Indica vs Sativa: What Are They?

The world of marijuana is extremely rich, powerful, and to the beginners out there may seem a bit complicated and confusing. It can be perceived as a whole separate planet, where you can find thousands of different cannabis strains with tasty flavors and colorful aromas, a diverse range of different ways to consume the herb, and cool gadgets and accessories that accompany the process. There is the difference between medical and recreational marijuana and so much more!

Not to mention that the trends around smoking weed are drastically changing, and if the paper blunt was the most popular method of consuming the herb before, now the benefits of the glass blunt are bringing a new shift, making marijuana smoking easier and more enjoyable at any time and any place.

If you have a special appreciation for the herb the chances are that all of these facts and differences will be a no brainer for you and you have done your research. But for the newbies and beginners, it may be worth exploring marijuana in more detail and making the distinction between the two main subspecies of the plant – sativa, and indica. Understanding these two types of marijuana will help you make the right decision when choosing a weed strain and will guarantee that you receive the experience, effect, or result that you were looking for, both for medical and recreational marijuana.

What is Indica

One of the founding subspecies of marijuana is indica. What is typical for indica plants is that the flower itself is usually shorter in contrast to sativa and is bushier rather than slim. The plant’s leaves are short and wide and usually a darker, deep color. The bushy-looking indica plant can reach a height of up to 6 feet, with its minimum height being 2 feet. The buds found on the indica plant are dense and plump. The THC vs CBD level found in indica is relatively similar when compared to that found in sativa, with THC found in larger quantities.

Recreational Indica

The effects of indica strains tend to generally affect the body rather than the mind, which makes indica the perfect herb for nighttime when the body can relax. Smokers fond of popular indica strains such as Purple Kush, Blue Cheese, of Bubba Kush are likely to describe the effect of the cannabis type as stoned rather than high. The feelings and sensations that are stimulated when smoking indica cannabis are calmness, relaxation, and sleepiness. Consumers of this type of marijuana can feel mellow, carefree, and get couch-locked. Indica is also great for stimulating appetite, which means that if you are watching your weight you should beware of the munchies.

Medical Indica

Indica is highly used as a medical cure in countries where marijuana has been legalized, at least for medical purposes. The herb can be consumed as an edible, in drinks, through oils or sprays, smoked, and more. Some of the highly valued qualities of indica cannabis from a medical perspective are its ability to relax the muscles, decrease nausea and acute pain, stimulate appetite, increase mental relaxation, as well as raise dopamine in the body, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for managing the brain’s centers for reward and pleasure.

What is Sativa

Sativa is another main subspecies of the plant cannabis. It is worth mentioning that apart from sativa and indica, other subspecies include ruderalis and hybrids, which are mixtures and combinations between the three main subspecies.

In most cases, there can be a distinction made between sativa and indica solely through observation. The leaves of sativa plants are usually a lighter color and have a longer length and thin leaves. These plants reach a height of up to 15 feet and have a flowering time of 10 to 16 weeks. The buds found on a sativa herb will be tall and airy, in contrast to the dense and plump buds found on indica plants. When looking at the THC and CBD levels found in sativa it becomes clear that the marijuana type is highly compact with THC, while CBD levels are relatively low.

Recreational Sativa

The true difference, however, comes in when we analyze the high effects of the two subspecies. What is interesting about sativa marijuana is that it is more suitable for consuming during daytime as it stimulates the mind in a range of ways, leading to a number of positive effects that can be used within a social circle. For instance, puffing a Sour Diesel or a Lemon Haze from your glass blunt while taking a walk in the park or hanging out with your friends, can stimulate feelings of euphoria, creativity, and alertness. Consumers of sativa weed strains tend to become more sociable energetic, and cheerful.

Medical Sativa

From a medical perspective, sativa can also be used to treat a number of health conditions and reduce symptoms causing discomfort or pain. Some of the most sought after sativa qualities include having an anti-anxiety effect, treating chronic pain, serving as an anti-depressant, increasing focus and concentration, as well as stimulating serotonin, an essential neurotransmitter responsible for learning, mood management, and sleep.

The good news is that the marijuana herbs have made it possible for us to have a solution for both day and nighttime. It is really interesting to look at hybrid strains as well as they offer the ultimate high experience, which is often a mixture of characteristics found in the separate subspecies. Trying both herb types to taste and feel the difference is a fun activity but we suggest that you start small and make sure that the herb is legal in your area. If you are a beginner, it may be useful to arrange a consultation with a doctor prior to experimenting to make sure that the chosen strains are the right ones for you. For the experienced smokers, try new indica or sativa strains with the glass blunt – the ultimate product for smoking marijuana.