Whenever I go into a dispensary and ask about various strains, the first thing every single budtender mentions is whether the strain is indica vs sativa, or hybrid. Most people who've heard of indica and sativa know that sativa's produce head highs and indica's give a more sedative experience. If you know this too, you're wrong. The difference between indica vs sativa has absolutely nothing to do with the feeling you get when you smoke it.
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The Actual Difference Between Sativa and Indica
The real difference between sativa vs indica comes from the structure of the plant and the length of growing cycles. Sativa plants can grow very tall with long narrow leaves while indica plants never reach the same height and produce broader leaves. Sativa plants also require much longer flowering cycles, making them suited for dry and warm climates. Indica plants flower much faster and can handle cooler climates with shorter growing seasons.
Although interesting and significant for cultivators, these characteristics make no difference to the experience you feel when you consume it!
What Should You Be Using Instead of Indica vs Sativa
When you smoke a plant, you ingest chemicals produced by the plant. In the cannabis plants, the most important chemicals are called cannabinoids. Of many different cannabinoids, THC and CBD most impact the experience and feeling associated with a strain.
THC takes responsibility for the head high while CBD produces many of the body effects and feelings of relaxation. THC acts as a psychoactive chemical while CBD is anti-psychotic. The ratio between these two cannabinoids determines whether a strain will make you creative and energetic (high THC) or want to relax on the couch (high CBD).
Indica vs Sativa Strain Terpenes
Strain-specific terpenes can also influence the experience but less is known and proven about their specific effects. Many plants other than cannabis produce terpenes and aromatherapy is basically the understanding and practice of using various terpenes. These unique molecules give cannabis its flavors and scents, but also can have their own active properties. More study is needed to prescribe specific terpenes but in general, the terpene profile is thought to play a role in the overall cannabis strain experience.
Final Thoughts
It is time to stop saying a strain is indica, sativa, or hybrid unless you're a grower. These terms are truly only relevant to the growth morphology of a cannabis plant! When you're looking for specifics about cannabis for your own needs, hopefully, you can make a more informed decision and educate others as well.
