What Are The Main Differences Between Indica And Sativa?
Indica and Sativa are two of the most popular types of marijuana. When you are looking to buy marijuana, it is important to know which type will be best for your needs. The difference between Indica and Sativa is in their effects on the body. While both have medical benefits, they work differently within your system.
What Are The Origins Of Cannabis Strains?
Cannabis Sativa and cannabis Indica both originate from the Cannabis plant which is found in regions around the world. These two types of marijuana have been selectively bred for decades to develop different characteristics, features, and effects on users.
Sativa strains usually originate from regions that have a hot climate such as Mexico, Thailand, Colombia, etc., whereas Indica marijuana comes from cooler areas including Afghanistan and Morocco.
Cannabis indica strains from Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan, particularly those from the Hindu Kush mountain range, were introduced to the United States in the 1970s. The first hybrids between Cannabis sativa plants from equatorial regions and Cannabis indica strains from Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan were produced, resulting in marijuana's widespread production in the United States.
Sativa strains are thought to be uplifting or energetic, while Indica strains can make a user feel relaxed or sedated depending on their desired outcome.
The Main Difference Between Indica and Sativa
The main difference between these two species is that Indica strains produce a strong body high compared with a less intense head buzz associated with Sativa strains. This means that it’s not uncommon for an individual who consumes too much of an Indica strain to end up couch-locked all day as opposed to actively engaging socially as they normally would before consuming any type of marijuana. What Indica strains do to you:
They induce relaxation and promote sleep
They're best for pain management and alleviating insomnia
You can also use them to increase appetite
Sativas are more often than not associated with an active cerebral high which is why it’s possible to smoke or ingest just enough of this strain to get you through your day without feeling completely sedated and useless. The reason for the difference between these two species is because they originated from different parts of the world where different climates affect their chemical makeup, resulting in very distinct effects on users. What Sativa strains do to you:
If you are an individual who needs to stay productive throughout your day, Sativas are for you.
Produces a sense of euphoria which can help make stressful situations more manageable.
Provides the ability to be active without feeling jittery or anxious.
The ability to obtain cerebral highs without the risk of becoming too sedated is what makes this strain renowned in recreational use.
Differences In Terpenes
Differences in terpenes can also contribute to differences in effects achieved when smoking each type of cannabis plant. Terpenes are compounds found throughout nature whose primary purpose is to repel animals and insects, but they also serve the purpose of making plants more distinct in their flavor profiles.
Terpenes can be found in virtually all cannabis strains including Indica and Sativa; however, there are certain types of terpenes that are only present on either one or the other depending on whether it’s an Indica strain or a Sativa strain.
The terpenes found in cannabis plants can contribute to differences in effects
Different types of terpenes are only present on either Indica or Sativa strains
Certain combinations of dominant terpenes can make for an optimal experience
If you were to take notes when smoking each type of marijuana plant then you would notice that Indica-dominant weed usually has much higher concentrations of myrcene than its Sativa counterparts do which contributes largely to how high someone gets from consuming them. Myrcene tends to give off earthy aromas while limonene is a citrus-like terpene that tends to be common in Sativa strains.
These are just some of the main differences between Indica and Sativa cannabis plants, but there’s still much more specific information out there that can help you decide which type is best for your needs depending on how it makes you feel when consumed.
For example, if you find yourself getting too high from consuming Sativas then maybe an Indica strain would suit your purposes better. If not, don’t worry because each plant has its benefits so it really depends on what kind of outcome someone is looking for with their cannabis use!
Daytime or Nighttime Use?
This is a common question asked by those who have been using cannabis since the 1960s. The answer to this question really depends on your individual needs as a user.
Indica strains tend to be more sedative, which makes them perfect for use during the evening or at nighttime when you're looking for some rest and relaxation after a long day of work. On the other hand, Sativa strains can give users an energetic boost that will allow them to stay awake throughout their evenings without feeling lethargic or tired like they might feel if they were smoking an Indica strain. During certain times in history, it was even mandatory to grow either an Indica or Sativa strain for certain reasons, so knowing which you should pick can be crucial.
We hope you enjoyed this look into the differences between Indica and Sativa strains. If you have any questions about these cannabis types or want to learn more about how terpenes affect your high, give us a call! Our expert staff will be happy to answer all of your inquiries so that you can make an informed decision on which strain is right for you. When it comes time for pot purchase decisions in the future, we’ll be here too!
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