Weed 101: Indica Vs Sativa

If you’re looking for a strain that will give you a specific kind of high, there are a variety of options available. Some strains are meant to give you a physical high, while others will give you a mental high. But there’s no evidence to support the idea that one strain is better than another when it comes to effects on the body or mind. So whatever you’re looking for, you can find it in a variety of strains.

Origins of Sativa & Indica

Cannabis is believed to have originated in Central Asia, specifically in what is now Mongolia and southern Siberia. Cannabis has been used for both psychoactive and medicinal purposes for thousands of years, dating back to before the ancient Chinese civilization. The first known use of marijuana as an anesthetic was 4000 B.C., and it was later brought into Korea in 2000 B.C. by coastal farmers. It soon became popular in India, where it was known as one of the five kingdoms of herbs for its effects on relieving anxiety. Cannabis then spread from Asia into Europe by a nomadic Indo-European group known as the Scythians. Germanic tribes brought the drug into Germany, Britain, and Russia during the 5th century. This lead to cannabis spreading to various regions throughout the world by the 19th century. Today, cannabis is popular in North America.

The term “Cannabis” comes from two different subspecies of the plant, marijuana and hemp. Hemp is made from pure plants, while marijuana is known for its psychoactive effects. These terms were coined by German and Swedish botanists, respectively, over 30 years ago. Around 30 years after the term “Cannabis indica” was coined, another psychoactive species of the plant was published by Jean-Baptiste Lamarch. He called it “Cannabis Indica,” which referred to the wild-growing psychoactive variety of cannabis discovered in India, predominantly used to produce hashish.

We know that the terms Sativa and Indica were originally used to describe different types of hemp plants, while today almost all of the strains people consume stem from the original Cannabis Indica strain. But because the terms have evolved to refer to different types of cannabis plants in the modern world, you can trust that the strains you’re buying are accurately classified.

Cannabinoids

There is no definitive answer as to which strain provides which specific effects, as this depends on a variety of factors including the chemical composition of the strain, your individual biology, and tolerance. Rather than relying on outdated terms like indica and sativa, it’s best to focus on the various compounds found in cannabis, such as terpenes and cannabinoids. There is no clear pattern between the effects we get from indicas, sativas, and hybrids, and the effects of any given strain will vary depending on these factors. If you’re able to understand how these variants impact your experience, you’ll have a better chance of finding the right strain for you.

Cannabis contains a variety of chemical compounds that create different effects. The most dominant compound is cannabinoids, which are responsible for cannabis’ therapeutic and recreational effects. It’s important to find the right strain, as different strains are THC (the main psychoactive compound) dominant, CBD dominant, or THC/CBD mixed. For those looking for an euphoric experience, THC strains are best suited. For those looking for relief from pain, CBD strains are best suited. And for those looking for a mix of both, THC/CBD mixed strains are ideal.

Terpenes

Terpenes are key aromatic compounds found in plants and fruits. They can influence the sedating and energizing effects of cannabis, with specific types of terpenes having a direct impact on these effects. There are a variety of terpenes found in different cannabis strains, each with its own unique effects.

Our top-rated cannabis strains contain β-Caryophyllene, which is known to have a variety of medicinal benefits. Recent research has shown that β-Caryophyllene can help relieve pain and inflammation, and is similar to CBD in its effects on the CB-2 receptors in the body. These strains are particularly beneficial for those suffering from chronic pain.

Pinene is a common terpene found in many plants, including pine trees. Recent medical studies have shown that pinene can be effective as an anti-inflammatory and can work well with CBD to interact with our CB-2 receptors.Pinene has also been found to help with memory and can be useful in combination with cannabis to help eliminate the mental fog that comes with smoking cannabis. Some strains of cannabis contain high levels of pinene, including Jack Herer and Mimosa.

Myrcene is a common terpene found in many foods, and it has anti-inflammatory and sedative effects. When consumed with cannabis, myrcene can help enhance the high and help with healthy sleep cycles.

Limonene is a common terpene found in nature and is known to have many benefits, including being an effective way to treat acne and ulcers. It is found in some popular cannabis strains like White Widow and Banana Kush.

Linalool is an essential oil found in lavender that has calming properties and is also known to help reduce anxiety and relieve pain. It can be found in some strains of cannabis, like Pink Kush and Grand Daddy Purple, which make them especially beneficial for aromatherapy use.

Nerolidol is known to work well with THC and CBN, which means it can help to relax and improve sleep. You can find it in strains such as Girl Scout Cookies and Blue Dream, which means it will be a perfect addition to your cannabis experience.

Caryophyllene oxide is a relatively unknown cannabinoid with anti-fungal properties and potential insect deterrent effects. It works synergistically with cannabinoids that affect CB-1 and CB-2 receptors. It is commonly found in OG Kush and Durban Poison strains.

Phytol is associated with cannabinoid CBG, and it can have a calming and relaxing effect on the brain by interacting with the GABA system. It can be found in Sour Diesel and Cheese strains.

When choosing a cannabis strain to help with a specific task, be sure to focus on the terpenes present. Terpenes are powerful contributors to the effects of a given strain, and should be taken into account more than simply categorizing strains by their indica or sativa status.

Forget Indica and Sativa

If you’re looking for a specific strain to treat a particular ailment, it’s important to consider its cannabinoid and terpenes profiles. A strain’s chemical profile can influence its efficacy and overall satisfaction, so it’s important to choose one that’s right for you.

If you’re still not sure which strain is right for you, take into account the eight most common cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis plants. Doing so will help guide you to the right product and get you started on your cannabis journey.

Cannabis contains four main cannabinoids: THC, CBD, CBG, and CBN.

The THC strain is the most dominant and widely used in cannabis. It provides many benefits such as increased appetite, relief from pain, anxiety, and the euphoric high.

CBD oil is a great solution for relieving pain, inflammation, anxiety, and countering the effects of THC.

CBN is known to help ease symptoms and side effects for neurological conditions, such as epilepsy and seizures.

CBG- Cannabigerol helps with symptoms like anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, PTSD as well as depression.

There are four main types of terpenes found in plants: beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinene, limonene, and linalool. Each has unique properties that make it a powerful ally in aromatherapy and skincare.

Myrcene is an earthy, anxiety-relieving scent that can help you get a good night’s sleep.

Linalool is a beautiful floral fragrance that can help you relax and feel good overall. It’s often found in lavender, which is known for its relaxing properties.

Caryophyllene has a spicy, pepper-like aroma that can help to activate CB2 receptors, which can help to improve things like inflammation and pain.

Pinene has a familiar pine scent that has been shown to help with memory and pain relief.