Different Highs - Indica VS. Sativa VS. Hybrid

If you’ve shopped at a dispensary or done any research on cannabis, you’ve likely come across the words, “Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid.” Each is meant to affect the user differently; some people even use these differences at specific times of day. If you’re new to the cannabis community, you may be wondering more about the different highs they give. At the surface level, Indica is low energy, Sativa is high energy, and Hybrid is in the middle (this is not always true even though there is a consistency between them, unfortunately that’s where things get complicated). So, let’s get deeper into it, see what the cannabis community has to say about these differences.

INDICA

Indica strains are typically described as “in da couch” and relaxing. The cannabis Indica plant is native to India, Turkey, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Often the plants themselves are more akin to surviving harsh environments like the Hindu Kush mountains (dry and erratic weather as these mountains are a part of the Himilayian chain).

These plants are commonly described as “short and stocky with bushy greenery and chunky leaves that grow wide and broad” (Healthline). They also grow much faster and produce more buds with higher levels of CBD. Due to Indica strains containing a higher level of CBD, this means there is potential for the effects of THC to be less potent. CBD can counteract the psychoactive effects of THC.

Indica strains are also used to reduce nausea and pain, and to increase one's appetite. However, as it is so relaxing, most people use it at night as it can be a sleep aid. This is also why Indica is considered a “body high” as it causes all your muscles to relax at once. Some popular strains are Granddaddy Purp, White Widow, Northern Lights, and Skywalker OG.

SATIVA

On the opposite end of the cannabis spectrum, Sativa strains are meant to be energizing and focusing. Sativa itself is commonly used in the daytime as it can be very stimulating. Its origin begins in Africa, Southeast Asia, Western Asia, and Central America, each area is hot, extremely sunny, and often dry.

Sativa strains are used for treating things like epilepsy, asthma, and pain and anxiety reduction (quick reminder: not everyone is going to experience the same thing while using cannabis, more on this later). People also associate Sativa strains with a “head high”, this is when you get a rush of motivation and creative thinking. Some popular Sativa strains are Durban Poison, Super Silver Haze, Jack Herer, and Sour Diesel.

HYBRID

As the name gives away, hybrid strains are a mix of, or right in the middle of, Sativa and Indica strains. Typically, any hybrid strain will be listed as Sativa-dominant or Indica-dominant. It is rare that anything will be a true 50/50 strain however, nothing is impossible.

Hybrids originated in farms and greenhouses, when people began to combine strains to see what would happen. Due to the hybridization of cannabis there is no set way the plants will look, it all depends on what the parent plants looked like.

TERPENES

Although the differences between the types of cannabis are important, new research has shown that terpenes are also incredibly impactful to the user's experience. Terpenes, when used alone and not with cannabis, have properties that affect the user. Terpenes “are what give plants their fragrance, taste, and appearance” and are valued for their therapeutic and medicinal properties (THCdesign). The most common terpenes in cannabis are humulene (anti-inflammatory), limonene (uplifting, anti-anxiety, anti-depressant), and myrcene (relaxation, euphoria). Common secondary terpenes are borneol (analgesic and anti-inflammatory), phytol (sedative, anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory), eucalyptol (antibacterial and antifungal), and sabinene (digestive aid, anti-bacterial, antioxidant). These are only a few of the many different terpenes that can be present in cannabis.

A common example of terpenes being used in one more day-to-day setting (outside of cannabis) is in lavender. Lavender is used to make you feel sleepy, this is due to the terpene linalool. Linalool is present in cannabis as well, just not as common as others. Not only is it a sedative, but it is also an anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, and anxiolytic (reduces anxiety). Your local dispensary should know what terpenes are present in their cannabis, and if you are interested in knowing, just ask! Never be afraid to ask as many questions as you need, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Choosing the Right Strain for You

At the end of the day, even if you know more about the differences between the types of cannabis, you still need to think through what you want to get out of it before consumption. First, decide what you want to feel and gain from using cannabis. Is it chronic pain? Nausea? Insomnia? Anxiety? What you decide upon will ultimately be a great guide to narrow down options. Second, try your best to understand your tolerance. Ask your dispensary employee which strains are more mild and tolerable or which strains are potent. There are some strains that have been grown to have mass amounts of THC that some would find so high it ends up problematic and no longer beneficial.

Third, take your medical history into consideration. Although we all praise cannabis for being all-natural, that doesn’t make it exempt from having intense highs and side effects. Some of the common side effects from using cannabis are headaches, dry mouth, dry eyes, lightheadedness or dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, disorientation, hallucinations, increased heart rate, and increased appetite. Additionally, some other medications may not mix well with cannabis, if you cannot find the answers you are looking for online be sure to speak with your doctor before using cannabis. Lastly, choose what method of consumption you prefer. Each choice has its pros and cons, and none are a wrong choice. What’s best for you is what’s best for you! Smoking or vaping will hit your system faster, but can irritate your airways. Edibles like gummies, baked goods, or liquids are easier on the body but it can be very easy to take too much and end up higher than you were planning. Whatever choice you make, always partake safely! Don’t take too many edibles at once and you don’t have to smoke the entire joint in one sitting!