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Indica or Sativa: Which One Is For You?

Whether you are a beginner trying out different forms of cannabis or a regular user, you may always ponder over the question of which strain of cannabis is the best for you. There can be a great deal of confusion while choosing the right strain between Indica and Sativa forms of cannabis. If you are suffering from a similar dilemma, here is a quick guide on how you can choose the right one, understand their health benefits, and the differences between the two forms.

Difference between Sativa and Indica

A comparison between Sativa and Indica

The key difference between Sativa and Indica strains is the affected area. While sativas target the head, the effects of indicas are felt mainly on the body. As a result, sativas reduce anxiety and improve focus. On the other hand, Indicas reduce insomnia and create a feeling of relaxation in the entire body. Some of the other differences between these two strains such as the origin, plant description, the ratio of CBD and THC, time of usage, and popular sub-types are discussed here.

  • Origin

Cannabis sativa is mainly found in the hotter and drier regions like Africa, Central regions of America, Southeast and Western Asia where there are long durations of sunlight during the day. Cannabis indica is also found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Indian peninsula, and Turkey which have harsh and dry climatic conditions.

  • Description of the plant

Sativa plants are usually long and can grow up to 12 feet. They have finger-like thin leaves which take a longer duration to mature when compared to other forms of cannabis. Indica plants are shorter in height and have wider leaves. These plants take less time to grow and mature when compared to the Sativa plants. Growing your own seeds can help you achieve a better quality of plants. You can choose from auto-flowering seeds, seeds having varying amounts of CBD and THC, and so on. To know more about the type of plants, you can check out Farmers Lab seeds.

  • Amount of CBD and THC

Sativas have lower CBD content and higher content of THC. Similarly, indicas have a high THC content with almost equal amounts of CBD.

  • Usage timings

The best time to consume sativas is during the daytime. On the other hand, the best time to consume indicas is during the night because of the relaxation it produces.

  • Popular sub-types

There are three strains of Sativa that are the most common among the users namely Acapulco Gold, Durban Poison, and Panama Red whereas the most common strains of indicas are the Hindu Kush, Afghan Kush, and Granddaddy Purple.

How to choose the right one for you?

A cannabis plants at a mature stage with visible trichomes and a mixture of green and purple hues on the leaves.

Here are some things to consider while choosing the right cannabis strain for yourself.

1. Understand what you are trying to achieve

The first thing to consider is to know what you are trying to achieve from the use of cannabis. If you are trying to treat a mental problem, it is better to go for Sativa strains whereas if you are trying to treat a body problem, indicas should be your go-to marijuana strains. You can talk to the dispensary owner to know which strains would suit you better depending upon your requirements.

2. Understand your tolerance power

Your tolerance towards the various strains of cannabis must be one of the most important factors while deciding on a particular strain of cannabis. Some strains are labeled as entry-level strains. This means the effects of such strains are mild and tolerable, suited especially for beginners.

3. Take your medical history under consideration

If you are suffering from any medical condition or had one in the past, it is extremely necessary to consult a medical professional while deciding on using cannabis. This is because marijuana can interact with medical conditions and cause severe side effects. Even though cannabis strains are grown naturally and don’t contain any synthetic elements or chemicals, there can still be potential risks with using cannabis.

4. Choose the best consumption method

As you may know, cannabis can be consumed in several ways like smoking, vaping, chewing, and so on. Each of these consumption methods has its own benefits and disadvantages. For example, if you decide on smoking cannabis, there can be side effects on your lungs because of the smoke that goes inside.

5. Check the legality of the strain in your area

Some strains of cannabis may not be legal in your area. So it’s better to check the legalities before choosing a particular strain. In some places, cannabis is completely illegal whereas, in some, medical marijuana and even recreational marijuana are legal to some extent. In addition to this, if you are thinking of growing your own cannabis seeds, you must keep the legalities in your mind. Don’t forget to buy seeds from a legit and reliable store like Farmers Lab Seeds.

Mac Jackman