Common effects associated with indica strains include feeling relaxed, euphoric, happy, and sleepy. There is something scientific to make indicas make you sleepy and sativas make you more awake. Indica generally has a higher content of THC, CBN and myrcene. CBN is the cannabinoid that causes you to feel sedated.
Myrcene works in conjunction with higher THC levels and creates a feeling of high throughout the body. Sativa normally has lower THC, which means you can smoke the same amount and not feel as high. It also has a higher level of limonene, which gives it an energizing effect. Terpenes are the compounds that give cannabis its smell and taste, but what is not entirely clear is how exactly they alter the way different strains affect the consumer or how they interact with other cannabis compounds (such as THC and CBD).
That said, recent research suggests that different levels of key terpenes may be the source of most of the differences between specific strains and the broader categories of indica and sativa. Now that you know many of the most common differences between indica and sativa, what good is this for you? To tell you the truth, not much, because most modern cannabis is actually a hybrid mix of the two. CBD and THC are cannabinoids (Can-AH-bin-oids) found in marijuana. Many Indica strains have a similar THC level, but their overall composition is completely different.
When your mission is to move less, stay quiet and achieve as little as possible, the indica will be your walk or you will die. The belief in these distinctive effects leads many people to choose strains based on their original strain, such as indica or sativa, or to choose a blend in the hope of getting the best of both worlds. Indica varieties often give off a musky, earthy scent of tree sap and can help with appetite and sleep. The two main types of cannabis, Sativa and Indica, are used for a variety of medicinal and recreational purposes.
Indica in Latin means “from India”, which is where the resin-heavy psychotropic cannabis species originates. After years of cannabis use and distribution, taxonomic distinctions between indica and sativa species and subspecies became somewhat confused, leading consumers to group sedative strains into the indica category and invigorating strains into the sativa category. Indica-dominant strains can make you feel relaxed, while sativa-dominant strains can be uplifting and invigorating. With so many different subspecies and strains on the market, a hybrid can be significantly indica or sativa dominant.
This means that the real difference between indica and sativa plants, apart from their external appearance, is their balance of other cannabinoids and their terpene profiles. It's important not to say that everyone is different, as certain strains of Indica can have different effects from person to person. Despite Indica's reputation as a CBD powerhouse, strains like Critical Mass are hard to find. If you're hurting from an intense workout or a long day at work, drink some water and electrolytes, eat a healthy protein-focused meal, give yourself a little massage, and drink some indica.
Certain terpenes, such as limonene and pinene, are associated with that cheerful sativa feel, while myrcene, in particular, is believed to contribute to the deep chill of indicas. While both strains can relieve pain, indicas such as Animal Blues (THC 13.9%) are known to be sweet and slow, making the adjustment to the high a little milder for those who feel sensitive with bodily ailments.
