Sativa vs. Hybrid vs. Indica — Which Primary Strain is Right For You?
Cannabis is reaching new heights as a widely consumed plant with countless medicinal properties — and is becoming widely accepted as a relatively harmless, non-addictive alternative to opioids and other pharmaceuticals. According to the United Nations, there were nearly 200 million cannabis consumers worldwide in 2018. Due to centuries of anti-marijuana political policies, rhetoric and social consensus, the diverse aspects of the plant haven’t always been recognized and upheld.
Now, you can walk into a dispensary and there are 30 flower strains organized neatly into the following categories: Sativa, Hybrid and Indica. Then there’s Sativa-Hybrid and Indica-Hybrid. Your budtender may ask: Would you care for a little CBD in your flower? Here’s a 1:1. Do you want a potent, creative high? Here’s a 33% THC Sativa to rock your socks off.
Most people take the suggestion from the trusted budtender, and are happy with the suggestion. But if you’ve ever wondered what it all means, and how you can get the perfect high every time, check out this short list of everything you need to know to make the right choice for you!
SATIVA
Sativa is the right fit for you if: You’re looking for a buzzy, energetic high that will enhance mood, productivity & creativity. Sativas are perfect for daytime use, and give a sense of euphoria and happiness.
Some popular sativa strains are: Super Silver Haze, Green Crack, Durban Poison, Jack Herer, Sour Diesel, Blue Dream
When do you smoke it?: You’re working on a creative project, you’re exploring & sightseeing, or you want a clear-headed, daytime-appropriate boost that won’t put you down.
Where do you feel it?: You feel a sativa high in your head, so you don’t generally feel sluggish or tired while high.
Sativa may not the right fit for you if: You tend to overthink, get frequent headaches or be paranoid while high. If you are nervous about having this type of high, try lower percentage Sativas (up to 20% THC) to get an effect that won’t overwhelm you.
HYBRID
Hybrid is the right fit for you if: You’re looking for a mellow high — to enjoy either solo or socially. You don’t want to be too energetic or too stuck. This strain has a wide variety of medicinal properties, like reducing stress & anxiety, and easing the symptoms associated with chemotherapy and radiation.
Some popular strains are: Cereal Milk, Zookies, Gushers, Biscotti, Mimosa (sativa-dominant), Wedding Cake (indica-dominant)
When do you smoke it: You want relief from social anxiety, you’re looking to take the edge off, but you don’t want to be stuck, or need relief from mental fog.
Where do you feel it: 50/50 hybrids give you a full body high, and the heaviness depends on terpenes & potency. You feel sativa-hybrids a bit more in your head, and indica-hybrids a bit more in your body.
A hybrid may not be the right fit for you if: While hybrids are usually a pretty safe bet for most consumers, if you’re looking for something that gives you more of a boost of energy or stimulates your appetite, sativa or indica may be a better choice.
INDICA
Indica is the right fit for you if: You’re looking for an intensely-relaxing high, that can induce better sleep, anxiety and stress relief, chronic pain relief, stimulate appetite, and more.
Some popular strains are: OG Kush, Forbidden Fruit, Granddaddy Purple, Northern Lights, Blueberry, Afghani
When do you smoke it: You need acute pain relief, you want to lull yourself to a restful sleep, you’re looking to stimulate your appetite, or you want to seriously chill — netflix, popcorn, the whole shebang.
Where do you feel it: You feel an indica high in the body — the classic ‘stoner high’ we are introduced to from a young age is associated with the indica high. Slow, chill, happy, hungry & unbothered!
An indica may not be the right fit for you: If you do not want to feel sleepy, stuck or too out of it. While a lower potency indica may not give you as many of these symptoms, if you shop with percentage in mind, you shouldn’t make plans to be too active.
CBD-RICH
CBD-Rich is right for you: If you want a mild or non-existent high with heightened medical properties like pain and inflammation relief, relief from stress and anxiety, seizures, and more.
Some popular strains are: Harlequin, The Gift, Charlotte’s Web, ACDC, Cannatonic, Harle-tsu
When do you smoke it: You want relief, without the high because you’re taking your kids to the park or — well, holidays with the family and simply existing in 2020.
Where do you feel it: Depending on the ratio of CBD (non-psychoactive) to THC (psychoactive), you may not feel anything at all except relief from your symptoms. For example, if you smoke a 5:1 strain, you most likely won’t experience any psychoactivity, and you may find relief from your anxiety. A 1:1 strain would be better for pain/inflammation relief, but at that ratio, you can expect a mild high. If the THC part is a sativa strain, then you would feel a mild head high. CBD-rich options are great for consumers with severe symptoms that want to be productive, and don’t want the other symptoms that some pharmaceuticals might induce.
CBD-rich may not be the right fit for you if: You want relief, but you’re still trying to get mad high! You’re big on taste and terpenes — CBD-rich flower isn’t usually the best tasting flower.
