by Nebula Haze
Table of Contents
- Grow a Relaxing Cannabis Strain (Most Important)
- Use the Right Grow Methods
- Don’t Smoke Your Weed (Do This Instead!)
Weed is supposed to leave you feeling good, right? But sometimes people experience unwanted side effects from cannabis like anxiety or paranoia. Or even if you don’t have any negative side effects, you may just want a more relaxing, chill cannabis experience overall.
Today you’ll learn how to grow weed that makes you feel like you’re basking in tranquility.
Luckily, as a grower, there are several things you can do to make your weed feel more chill! Also, even after your weed is grown, the way that you consume and enjoy it can make a huge difference.
After reading today’s article, you’ll be able to grow and enjoy weed that makes you feel like you’re on Cloud 9. Let’s go!
1.) Grow the Right Strain (Most Important)
These are the features of cannabis strains that you should be looking for if your goal is to grow more relaxing weed overall. These stack on each other, so the more boxes checked off on this list, likely the more the buds will leave you serene.
“High” CBD Strains (1-2%)
The cannabinoid known as “CBD” is proven to have calming and anti-anxiety properties. It also moderates the effects of THC and can help prevent it from feeling overwhelming. Even just a little CBD can make a huge difference in how you feel. In general, a strain that contains more than 1% CBD has significant ability to mellow the effects. If you want to still have strong effects of being ultra-relaxed, aim for strains that contain 2% CBD or more.
Just note that once you get above 1-2% CBD, and especially above 5%, the weed may not make you feel as “high”. Depending on your needs, that could be a good thing, or it might not be what you’re looking for.
Strains that test around 1-2% CBD tend to be more relaxing but still feel like weed, like Tangerine Auto (an autoflowering strain)
Amnesia Lemon (a photoperiod strain) has a similar profile with CBD around 2%.
Moderate THC (18-20%)
The cannabinoid THC is a major part of what makes weed feel like, well, weed. However, modern strains can contain insane amounts of THC. Too high a percentage of THC can lead to feelings of intensity or overwhelm, even for seasoned smokers.
As a personal example, I have been a regular user of weed since 2005, and last year I was shocked at the mind-racing effects of a strain I grew called Purple Ghost Candy (that tops up around 27% THC, but feels even stronger).
Some strains like Purple Ghost Candy produce so much THC it can be overwhelming even if the effects are otherwise excellent.
If your goal is to grow ultra-relaxing weed, a good percentage to aim for is about 18-20% THC. It’s true there are many relaxing strains the test higher, but a relatively lower upper THC level helps ensure you get the full effects of weed, without going overboard.
A strain like Gorilla Candy Auto can still give a heavy and cerebral high, but at 17-20% THC there is a much lower chance of overwhelm.
High in d-Limonene
There is something known as the “entourage effect” which basically means that there are other compounds in weed besides cannabinoids that moderate the effects. This is why you can try three different strains that have the same amount of THC and CBD, but have wildly different subjective effects.
One of the most well-proven compounds affecting the entourage effect besides CBD is a terpene (smelly oily compound) known as “d-Limonene”. This is often described as smelling like lemon, but actually the strains with the highest amount of limonene don’t necessarily smell like lemon.
For example, the smell of Gorilla Glue strains (like GG #4) and “Diesel” strains (like NYC Diesel) don’t remind most people of lemon, but often contain high amounts of limonene. Instead of going by the way weed smells, go by what the lab tests have to say.
There’s a specific terpene called d-Limonene, which is reminiscent of lemons, and studies show it can make buds more calming.
Mandarin Cookies tests extra high in d-Limonene and has extremely peaceful effects despite being very high in THC.
Word-of-Mouth Proven Relaxing Strains (Most Consistent Option)
Some strains just produce relaxing effects for people, even if it’s not fully understood why. Some strains can even be very high in THC and low in CBD, yet still feel relaxing, likely due to the entourage effect.
There is still a lot we don’t know about the entourage effect, but what we do know is how people feel when enjoying a specific strain. A proven word-of-mouth strain is a great way to maximize relaxation and good vibes.
Acapulco Gold is an example of a cannabis strain specifically bred to be extra relaxing.
Recommended Relaxing Marijuana Strains
I’ll share strains that are proven to be more relaxing,and explain why each one was included in this list.
Photoperiod Strains – photoperiod strains need 12-hour dark periods to make buds.
- Gorilla Glue #4 (Strong but relaxing)- Though listed as “GG #4”, this the original Gorilla Glue #4 strain, but had to be rebranded due to copyright reasons. Sue-happy companies are the reason you see so many “Gorilla Glue” strains rebranded to “GG” these days. That being said, this strain has been specifically bred to be relaxing since it was first released in 2014.
- NYC Diesel (Energizing and uplifting) – The Diesel smell is strong with this strain! Plants can be a bit stretchy when growing, so it’s a good idea to top your plants (cut off the top of young plants above the 5th set of real leaves). You should also make sure to spread out the branches as it grows, aiming for a wide, tabletop shape. As a bonus, this greatly increases your yields and maximizes the effect of buds (read the selection below on grow methods to learn more).
- Mandarin Cookies (Ultra-potent yet somehow still chill) – In our lab tests, this strain contained over 1% limonene. But more importantly, in our subjective tests (where we just enjoyed it and noted the effects), it was one of the smoothest and most relaxing strains from that grow. For those who want strong effects that are still relaxing, this is a great choice because it is very high in THC (over 25% up to 27% THC) despite its chill nature.
- OG Kush (Tranquil day smoke) – High limonene, moderate amounts of THC, and literally decades of being honed to be relaxing. This classic strain is an excellent choice for a tranquil yet energizing experience.
- Maui Wowie (Ultra mellow and happy effects) – This strain appeared in Hawaii in the 1960s and has been carefully nurtured by loving growers to provide a mellow, happy, and carefree high that relaxes both body and mind.
Maui Wowie has ultra mellow and happy effects
Autoflowering Strains – autoflowering strains make buds on their own, and most are ready to harvest about 2-4 months from germination.
- Acapulco Gold Auto (Old school cool)- These plants take about 4 months from seed to harvest, which is a bit longer than most auto-flowering strains, but they reward you with big yields of gorgeous buds that give you 90s vibes. When it comes to cultivation, this strain responds especially well to the “topping” technique (learn how to properly top an autoflowering strain) and gives you the best bud quality and yields when you spread out all the branches so it grows wide and flat instead of tall.
- Blue Dream Auto (Blueberry-flavored bliss) – I love the Blue Dream strain for its effects and this autoflowering version really captures the magic of the original in auto-flowering form. A fast autoflower that’s usually ready to harvest about 65-70 days from germination.
- CheMACal Romance Auto – High in limonene, with a moderate THC level, and effects described as “euphoric” and “creative”.
- Purple Sunset Auto (Long-lasting and soothing) – As I’m writing this article, I’m actually about to germinate one of these seeds today! I love the purple-tinted, dense buds that look like photoperiod buds. The effects are shimmering as a sunset, plants are easy to grow, and ready to harvest about 70 days from germination.
- Tangerine Auto (Citrus paradise) – These buds have moderate THC (around 20-22% in lab tests) and has a good amount of CBD (2%). Of all the strains on this list, this one smells the most like citrus and least like weed. An extra-decompressing strain to unwind with. Plants are easy to grow and typically stay on the smaller side, so it’s a great choice for growers with limited space. Ready to harvest 10-12 weeks from germination.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Auto (Physically relaxing) – This strain can be described as “soft on the body, bright on the mind”. The effects are physically mellow yet also invigorating and creative. The plants themselves are high-yielding with beautiful buds, and ready to harvest about 3 months from germination.
Blue Dream Auto gives you Blue Dream effects in auto-flowering form.
2.) Use the Right Grow Methods
Genetics is the most important thing when it comes to growing relaxing weed, but there are several grow methods that can help buds ease you into serenity. Regardless of what strain you’re growing, these tactics enhance your results.
Use composted soil (or nutrients that contain compost)
In our lab tests, we’ve found that growing cannabis strains in well-composted soil (for example “Just Add Water” Super Soil) tends to maximize the amount of terpenes, for a stronger entourage effect overall. Nutrients that contain a lot of organic and composted ingredients (like Fox Farm nutrient trio for soil) can also tip the scales.
Growing cannabis in composted soil or using ingredients that contain composted ingredients amplifies the entourage effect.
For example, a mix of Coco Loco soil with composted Nature’s Living Soil concentrate made buds that produced extra terpenes in our lab tests (vs synthetic nutrients in coco). Here’s a tutorial on how to copy these results.
A nutrient system with a lot of organic or composted sources of nutrients, like Fox Farm trio for soil, can give comparable outcomes even using “regular” soil. It can also be used to boost performance in super soil if your plants use up all the nutrients before the flowering stage is over.
Grow more “top” buds
The buds that ends up having the highest amount of cannabinoids and terpenes (and therefore the greatest “entourage effect”) are located at the top of the plant. What does that mean for you as a grower? It means maximizing the number and size of top buds improves the overall quality and amplifies everything else you’re doing on this page.
Luckily, there are many proven methods to get your plants to grow tons of weed at the top of the plant, and minimize weed lower on the plant which tends to score lower in everything.
Learn how to grow more and bigger buds at the top of your plants.
The main thing to remember is to train plants to grow wide and flat when they’re young. Think of making a “table-top” shape by bending and tying down branches.
Here’s a tutorial on how I trained this plant to grow this way.
The result: tons of high-quality “top” buds on the cannabis plant!
Another way to get top buds is grow a lot of small plants, known as the “Sea of Green” technique.
This results in a “sea” of big top buds.
Harvest after all the trichomes are either white or amber/gold (don’t harvest when trichomes are still clear). At this point, all the hairs on the buds should have darkened and curled in.
Learn when to harvest your cannabis plants.
Trichomes on buds should appear white or amber/gold under a magnifier. Don’t harvest when trichomes still appear clear. (What if trichomes are purple or other colors?)
Amber/gold trichomes tend to make you sleepy and relaxed. You typically need to harvest buds on the later side to achieve a lot of amber.
Ready-to-harvest cannabis – All the hairs on the buds should have already darkened and curled in. Buds should appear mostly solid.
Maximize light
High light levels maximize cannabinoid and terpene production, impacting the entourage effect. LED grow lights are one of the best ways to maximize light indoors. And of course, for outdoor growers you can’t beat the sun.
The sun gives intense light when growing outdoors.
For indoor growers, strong LED grow lights are the best way to maximize light levels for your cannabis plants.
Control heat
This isn’t as much about making buds more relaxing as about preventing “good stuff” like terpenes and CBD from being burned off. Try to keep your grow space under 85°F (30°C) max during the day, and ensure you have fans moving air around your buds. Towards the end of the flowering stage as buds approach harvest, it’s better to aim for a max of 80°F (26°C), and also try to keep the humidity from rising about 50% RH if possible. These are ideal conditions to help “lock in” the relaxing compounds in weed.
Learn how to take control of your cannabis plant environment.
Too much heat doesn’t just make plants look bad, but also lowers bud quality. Learn about the effects of environment on bud quality!
Dry buds properly
Drying your buds incorrectly can burn off all your smells and terpenes. This may actually be even more important than keeping buds from getting too hot while they’re on the plant. A proper drying setup maintains the highest terpenes, greatly improves the smell of buds, and boosts the entourage effect.
Learn how to dry your buds for optimal bud quality.
Cure buds for 2+ weeks
A lot of newer growers skip this step, and I completely understand why. You’ve been waiting all this time and your buds are harvested! Isn’t it time to start enjoying them? But the truth is that buds subjectively feel better when they’re cured properly. Before being cured, buds are more likely to give you feelings of your mind “racing”, while they tend to have more pleasant effects (and smell) overall after being cured.
Learn how to cure your buds perfectly every time.
The most common way to “cure” buds is to store them in air-tight jars, and “burp” them daily for 2+ weeks.
3.) Don’t Smoke Your Weed (Do This Instead!)
This advice hurts a little. I love smoking weed. And it’s certainly true that you can smoke weed and feel relaxed, especially if you follow all the other instructions on this page. But for some growers and cannabis enthusiasts, this factor is something to keep in mind if you’re running into issues with paranoia or anxiety, and nothing else seems to help.
Smoking Increases Heart Rate
Here’s the deal. Some growers may not realize that smoking weed (or smoking anything) leads to high heart rates immediately after smoking, and this effect can last a long time.
Smoking makes your heart race, which can contribute to feelings of anxiety or paranoia (for some people).
For many people, a heavily beating heart is a major contributor in making weed feel more intense and less relaxing. In fact, an intense heart rate may be one of the major contributors to feeling “paranoia” after marijuana consumption. Your body senses that your heart is beating fast, and it can get confused and think that something is about to happen.
Accidental Over-Consumption Can Happen
Additionally, it can be easy to over-consume when smoking. I think many of us have had the experience where you take a single puff, or smoke a single bowl, only to realize you got WAY higher than expected. Sometimes this can be a good thing, but sometimes it’s not what you are looking for. If this has less to bad vibes for you in the past, here are some possible alternatives to smoking your marijuana.
Examples of Alternatives to Smoking
If you notice your heart races after smoking weed, and think it may possibly be affecting you negatively, consider using the following consumption methods instead. These are less likely to cause your heart to beat fast or result in getting “too high”, and for some people, these alternative methods help maximize relaxation so you have a chill, happy cannabis experience.
- Vape Your Weed – One of the best options for relaxation is to vaporize (or “vape”) your weed instead of smoke it. Vaping is not only healthier than smoking, but it’s consistently less likely to cause feelings of anxiety for those who are prone. Vaping also makes it easy to control the dosage since you tend to use the weed a bit slower. And unlike edibles and tinctures, which typically take an hour or more to kick in, the effects of vaping are pretty immediate just like smoking.
- There are lots of great vaporizers, and I could make a whole tutorial just about them. But for brevity I’ll share what I use when I choose to vape instead of smoke. I personally like the vaporizer company Arizer. They make an excellent tabletop vaporizer known as the Extreme Q which has all the bells and whistles of a more expensive vape for a much better price. Mine gets used every week and has lasted for over a decade now. Good portable vaporizers specifically designed for weed tend to be a bit more pricey, but I love the Air MAX, which lets you discreetly vape dry herb on the go.
- Tinctures – A great way to get total control over dosage. Learn how to make great tinctures.
- Canna Caps – Like tinctures, this makes it incredibly easy to consume the exact right amount of edible without going over your personal limit. Learn how to make canna caps.
- Canna Candy & Gummies – Candy and gummies, like canna caps, are much easier to dose than your typical edible. They also make it easy to eat small amounts at a time, which allows you to slowly build on the effects without going overboard. Learn how to make canna gummies.
Other Edibles (Caution!) – Be extra careful with edibles as it’s easy to eat too much and be stuck on a “trip”. If you’re looking for the most relaxing experience, use one of the recommended methods above. Whenever eating unknown edibles, it’s recommended to eat a quarter or half the recommended dose the first time, to get an idea of how it will affect you, before going “all in” and possibly eating more than your body can handle.
This advice hurts a little. I love smoking weed, but as I get older, it’s becoming apparent that smoking isn’t the best way to enjoy this wonderful herb.
If you’re looking to grow the most relaxing weed possible, you now are an expert on exactly what to do to get those happy vibes. Most importantly…
- Grow a relaxing strain
- Use the right grow methods
- Enjoy weed in ways besides smoking
About the Author: Nebula Haze
Nebula is an experienced home grower who draws from over a decade of experience in home cannabis cultivation. Since co-founding GrowWeedEasy.com in 2010, she has written hundreds of articles, thought pieces, and tutorials about growing cannabis at home.
If you have comments about this article or want to share your experiences with weed (relaxing or not), please don’t hesitate to send me your thoughts!
Happy growing!
Nebula
