Bailey RahnPublished on July 12, 2017· Last updated November 18, 2022
(Gillian Levine for Leafly)
Cannabis has long been a companion for creative minds. It has a way of expanding the imagination, enabling access to new thoughts, concepts, and ideas. For many of us, cannabis adds color to our world and allows us to appreciate small nuances that are normally filtered out by our busy brains.
Not all strains are created equal, thanks to differences in their terpene and cannabinoid profiles. Sure, some artists couldn’t care less what strains they keep stocked alongside pens and brushes, but others swear by specific strains and rely on them for stimulating creative thought.
This list features strains that Leafly reviewers rate as highly creative, so consider giving them a try if you’re looking to kindle inspiration.
Sometimes the only thing separating you from reaching creative flow is a lack of energy. Kali Mist, a bright and euphoric strain, shakes your imagination awake and imbues it with colorful stimulation that inspires as well as motivates.
“If you want to delve into some new and interesting concepts – if what you’re after is refreshing uplifting bouts of fluid confident creativity and clarity of thought, Kali Mist is where it’s at.” –KennedyBash
With a sharp pine aroma that promotes an alert, focused mindset, Jack Herer is famous for good reason. Its mellow, even-keel high leaves the mind flexible and with room to stretch creative muscles.
“Astounding creativity off this stuff, first time being high has made me feel smarter.” – itsdeliciouschi
Chemdog is a potent hybrid best reserved for the seasoned consumer looking to turbo boost creativity. Its high can be dizzying and cumbersome, but if you’re seeking strong euphoria that jars the senses and summons new pathways of thought, Chemdog might be the powerhouse hybrid you’ve been waiting for.
“I had many thoughts rush through my head and it was a little overwhelming but once I settled into the high it was very creative, imaginative and invigorating.” – Indaking
A strain that seems to turn up saturation and definition like an HD movie, Purple Haze unlocks the highest potential of your senses. Lending energy and positivity to the mind, this strain knocks down bad moods, lethargy, and anything else standing in the way between you and your next artistic project.
“Good for the creative types who love to have a toke with their brush strokes or good for the student looking to cram for the exam.” – Schmo
Named for its trippy, awe-inspiring high, LSD is a hybrid strain that’ll spin and twist your imagination, wringing out all of the creativity inside. Use this strain to cast a new light on conscious thought while it illuminates concepts and ideas hiding in your mind’s depths.
“This strain is THE BEST when it comes to coming up with creative ideas. If you’re having creative block or writers block, I recommend this strain a lot.” – GinoMidnight
Some minds require pacifying before engaging in art or other creative escapes. Overactive minds can benefit from the slow pace of Berry White’s effects. Artists experiencing debilitating pain or inflammation may also find that this strain’s soothing physical effects take their mind off the aches, allowing full immersion in the task at hand.
“Berry White leaves me relaxed and helps me forget my chronic back pain. I am always given creative insights when I am about an hour into the high.” – TechDesigner
Tangie is a strain that offers many gifts: long-lasting euphoria, a sweet citrus flavor almost indiscernible from ripe tangerines, and a creative kick that expands thought. Its meditative, patient, and focusing high is perfect for settling deep into a long project, especially one that might otherwise feel long and tedious.
“I felt sufficiently high, but very much in the circumstance of what was going on around me. This is a state of mind where I can be very creative, aware, and at peace all at the same time.” – Brian
A beautiful plant that blooms with sparkling trichomes and colorful hues, Jillybean shares her vibrancy through bright, blissful euphoria. This hybrid helps you shed stress and bad moods, leaving you free to navigate your imagination without burden.
“Jillybean is a nice hybrid that melts away inhibitions, creative blocks and allows for true relaxation. Like a vacation in a flower, this bud will have layers of high energy sativa that helped keep my house clean but also slowly bring on some of the best sleep I’ve had in years.” –jeahisaidit
To find more creative strains, explore others in Leafly’s strain database by clicking here.
