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Sativa vs Indica Plants: Understanding Effects and Uses

Learn how to choose products from sativa vs indica plants in this cannabis breakdown on their effects, appearances, and differences from the Mood Blog.

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Written by Brandon Topp

When you're shopping for weed, the variety can be overwhelming.

While everything derives from the trusty old cannabis plant, the categorizations vary and include names like indica, sativa, and hybrid, which mean nothing if you haven't been given a proper introduction.

Liberate yourself from any cannabis sativa cannabis indica debate, and learn about different strains with this helpful guide. From there, you can better determine what weed products are best for you.

Discover delicious edibles and potent smokeables of the cannabis sativa and indica persuasion across the Mood Shop today.

Table of Contents

  • What Determines Sativa or Indica

  • Cannabis Systematics and Cannabinoid Receptors

  • Effects of Indica and Sativa

  • Role of Terpenes in Cannabis

  • Choosing The Right Product For You

What Determines Sativa or Indica?

There are several factors that differentiate indica and sativa plants, including their parent plants, geographical origins, and THC content.

Origins

Indica strains of cannabis tend to grow in such regions as:

  • India

  • Pakistan

  • Eastern Europe

Sativa plants tend to grow in:

  • Southeast Asia

  • South America

  • Caribbean

Cannabinoid & Terpene Content

Because the effects of cannabis sativa and indica can differ, it would make sense to think the cannabinoid content is what differentiates the two.

Truthfully, terpenes, not only cannabinoids, determine whether a strain is categorized as indica, sativa, or hybrid.

Myrcene, a common terpene in cannabis, is present in greater volumes in indica strains than in sativa ones.

Effects

Indica products are more popular for nighttime usage when you're winding down and getting ready to sleep.

Cannabis professionals have pointed to myrcene, as well as higher levels of CBD in indica plants, as potential components that lead to this trend.

On the flip side, sativa strains are known for more energetic effects because of comparatively higher levels of THC and lower levels of CBD.

The entourage effect theory suggests that cannabinoids and terpenes work together in harmony to deliver medicinal efficacy to patients.

Because indica and sativa plants differ in their physiological effects, appearance, and psychoactive effects, it makes sense that their terpene and cannabinoid content also vary accordingly.

Learn more: Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid Effects: 5 Key Differences Explained

Cannabis Systematics and Cannabinoid Receptors

Why do different strains of cannabis produce different effects?

First, it helps to understand how any strain of cannabis translates its THC content to the high you enjoy after smoking or eating.

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that make up every cannabis plant, and THC and CBD are the main two that are developed and processed for their calming effects.

Cannabinoids bond with receptors in the body, known collectively as the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

THC is psychoactive, and CBD is non-psychoactive.

The relative amount of THC and CBD in indica, sativa, and hybrids varies.

Typically, sativa-dominant hybrids have higher levels of THC and lower levels of CBD, while indica plants feature a more balanced share between the two cannabinoids. 50/50 hybrids exist somewhere in the middle.

As you smoke more weed, you can find specific strains that either naturally have more THC or CBD, and as you get more experienced, you can shop based on your own personal taste.

Effects of Indica and Sativa

Because they vary in terms of THC content and terpene levels, unique strains that lean more towards indiva or sativa deliver varying effects.

These are generally where these strains trend towards.

Energy Levels

Indica strains tend to have more relaxing, soothing effects, while sativa strains are known for energizing and inspiring users.

These trends are part of why indica-dominant hybrids fall into the "chiller" categories for most cannabis classification systems and sativa strains fall into the more "productive" categories.

Check out strains that fall into Mood's Energized Cannabis category. Then, check out strains that fall into Mood's Chill Cannabis category.

Where It Hits

Indica strains provide a “body high,” while sativa plants deliver more of a “head high.”

Because of this, indica strains are more popular for movie nights and hanging on the couch, while sativa strains are popular cannabis hybrids for activities and adventures.

When looking at indica vs. sativa products, it's important to consider the type of energy or THC and CBD levels that would be ideal for you.

Uses of Indica and Sativa

Indica-dominant strains are often enjoyed when kicking back and relaxing, while sativa-dominant strains' energizing and stimulating effects are commonly enjoyed for outings and adventures.

Mood is not a health or wellness resource. We can't speak to the medical effects of medical cannabis or how specific strains play into your biological psychiatry.

For advice on medical cannabis, please check in with a doctor or qualified authority.

Many medical cannabis strains are available in recreational environments, but speaking to their uses or potential benefits gets tricky, which is why we steer clear.

Role of Terpenes in Cannabis

Terpenes play a significant role in how a cannabis strain affects you.

Some experts are calling to move away from the indica vs. sativa debate and instead focus on naming systems that better identify complex components like terpenes in various types of cannabis.

Terpenes are other naturally occurring compounds in the cannabis plant that influence the flavors and effects that specific types produce.

Cannabis terpenes can affect mood and energy levels of different strains. Dynamic terpene profiles make new and unique strains tastier and more potent than any weed that's been created before.

Physical Appearance of Indica and Sativa

Growers and those familiar with the plants can pretty easily tell the difference between indica and sativa plants just by looking at them.

Indica plants are shorter and have broader leaves, while taller sativa leaves are thinner.

Indica plants tend to have a woody stalk, while sativa plants have a fibrous stalk.

Choosing the Right Product for You

When you’re looking for the right cannabis product for you, head to the Mood website, where you can read detailed third-party reports on every product or strain.

You can shop for Mood Flower based on its quality and potency, with tiers for Economy, Premium, and Top Shelf strains.

You can also shop for any of Mood's cannabis products based on the strains, moods, and vibes they produce.

You can also zero in on sativa and indica strains easily when shopping with Mood.

Simply click on any product page for a detailed breakdown of any cannabis creation's cannabinoid content.

Strains categorized for more energetic moods will tend to be sativa, while those designed for more chill vibes will more often than not be indica.

If you're ever unsure or confused by the available cannabinoid research, please reach out to our customer service team to get a definitive answer on whether or not a given strain of cannabis is sativa or indica.

Cannabis Indica Products To Try From Mood

These cannabis-indica products are designed for chill times and cozy evenings.

For those who like a more CBD-forward CBD-THC ratio, these indica favorites could be the cannabis products for you:

Cannabis Sativa Products To Try From Mood

For those who are looking for more energy, sativa strains will be your favorite. These cannabis products come from Mood's Energized Category.

Sativa and indica strains can have a wide range of effects. Cannabis is a varied and dynamic plant.

Every strain of cannabis is its own hybrid form of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids.

All hybrids, each strain comes with its own THC ratio and unique composition, and discovering the specific flavors and feelings for each one is part of the fun of smoking cannabis.

Learn more about cannabis indica, cannabis sativa, and the many hybrid strains that can define a given cannabis plant on the Mood Blog today.

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