You might’ve heard it before from a friend. Or visiting your local dispensary. It seems like everyone’s talking about it — but what exactly is the difference between Indica & Sativa?
And exactly how can they benefit you?
Read on to find out.
Day Smoking vs. Night Smoking
In the broadest sense, we separate Sativa & Indica to “day smoking” and “night smoking.”
Day Smoking — Sativa
Sativa dominant strains are generally suited for day use due to their “energetic” and “uplifting” nature.
Sativa highs can be described as “spacey,” “hallucinogenic,” and “cerebral” — focused mainly on the upper body and head area — giving an effect widely known as a “head high.”
Due to its uplifting nature, Sativa strains are often used to relieve depression, and is used throughout the day to keep a consistent high without feelings of drowsiness.
Sativa strains are also known to induce creativity, and higher in energy, as opposed to Indica strains.
Flavor is typically “earthy,” with aromas that can be described as “fruity.”
Night Smoking — Indica
Indica dominant strains are generally suited for night use due to their “calming,” “sedating,” and “relaxing” nature.
Indica highs are best used to “chill out.”
They are known to reduce anxiety and pain, stimulating the body more than the head, providing more of a “body high” rather than a “head high.”
This “body high,” taken to an extreme, is also known as the “couch-lock” effect you get after smoking a particularly powerful Indica strain.
Due to its relaxing and sedative nature, Indica strains are best used at night, to help relax after a long day, and as a sleeping aid.
Indica strains are generally “sweeter” in flavor, with aromas that can be described as “strong.”
Sativa vs. Indica — A Summary
In summary, Sativa strains are generally used for “day smoking,” while Indica strains are generally used for “night smoking.”
But more so, it is important to understand that cannabis comes in an amazing range and combination of strains , effects, and potency— and that not all of these strains fall into 100% Sativa or 100% Indica.
What if you want a balance of both?
A Third Contender: Hybrid Strains
Finding Your Best Strain — A Perfect Balance
Rather, cannabis strains from all around the world vary in how Sativa or Indica dominant they are — it’s best to think of them as varying percentages of each, uniquely specific to each strain or plant.
While there are many Sativa or Indica dominant strains, there are also cannabis strains with near-equal dominance, of both Indica and Sativa qualities.
These are known as “Hybrid” strains.
Examples of famous “Hybrid” strains include “Girl Scout Cookies,” “Gorilla Glue,” or “Gelato.”
How Do I Find What’s Right For Me?
Understanding the difference between Sativa and Indica will help you tremendously on your journey towards making the most of cannabis.
But the best way to really understand different strains, and how they can best be used to better your health, is to take a closer look at their chemical content — whether they are THC dominant, CBD dominant, or balanced in both.
Consider this as the next step in your Cannabis education — from beginner to intermediate.
If you are interested in learning more about the important chemical makeups of different cannabis strains, take a look at:
Leafly’s Guide to Cannabis Types & Chemicals, a great in-depth guide to expand your cannabis knowledge.
Thank you for reading and hope that you make the most out of this information to elevate your smoking to the next level.
Happy Smoking!
Sources:
https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/sativa-indica-and-hybrid-differences-between-cannabis-types
https://www.marijuanadoctors.com/resources/cannabis-indica-vs-sativa/
