Like many other herbs, people often use marijuana with a specific outcome in mind. Unfortunately, the stereotype around cannabis use is that people just want to get stoned and laze around on the couch, but complete relaxation isn’t the only result out there. Some strains of Mary Jane can actually boost your focus and productivity, and it all comes down to the science behind the plant.
CBD versus THC
CBD (cannabidiol) comes from the cannabis plant in the form of hemp and marijuana. CBD is gaining traction in the medical community for its ability to reduce stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and inflammation.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive element of marijuana. It gives users the feeling of being euphoric, relaxed, and less stressed. It’s also the chemical that makes you feel energetic and productive.
Marijuana puts out less CBD than hemp and can have higher levels of THC. Depending on the state you live in, if you choose to get your CBD from marijuana, the higher THC content from the marijuana plant could get you in trouble with the law. Most states where marijuana is legal have some pretty strict rules on how much THC can be present, and some states even require the THC content to be less than one percent. Currently, only 11 states allow recreational marijuana use, but many of those states still don’t allow users to smoke marijuana in public places or drive while under the influence.
While there are several states where cannabis in all of its forms is illegal, a majority of states allow medical marijuana with a prescription. Still, many of these states limit the amount of THC to 5% or less (with some as little as 0.3% THC content), which is a shame since it appears that CBD and THC work best together to alleviate certain medical conditions.
In the event that your state doesn’t allow THC at all, you can still get benefits of CBD from hemp oil. While the medical benefits of CBD from hemp aren’t quite as potent as they are from marijuana, it is one way to make due.
How do CBD and THC influence my body?
CBD and THC influence your body in different ways and can actually work both with and against each other. The most notable difference between the two is that CBD doesn’t give you a high and THC does. For this reason, many states still consider products that have THC illegal, while allowing products with CBD to be available with or without a prescription.
Both CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a system in the body that helps regulate appetite, memory, sleep, mood, and fertility. The ECS also influences heart function, inflammation, chronic pain, metabolism, stress, and nerve function. By fine-tuning the amount of THC and CBD in a strain of cannabis, manufacturers can customize the user’s experience by targeting particular parts of the ECS.
How does this factor into productivity and focus?
One thing that many users want is increased focus and productivity when using herbs. In the past, people overgeneralized the species Cannabis sativa as boosting creativity and energy levels due to a higher level of THC, while Cannabis indica as being more relaxing and sedating due to higher levels of CBD. In reality, though, you can get invigorating indica hybrid strains and relaxing sativa hybrid strains, depending on how the plants were cultivated. The trick to strains that boost productivity is that they’ve found a sweet spot that cuts away all of the body’s inner distractions so that the person can focus, whether it be lowering anxiety or pain, boosting energy, helping alleviate depression, or ramping up creativity and energy levels.
Strains that Help Productivity and Focus
There are two ways to look at this: those strains with THC and those without.
With THC: If you choose strains that utilize THC, you will likely have more energy to get things done, but you should only use if it is legal to do so. Illegally using marijuana products with THC can yield some pretty hefty fines and/or jail time. If your state allows for medical marijuana that has THC in it, make sure that you buy a strain that fits within the parameters that your state has set. If your state doesn’t have any rules regarding THC amounts, some finely-tuned strains specifically for productivity and focus that are still on the lower end of the THC spectrum include Ringo’s Gift, Harle-Tsu, Stephen Hawking Kush, Sour Tsunami, and ACDC.
Without THC: Like mentioned earlier, it is still possible to increase your productivity and focus without using a product with THC. By getting your CBD from hemp or hybrids that have extremely low THC, you are giving your body an opportunity to stop thinking about the internal things that are distracting. CBD can help you get a good night’s sleep, which will help you feel well-rested and ready to work in the morning. It can also ease some of your aches and pains so that you can work longer and better. Additionally, CBD can help alleviate the stress and worries that come with anxiety and depression, thereby freeing up your mind for the task at hand.
The best strains for actively increasing productivity and focus will have a little bit of THC and CBD working together, but if you want to passively increase your productivity and focus, straight CBD can help, too. Just make sure that you are staying safe and choosing products that are legal where you live.
