Top Cannabis Strains For Psoriasis

Marijuana Strains for Psoriasis and Skin Conditions from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

With 7.5 million people in the United States living with psoriasis, it’s clear that this skin condition is serious and more common than we think. Although psoriasis is not life threatening, patients with this skin condition often can’t live life to the fullest because it can be extremely painful. Oftentimes, individuals with psoriasis also experience depression and anxiety.

Some of the symptoms of psoriasis include cracked skin which may bleed, burning, itchiness, red patches covered in thick silvery scales, itching, burning, and swollen joints. There are several pharmaceutical medications that are prescribed to treat psoriasis although many of them come with side effects:

Topical corticosteroids are widely used for psoriasis, which can cause the skin’s layers to grow thinner. Many patients also end up becoming resistant to topical corticosteroids.

UVB phototherapy is used to treat small, localized psoriasis patches although it may result in redness, itchiness, and dry skin.

Photochemotherapy is an invasive, aggressive form of treatment for extreme cases of psoriasis. With photochemotherapy, UVA light penetrates the skin but it may have long-term side effects such as increasing the risk of skin cancer, itching, nausea, and burning.
Excimer laser is a kind of light therapy for psoriasis, but may cause blistering and redness.

Retinoids, an umbrella name for medications that are related to vitamin A, are prescribed for extreme cases of psoriasis. However, reported side effects include inflammation, hair loss, and birth defects.

However, research on the effect of cannabinoids on psoriasis has shown to be promising. The skin is also part of the endocannabinoid system, and applying cannabis topicals such as creams, balms, and salves to the affected area respond well, providing relief from skin conditions such as psoriasis without any side effects. If you are thinking of making your own topicals or prefer to smoke to help treat the pain of psoriasis, these are the top 5 best strains to consider:

Harlequin is a rare strain with powerful medicinal properties. With a low THC content ranging from 5 to 10% but with a high CBD content, Harlequin is a great strain to medicate with if you don’t want to get too high. It’s also used to treat inflammation and pain, and is also extremely delicious and tasty to medicate with. This strain is best used in the afternoon. Harlequin is effective for treating fatigue, depression, pain, and stress as well.

Cannatonic is one of the most potent medicinal strains in the market thanks to its high CBD content. This is an excellent strain for medicating with almost anything that is caused by inflammation and it won’t make you catatonic. Medical cannabis patients love Cannatonic for all its therapeutic benefits. It is an indica-dominant strain making it ideal for evening medication, with a high that lasts for a short period of time. Cannatonic is used for the treatment of muscle spasms, inflammation, depression, stress, and pain.

Mango Kush is recommended if psoriasis is causing you stress and sleepless nights. It’s named its distinct mango flavor that tastes so good you’ll love medicating with it. Considered as an intense strain, Mango Kush is best used for evening medication or right before bed. Standard CBD levels of Mango Kush are around 0.3%, while THC is at around 16%. Aside from treating insomnia, Mango Kush is effective for depression, pain, stress, and headaches.

White Widow is a legendary strain, and one that is recognized worldwide not just for its excellent effects but also for its medicinal properties. Users love White Widow for producing a euphoric and happy high, recommended if psoriasis is stressing you out. Truly an iconic strain like no other, White Widow is spawned many other famous strains such as White Rhino, White Russian, and Blue Widow. This strain is excellent at treating insomnia, depression, lack of appetite, stress, and pain.

Skunk No. 1 is a parent strain to some of the best strains in the whole world – Cheese, Master Kush, and Critical Skunk. Skunk No. 1 has been around for over 40 years, parenting several strains that are equally loved the world over. As its name suggests, this strain smells like a skunk but don’t let that intimidate you; Skunk No. 1 is a top choice among patients particularly those who are fighting depression and pain although it’s also extremely effective for inflammation and insomnia.

Top Marijuana Strains for Psoriasis