Are you a sativa diva or an indica inamorata?
Knowing what kind of weed you're working with can make all the difference in how much you enjoy your high.
Certain strains work better for certain people. And, of course, the high you want when you're going to a party is different than the high you want for a Netflix binge.
With so many different strains and hybrids on the market, it can be hard to keep up. But understanding indica vs sativa is the key to understanding the different strains and hybrids out there.
In this guide, we'll break it down so you can understand exactly what the indica vs sativa difference is. Read this before your next dab, bowl, or blunt so you can get exactly the high you want.
The Indica vs Sativa Difference
As a casual cannabis consumer, you don't need to be able to tell the strains apart. Almost every marijuana product on the market will be labeled. You'll see indicas, sativas, and hybrids of the two.
Knowing how the different strains affect you will help you buy the right weed for you. Of course, everyone has slightly different reactions.
For the most part, though, indica is seen as the relaxed, “sedative” kind of high that will have you on the couch all night.
Sativa, on the other hand, is the “up” high that's perfect for going out to a party or a concert.
If you can't remember which is which, remember that “indica” means “in-da-couch,” because that's where you're going to end up!
Is The Sativa vs Indica Difference Real?
Most cannabis users agree that the effects differ depending on what strain you use.
However, some experts disagree. Jeffrey Raber, a weed expert with a PhD in chemistry, believes that there is no real difference between the strains.
His argument is that many pot retailers make claims about their strains that aren't supported by science. His current study seeks to prove that different shops may sell completely different strains under the same name.
This may be true of some shops. Someday, marijuana regulations might be in place to make sure that every strain being sold is labeled correctly.
However, so many weed users can't all be wrong. There is a real difference in the way different strains tend to feel to most people.
So what exactly makes these strains different, and how can you tell them apart? Let's get into the indica vs sativa comparison.
The Indica Plant
Indica plants tend to thrive in harsh environments, unlike the sativa strains.
These plants originate from cold, stormy mountains – the Kush Mountains, in fact. Kush is a common slang word for marijuana, specifically for indica strains. The word actually refers to the place the plant came from.
The Hindu Kush mountain range is 500 miles long, stretching between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Because of this harsh environment, indica plants are small and dense.
These plants make very thick THC resin, which is another form of protection against the elements.
Indica strains are high in CBD, or cannabidiol. This is the compound that contains medical benefits without the “high” feeling. This makes indicas a popular choice for people looking to use weed for medicinal purposes.
The Sativa Plant
Sativa plants come from hotter climates near the equator. These plants evolved to be tall, thin, and even scraggly.
The sativa leaves are thinner than the indica leaves. Indica leaves look like the typical “pot leaf” image you often see on merchandise.
Sativa's longer, stringier shape helps the plant to save water, since it evolved to live in hot, dry climates. Sativa tends to have less CBD and more of an “upper” effect on the user.
There's much more to learn about these strains than just the basics, though. Let's get into a deeper look at what sets indica and sativa apart.
Origin Of Indica
Indica was given its name by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, a French naturalist and early adopter of evolutionary theory.
The name came from the place where the plant was originally collected: India. This plant grew wild in the Kush Mountains and surrounding regions, between the latitudes of 30 and 50 degrees.
Origin Of Sativa
Sativa was actually given its modern name even earlier, in 1753. At first, it was believed to be the only type of cannabis.
Sativa was found thriving between the latitudes of 0 and 30 degrees. Thailand, Mexico, and Colombia fall within those latitudes.
Indica vs Sativa Leaf Identification
If you want a quick way to tell what kind of plant you're looking at, check the leaves.
The broad indica leaves have the typical “pot leaf” look. Sativa leaves have the same shape but are longer and thinner.
However, many plants are hybrids with leaves that fall anywhere between the two extremes. It's much harder to tell which plants are hybrids just by looking at the leaves.
The Indica High
Now, let's get into what you really want to know about: the high.
Whether it's for recreation or medical purposes, you need to know how to get the high you really want. Having the right strain can make the difference between having a great experience and a bad one.
Indica strains are known for giving you a body high that makes you feel relaxed, even sleepy.
The sedative effect is actually sought out by people who need a natural sleep aid. These strains can be great for relieving anxiety or helping you unwind after work. They're also ideal for chill activities like a movie marathon.
Some people also feel that indica strains enhance their senses. You might experience touch or sound more intensely when you use indica vs sativa.
The Sativa High
Sativas are known for the “head high.” You get a more energetic high that can be good for creative expression and social activities.
This is the ideal strain for most people who want to smoke before they go out and do something. It will keep you going, rather than have you end up taking a nap.
Many artists love using sativas while they're writing, painting, or making music. Even if you're not an artist, sativa may help you tap into your creative side and see the world in a different way.
Indica Medical Benefits
The medical benefits of weed are so well-known that medical marijuana is slowly being legalized across America. However, the medical benefits of each strain tend to be different.
Indicas, for the most part, are known to help relax muscles and relieve pain. They're great for treating everything from migraines to arthritis.
Indica strains are also ideal for treating insomnia since they tend to help people sleep. They can even help people who suffer from seizures.
Sativa Medical Benefits
Sativa is great for combatting things like chronic fatigue since the strains offer increased energy. They can help people focus and can even help relieve the symptoms of depression.
Sativas also have pain relieving properties, just not as much as indica strains. For those who suffer from mild pain issues, sativa can be a great choice.
Indica vs Sativa THC Content
Indica strains have more CBD than sativas, and they also tend to have more THC.
However, studies on the THC content of the different strains are limited. One problem with the Schedule 1 drug classification of marijuana is that it's made it difficult for researchers to study the plant.
Fortunately, marijuana is slowly being legalized state by state. This is opening up new opportunities for research. The more studies that are done, the better people can understand exactly what each strain does and which one is right for them.
Indica vs Sativa Flavors
Now that people in some states can grow marijuana legally, they can focus on creating strains that don't just work well but also taste good.
The taste of the two strains can vary widely. When you factor in hybrids, that can add even more variation.
However, indicas generally have more sweet, fruity flavors, with notes like pineapple or blueberry.
Sativas, on the other hand, are likely to taste more herbal or earthy, with notes like pine needles or mint.
Indica Buds
The most obvious differences between the two strains come when you see them growing right next to each other.
Indicas grow their buds in tight clusters. The density helped protect the buds from the weather of the mountainous areas where these plants come from.
These buds also tend to smell the strongest.
Sativa Buds
Sativa buds are easily recognized by their distinctive colors. When sativa strains are grown in warm locations they'll often have a red tint. When grown in cold areas, the color becomes more purple.
These buds don't cluster tightly together since they didn't need to be protected from the weather. Because they aren't as dense, sativa buds won't weigh as much as indicas once you dry them out.
Indica vs Sativa: Growing Indoors
The strong scent of the indica bud makes it a less subtle choice when you want to grow indoors.
However, there are other considerations when it comes to growing marijuana plants indoors. One of the major challenges growers face is dealing with the height of the plants.
The easiest plants to grow indoors are indicas. They only reach between 3 and 6 feet tall. Since indica strains evolved in windy mountain regions, they couldn't grow too tall or else the plants would get damaged by the elements.
When growing sativa indoors, there tends to be more of a struggle. These tropical plants grew long and lanky, since thinner, longer plants don't usually need as much water.
Sativas can reach up to 20 feet tall if they aren't tamed. If you need to grow sativas in a limited space, it takes a lot of plant training to make them fit.
This is actually one of the reasons for hybrids. Growers often combine indica and sativa strains so their plants will have a more manageable height.
Hybrid Cannabis Strains
We can't talk about the difference between indica vs sativa strains without also bringing up hybrids.
Hybrids can be either sativa-dominant, indica-dominant, or an exact 50-50 mix.
Indica vs sativa hybrids will have similar characteristics to the dominant strain. Those characteristics will be less intense, though, because they're mixed with another strain.
Ruderalis Cannabis Strain
There is actually a little-known third strain of cannabis, too.
It's rarely mentioned in the indica vs sativa debate. However, ruderalis is another strain of the cannabis plant.
The reason it's so rarely mentioned is that ruderalis has a very low amount of THC. For those looking for a recreational or medical high, this strain doesn't have too much to offer.
This strain wasn't named until 1924, when a Russian botanist found it growing in the south part of Siberia. This strain is very small, reaching about two feet in height.
Although it doesn't produce much of a high, cannabis ruderalis is used by breeders to make their sativas and indicas flower faster.
In the indica vs sativa discussion, ruderalis is often forgotten, but it actually gives us something to appreciate. Some cannabis growers breed ruderalis to indicas and sativas so the plants will flower faster.
Less time, more weed. What's not to like?
Indica vs Sativa Conclusion
The indica vs sativa debate is ongoing. Many people are loyal to one strain or the other.
Ultimately, no strain is right or wrong for you. It's all about personal preference and what kind of high you want at the moment.
The more you understand about indica vs sativa, the easier it is to make the right choice when you buy marijuana. Whether you smoke, dab, or use edibles, having the right strain will give you the effects you want.
Of course, hybrids have also opened up a whole new world of options. As the stigma of weed goes away and more people accept this amazing plant, the number of strains is sure to grow along with our knowledge about cannabis.
Indica vs sativa vs hybrid: what are your favorite strains? Leave a comment and let us know!
