Indica vs Sativa: What’s the Difference? Your Strain Guide
More states are legalizing the use of marijuana every day. 29 states have legalized it for medical purposes, while 9 states have legalized it for recreational use.
If you live in one of these states, chances are that you’ve heard a variety of different vocabulary dealing with marijuana. As a newcomer to marijuana, all of these terms can be confusing.
One of the biggest things that tend to confuse beginners is the debate: Indica vs Sativa. What do these terms mean? Which one is better?
We’ll go through all the differences together so that you can make an informed decision going forward.
Origins
Indica and Sativa differ from one another by the very roots in which they grow. Indica does better in the somewhat cooler temperatures of the Middle East, in countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan. Sativa comes from the warm countries found along the equator such as Mexico, Columbia, Thailand, and Southeast Asia.
They are different in the way they look as well. Indica is darker with wider and flatter leaves. Sativa is a lighter green with skinnier leaves.
As they cultivate, Indica grows fast into a short and stout plant. Sativa is different in that it grows slow and tall.
Effects
Effects of Indica Usage
Indica often has much higher concentrations of CBD as opposed to THC. Sativa, on the other hand, has more THC than CBD.
Because of this, Indica is the better choice for anyone looking to use marijuana as a means of pain relief. CBD has been reported to give many different medical benefits. A lot of people prefer to go straight for the CBD in oils or edibles rather than the traditional smoking method.
The high amount of CBD relaxes the body and makes you less responsive to any pain or swelling that you may be experiencing. It also can help to calm stresses or anxieties. Your body will be so relaxed it may feel as though it is buzzing or humming.
With being such a great relaxant and soother, Indica is best used during the night. It can help you fall asleep much easier than normal, especially if you are someone who suffers through a lot of distracting pains.
Effects of Sativa Usage
Sativa, due to its higher concentrations of THC, gives the user a greater “high” feeling. You can feel a little loopier when you consume it, so make certain you’re somewhere safe when you take it for the first time.
Sativa can also be a stimulant, keeping you focused on everyday life. For a lot of people, that stimulating effect isn’t a hindrance but a great help.
This makes daytime the best time to take Sativa, as it could keep you energized too much to sleep if taken at night.
It can help you to feel uplifted and happier. You’ll have no trouble finding a way to be productive when you take Sativa.
You’ll feel like your thoughts are more free, opening you to new possibilities. You can even click here to learn more about how Sativa can boost your creativity.
Hybrids
Sometimes, you don’t have to choose between Indica or Sativa. There are also hybrid strains that make use of both the benefits these two strains give.
If you wish to have something more Indica with a small addition of Sativa, you can find mixtures of marijuana that are 70/30. There are hundreds of different types out there. You don’t have to settle for one or the other, you can have both.
Hybrids are a happy medium, letting you customize your desired effect.
Uses
There are many reasons, both medical and recreational, to use Indica and Sativa strains. If you’re looking for something more specific, certain strains will do a better job than its counterpart.
Reasons to Use Indica
Indica is most often used by persons who suffer from deep-set pains. Whether this pain comes from old injuries or diseases doesn’t matter. Indica can help many different kinds of pain with its high concentration of CBD.
Muscle spasms are also treated by Indica. The relaxant quality helps keep those muscles loose, letting you go about your day without too many problems.
This quality also gives aid to insomniacs or anyone who has trouble going to sleep due to medical problems. If you’ve had a stressful day and find that you can’t sleep, Indica is the way to go.
Nausea will affect you less while on Indica, which makes it a good addition to specific medicines with that side-effect.
Reasons to Use Sativa
If you suffer from mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, Sativa is a good match. That special up-lifting stimulation can bring you out of a dark moment and allow you to feel far more light-hearted.
A lot of the time, Sativa can be an additional medication to the normal SSRIs that are prescribed to a lot of depression patients.
It doesn’t replace proper therapy or medication, but it does give an extra boost to those methods.
Sativa helps to stimulate a person’s appetite, helping them to eat and enjoy food again. If you’re on any kind of medication that is making you lose far too much weight, try Sativa. It could be the help you’re looking for.
You can reduce the symptoms of ADHD with Sativa. The extra focus brought on by the THC can help those with ADHD to keep their thoughts in line and become more productive than normal.
So Who Wins in the Battle of Indica vs Sativa?
The battle of Indica vs Sativa has no true winner. Both of these strains have their own specific benefits that don’t make one better than the other. They’re only different in the way they can help you.
All it comes down to is what you are looking for. If you need something that gives you that calm melting feeling at the end of a hard day, then Indica is your best bet. On the other hand, if you want to bring on a euphoric and uplifting feeling, Sativa is better.
Now that you know the differences between the two, you better choose which one will help you the most.
Feel free to contact us at any time with questions or concerns!
