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Sativas vs Indicas: The Main Differences

Jenn Keeler | January 30, 2017

As all good smokers know, there are two main species of cannabis: sativas and indicas (and, of course, lots of hybrids – mixtures of both). Cannabis Ruderalis is another species, but its much lower THC content means it’s not often grown for recreational use (i.e., it’s way too boring). It is high in CBD, however, and this makes it ideal for medical marijuana users (and some people grow it for this purpose).

But, in this article we’ll discuss the main species: sativa and indica. While they certainly have things in common – they’re both pot, after all – there are distinct differences between the two.

From the way sativa and indica are cultivated to how they make the user feel, knowing the variances is beneficial to seasoned and new users alike. So sit back, relax, and inhale this quick lesson.

The Geographic Origin

Different species of plants grow in different parts of the world and this holds true for the cannabis plant. Nowadays, cannabis is grown all over the globe, Sativa cannabis plant but its original origins are much more condensed. They’re also different for sativas and indicas.

Sativas generally hail from areas near the equator, places like Mexico, Southeast Asia, and South America (Colombia, mainly). Indicas come from the Middle East and the close proximity – Afghanistan, Morocco, India, Pakistan, and Turkey.

Growth Patterns

If you’re a grower, odds are you’ve noticed there are very overt differences between sativa and indica. Namely, size.

Sativas get very large, several feet tall, while indicas are much shorter (only three or four feet in height)

Sativas are often grown outdoors because of this – good luck growing one in your bedroom closet. Your mom will totally find out.

Leaf shape differs too – sativas have slender leaves while indicas are stockier – as does flowering time (though there can be overlap). Sativas average around ten to sixteen weeks to begin producing buds while indicas average around eight to twelve.

The Taste

With so many hybrids, pot has outdone Baskin Robbins in its offerings: there’s more than 31 flavors. But true sativas and true indicas do taste different from one another. Sativas offer earthy flavors, like pine. Indicas tend to be sweeter, with fruity flavors of berry.

The Effects

Most people wondering about the differences between sativa and indica mainly want to know about how each type of cannabis will make them feel. There is no one size-fits-all description for this: some people feel the same regardless of what type of weed they smoke; some people feel marked differences.

In general, sativas are more of a “life of the party” bud while indicas are more of a “my couch is my life partner” experience

Sativas tend to energize users and offer a cerebral high. They’re good for daytime use and inspire people to get things done, yes even things like income taxes and housework. They’re stimulating and improve the user’s sense of well-being. They promote creativity and conversation, making them ideal for any social situation.

Indica Cannabis plant , Indicas usually have berry or floral flavors Indicas are relaxing and offer a sedating experience. They produce a full body high and are typically better for night use or during times when a little “get up and go” isn’t required. They make some people very sleepy and leave them wanting to do nothing more than chill-out for the entire evening. They’re not great for interaction, but they do help you unwind after a rough week (or a wonderful week – they help you unwind after any kind of week).

Both sativas and indicas are psychoactive in their own rights; thus, if you’re smoking alone, you can always rely on the giant pink rabbit sitting beside you for company.

The Medicinal Benefits

Cannabis, as we’ve well established, harbors many medical benefits. Sativa and indicas overlap on several of these, with both proving beneficial to stifling nausea and priming the appetite, for instance. But they have individual strengths too.

Sativas are more beneficial for those suffering from depression, mood imbalances, and fatigue, while indicas are better for anxiety and insomnia

Sativas are often used to help things like ADHD, anorexia, and much less serious issues like writer’s block. Indicas are used for chronic pain, muscle spasms, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia.

Sativa’s possess these main talents:

Promoting a sense of well-being

Inducing optimism

Energizing the user

Increasing focus

Beating the blues

Indica’s are better able to:

Decrease body aches

Relax the muscles

Reduces seizures and other spasms

Relieve headache tension (particularly migraines)

Reduce stress and everyday anxiety

The Hybrids

Most marijuana shops offer their fair share of hybrids. Some of these very heavily favor one species over the other (they’re 80 percent indicia and 20 percent sativa, for example), while others split evenly at 50/50 (or close to it). Whenever a hybrid leans one way, you’re more likely to experience the effects of the dominant strain, but certainly not as acutely if you were smoking pure buds.

hybrid cannabis plant The advantage of hybrids is that they offer the best of both worlds. A hybrid that is close to even in ratio provides the user with a head and body high. A hybrid that is sativa dominant offers stimulation, but relaxes the body as well. A hybrid that is indica dominant, sedates the user without overwhelming them so much that they actually fall asleep.

Naturally, all of this is dependent upon a user’s biochemistry (whether the marijuana is a hybrid or not).

Different strains effect people differently and certainly things like THC and CBD ratio play a huge role

Whether you’ve eaten, your body weight, and your route of consumption do too. So does your gender and your experience with weed.

Some people experience sativas and love them: they’re Team Sativa all the way. Other people experience indicas and forever enjoy the sense of relaxation offered: they don’t need stimulation; that’s what coffee is for.