Indica vs Sativa: What’s the difference?

Cannabis Use

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Can’t decide whether to buy Indica versus Sativa? We can help

The best way to remember the difference between the effects of a good sativa strain versus an indica strain: indica puts you “in da couch.” The main difference between the indica vs sativa high is that indica typically has more of a noticeable effect on your body while sativa tends to live in your mind. In that sense, indica strains are more sedating and sativa strains are more activating or energizing. Thankfully, with thousands of different cultivars out there and the extensive menu at our dispensary, you won’t be forced to choose between feeling sleepy or hyper!

What is Sativa? Sativa strains are known for their “head high”

Sativa-dominant strains typically produce an energizing effect that can help with a multitude of issues. Sativa is great for people that want to feel focused, yet still relieve anxiety and decrease stress. Sativa strains are also very impactful for those who want to heighten creativity. As paradoxical as it may seem, this head high can even leave some people feeling more clear-headed.

Why use Sativa strains?

Sativa-dominant strains are usually preferred for daytime use or if you want to feel uplifted, energized, clear headed and focused.

The effects of Sativa-dominant strains

Smoking sativa-dominant flowers will produce a variety of effects. The most common effect has already been described, but it’s important to note that sativa strains may also help with depression or anxiety. Sativa is also recommended for those who are feeling creative or people who need to get things done around the house or in their daily life. Strains may arouse creativity levels and cause more focus in tasks.

Sativa dominant plants look and smell different

The plants themselves are very different from Indica dominant strains. The leaves are longer and thinner, the plants are typically taller and stretchier, and they are a lighter green color. Sativa plants will grow tall and lean.

Most Common Sativa Strains:

Sour Diesel

Sour Diesel offers long lasting pain relief and an energizing, euphoric feeling. Sour Diesel is also known for its ability to amplify mental and creative focus.

Lemon Haze

Lemon Haze is known for its uplifting,  happy euphoric effect. This strain will also leave you feeling clear-headed and ready to tackle projects head-on.

Jack Herer

Jack Herer is known for its unique creative effects. It’s been described simply as a clear-headed, focused, level high that can sometimes get intense.

Try Sativa-dominant Strains For These Reasons

If you’re looking for a strain to make you feel uplifted, energized, focused, clear-headed – or if you seek relief from depression and stress, Sativa is the type of cannabis for you. Sativa strains are handy for artists and consumers who are feeling creative. But remember, each strain will affect each person differently.

What is Indica? And what are indica-dominant strains?

Cannabis can be separated into three ‘strain types’ or ‘categories’ – indica, sativa, and hybrid. Indica strains are known for having fatter leaves that are often times purple in color. Indica cannabis plants are also typically shorter and fatter compared to their lanky Sativa cousins.

It’s nearly impossible to find a pure indica nowadays due to high genetic variation from cannabis growers interbreeding plants. Regardless, smoking indica dominant cannabis flowers will definitely leave you feeling intoxicated. Indica is known for that “in the couch” feeling – more of a relaxing body high.

What is Indica used For?

Indica dominant strains can be used for a variety of reasons. More often than not, indica strains are used to help with stress, anxiety, sleeping, and just a common feeling of tranquility. More often than not, partaking in an indica-dominant sesh will lead you straight to the couch where you can relax and forget about the worries of the day.

Indica dominant strains are great for pain management

In addition to relaxation, indica can be used to reduce pain and nausea. This strain can also assist with appetite loss – it’s the type of high that will bring on the munchies. Indica is definitely more of a night time strain, but it’s also great if you just plan on having a relaxing time.

The Most Common Indica Strains

The most common Indica strains are: Northern Lights, Bubba Kush, Granddaddy Purple, and Kosher Kush.

Northern Lights

Northern Lights strains are typically some of the closest you can get to pure indica. This strain first became popular in 1985 in Holland. Northern lights genetics are the basis of some of today’s top hybrid strains. The terpenes that are typically expressed in Northern Lights cannabis plants give off a herbal, peppery and citrus scent. This strain is best known for assistance with pain and insomnia.

Bubba Kush

Bubba Kush is known for its full body relaxation effect. It will give your mind a sense of peace. This strain helps with stress and depression. The terpenes give off a primarily peppery scent.

Granddaddy Purp

Granddaddy Purple (usually dubbed granddaddy purp) gives off a grape and berry aroma and is also known to come with a blissful body high. This strain is most commonly used for muscle pain, stress, insomnia, and appetite loss.

Kosher Kush

Kosher Kush is considered to be one of the tastiest indica strains available. Giving off an aroma of earth and fruit, this strain is most commonly used for relaxation and pain relief, and helps with sleep. Kosher Kush is also well known for having particularly high levels of THC.

Some final takeaways about indica cannabis

Indica dominant strains are most typically used for relaxing, appetite loss, stress, pain and nausea. It’s important to not that everyone is different – certain strains of indica may have different effects from person to person. Indica strains often give off a musky, earthy tree sap scent and they can assist with appetite and sleep. There is a large variety of indica dominant strains out there, and the only way to know how they effect you is to try them out for yourself. So stop in to one of our dispensary locations today and ask what indica-dominant strains we have available!

Hybrid Strains Are a Nice Mixture of Indica and Sativa Effects

Hybrid strains, those that contain both indica and sativa, are a fantastic way to experience the upsides to each type. Take the Rosetta Stone flower, for example. Ringing in at $15.00 a gram, this hybrid strain contains a relatively low (13.3% – 13.4%) rate of THC, and a slightly boosted amount of CBD (1.2%). In this range, hybrid flowers are perfect for clients seeking full-body benefits without potentially distracting psychological effects.

Indica Strains May Be More Suitable For Pain Relief

Staff at Silver Therapeutics often recommend indicas over sativas for customers seeking support in pain relief. While both strains might ease aches, indicas like Animal Blues (THC 13.9%) are known to come on sweet and slow, making the adjustment into the high slightly more smooth for those feeling tender with bodily ailments.

Be Careful! Even Sativa Heavy Flowers Can Put You In Da Couch

One of our sativas, Sour Diesel Animal Cookies, is uplifting and extremely fun but also known to induce “couch-lock.” This just goes to show that while the general rule is indica = downer and sativa = upper, the outcomes on any given person will always be slightly different. Plus, as sativa strains carry the mind away on a colorful journey, they don’t necessarily give you more energy.

So, indica vs sativa vs hybrid? The only way forward may be just to try them all! 

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