X

Indica vs Sativa: How to Find Which Cannabis Variety Is Right For You

Indica vs Sativa: Find the Cannabis Variety For You

Before cannabis was legalized in Massachusetts, cannabis users had to settle for whatever type of flower they could find. Now growers are able to carefully cultivate their cannabis crops, and dispensaries carry dozens of different strains. So how do you choose?

Almost all cannabis strains can be broken down into three broad categories: indica, sativa, and hybrid. Choosing a cannabis strain is much easier when you understand the key differences between a sativa vs indica high.

Each cannabis strain at Blackstone Valley Cannabis is extremely fresh and high-quality, but we want to help you pick out the right one for you. Here’s what you need to know to get started and place your first order for our outstanding cannabis flower.

Indica

Consuming an indica cannabis strain will leave you feeling calm, relaxed, and sleepy.

Indicas tend to produce a full body high. You can feel your muscles relax and release their tension. If you’re choosing between indica vs sativa for pain, indicas are usually favored by medical patients for this reason.

Most people use indica cannabis strains when they want to unwind, relax, or go to sleep. You probably won’t want to take an indica edible in the morning or before an important task. You’ll probably have the best experiences with indicas if you’re staying in for the night.

Some of the medical benefits most associated with indica strains include:

(Please note that the information we provide is for educational purposes only and is in no way a substitution for medical advice. Always consult your doctor prior to using cannabis products for medicinal purposes.)

Think of smoking an indica like a trip to the spa. You’ll feel pampered and relaxed during your high, and ready to have an amazing night’s sleep afterwards.

Sativa

Consuming sativa cannabis strains commonly make users feel energized, creative, and happy.

Sativas produce a “head high” compared to indica’s “body high.” You may feel mental clarity of thought and an ability to clearly understand and articulate your ideas.

Some of the medical benefits sativa strains include:

  • Pain relief
  • Reduced depression
  • Reduced nausea, especially in cancer patients
  • Increased appetite
  • Increased ability to pay attention, especially in ADHD patients

If using an indica strain is like taking a trip to the spa, using a sativa will make you feel like you just went to a club or concert without the hangover.

Hybrids

Hybrid cannabis strains are created by breeding sativas and indicas together. When you dab a hybrid concentrate or smoke a bowl, you’ll notice an array of unique effects that feel like a combination of the sativa and indica experiences.

There are dozens of different hybrid cannabis strains, and each one feels a little different. Part of this is because hybrids have different concentrations of their parent plants. Some can be much more dominant to one end of the spectrum (like a 90/10 or 80/20 ratio). Others are much more balanced between the two types (50/50 or 60/40 ratio).

If you like the relaxing body high of an indica strain and the active head high of a sativa strain, you can find hybrid strains that will cause both simultaneously. Each hybrid strain will feel a little different, so it can take some experimentation to find one you love.

How to Choose Between Indica vs Sativa

So now you know how different sativa vs indica highs can be. Each type of cannabis can be useful in different situations; you don’t have to choose to use indicas and stick with them forever, or vice versa.

Here are some factors that will help you decide when to use hybrid vs indica vs sativa strains.

Time of Day

Sativa strains are best used in the morning or for a pick me up in the middle of the day. If you take sativas at night, you’ll probably find yourself too energized to go to sleep.

Indica strains are great to take in the evening to mellow down, or right before bed for a restful night’s sleep. If you take an indica strain during the day, you might find yourself dozing off for a three-hour nap or locked into your couch earlier than you’d like.

Activity/Setting

Consider what you plan to do while you’re high before you choose your strain, because the effects of sativa vs indica can make a big difference in your plans. Pure sativa or indica strains are usually best for certain activities.

A sativa strain is often the best choice if your activities include:

  • Brainstorming creative ideas
  • Doing chores or getting tasks done
  • Going to a concert or music festival
  • Attending a party or other high-energy event
  • Having stimulating conversations
  • Playing a board game or card game

After you use an indica strain, you might want to:

  • Watch funny movies or cartoons
  • Playing a video game on easy mode
  • Having a relaxing, romantic night at home
  • Eating delicious food
  • Enjoying a deep sleep and waking up late on a Saturday morning

Medical Benefits

Sativa, indica, and hybrid strains all have different uses, and this is true for their potential medical benefits as well.

Overall, sativa strains work well for medical patients who need extra stimulation or energy. Many people report that they feel improvements in their mood, appetite, and attention spans while using a sativa.

Indica strains are generally better for medical patients who need to calm down or relax. They’re great sleep aids and can help reduce inflammation and muscle tension. When given the choice between indica vs sativa for pain, many users choose indica, but they can both be beneficial.

(Please note that the information we provide is for educational purposes only and is in no way a substitution for medical advice. Always consult your doctor prior to using cannabis products for medicinal purposes.)

Final Thoughts on Indica vs Sativa

It’s amazing that cannabis is so diverse that there are such stark differences between indica vs sativa strains. Over time, we recommend sampling different types of cannabis so you can enjoy both a sativa vs indica high.

Need a little help choosing between indica vs sativa, or looking for a specific strain? The pros at Blackstone Valley Cannabis can help you kickstart your journey. Our retail dispensary agents use their extensive cannabis training to work with you and make sure you leave our dispensary with products you’re excited about.

Blackstone Valley Cannabis carries a wide variety of sativa, indica, and hybrid strains in a variety of formats, including:

Place a pickup order online or visit our retail location in Uxbridge, MA to get started!

Related Articles

Be the first to know about our new products and weekly specials

Are you a registered patient or 21+?