Just thought I'd say hello.. I have been a cannabis user for 30 years but two weeks ago received my first prescription to help with anxiety, ptsd, and to lift my mood. As you'll all be aware, I'm still getting to grips with the pharmacies, clinics, ordering process etc. My Dr. prescribed me three strains as starting point but whilst I understand it was my first prescription and he wanted to be cautious to begin with the strains I was prescribed wasn't exactly what I was looking for but "a journey always starts with the first step" etc..
This is where I'm looking for some help with you guys; Can anyone recommend me some strains to lift my mood or even better - make me smile/giggle/laugh...!
I'm currently with Curaleaf so I'm not sure how limited I am..?
Just thought I'd say hello.. I have been a cannabis user for 30 years but two weeks ago received my first prescription to help with anxiety, ptsd, and to lift my mood. As you'll all be aware, I'm still getting to grips with the pharmacies, clinics, ordering process etc. My Dr. prescribed me three strains as starting point but whilst I understand it was my first prescription and he wanted to be cautious to begin with the strains I was prescribed wasn't exactly what I was looking for but "a journey always starts with the first step" etc..
This is where I'm looking for some help with you guys; Can anyone recommend me some strains to lift my mood or even better - make me smile/giggle/laugh...!
I'm currently with Curaleaf so I'm not sure how limited I am..?
Just thought I'd say hello.. I have been a cannabis user for 30 years but two weeks ago received my first prescription to help with anxiety, ptsd, and to lift my mood. As you'll all be aware, I'm still getting to grips with the pharmacies, clinics, ordering process etc. My Dr. prescribed me three strains as starting point but whilst I understand it was my first prescription and he wanted to be cautious to begin with the strains I was prescribed wasn't exactly what I was looking for but "a journey always starts with the first step" etc..
This is where I'm looking for some help with you guys; Can anyone recommend me some strains to lift my mood or even better - make me smile/giggle/laugh...!
I'm currently with Curaleaf so I'm not sure how limited I am..?
Welcome to the Community @JDVaper. I'm being Treated for a number of conditions and my choices may not suit you or may suit you. There are plenty of good people here who can point you in the right direction regarding MC Flower for your Anxiety Issues, what you have to remember is everyone is different and what may work for one may not work for another
Welcome to the forum @JDVaper and congratulations on becoming a legal patient and I use MC for anxiety/mood and a couple that have really worked in lifting mood are Electric Honeydew below and this has a lot of members here all describing it in the same way as in mood elevating
Electric Honeydew shocks with lively notes of melon, gas, and pine and a high THC content.
MedBud.wiki
Another that had me giggling when I had it last was Peace Natural GMO Cookies and this had me in a relaxed but upbeat mood and my actual description at the time was thit it was giggly strain
Once you get your hands on some coveted GMO, you’ll be able to sense its cautiously reported origins as a phenotype of a cross between GSC and Chemdawg.
MedBud.wiki
The GMO Cookies is expected back in stock very soon
Curaleaf can be a little more restrictive than other clinics as they're doctor led for the most part. That said, there's still plenty of options available.
I see High Silver isn't for you. was it a case of it just not being strong enough?
on the Curaleaf range there are some decent day-time strains to help uplift your mood. The likes of Wedding Pop Triangle, GG4 and Zookies can all be very good as day or evening strains. GG4 in particular can be very effective. The Royal Moby strain from Curaleaf is also supposed to be decent but like most Curaleaf product is dry and maybe lacking in smell.
One of Curaleaf's expensive brands is Grassroots and they have a Gorilla Rainbow which is mix of GG and Rainbow Kush. two great all round strains. I've not heard much about it to be completely honest as I think people tend to see more value in the Curaleaf GMO Zkittlez. Both on paper are good options.
Away from Curaleaf (I'm not sure what the pharmacy offerings are specifically). Here's some I'd recommend as uplifters. Your mileage may vary of course.
Grow® - Blunicorn
Anything Grow is a little sketchy reputation wise but talking simply on strain then Blunicorn has Blue Sherbert as a parent strain which is really euphoric.
4C Labs - Moby Dick
A bit like Royal Moby, just superior quality and a good day timer strain for mainy. myself included.
4C Labs - Alaskan Thunder
Probably my favourite strain right now, it just hits perfectly and terp wise is right up street. It can put you to sleep with to much, but a little gets me moving.
4C Labs - Chemnesia Haze
This didn't live up to the standard its namesakes have in the BM scene. Anything with Amnesia, Chemdawg and Haze should be an instant winner. It is good, but you're probably safer with something like the Moby Dick.
Plantations Ceres - Slurricane Mint
I fucking love menthol type strains. Slurricane mint has been very hit and miss with the review content but I've found it to be like a watered down version of Alaskan Thunder Fuck, a bit drier and a little more terpless but very uplifting for me.
Primacann - Bonne Nuit Bon Bon
Apparently Primacann shit the bed with this, but I've always loved Gelato strains. Whilst the reviews say the flavour isn't there It's on my consideration list for this month, especially with a recent price drop.
Aurora® - Black Jelly
I haven't had this in a while but I had a fantastic time with it. Confidence, mood, etc. all uplifted with the smallest amounts of this stuff. It's more of a body high compared to the likes of Wedding Pop Triangle but still top tier. Probably the best quality of this list to be honest.
4C Labs - Lucy in the Sky
Nearly forgot this option! I think this is the most uplifting, happy strain available on the UK Medical Market, especially after we lost Delahaze.
Curaleaf can be a little more restrictive than other clinics as they're doctor led for the most part. That said, there's still plenty of options available.
I see High Silver isn't for you. was it a case of it just not being strong enough?
on the Curaleaf range there are some decent day-time strains to help uplift your mood. The likes of Wedding Pop Triangle, GG4 and Zookies can all be very good as day or evening strains. GG4 in particular can be very effective. The Royal Moby strain from Curaleaf is also supposed to be decent but like most Curaleaf product is dry and maybe lacking in smell.
One of Curaleaf's expensive brands is Grassroots and they have a Gorilla Rainbow which is mix of GG and Rainbow Kush. two great all round strains. I've not heard much about it to be completely honest as I think people tend to see more value in the Curaleaf GMO Zkittlez. Both on paper are good options.
Away from Curaleaf (I'm not sure what the pharmacy offerings are specifically). Here's some I'd recommend as uplifters. Your mileage may vary of course.
Grow® - Blunicorn
Anything Grow is a little sketchy reputation wise but talking simply on strain then Blunicorn has Blue Sherbert as a parent strain which is really euphoric.
4C Labs - Moby Dick
A bit like Royal Moby, just superior quality and a good day timer strain for mainy. myself included.
4C Labs - Alaskan Thunder
Probably my favourite strain right now, it just hits perfectly and terp wise is right up street. It can put you to sleep with to much, but a little gets me moving.
4C Labs - Chemnesia Haze
This didn't live up to the standard its namesakes have in the BM scene. Anything with Amnesia, Chemdawg and Haze should be an instant winner. It is good, but you're probably safer with something like the Moby Dick.
Plantations Ceres - Slurricane Mint
I fucking love menthol type strains. Slurricane mint has been very hit and miss with the review content but I've found it to be like a watered down version of Alaskan Thunder Fuck, a bit drier and a little more terpless but very uplifting for me.
Primacann - Bonne Nuit Bon Bon
Apparently Primacann shit the bed with this, but I've always loved Gelato strains. Whilst the reviews say the flavour isn't there It's on my consideration list for this month, especially with a recent price drop.
Aurora® - Black Jelly
I haven't had this in a while but I had a fantastic time with it. Confidence, mood, etc. all uplifted with the smallest amounts of this stuff. It's more of a body high compared to the likes of Wedding Pop Triangle but still top tier. Probably the best quality of this list to be honest.
4C Labs - Lucy in the Sky
Nearly forgot this option! I think this is the most uplifting, happy strain available on the UK Medical Market, especially after we lost Delahaze.
I very much appreciate your response and will look forward to my next appointment to be able to discuss some of the options you've listed. The High Silver just doesn't seem to work in any way for me. I have no idea what good it was doing for me biologically but I feel no head high, no body high and the closest I can come to explaining what it does for me is to rewind the clock 20 years ago and compare it to doing a small weak line of cocaine, (sorry to bring up something like that but its the only way I can explain it) and I am not looking to be "wired", I just wish to find a daytime calming, happiness/euphoria strain and then something heavily sedating for after 9pm. I was given Lavender Cake as my night time strain but again being a user for 30 ish years I know what puts me to sleep and Lavender Cake isn't it..
Thanks so much for your time and advice
I very much appreciate your response and will look forward to my next appointment to be able to discuss some of the options you've listed. The High Silver just doesn't seem to work in any way for me. I have no idea what good it was doing for me biologically but I feel no head high, no body high and the closest I can come to explaining what it does for me is to rewind the clock 20 years ago and compare it to doing a small weak line of cocaine, (sorry to bring up something like that but its the only way I can explain it) and I am not looking to be "wired", I just wish to find a daytime calming, happiness/euphoria strain and then something heavily sedating for after 9pm. I was given Lavender Cake as my night time strain but again being a user for 30 ish years I know what puts me to sleep and Lavender Cake isn't it..
Thanks so much for your time and advice
FWIW High Silver, WPT, Lavander Cake, Zookies, GG4 are all usually the go-to first time options that Curaleaf recommend to patients. Every clinic does something similar but what you'll always find as an experienced user is that your first script is often the poorest fit for you.
The key to all of this is terp profiles. unfortunately for you and me this information is like getting blood from a stone. There's over 500 known terpenes in cannabis, at best we will know the top 2-3. But we work with what we have. If you're aware of the BM strains you used, look up their dominant terpenes, that will help you find a good base when looking for something similar in the UK markets. Although we don't have anything like StarDawg available.
With your thoughts on High Silver then we likely know you're probably not looking for Myrcene, Terpinolene or Caryophyllene strains. Myrcene is quite dominant in a lot of strains so don't discard it entirely as its quite hard to escape it amongst Hybrids.
If you're looking for something giggly, relaxing, euphoric, etc. then you want strains high in Linalool and Humelene. Ideally CBG as well but like fuck do we get that info. I can't remember if I mentioned it but 4C Labs Sour Cherry Punch could be interesting for you.
If you're looking for evening strains, well I've got a whole list of those as well lol. Id probably urge you to check out Tripoli if it's still stocked. It's not super strong but far better than Lav Cake imo.
Anything by Peace Naturals®, Aurora® and Herdade Das Barrocas is usually good quality and more important consistent as a general rule of thumb.
This community really is great, so please don't hesitate to ask anything at all!
FWIW High Silver, WPT, Lavander Cake, Zookies, GG4 are all usually the go-to first time options that Curaleaf recommend to patients. Every clinic does something similar but what you'll always find as an experienced user is that your first script is often the poorest fit for you.
The key to all of this is terp profiles. unfortunately for you and me this information is like getting blood from a stone. There's over 500 known terpenes in cannabis, at best we will know the top 2-3. But we work with what we have. If you're aware of the BM strains you used, look up their dominant terpenes, that will help you find a good base when looking for something similar in the UK markets. Although we don't have anything like StarDawg available.
With your thoughts on High Silver then we likely know you're probably not looking for Myrcene, Terpinolene or Caryophyllene strains. Myrcene is quite dominant in a lot of strains so don't discard it entirely as its quite hard to escape it amongst Hybrids.
If you're looking for something giggly, relaxing, euphoric, etc. then you want strains high in Linalool and Humelene. Ideally CBG as well but like fuck do we get that info. I can't remember if I mentioned it but 4C Labs Sour Cherry Punch could be interesting for you.
If you're looking for evening strains, well I've got a whole list of those as well lol. Id probably urge you to check out Tripoli if it's still stocked. It's not super strong but far better than Lav Cake imo.
Anything by Peace Naturals®, Aurora® and Herdade Das Barrocas is usually good quality and more important consistent as a general rule of thumb.
This community really is great, so please don't hesitate to ask anything at all!
How refreshing it is to be able to discuss these things in an open forum where you're not being judged or discriminated against for something you've know all your life helps you..! Now using MC I can finally start to pinpoint strains for various needs and it's about bloody time the UK is slowly but finally catching up with the world !!!
Such good information - I cant thank you enough for the information !
Just thought I'd say hello.. I have been a cannabis user for 30 years but two weeks ago received my first prescription to help with anxiety, ptsd, and to lift my mood. As you'll all be aware, I'm still getting to grips with the pharmacies, clinics, ordering process etc. My Dr. prescribed me three strains as starting point but whilst I understand it was my first prescription and he wanted to be cautious to begin with the strains I was prescribed wasn't exactly what I was looking for but "a journey always starts with the first step" etc..
This is where I'm looking for some help with you guys; Can anyone recommend me some strains to lift my mood or even better - make me smile/giggle/laugh...!
I'm currently with Curaleaf so I'm not sure how limited I am..?
I started with Curaleaf earlier this year, and was also started on High Silver and Lavender Cake for anxiety/depression, although I was only assigned 2 strains and despite asking to explore more than 2 strains per month, I was rejected each time until I eventually left for a less restrictive clinic.
So first of all I'm surprised they started your off with 3 strains given how adamant they were with me that 2 strains was the max for very good clinical reasons - unless perhaps your third strain was a CBD strain or a balanced strain? What was your third?
It kind of confirms what I suspected which was that how restrictive they are probably actually varies from clinician to clinician - because I couldn't find anything in their literature/website which explained any general policy of restricting strains.
Unfortunately, I also tried booking consultations with different clinicians to see if I could get around it that way, but every time I did they, they'd cancel the appointment within a week or so of the appointment date and schedule a new one with my usual clinician, and they gave reasons like "clinician was ill" etc, but I suspect they were just trying to stop me exploring different options for whatever reason.
After the first follow up consultation they did give me some strain options each month, so I got to try a few different night-time strains via that, but they didn't let you choose from their entire formulary and the available options just seemed like a randomly selected sample rather than a curated shortlist for my particular condition or preferences etc. Also, when you request to change a strain via the selector, it "cancels" your current repeat prescription, and you have to wait a few days for a clinician to approve your request, during which time you have no prescriptions lined up, which I always found a bit nerve-wracking. You also have to give a reason from a dropdown list and none of the reasons are "I just want to try something different" or "I want to explore to find the best strains for me", it's just like "I had an adverse reaction", "this medicine didn't reduce my symptoms", which I suppose would then make it difficult to return to a strain after you'd already tried it if it turns out it was the best of the available options.
It seems they very much design their system to nudge you against doing too much exploration. Reasons given were apparently clinical, but I couldn't find any research to backup what they were claiming - I suspect the real reason is just load/stock balancing and predictability. Too much choice among patients makes it more difficult for the clinic to profit via bulk discount and increases administrative load, etc. As a result, in 5 prescriptions I only got to try 4 strains in total, only one of which was really doing the job, and grew frustrated and left.
My first script with my new clinic had 5 strains, and I had some leftover from my previous script, so within 1 month of leaving Curaleaf I was able to try 8 different strains back to back and I now feel a lot more knowledgeable about what works for me from this one month than from 5 months at Curaleaf.
They're a great clinic to get started with MC, and I'm glad for their introduction to this world, but it wouldn't surprise me if 90% of their patients have been with them 12 months or less, they have a high turnover, and I bet 80% of those patients are sitting on High Silver and Lavender Cake.
I happen to like the High Silver as it happens, so I've stuck with it for some time,
I started with Curaleaf earlier this year, and was also started on High Silver and Lavender Cake for anxiety/depression, although I was only assigned 2 strains and despite asking to explore more than 2 strains per month, I was rejected each time until I eventually left for a less restrictive clinic.
So first of all I'm surprised they started your off with 3 strains given how adamant they were with me that 2 strains was the max for very good clinical reasons - unless perhaps your third strain was a CBD strain or a balanced strain? What was your third?
It kind of confirms what I suspected which was that how restrictive they are probably actually varies from clinician to clinician - because I couldn't find anything in their literature/website which explained any general policy of restricting strains.
Unfortunately, I also tried booking consultations with different clinicians to see if I could get around it that way, but every time I did they, they'd cancel the appointment within a week or so of the appointment date and schedule a new one with my usual clinician, and they gave reasons like "clinician was ill" etc, but I suspect they were just trying to stop me exploring different options for whatever reason.
After the first follow up consultation they did give me some strain options each month, so I got to try a few different night-time strains via that, but they didn't let you choose from their entire formulary and the available options just seemed like a randomly selected sample rather than a curated shortlist for my particular condition or preferences etc. Also, when you request to change a strain via the selector, it "cancels" your current repeat prescription, and you have to wait a few days for a clinician to approve your request, during which time you have no prescriptions lined up, which I always found a bit nerve-wracking. You also have to give a reason from a dropdown list and none of the reasons are "I just want to try something different" or "I want to explore to find the best strains for me", it's just like "I had an adverse reaction", "this medicine didn't reduce my symptoms", which I suppose would then make it difficult to return to a strain after you'd already tried it if it turns out it was the best of the available options.
It seems they very much design their system to nudge you against doing too much exploration. Reasons given were apparently clinical, but I couldn't find any research to backup what they were claiming - I suspect the real reason is just load/stock balancing and predictability. Too much choice among patients makes it more difficult for the clinic to profit via bulk discount and increases administrative load, etc. As a result, in 5 prescriptions I only got to try 4 strains in total, only one of which was really doing the job, and grew frustrated and left.
My first script with my new clinic had 5 strains, and I had some leftover from my previous script, so within 1 month of leaving Curaleaf I was able to try 8 different strains back to back and I now feel a lot more knowledgeable about what works for me from this one month than from 5 months at Curaleaf.
They're a great clinic to get started with MC, and I'm glad for their introduction to this world, but it wouldn't surprise me if 90% of their patients have been with them 12 months or less, they have a high turnover, and I bet 80% of those patients are sitting on High Silver and Lavender Cake.
I happen to like the High Silver as it happens, so I've stuck with it for some time,
Thanks for your detailed response.. As with everything I do, I did do some research prior to starting this journey and what you have just explained I was kind of familiar with 'that story' not only for Curealeaf but with a few others also and after watching endless YouTube videos and reading lots of reviews, it seemed like any of the clinics I was thinking of were going to be a bit of a gamble. Once I had been accepted for treatment I kind of knew that the introduction to my first clinic might not be forever. That said I can't complain so far and am open minded to what comes after consultation No2.
Who did you join after Curaleaf and how was the process of joining a new clinic ?
How refreshing it is to be able to discuss these things in an open forum where you're not being judged or discriminated against for something you've know all your life helps you..! Now using MC I can finally start to pinpoint strains for various needs and it's about bloody time the UK is slowly but finally catching up with the world !!!
Such good information - I cant thank you enough for the information !
It really is refreshing isn't it! It's a great feeling when the world stops treating you like a criminal for wanting to lead a normal life.
I've seen a few communities for UKMC around on Facebook, Reddit, Discord, etc. but I've found that those places tend to be a place for Medical Cannabis but only if you're having a strictly legal discussion. Possibly because of platform ToS.
Over here, the focus tends to be about your health as a patient and if you need to (for example) buy a rosin press to get the most out of your meds then you can have a supportive, health led discussion about it. rather than being told it invalidates your script.
It's probably also worth mentioning that various reddit and Facebook UK medical cannabis groups are prone to shills and bots pushing strains and products, over here - not so much.
The reason I'm waffling about this is because this place has an active "What's on your script" discussion board and a host of video reviews, etc. so it really is the best place to bounce ideas and strains off other patients.
The admin team really do a fantastic job.
now I'm going to shut up before I start sounding like a shill for this place lol.
Thanks for your detailed response.. As with everything I do, I did do some research prior to starting this journey and what you have just explained I was kind of familiar with 'that story' not only for Curealeaf but with a few others also and after watching endless YouTube videos and reading lots of reviews, it seemed like any of the clinics I was thinking of were going to be a bit of a gamble. Once I had been accepted for treatment I kind of knew that the introduction to my first clinic might not be forever. That said I can't complain so far and am open minded to what comes after consultation No2.
Who did you join after Curaleaf and how was the process of joining a new clinic ?
It was a painless switch. Just keep everything you already sent Curaleaf in your initial consultation handy in a folder for the future - hand it over to your new clinic, and if they're anything like Mamedica was for me you'll have a new script on its way to you within a week.
Thanks for your detailed response.. As with everything I do, I did do some research prior to starting this journey and what you have just explained I was kind of familiar with 'that story' not only for Curealeaf but with a few others also and after watching endless YouTube videos and reading lots of reviews, it seemed like any of the clinics I was thinking of were going to be a bit of a gamble. Once I had been accepted for treatment I kind of knew that the introduction to my first clinic might not be forever. That said I can't complain so far and am open minded to what comes after consultation No2.
Who did you join after Curaleaf and how was the process of joining a new clinic ?
The good news is that because Curaleaf as so interested in keeping their patients simple and easy to manage and keeping costs and risks low, and because they're probably the largest clinic by patient numbers, they probably are choosier about their patients than other clinics too, meaning if they've let you through the door, you're now a certainty to be accepted at any other clinic pretty much.
I was actually initially rejected and then after some wrangling back and forth by e-mail was able to secure a consultation where clinician agreed I was eligible.
So yeah, Curaleaf experience can work, give it a try, but don't let things get too shitty before you consider changing because it's very simple, especially if you find yourself in my position of being a few months down the line and still not sure what flower works for you.
The good news is that because Curaleaf as so interested in keeping their patients simple and easy to manage and keeping costs and risks low, and because they're probably the largest clinic by patient numbers, they probably are choosier about their patients than other clinics too, meaning if they've let you through the door, you're now a certainty to be accepted at any other clinic pretty much.
I was actually initially rejected and then after some wrangling back and forth by e-mail was able to secure a consultation where clinician agreed I was eligible.
So yeah, Curaleaf experience can work, give it a try, but don't let things get too shitty before you consider changing because it's very simple, especially if you find yourself in my position of being a few months down the line and still not sure what flower works for you.
