Why Does Weed Make You Feel Happy? 5 Happy Weed Strains

Feeling happy after cannabis use might be just a personal state of mind while several researchers say that weed has the potential to lower anxiety, and elevate mood and physical pain, together with protection against neurodegenerative diseases. But does weed actually make us happy? How does it work to make us happy?

Key Takeaways

• Weed stimulates blood flow to humor-processing areas in the brain to make you laugh.
• Consuming cannabis also stimulates the release of chemicals that regulate happiness including dopamine, serotonin, and anandamide.
• Anandamide also has strong properties of antidepressant and anti-anxiety.
• Ananda, from anandamide, is a Sanskrit word meaning joy or happiness.
• We recommend Blue Cheese, Cherry Burst, Orange Fanta, Purple Pineapple, and Sour Diesel as some weed strains that will make you happy.

Both THC and CBD may affect mood by interacting with the brain and the body. However, both interact differently which produces different effects. THC is the most well-known to give psychoactive effects to weed users – making them feel euphoric and high. CBD is more associated with reducing pain and anxiety.

What Science Says About ‘How Weed Makes You Feel Good’

Has weed ever made you laugh uncontrollably after smoking a joint? That’s because cannabis stimulates blood flow to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain which are the areas responsible for humor processing. Weed also stimulates chemicals that cause the release of hormones that are known to make you happy and put you in a cheerful mood, serotonin and dopamine.

Let’s delve a little deeper into these two hormones:

Dopamine – The euphoria happens when THC binds to the cannabinoid receptors resulting in the production of a flood of dopamine within the brain that makes any activity including eating and relaxing more enjoyable.

Serotonin – This hormone is a neurotransmitter that affects many processes in the mind and body which is also associated with CBD in anti-anxiety properties when high levels of serotonin are related to lower anxiety and reduce the risk of further mental issues such as depression.

What’s more, the godfather of weed known as Dr. Raphael Mechoulam has discovered that a neurotransmitter called anandamide is the reason why weed makes stoners so happy. The name “anandamide” has the word “happy” (kind of) hidden within its name. The word derives from a Sanskrit word, ananda, which means “happiness” or “joy”. Anandamide occurs naturally in the human brain and plays an important role in our daily lives to help regulate bodily functions such as movement, emotions, memory, appetite, pain, and motivation. Anandamide holds powerful antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties. This neurotransmitter is also an important endocannabinoid that our bodies naturally produce which also binds to cannabinoid receptors when we use weed.

What we might not know is that THC contains incredibly high concentrations of anandamide. Our bodies already produce our own anandamide, therefore, when we consume weed, it also triggers the release of anandamide. Studies revealed that when THC reaches the brain, it triggers the release of dopamine, also known as the reward molecule. At the time dopamine levels are elevated, the brain’s reward system may cause you to feel extreme satisfaction and pleasure. If the dopamine levels are staying up for too long, the body may shut down some of the dopamine receptors even if you’re no longer high from the THC. As a result, dopamine synthesis in the body may decrease, causing you to have a hard time feeling pleasure from the things that would normally make you happy such as hobbies and food.

What strain makes you feel good? 5 Happy Weed Strains

The following strains are guaranteed to help you brighten up your mood, making them perfect as after-work relaxation choices so that you can also share this happiness with your buddies. Nothing could beat these 5 strains from our dispensary at Siam Green Cannabis Co.:

Blue Cheese

Blue Cheese is an indica hybrid created by crossing a Blueberry and Cheese strains producing a blend of blueberry cheesy aromas. It has a moderate to high THC content ranging from 15% to 20% with relaxing properties making the strain perfect for nighttime use. Other than relaxing, people who have tried Blue Cheese reported that the strain may also deliver effects such as euphoria, happiness, sleepiness, and hunger. It’s also often used among both recreational and medical users to help with stress and anxiety.

Cherry Burst 

Cherry Burst cannabis strain is an Indica-dominant hybrid made by crossing two genetics together, Tropicana Cherry and Super Buff Cherry #26. As its name suggests, the strain is a perfect strain for Indica lovers who love sweet and sour berries with a touch of spicy skunk taste. Cherry Burst will give you a burst of happiness and may as well make it hard for you to breathe from a controllably giggly session. It also offers great benefits for those who seek relief from anxiety, inflammation, pain, seizures, and nausea.

Orange Fanta

Orange Fanta is a very well-known 50/50 hybrid weed strain which is a creation from the Seattle Chronic Seeds by crossing Agent Orange and Hindu IBL strains together. This strain delivers a unique fruity flavor and aroma that packs with a load of long-lasting high that will keep you relaxed and happy. You’ll feel uplifted almost immediately after taking it in and it’s often chosen to treat patients suffering from pain, depression, mood swings, and insomnia.

Purple Pineapple 

Purple Pineapple (try to say this word when you’re high), is an Indica-dominant hybrid that delivers its tropical aroma and it was bred to capture high THC levels for potent uplifting effects. The strain is perfect for someone seeking courage in certain social situations as it offers a sociable high. It has a musky sweet aroma with a sweet grape pineapple flavor. Purple Pineapple is known for its medicinal properties in treating fatigue, depression, and muscle spasms. 

Sour Diesel

Sour Diesel is known to be a favorite choice among many enthusiasts and has been cherished by weed lovers from the past up until the present for its iconic diesel scent. Made by the crossbreeding between Chemdawg and Super Skunk creating dreamy, cerebral, and energizing effects. The strain is commonly used among medical cannabis patients to help with symptoms associated with depression, pain, and stress.

Conclusion

The reason why weed makes us feel happy has already been explained by scientists and researchers. It’s mostly associated with three main chemicals including dopamine, serotonin, and anandamide. When we use weed, it triggers the release of two happy hormones, dopamine, and serotonin, as well as a neurotransmitter, anandamide which regulates our happiness. We offer five different weed strains that will put you in a good mood which include Blue Cheese, Cherry Burst, Orange Fanta, Purple Pineapple, and Sour Diesel.