Much as wine comes in red, white and blends of both, weed comes in three basic types: indica, sativa and hybrids. Knowing the difference between them can help you find the right bud for the buzz you want.
Weed, again like wine, comes in a huge whirl of varieties—OG Kush, Strawberry Cough, Girl Scout Cookies, White Widow, Alaskan Thunder Fuck— each with its own flavor profile, chemical makeup and unique high. Leafly, perhaps the most extensive weed reviews site, lists no less than 2,217 different strains. And yet, all the varieties from Granddaddy Purple to Super Lemon Haze descend from just two species of plants: Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa.
Early Western botanists named Cannabis indica for the region where they first collected it, though most of the indica distributed as a drug throughout the world descends from strains grown in Afghanistan and Pakistan (hence the “Kush” in many strain names). The shorter, fatter of the two plants is also perhaps the more iconic as the look of its distinctive leaves has become the symbol for weed and its associated legalization movement.
When it comes to the fun stuff, indica strains tend to offer a buzz that leans more to “stoned” than “high.” Historically and generally, the chemical profile of indica strains are lower in THC and higher in CBD than those of sativa. The result is a feeling of deep relaxation bordering on sedation, making it the right choice for fighting insomnia and anxiety, and just generally turning off your brain. It’s also the more psychoactive species.
Indica varieties also offer a stronger “body high,” making them popular for battling chronic pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and other ailments. A serious downside of indica strains, however, is their generally depressive qualities. Users already suffering from depression may want to avoid them and anyone concerned about turning into a messy, unmotivated couch creature should also be wary. Try these instead.
Famous and popular strains of indica include Northern Lights, Blue Cheese, White Rhino, and the majority of varieties that have “Kush” or “Purple” in their name.
Cannabis sativa is the taller of the two species, and has a more Asian background (though a very complicated history). It evolved in warmer climates than the indica, allowing to grow lankier and without the thick, sticky resin coating found on its burlier cousin. For those looking to grow at home, cultivating sativa plants requires far more space, lighting and warmth.
As suggested, sativa leans more toward THC than CBD in its chemical profile than indica. The result is—you guessed it—a feeling that’s more “high” than “stoned”. Most users find that sativa varieties offer a happier and more intellectual, invigorating buzz great for getting out of the house, charging creativity, hitting the gym, and even boosting productivity.
The downside of all that energy and high-speed thinking, however, is that a good number of users also experience anxiety, paranoia and even panic attacks with sativa strains. Avoid these strains if you tend toward social anxiety. It’s also less well regarded in the medical community when it comes to treating chronic conditions—though that shouldn’t stop the recreational user.
Notable strains of sativa include Jack Herer, Sour Diesel, the aforementioned Alaskan Thunder Fuck, and many offerings with “Haze” in their title.
Then there are the wild and sometimes unpredictable hybrids, strains cultivated from both indica and sativa. The hundreds of varieties here—including Pineapple Express, Blue Dream, AK-47 and Headband—boast a mix of effects from both plants, making picking the right one for the buzz you want a bit of a minefield.
While there is great variety here, the majority seem created for high, sativa-like THC profiles for energy with a dose of indica for relaxation.
When packaged, it can be very difficult to tell the three apart visually, though indica varieties tend to come in larger buds, show more resin and fewer white crystals. A knowledgeable dealer or legal budtender should be able to sort things out for you.
