What’s The Difference Between Sativa And Indica?
There are two main types of cannabis, sativa and indica. Both of these are used for medicinal and recreational purposes. You’ll experience different side effects, and experience different levels of energy.
Understanding the differences between the two will allow you to choose the best one for the right reasons. Are you looking to get creative, do you hate head highs, or do you need to decompress?
These are important questions to answer when looking for the best strain. There are many differences in these plants from the way that they look, how they smell and their effects. The main reasons for these differences is due to a variety of factors, including environment, growing conditions, terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids.
What is Sativa?
Cannabis sativa is actually a type of hemp that grows in warmer climates such as Mexico and Thailand. However, Hemp sativa does contain both marijuana and hemp varieties. Throughout history cannabis sativa was used for a variety of reasons including nutritional and medicinal purposes in the forms of fiber, seeds and oil.
You can easily identify sativa strains based on their distinct terpene profile. Sativa has strong aromas and tastes that can be from fruity, citrusy and sweet or earthy, piney and peppery.
Benefits of sativa
Some of the biggest benefits of sativa is the creativity aspect and it is the ideal choice if you need to come up with new ideas and creations.
But that’s not all, it also improves focus, helps to fight depression, fatigue and improves your mood. Its uplifting effect is the best choice for mood disorders as it’s used to treat depression, and anxiety. Its uplifting effects reduces fatigue, stimulates appetite and even relieves pain.
Sativa side effects
Sativa provides an uplifting high which is perfect for people who choose to consume cannabis during the day. Because it stimulates your mind, and has minimal effect on your body it’s the perfect option.
Because of its stimulating nature cannabis sativa is the best strain for daytime use, social situation and creative endeavors. The increased energy helps with your dynamic personality in social situations, increases feelings of happiness and hope, encourages your artistic side with many ideas and thoughts, and laser-like concentration to get the work done.
However, not everyone experiences the same effects. There are some people that have a negative effect from the mental stimulation and racing thoughts that come from Sativa weed. And as a result it can increase anxiety. This isn’t common but it is possible.
Sativa is known for its energizing power and its effects are often described as uplifting, invigorating, and elating.
What is Indica?
The cannabis indica plant is identified as a short and bushier plant than sativa and is native to Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Turkey. The plant is used to harsh, dry, and turbulent climate and as a result of this the flower bud for indica are generally thicker and more dense. They grow faster than sativa, and also produce more buds than sativa.
Indica is often associated with a sedating effect which is often desired by many. There’s a common saying to remember the difference between indica and sativa. Indica will put you “in-da-couch,” this is a result of the sedating effects.
Benefits of Indica
There are many great benefits to this relaxation and calming strain. Indica will provide both mental and muscle relaxation. Which are great for pain and anxiety.
So if you’re feeling sore from a long day or work or exercise, indica would be the best strain. Or if you need to decompress from a stressful week of work, indica will provide you with the relaxation that you need by increasing dopamine and provide some peace both mentally and physically.
But that’s not all you can expect from Indica. This strain is often used to decrease nausea, help treat acute pain, reduce anxiety, combat seizures, and it is also used to treat lupus and multiple sclerosis. And indica marijuana is the best option when it comes to inflammation and pain, making it beneficial for patients that have arthritis, fibromyalgia, and cancer.
Indica side effects
The side effects of Indica are relaxation, reduced nausea and pain as well as an increased appetite. Because of these effects indica is best consumed at night. Indica will likely help you catch some shut eye and get some much needed relaxation.
How do you know the difference between Indica and Sativa?
Some of the best ways to tell the difference between Indica and sativa is the way they look. Indica strains generally have leaves that are wide and short with short wide blades. Sativa strains often have long leaves with thin long blades. Some people say that Sativa strains look like long, sausage-shaped flowers. The side effects of indica vs sativa are as different as its bud. Indica strains provide a more relaxing and sedating effect, while sativa strains give the opposite which tends to be more energizing and uplifting.
Which is better: Indica or Sativa?
One isn’t necessarily better than the other. It all boils down to what you are looking to experience and the reason for consuming it. Here are a few things that you’ll want to take into consideration when you are purchasing cannabis and trying to choose the best strain. What is the reason you are purchasing it – medicinal purposes, day time enjoyment, need help getting to sleep, anxiety, pain or any other reason. These are all good considerations to help you make the best decision and decide for yourself which is going to best suit your needs.
If you need uplifting effects then sativa plants are going to be the best choice. However, if you’re searching for evening use, and need help to unwind after work Indica would be the best choice.
As you can see which one is best really comes down to a personal preference based on your specific needs when consuming cannabis. So if you’re looking for energy and uplifting effects or more relaxing and sedating effects.
You should however understand that there are always exceptions to the rule. Both of these strains can affect people differently. These should be used as guidelines, and you shouldn’t consume anything before going to work or before bedtime unless you know how it is going to affect you.
At Verts Dispensary, our knowledgeable staff will help you choose the right strain based on your needs and desires whether that’s sativa marijuana or marijuana indica. We even carry a variety of hybrid cannabis bud that have a higher THC percentage, but offer the effects of both indica and sativa due to its unique ratio of the two cannabinoids.
We can help you understand the differences in sativa thc and cbd strains. As well as the differences of indica cbd vs sativa cbd.
Our extensive variety of products from concentrates, flower indica, indica cbd and other CBD products, vapes and more. Understanding the differences helps you to achieve the results that you are looking for and enjoyment when consuming them. We can explain the indica vape effects vs cbd oil indica benefits and much more.