Cannabis 101: Indica vs. Sativa
As you embark on your cannabis journey, you may find yourself discovering two common words: Indica and Sativa. Yes, you will also see the word hybrid - which in lack of better terms, means the blend of Indica and Sativa strains - but, we’ll be honing in on this dynamic duo.
The Basics: Indica and Sativa
In the most common understanding of terms, Indica strains tend to leave you relaxed and sedated - perfect for a bowl before bed or when ready to melt into the couch after a long day. Sativa strains on the other hand are more uplifting and cerebral - pairing perfectly with social gatherings or creative projects.
The general effects of Indica and Sativa strains don’t necessarily affect consumers the same way. The origins of these strains are defined by the botany, physical description of the plant rather than the consumable effects. In simpler terms, each body is different, hence each consumer is going to experience a different high.
You may be asking yourself, ‘Well then how do I know what effects to expect when I consume an Indica or Sativa strain?’. It’s a great question, and it comes down to the cannabinoids and terpenes makeup of the bud. These chemical compounds lead to the ‘high’ effect you receive when you consume.
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that create a unique high - the most common two being CBD and THC. CBD and THC are the top drivers of cannabis’ recreational and medical effects.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds that are commonly produced in plants and fruit. Yep, that’s right, terpenes are found in other plants besides cannabis (i.e. lavender, oranges and peppers)! Terpenes are what make cannabis smell of citrus, fuel, earth, berries, etc. While there are several variations of terpenes, the four most common are: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene and Terpinolene.
Breakdown:
While this is a brief breakdown of what to expect when choosing between an Indica or Sativa strain, there are a few other things to consider before consuming:
Method: The way you choose to smoke will alter your experience. Meaning, if you choose to dab you will be hit with immediate intense effects (recommended for experienced users) rather than if you take a puff of a joint.
Tolerance: A novice consumer is going to have a much lower tolerance than that of an experienced one. If you are new to cannabis consumption, we encourage you to start at a lower dosage level and go slower - ease your way into it rather than diving in head first.
Dosage: Dosage essentially means the potency percentage of a strain - this goes back to THC. When looking at packaging you will see numbers ranging somewhere from 16% to 25% (some will be lower or higher than this). 16% will be a lower THC potency whereas 25% will be higher.
Conclusion:
We hope this helps answer some of your questions when taking the next steps in your ‘high’ journey. Just remember:
Indica strains tend to have a more relaxing, sedating and stronger physical effect when consumed. An easy way to remember Indica is ‘in da couch’.
Sativa strains tend to have a more energizing, uplifting, cerebral effect when consumed. Just think ‘Sativa = cerebral’ and you’re set!
PSA: These are generalized terms. You may have a different experience when consuming either of the two. Regardless of what you choose, just sit back, relax and enjoy the high.
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