The Difference Between Indicas & Sativas

And The Difference Between The Head & Body Highs They Give

Indica, sativa, or hybrid – what’s the difference between them? How can I tell them apart? Which one is right for me?

For a lot of first-time marijuana users, knowing the difference between indicas and sativas and which one is right for you can be confusing, so we made this article to help you out when making your purchase decision.

As you browse our website, you will notice that each of our flower products is sorted into three main categories: indicas, sativas, and hybrids.  These are the three main marijuana strain categories, they each have different characteristics, different tastes when smoked, and slightly different effects on your body.

Indicas are generally physically sedating, they are great for relaxing in the evenings and helpto treat symptoms such as insomnia and anxiety – they produce what is called a ‘body high’.

Sativas generally give a more uplifting and cerebral high, this makes them good to pair with physical activity or creative projects, they also help to treat symptoms such as depression and relieving migraine pain and can be an effective appetite stimulator – they produce what is called a ‘head high’.

Hybrids are genetically modified strains that are produced by mixing both a sativa and an indica strain, therefore they tend to give the effects of both a sativa and an indica.

Indicas

The first way to tell an indica from a sativa is in the appearance of its plant.  Indica plants are dense with full-figured leaves and can withstand much harsher growing conditions.  They are also generally shorter than staiva plants.

Indicas are native to the Kush mountain region.  There they developed the ability to withstand cold and turbulent conditions as the plant adapted to living within the harsh mountain.  They also have the ability to produce a thick cannabinoid resin to protect themselves further, this causes them to have a high THC level making them quite potent.

The Effects Of Smoking Indica

Smoking an indica is like taking a very potent chill pill.  They are great for people that have trouble sleeping, or for people that get worked up and stressed a lot and need something to help them relax.  They give the euphoria of being calm and can often make you feel like you are sinking into your chair.  This feeling of ‘sinking into your chair’ is often what is described as a body high.

Indicas also have a distinct smell compared to sativas burning with a cheesy/skunky smell.

Symptoms Indicas Help To Treat

An indica would be a good choice for someone suffering from any of the following:

• Panic Attacks
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Chronic Pain

Some of our most popular indicas are:

• Purple Space Cookies
• UBC Chemo
• El Jefe
• Strawberry Cheesecake
• AK-48

Sativas

The most notable difference between sativas and indicas is in their appearance, the sativa plant is much taller with a thinner, wiry stalk and thin leaves.  Whereas the indica plant is much shorter with bushy, thick leaves.

Sativas are native to warmer climates and grow naturally in Mexico, Central America, and Southeast Asia.  Sativas typically grow between 8 and 12 feet but in optimal growing conditions can grow as high as 18 feet tall.

The Effects of Smoking Sativas

If smoking an indica is like taking a potent chill pill, smoking a sativa is like drinking a creativity-inducing double shot of espresso.  They are great as a daytime smoke as they give your mind a cerebral high which helps with being focused and inducing energy.  Many people like to smoke a sativa when outside and experiencing nature as the creative and energizing inducing effects of sativas combine well outdoor adventures.

As sativas give a very cerebral high it can be like putting your mind into overdrive with many synapses in your brain firing all at once.  If you are new to smoking marijuana this can sometimes be overwhelming and give the user some light paranoia, therefore to get the many benefits of sativa it is advised to take it slowly at the start to see how your mind reacts.

The taste of sativas are also slightly different to indicas, they tend to have a lighter and fruity aroma compared to indicas ‘cheesy/skunky’ taste.

Symptoms Indicas Help To Treat

A sativa would be a good choice for someone suffering from any of the following:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Chronic Pain
• Lack of Focus

Some of our most popular sativas are:

• Super Lemon Haze
• Lemon Sour Diesel
• Super Silver Haze
• Pineapple Express

Hybrids – A Bit Of Both

Hybrid marijuana strains are made by breeding a sativa strain with an indica strain, therefore combining the effects and benefits of both.

Hybrids can be made in a variety of different ways, being either a sativa dominated hybrid with slight indica effects, an indica dominated with slight sativa effects, or a hybrid that balances both sativa and indica effects equally.

• Sativa Dominated Hybrids – These strains pair a head high with a slight undertone of a body high making them great for unwinding both mentally and physically.
• 50/50 Hybrids – These strains best combine sativas and indicas for those looking for an even balance of both.
• Indica Dominated Hybrids – These strains pair a strong body high with a slight head high making them great for relaxation in the evening along with pain relief.