This website receives a commission for using affiliate links within our content. Although we receive commission for using and linking to these products, all of our opinions and suggestions are recommendations only.

Indica Cannabis Strain

Indica marijuana strains grow well indoors as it is shorter and denser than sativa cannabis strains. Cannabis indica features compact nodes and a heavy hit that may leave you couch locked.

Indica strains are said to have a relaxing effect on the body where as Sativa strains have a lighter, more energy-efficient high and hybrids fall somewhere in the middle. Hybrid varieties exhibit a variety of growth characteristics, from bushy to high and many different leaf variants. Most strains are called Indica or Sativa, although the hybrid genetics are inherited from subspecies. [Sources: 9, 11, 13]

indica under lighting and fan

There are several major differences between Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa, including size, stance, internodal length, leaf size and structure, bud size and density, flowering time, smell and smoke effects. On average, C. indica has a higher THC content than CBD, whereas C. sativa can contain both high amounts of THC and CBD. A 2015 study showed that the average THC content of popular herbal cannabis products has decreased in the Netherlands since 2005. [Sources: 10]

Thanks to the growing interest in medical marijuana, growers are developing strains of cannabis that have the same CBD to THC ratio, and one of these strains is the ACDC. Hybridised varieties of Indica sativa are popular with smokers who want a bit of both. Although cannabis has been used for thousands of years, it is not yet clear whether Indica sativa is a cannabis species in its own right. [Sources: 5]

When cannabis users think of Indica and Sativa marijuana strains, they often think of an Indica strain as quiet, perfect for relaxing with a movie, nightcap or bed, while a Sativa strain is stimulating and uplifting, with cerebral effects that blend well with physical activity, social gatherings and creative projects. Indica, generally speaking, may impair you to the point of couch lock, where as Sativa may give you more energy and focus in certain settings. However thats not always the case. The reason why not all products available from dispensaries offering Sativa strains are stimulating or vigilant is the same reason not all Indica products have a calming effect. The effects of these strains may have dwindled over the years. [Sources: 7, 13]

indica grown outdoors australia

There are many Indica strains that cause pain, insomnia, nausea and loss of appetite, but these strains are not an exact science. People often say that cannabis, especially Indica strain, relaxes their muscles and supports their brain. Many find it makes them sleepy, which can be a good thing for people with insomnia. [Sources: 4]

As research begins and we learn more about the cannabis plant it turns out that the chemical compounds in each strain (cannabis, cannabinoids, terpenoids and strains) influence the effect you feel, and not just the strain of Indica or Sativa. Cannabis may help or impair sleep is mixed, but users report that some strains for sleep help them sleep better. [Sources: 4, 13]

There are many other factors that play a role in creating the recreational and medicinal effects of strains of marijuana. In this article you will learn more about the differences between the tribes and the effects that Indica and Sativa produce. Today’s belief that Indicas and Sativa are hybrids with different effects is rooted in mainstream cannabis culture. [Sources: 1, 13]

Botanists use physical differences among stems such as height differences, branch patterns and shape of leaves to identify different stems of plants. Indica strains tend to produce physical effects that are felt in the body. They are used to relieve pain, relieve muscle tension, increase relaxation and help patients to rest. [Sources: 1, 7]

Indica strains are recommended for night use, and many patients find Indica strains helpful in promoting sleep. Sativa strains tend to produce cerebral effects that affect mood and emotions. There are two strains, 17 percent THC and 0 percent CBD (it’s responsible for the one that sticks you on the couch) and the other that stimulates your mind. [Sources: 7, 12]

An experienced and helpful pharmacy attendant will be able to outline what you can expect so that you can choose a product that suits your needs. You will be armed with information about Sativa and Indica (an outdated way of understanding marijuana strains), and you will have the knowledge you need to find the kind of bud you are looking for. [Sources: 12]

Choosing a cannabis variety can feel like a daunting task, especially if you are in a pharmacy that contains dozens of strains. There is an endless variety of strains of cannabis, each of which has its own clever name and lists of potential physical and psychological effects, health benefits and cures for common diseases. In regards to crossbreeding of plants and the lack of patents in the industry, searching for strains based on an Indica or Sativa label or a variety name can be an unreliable way to find the weed you like, according to Steve Albarran, founder and CEO of research company Confident Cannabis. [Sources: 4, 6, 9]

The cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) the two most studied and discussed elements of cannabinoids, are present in various strains of marijuana. Researchers have identified at least 144 different cannabinoids. Indica tends to have higher CBD and lower THC levels, so that it has more physical effects and less of the mental “high” associated with cannabis use. [Sources: 1, 6]

Readers will learn that the pungent flavors of many cannabis strains are the result of terpenes, special molecules in cannabis that are similar in many ways to the cannabinoids THC and CBD. Knowing that the cannabis plant is an Indica sativa strain does not provide much information about the relative quantities of the two most studied and discussed elements, the cannabinoids found in different strains of marijuana or what the plant contains, but people tend to think that this knowledge is helpful. Many have suggested that a specific cannabis strain could be classified as Indica, Sativa or hybrid due to the presence or absence of a particular cannabinoid or cannabinoid in a given volume, but terpene determines the importance of a strain. [Sources: 1, 14]

The name “Indica” is derived from its original name Indian Hemp , a name for Cannabis that originated in India and is grown wild in the foothills and valleys of the Hindu Kush Mountains. [Sources: 3]

##### Sources #####

[0]: https://www.trycannavine.com/blog/difference-between-indica-and-sativa

[1]: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/indica-vs-sativa

[2]: https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-019-0001-1

[3]: https://thcdesign.com/strains/indica-strains/

[4]: https://www.healthline.com/health/indica-strains

[5]: https://www.themanual.com/culture/indica-vs-sativa-weed-cannabis-marijuana-types/

[6]: https://salisburygreenhouse.com/indica-vs-sativa/

[7]: https://patriotcare.org/understanding-indica-sativa-hybrid-strains/

[8]: https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blog-top-10-cannabis-indica-strains–n69

[9]: https://www.insider.com/indica-sativa-graphics-show-cannabis-based-on-strain-is-useless-2021-9

[10]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_indica