When you step foot into a dispensary, one of the first things you’ll notice is that there are numerous strains available. All of these strains fall into one of three categories: hybrid, Sativa, or Indica. While these categories don’t tell you everything you need to know about a particular product, they can provide you with some general insight that allows you to custom-tailor your cannabis experience to your specific needs.
Sativas: The Energizing Cannabis Strains
The hybrid, Sativa, and Indica categories offer some insight into the appearance of a specific plant. Sativa plants grow tall and thin, and they feature leaves with long, slender points. Like the rest of the plant, the buds are long, thin, and quite light.
Hybrid, Sativa, and Indica titles also give you an idea of what types of effects you can expect to feel. Sativas are generally energizing strains. They provide mental stimulation that can promote focus and motivation, as well as increase your natural creativity. Whether you need something to help you get through the day that won’t sedate you, or you need something to help you tackle work or creative project, a Sativa strain might be just what you need.
Indicas: The Relaxing Strains
Where Sativa strains are tall and slender, Indica plants are squat and wide in stature. The leaves are stubbier and fatter, too. Unlike the long light buds of Sativa plants, Indica buds are compact and firm.
Indica strains provide a body high. They can help to relax your muscles, ease your aches and pains, and calm racing thoughts. Some of the more potent strains can sedate you, locking you to your sofa and making it feel nearly impossible to get up. They can help you to drift off to sleep more easily, allowing you to wake up feeling more rested and refreshed.
Hybrids: The Best of Both Worlds
Finally, there are hybrid strains of cannabis. These strains are a result of crossbreeding. By crossing a Sativa with an Indica, you get a combination of the two. The plants can be a mix of traits. For instance, you could have a plant that’s slightly taller than a pure Indica but shorter than a full Sativa. The leaf points might be long but wide or short and thin.
As for the effects, you’re likely to get the best of both worlds. The exact effects vary from one hybrid to the next, but you typically get a combination of a head high and a body high. For instance, a strain might start with cerebral effects, promoting motivation and focus before it transforms into full-body relaxation.
Choose the Best Strain for Your Needs
One of the best things about cannabis is that there’s a strain (or several) out there for just about everyone. No matter what your specific symptoms, you’re likely to find a variety that can provide you with the relief you need. Understanding the differences between hybrid, Sativa, and Indica strains make it that much easier to find what you need for the best experience possible.