5 Best Cannabis Strains for Staying Super Productive

The BEST way to stay 100% focused

When it comes to marijuana, there is one major misconception that irritates users. There is a prevailing belief among the uninformed that smoking weed will turn you into a slacking ‘stoner’ who stays on the sofa watching garbage and eating junk food.

In reality, there are specific marijuana strains capable of boosting your energy, creativity, and productivity. With these strains, you can finish that novel or poem, complete that presentation or simply get through a busy day with a spring in your step.

There is a long list of extremely successful, hardworking individuals who enjoy a toke or three; and that’s just in the celebrity world! Not everyone believes that weed helps productivity, however. Elon Musk is known as an eccentric billionaire, and also as the man most likely to become a real-life Bond villain.

During his interview on The Joe Rogan Experience, he smoked weed while admitting that he doesn’t find it good for his productivity. In contrast, stoner comic Seth Rogen said that weed was “something, honestly, that has facilitated a lot of my functionality.” Rogen, it seems, is typecast in movies as a stoned slacker when in reality, he works extremely hard.

How Can Marijuana Improve My Productivity?

In the modern era, it is increasingly difficult for employees to show any kind of creativity at work because the focus is entirely on productivity. One wonders what corporations would do if there were any evidence that marijuana could increase the productivity of their staff. What we have is a litany of testimony from people who have smoked weed on the job, and the results were incredible.

These individuals were coming up with amazing ideas, writing at warp speed and working up to 36 hours at a stretch! While we don’t recommend going to such extremes, it is interesting to note the positive impact of marijuana on productivity levels.

As things stand, marijuana has been scientifically linked to an increase in creativity. According to a 2012 article in Psychology Today, a 2011 study found an interesting link between cannabis and creativity. It suggested that cannabis produces psychotomimetic symptoms which increase our ability to connect concepts that are apparently unrelated. In other words, smoking marijuana improves your ability to ‘think outside the box.’

Unfortunately, there is a lack of concrete scientific evidence to support the link, but the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming. The main issue is that academic research is spending far more time trying to prove that weed causes laziness rather than focusing on its capacity to improve creativity.

One oft-quoted study, by Miles et al. in 1974, allowed six men to consume marijuana and found that their production decreased when the substance was readily available. What this study, and many more like it, don’t focus on is why this is the case. Rather than causing the men to work slower, what happens is that they focused on tasks other than the ones they were supposed to complete.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with their productivity; it was their focus that was the issue. Therefore, it is crucial to know which kinds of marijuana are best for productivity and focus.

A study by Gruber et al., published in Frontiers in Pharmacology in October 2016, found that weed could improve executive functioning skills in adults. According to Gruber, patients performed at a higher level when completing certain cognitive tasks after three months of medical marijuana treatment.

In many ways, the findings were not a surprise. In previous studies, it was discovered that anxiety interferes with executive function and attention. Therefore, if weed can relieve anxiety, the cognitive function of an individual will likely improve. Also, chronic pain hurts cognitive performance, particularly in tasks where executive function is required.

One interesting study looked at how medical marijuana laws impacted adults aged 51+. It was conducted by Nicholas and Maclean and published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management in February 2019. The main focus was to see how the legalization of pot impacted labor and work environments; with an emphasis on older adults.

In all, a survey was completed, which involved 100,000 people aged 51 or over who were also qualified for medical marijuana programs. The subjects reported an almost 5% decrease in pain and an almost 7% increase in incidents of ‘excellent health’. More pertinently, the study concluded that medical cannabis in legal states increases productivity in full-time jobs.

The researchers also wrote that the positives outweighed any negative side effects. Overall, the study made three principal findings:

1. Medical marijuana laws led to improved self-assessed health and lower pain amongst older adults.
2. Medical marijuana laws led to an increase in older adult labor supply.
3. The effects of these laws are greatest in older adults with a health condition that qualifies them for legal marijuana use under existing state laws.

This is potentially crucial news for the older workforce. Sadly, it seems as if record numbers of people will have to work well beyond the ‘traditional’ retirement age. Financial stress is at record levels, and according to the AARP, 11% of Americans now believe they will have to work into their eighties. If we are forced to work to this age, having something that keeps productivity and motivation high is essential. Perhaps medical marijuana is an unexpected answer?

At present, the biggest problem we face in studying weed and productivity is the continuation of negative stereotypes. As the herb is associated with being lazy, academic research continues to focus on that alleged ‘fact,’ rather than looking at whether it can boost productivity.

Perhaps research from BD Analytics will help remove the notion that cannabis users are lazy and unmotivated. The firm surveyed marijuana users in California and Colorado in 2017. In California, the average income for weed users was almost $94,000 per annum, compared to just under $76,000 for those who reject the herb completely. Interestingly, 64% of weed users said they liked their job, compared to just 54% of respondents who abstained.

Choosing the Best Marijuana For Productivity

For a long time, we have focused on whether a strain is indica- or sativa-dominant. The belief is that indicas cause relaxation, whereas sativa strains are ideal for focus and energy. What we haven’t looked into much is the effects of terpenes. Over 200 terpenes have been identified in cannabis to date, and they not only impact the quality of the weed, but also the type of ‘high’ you can expect.

We know that cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), but did you know that terpenes do as well? It is now believed that terpenes change the way cannabinoids influence the body. As well as allowing cannabinoids to cross the blood-brain barrier quickly, terpenes impact the duration and potency of the high.

Therefore, when choosing a cannabis strain for productivity, look at its terpene content. Terpenes such as myrcene are known for providing a sedative effect. Indica strains tend to contain a high percentage, which is why they are predominantly relaxing. In contrast, sativa strains usually have large concentrations of terpenes such as pinene and limonene. Now, let’s take a look at five great strains for productivity.

5 Best Marijuana Strains for Being Super Productive

1 – Haze (The #1 Marijuana Strain for Productivity)

Haze is a sativa-dominant hybrid that’s a cross of South Indian, Thai, Mexican, and South American Sativas. It was probably created in Santa Cruz, California, in the 1960s. As it is the product of four landraces, it provides the kind of body buzz that can keep a person active for hours. Its THC content of up to 23% means it is not a strain to be trifled with.

The cerebral buzz you get hits you like a train, and users report quickly feeling a burst of energy. Haze is also known to be an excellent stress-relieving strain that keeps you feeling uplifted and motivated, even on testing days. This strain is said to provide users with a sense of euphoria, and you may find it hard to sit still, such is your eagerness to get to work.

In the medical marijuana community, Haze is regarded as a fine Wake and Bake strain, which means it is used in the morning. It is the choice of weed lovers who want to feel uplifted and energized, rather than sedated and fatigued. If you have chronic stress, Haze could imbue you with a more positive attitude, and it is also associated with the munchies.

2 – Pucker (The Anti-Exhaustion Marijuana Strain)

This strain has yet to hit the mainstream, although it has become popular in Colorado. It is a cross of TK91 and Lemon G and contains 21% to 23% THC. It is a sativa-dominant hybrid that contains relatively large quantities of caryophyllene and limonene terpenes. To be honest, Pucker is not the best strain for focus, but it does a nice job of keeping fatigue at bay.

It doesn’t take you long to become filled with energy and motivation once you have consumed this strain. Pucker doesn’t do much to improve concentration, so it is best if you use it for menial tasks, rather than any jobs that require intense focus. Users say that this strain makes them hurry up, but in a fun way.

The main downside of this strain is the lack of availability. There are only a few dispensaries that sell Pucker at present, which is a real shame. If you can get your hands on it, you will find it useful if trying to treat anxiety, fatigue, headaches, and minor pains. Pucker is rather potent so novices should steer clear.

3 – Mango Kush (The Tasty Marijuana Strain)

You may be surprised to see an indica-dominant strain on the list, but Mango Kush is known for providing users with an initial burst of energy. Its exact origins are unknown, but it is believed to be a cross of Hindu Kush and a Mango Indica. It isn’t the most powerful strain, with THC levels ranging from 11% to 20%, but it provides you with a very pleasant high.

While Mango Kush is associated with evening use, it could be the right option in the late afternoon when your energy stores are depleted. It hits you with a feeling of euphoria early on, and you should feel energized right away. Of course, the indica side of the strain hits you later on and causes you to relax. If you want to use this strain, timing is everything! Use it too early, and you’ll feel sedated at work!

Mango Kush is known as a great healing strain and is used to treat chronic illnesses and pains, not to mention stress and anxiety. As we said earlier, it is best to take this in the mid to late afternoon as it will help you power through the next few hours. Then, once your tasks are finished for the day, the high helps to relax you.

4 – Strawberry Cough (The Ultra Potent Marijuana Strain)

The delicious aroma and flavor of this sativa-dominant strain can be disarming. Even its average THC levels, set at 18%, don’t make it seem like a potent strain. However, some breeders have created cuts with over 30%! Its origins are the subject of debate, although it is likely derived from the Haze strain.

If you use this strain, be warned! As the name suggests, you get the taste of strawberries, but you will also cough – a lot! This is due to the initial tingly sensation in the throat after using it. Once this feeling fades, it is replaced by a slow release of energy. Eventually, the sativa effects make themselves known and cause you to become more energized.

You will feel a delay in the effects, so don’t make the mistake of using too much at once. Strawberry Cough is often used by individuals suffering from stress, and it helps focus the mind on the tasks ahead of you. It is used to treat ADHD, ADD, and other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

5 – Super Sour Diesel (The Household Name Marijuana Strain)

This strain is one of the most popular on the market and is a cross of Sour Diesel and Super Silver Haze. It is an almost pure sativa with a THC content of up to 24%. As such, the powerful high could prove too much for novices. Indeed, even experienced users find that a little Super Silver Haze goes a long way.

This sativa is renowned for providing an uplift in mood, no matter how unmotivated you feel. Its effects come on quickly and provide you with a feeling of energy and zest. You can use it to get through a boring day, or wait until the evening and use its power to dance the night away with friends.

Users report feeling euphoric, and in most cases, you will be on your feet looking for something to do with the energy you now have. As well as being used to treat PTSD, ADD, and ADHD, Super Sour Diesel could help with muscle spasms, chronic pain, and headaches. However, it is a very popular recreational strain because of the energy it offers, along with the ‘feel good’ factor.

Final Thoughts About Marijuana and Productivity

Please ignore the foolish notion that marijuana somehow kills productivity and motivation. The truth is, if you choose the right strain for the right occasion, you’ll receive an energy boost that absolutely shocks you. Not only that, but you’ll also have a clear mind that is capable of carefully analyzing your tasks and ordering them in terms of priority. The right marijuana strain not only boosts productivity, but it also helps with creativity and motivation too.