alert and focused while your body is in a state of sedation and chill.

Jack Frost

The lineage of Jack Frost comprises classics like Northern Lights, White Widow, and Jack Herer. No wonder it’s such a popular strain. Similar to its ancestors, Jack Frost is elevating and euphoric. If you’re spending the day indoors due to the chilly weather, this sativa-dominant hybrid will uplift your moods.

It’s perfect for enjoying your own company, as it makes you incredibly joyful and giggly. Whether you’re putting up Christmas decorations or doing some last-ditch shopping online, Jack Frost will have you in high spirits. It’s also an appropriate social strain if you’re having guests coming over. Only a few puffs are needed to initiate a cerebral high for a couple of hours, which is good news for your pocket.

This strain has amazingly smooth, clean smoke, so it’s easy on your lungs. Also, it leaves a flavorsome aftertaste in the mouth. The flavor in particular is appropriate for the winter season and is characterized by nuances of pine, wood, and earth. It stirs up similar overall calming effects that you get when you actually walk in the woods. 

Northern Lights

The freezing cold will have nothing on you when you consume Northern Lights. This indica-dominant strain has up to 33% THC concentration. It is a fan favorite among many pot users because you only need a few puffs to go from a case of holiday stress to a couch-lock coupled with an increased appetite. Besides the complete relaxation it brings, the high is accompanied by an amazing feeling of happiness and wellness.

Some users experience a sharp increase in concentration and creativity. This allows them to enjoy the whole Christmas decoration process as well as go out for holiday shopping. Others mention the highly sedative nature of this strain. Most users end up getting couch-locked and won’t be adorning or signing gift cards after a few hits of Northern Lights. Ultimately it depends on your tolerance level.

This highly potent strain comes with a tasty flavor that’s sweet and earthy. It also has notes of citrus. Some users have reported piney and woody notes as well. While it may not be as enjoyable as other spicy or sweet-forward cannabis trains, it is certainly tasty.

Candy Kush

This is another indica-dominant strain that’s perfect for winter relaxation. Perhaps you’ve had a strenuous day after skiing or doing other winter sports. And now you want to prepare some delicious dinner, binge on movies, or get into the hot tub. Well, this is the ideal strain for you. 

Kandy Kush is the perfect strain for relaxation. According to most budtenders, this strain shuts up the mind. You’ll likely get sleepy after a few puffs. However, it has different effects on different pot users. It’s generally a reliable strain for chilling out. 

Maui Wowie

While you may love winter, nothing compares to the feeling of relaxing on the beach. When you puff this strain, it will send your mind on a soothing excursion to the warm, sandy beaches of Hawaii. 

Maui Wowie is a legendary strain with origins in the fertile island of Maui. It is 100% sativa. It features irrefutable tropical flavors and aromas of pineapple and citrus, which ferry you to a joyous state in the tropics. 

Because of its optimism-breeding and stress-relieving properties, Maui Wowie is the ideal strain to combat the winter blues. The psychoactive high coupled with its tropical flavors uplift and energizes you to get to work even with the snow outside. It is perfect for a wake and bake session ahead of an eventful day.

Green Crack

This strain may have a name that raises eyebrows, but you should take it lightly because it contains no crack. Green Crack users report a laser-sharp cerebral focus and creativity that lasts the whole day. The good news is the increased mental clarity does not leave you feeling worn out or exhausted. 

As a sativa strain, Green Crack will transport you to a state of euphoria no matter how cold and snowy the weather is out there. You feel a sense of energy and happiness throughout. Thus, it is the ideal pick-me-up strain when the freezing winter leaves you depressed and with no energy to engage in activities that often excite you.

Apart from the wonderful effects of Green Crack, pot users also enjoy the delicious flavor. It has a mango-like fruity taste accompanied by a tropical aftertaste. This helps you deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder, fatigue, and stress during winter times.

Because of its sharp mental focus and increased energy levels, Green Crack is appropriate for daytime use. 

Highlands

Experienced pot users will appreciate the psychoactive effects of Highlands, which boasts a very high THC concentration. For new users, it’s recommended that you start with a small dose to avoid an obliterating high. When used in moderation, this indica-dominant strain delivers a near-perfect high characterized by clear-headedness and full-body relaxation. It’s perfect for curling up on the couch with a newly released book and a mug of coffee. The mind high it brings is just priceless. 

The strain is also ideal for when you have a couple of creative ideas you want to think over before the start of the New Year. Just take a few hits and begin the brainstorming session. You can be sure to come up with fantastic ideas. Remember to jot them down so you can recall them later on.

The flavors and aromas of this strain differ depending on the batch. Most users mention an earthy, woodsy flavor that is perfect for winter smoking. Others experience some delicious honey nuances as well. The aroma is typically pungent, so you need to smoke it stealthily.

Sour Tsunami

Sour Tsunami is a sativa-dominant hybrid strain. It comes from the lineage of NYC Diesel and Sour Diesel. This strain has a low THC concentration and a high percentage of CBD.

The THC concentration of Sour Tsunami lies between 8% and 10%. With the high CBD content, the strain delivers calming effects without necessarily getting you high, which explains why it’s popular among those who use cannabis for medical reasons.

Those who have used this strain mention its calming and numbing effects. As a result, it is perfect for alleviating:

• Stress
• Pain and inflammation
• Muscle spasms
• Fatigue

These therapeutic effects have allowed Sour Tsunami to gain the moniker “wave of relief.” If you’re experiencing winter blues and SAD, Sour Tsunami can alleviate your physical symptoms without any accompanying euphoric effects.

Banana OG

Whenever regular cannabis users come across a strain with “OG” as part of its name, they can accurately describe what to expect: balanced, mellow highs and a strong blend of terpenes resulting in a complex flavor and aroma, filled with spice, skunk, and diesel.

While OG delivers some desirable sour and unique flavors, nowadays pot users are looking for more pleasant or fruity flavors. However, the sweet flavor profile of Banana OG makes it popular among the new generation of cannabis users.

Banana OG is a cross between Banana Kush and OG Kush. It tastes like bananas and delivers strong indica effects, just like its parents. It’s popularly referred to as “creeper” because of its propensity to gradually creep on you after consuming it. Unlike other overpowering strains where the effects are almost immediate, this strain takes time before coming into effect. 

If you’re struggling with winter blues, this indica-dominant hybrid strain may be the ideal remedy to get rid of those blues by delivering a boost to your endocannabinoid system. With a high THC content of up to 25%, the OG strain delivers a soothing, euphoric effect. It is a popular mood-enhancing strain among both medical and recreational cannabis users. It’s best enjoyed before bedtime, as its intense indica effects will leave you in a physically and mentally sedative state.

The Bottom Line

Winter marks one of the most stressful seasons for many people. While the holidays and gift exchanges may bring a sense of joy for some, for others the freezing cold and snow may be a source of unhappiness and stress. Many people also experience Seasonal Affective Disorder during the winter period.

The good news is the above-mentioned strains are the best cannabis strains to get you through the winter.