Best Strains for Energy and Motivation: Top Picks for the Ultimate Boost

Dec 28, 2023
A roup of people outside enjoying Mellow Fellow


The hustle and bustle of daily life demands a fountain of energy that’s often hard to keep up with. Some turn to a steaming cup of joe, others to early-morning gym sessions, but what if cannabis could play a role in a pick-me-up? 

Whether you’re looking for a morning boost or a cure for the afternoon slump, we’re exploring how some weed strains may be the go-to solution and an alternative to coffee or sugar-laden drinks.  

Today, we’re exploring some of the best energizing strains made to motivate and invigorate. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned user, this info can help you customize cannabis experiences. 

Key Takeaways

  • Cannabis holds promise as a non-caffeinated energy booster. 
  • Sativa or sativa-dominant hybrids are best if you’re looking for energizing effects. 
  • Terpenes like caryophyllene, limonene, and terpinolene show promise for energizing effects. 
  • High-THC strains with low CBD levels can be energy-boosting, while balanced hybrids can make way for motivation. 

Best Strains for Energy and Motivation

Day-to-day life comes with deadlines, responsibilities, and sleepless nights. Energy is often not at the top of our lists, which is why many turn to quick-fix solutions like caffeinated and sugar-laden drinks. 

While there’s nothing wrong with a cup of joe, many people are happy to find caffeine-free alternatives like cannabis. Could cannabis hold promise as an energy booster?

For thousands of years, cannabis has been an integral part of many cultures, medicinal traditions, and holistic rituals. A companion to humanity, hemp and weed has helped cure ailments, pains, and moods throughout history, with a documented use in many cultures for its myriad effects, which include potential energizing and motivating properties. 

The country has come a long way since the total ban on marijuana in the 1920s. With rising medical and recreational legalization in states, more people than ever are tapping into the energizing effects of some strains. 

The 2018 Farm Bill streamlined access to cannabis products by federally legalizing hemp-derived cannabis products, which are still available in most states, even if medicinal or recreational use is not. 

Given that cannabis is accessible across most of the country, it’s about time we explored the ins and outs of different strains and how they might be a welcome aid in day-to-day life. 

Understanding Cannabis and Its Energetic Potential

Assorted Mellow Fellow edibles and Vape

To understand how cannabis might play a role in energizing or motivating you, it’s important to know the basics about how weed interacts with the body. 

Every mammal, including humans, has an endocannabinoid system that naturally produces cannabinoids, which can also be found in cannabis. When cannabis cannabinoids interact with this complex system of receptors, they can influence bodily functions from mood and cognition to inflammation and energy levels.

There are over 100 discovered cannabinoids, the most well-known being THC and CBD. Along with cannabinoids, terpenes give aroma and flavor, and different blends of cannabinoids and terpenes make for hundreds of strains.

Within strains, sativas are considered to be more energizing, while indicas are generally associated with calmer effects. 

If you’re looking for more energizing effects, you might consider a sativa or sativa-dominant hybrid. Why? While indicas are a great choice for winding down, they tend to have higher amounts of CBD, which is the opposite of energizing. With higher levels of THC, sativa strains tend to be more refreshing (and maybe a little more intense). 

Which sativa strains are best for energy and motivation?

Celebrated Sativa Strains for Unparalleled Energy

Let's explore some of the best sativa strains for energy. These strains are high in THC and low in CBD, making them true sativas that can give you a boost of energy at a moment’s notice. 

When looking for energy-boosting sativas, strains high in terpenes, like caryophyllene, alpha-pinene, and limonene, are believed to have focusing and energizing properties. 

Super Silver Haze

Super Silver Haze’s unique genetic lineage makes it a hardcore sativa, with parents and grandparents like Skunk, Northern Lights, and Haze. The effects are potent and euphoric, but it’s a great option if you’re looking to boost creativity and revel in a focused experience that lets you hit the gym or the dishes.

Green Crack

While Green Crack’s name might be a bit offputting, the effects are anything but. Keep in mind that the effects are very intense, but if you’re looking for potent, energizing effects, Green Crack is the best choice. You might feel your senses heighten, and your perception alters, but it’ll be easy to focus on high-intensity tasks once you put your mind to it. 

Sour Diesel 

This strain is easily recognizable for its diesel-like flavor and scent, but the pungent aroma also has pungent sativa effects. If you’re looking for a strain that’s uplifting and euphoric with a boost of caffeine-like energy, Sour Diesel is your man. Also, it's a great option if you’re combating fatigue and stress. 

Hybrid Strains: Best of Both Worlds for Energy and Motivation

Hybrid strains are great options for those looking for sativa-like effects without overwhelming energy. Some people feel anxious on high-intensity strains, which is why the added high amounts of CBD and calming terpenes like linalool and myrcene in hybrid strains are great for energizing but mellow effects. 

Here are some of our favorites: 

Blue Dream

Blue Dream is one of the most well-known and beloved hybrids, a legendary cross of Blueberry and Haze strains that walks the line between relaxation and invigoration. The body high will have you feeling relaxed while the cerebral effects are refreshing, making for a great subtle sativa hybrid that’s well-tolerated (and easy to find due to its popularity). 

Chemdawg

For a hybrid that leans more into the indica side of things with a touch of balanced energy, Chemdawg stands out as the star player. Like Sour Diesel, it has gasoline-like aromas but with less intense energizing effects and more indica traits, making it great for some gentle stimulation without an absolute energy boost.

Strains to Ignite Your Motivation

You might think that motivation and energy are the same thing, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. While motivation is the directed and purposeful steering toward goals, energy is the surge of alertness that can help make those goals happen. 

When looking for strains for motivation, check for sativas or hybrids with humulene and myrcene.

Jack Herer

Named after the legendary cannabis activist, Jack Herer is one of the most iconic sativa strains. The uplifting effects induce a clear-headed euphoria that turns on motivation centers, enhancing creativity and focus no matter the task at hand.

Durban Poison

Durban Poison has African roots, but this strain has managed to make its way worldwide. With energizing and uplifting effects that can help you find motivation and the raw fuel to get stuff done, this strain can help you stay productive through a stressful and busy day without losing clear-headedness. 

Consumption Methods: From Vaporizers to edibles

There are so many ways to consume cannabis, from a classic joint or a potent edible to an easy-to-use tincture or a convenient vaporizer. Each has its own benefits, and each person should explore which consumption method works best for them, as everyone’s cannabis journey is different. 

Vaping is a discreet and easy way to get rapid-onset effects of the cannabinoids you want by directly absorbing them into the bloodstream, making for almost immediate effects you can gauge and control. 

If you need an immediate boost of energy rather than late-onset effects, vaping is a great option. 

Mellow Fellow’s line of Charged Blend disposable vapes is a great choice, and we’ve got some of the most beloved and well-known sativa and hybrid strains in the game. Check out strain options like Diesel Drift, Strawberry Cough, Pineapple Express, Wedding Crasher, Jilly Bean, and Ghost Train Haze

Mellow Fellow Charged Live Resin Disposable

If your speed is long-lasting and has more intense effects, edibles might be the right choice. The delayed onset might not be best if you’re in a hurry, but the digestive process makes THC more potent, giving sustained energy and heightened intensity.

Final Thoughts

Any journey with cannabis will be a long one if you’re looking for certain effects like enhanced energy and motivation, but being informed can ease the experimentation and self-discovery. 

As always, it’s crucial to enjoy responsibly, which is why it’s best to consult with a medical professional before getting on the cannabis train, especially if you’re thinking of using cannabis as a motivator or energizer. 

If you’re just entering into the world of cannabis, starting low and going slow is your best bet. Trying low-THC products or strains can help ease you into the effects, and once you’ve gotten the hang of it, feel free to push your horizons and try different strains. 

Mellow Fellow’s lines of pre-rolls, carts, edibles, and vapes make it easy to begin experimenting with strains for energy and motivation. Check out Mellow Fellow’s Charged Blend line with added cannabinoids like thcv, hhc, H4CBD, and CBG. Choose from strains like Candyland, Wedding Crasher, and Pineapple Express

Best Weed Strains for Energy and Motivation: Frequently Asked Questions

What Differentiates the Best Weed Strains for Energy from Others?

The best weed strains for energy tend to be high-THC sativas with energizing terpenes like limonene, caryophyllene, and terpinene. 

How Can I Ensure the Strain I Choose Promotes Motivation?

Sativas and hybrids with balanced THC and CBD levels can help you feel motivated and clear-headed. 

Are There Any Potential Drawbacks to Using Potent Strains for Energy?

Some sativa strains might cause anxiety or other side effects in people, which is why hybrids are a good choice for anxious-prone users. 

What’s the Difference Between the Best Sativa Strains for Energy and Hybrid Ones?

Sativa strains have high THC levels and little to no CBD, while hybrid strains offer more balanced effects because of higher CBD levels and a little bit of indica genetics. 

Are There Any Particular Terpenes Linked to Energy and Motivation?

Terpenes like limonene, caryophyllene, and terpinolene are known for boosting energy levels and inducing motivation. 

How Does a Strain’s THC to CBD Ratio Influence Energy Levels?

Strains high in THC may have more energizing properties, while strains with higher levels of CBD tend to have more balanced and controllable effects.


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