7 High-Energy Strains to Help You Get Active and Fight Fatigue

Certain cannabis strains can actually provide a good deal of energy, allowing you to keep active and crush the fatigue keeping you down. This realization can be life-changing for those susceptible to daytime lethargy, whether that comes from depression, stress, insomnia, a genetic predisposition, or another disorder. Getting out of bed can seem like a monumental task when fatigue itself is a force of gravity, but the right strain can provide a boost of motivation to get those legs moving.

Maybe fatigue isn’t a problem and you just prefer a good energizing strain in lieu of a morning cup of coffee, or to pair with hiking or exercise. Some researchers theorize that sativas contain more uplifting, revitalizing cannabinoids and terpenes than indicas, and high-CBD strains are shown to keep energy high as well. Finding the perfect one for you often requires a good deal of experimentation, so hopefully this list narrows down a few starting places.

More energizing strains can be found in the Leafly Explorer – just search the “energetic,” “uplifted,” and “fatigue” tags for an extended list.

Durban Poison

Late one night, I was struggling to finish an article and my eyes were beginning to heavy. I fired up my vaporizer, loaded some Durban Poison, and breathed in its sweet and spicy vapor. Within minutes, I found myself hammering away at the keyboard with resurrected creativity and engagement. To no one’s surprise, this uplifting sativa is known to contain high levels of the energizing cannabinoid THCV.

“Durban Poison is like the “espresso” of cannabis. The raciest sativa I know of, it’s a stimulating and clearheaded high with no trace of numbing or “stoning.” It wakes you up, cuts through the bleary fog and leaves you clearheaded and bright, gives you energy to go and seize the day.” –MrTibet

Jillybean

The moment you unscrew the lid on Jillybean’s jar, the room fills with a sweet fragrance of oranges, honeyed mangoes, and sweet wildflowers. The aromatherapy provided by Jillybean is just a bonus to the uplifting effects that make your mind soar with newfound inspiration.

“Great daytime fix for when you need to be social or productive. Gives a nice uplifting head buzz, but doesn’t ever weigh down your body. Leaves you motivated, happy, energetic, and focused.” –vinylvixen

Harlequin

Some people are sensitive to THC. It can make them anxious, paranoid, sleepy, dizzy, or dry out the mouth and eyes. Luckily, not every energizing strain contains high levels of THC. Take the high-CBD sativa Harlequin for example. This strain provides a weightless sensation with very minimal psychoactive effects, making it an excellent choice for any tasks that require clearheaded cognition. Plus, it’s great for treating pain.

“During my daily workouts I smoke a little Harlequin before strength training. It keeps me focused through the pain and helps to maximize my workout. It keeps me up and feeling good on my days off (I work graveyard shift).” – naturallyjass

Chocolope

My go-to favorite for staying active, Chocolope is a fiercely cerebral sativa whose uplifting effects will keep motivation flying high. Its earthy flavor pairs perfectly with coffee, and it just so happens that the strain’s energizing effects complement each other nicely. Long touted as the perfect “wake-and-bake” strain, Chocolope will leave you feeling unencumbered and motivated to take that long hike or hit the gym.

“A great all-around daytime strain, Chocolope eases my worries and helps me get stuff done that I would be otherwise too stressed to handle. All of a sudden doing laundry, cooking, cleaning and running errands doesn’t feel like too much. This strain lifts the weight of the world off my shoulders and makes me want to do stuff!” – PhantomSpaceman

Ghost Train Haze

This speedy sativa is best saved for cannabis veterans and heavyweights. With a THC high enough to put this strain on our list of top 10 strongest cannabis strains, you can count on quite the euphoric ride when you hop aboard the Ghost Train. For those of you who can hang with an extra-potent sativa, expect to feel a trippy buzz that inspires appreciation of your surroundings, especially while outdoors.

“When I smoke this, I really want to get up and go on adventures. I feel aware of my surroundings and can even focus very well. But, at the same time, feel very chill and carefree. Carefree is the best word to describe the feeling. You just feel ALIVE. You feel perfect.” – Shock_T

Green Crack

I had to do it. I had to include Green Crack because despite having an eyebrow-raising name, this sativa is a godsend for those of us who need a giant kick in the butt to get active. Though the raciness of its high can be too much for the paranoia-prone, imbibing this sativa in a comfortable setting yields astonishingly stimulating effects. You’ll find your body humming with liveliness, fueling your desire to get out with friends and lose yourself to nonstop laughing fits.

“OMG, this stuff made me want to rearrange my furniture for four hours. LOVE IT!” – itsmemsj

XJ-13

I can hardly resist snagging this sativa-dominant hybrid when I see it on the shelf. Led by an astoundingly pungent aroma of lemon, lime, and tropical fruit, XJ-13 is as much a pleasure in flavor as it is in effect. XJ has a way of simplifying life, encouraging you to let go of stress and emotional baggage. Unencumbered by mental weight, XJ-13 leaves you buzzing with newfound energy and allows you to take genuine pleasure in conversation, art, and activities.

“This instinctively feels like an amazing strain for those with social anxiety as it brings your energy levels and creative thinking up. This may be a new favorite for the sativa lover in me.” – Koensayr

What’s your go-to strain for getting up and out? Share your favorites in the comment section below!

Image credit: Sara Dilley