If you’ve ever noticed that different types of cannabis affect you differently, you’re not alone. Indica and sativa strains are the two major classifications of marijuana, and each produces different effects.
The type of cannabis plant you load into your bong will significantly alter your adventure. While indica is often the stereotypical plant represented in media, sativa strains are just as prevalent and offer their own excellent experience. A better understanding of these strains can help you find your THC sweet spot and dial in the perfect high.
Get ready for a higher education as we explore sativa and its high effects to better understand the buzz from these buds!
The Different Strains
The names “sativa” and “indica” come from taxonomy, where each term represents a different species of cannabis. Let’s get to know these species to help distinguish their differences in our strains.
Sativa Strains
Sativa plants thrive in hot, dry climates. They grow significantly tall, often two meters in height. The plant itself is recognizable by its thin, finger-like leaves.
Sativa strains contain higher levels of THC and lower levels of CBD. This ratio is the main factor in the effects of stereotypical sativa high. Most users report a cerebral high that’s uplifting, energetic, and alert.
Indica Strains
Indica plants are a short and stocky marijuana species that adapted to the challenging climate of the Hindu Kush mountain range. They grow faster than sativa and produce more buds.
Unlike sativa strains, indica often boasts high levels of CBD in addition to THC. They’re sought after for their reported tranquil, almost sedative high. The overall relaxing effect of indica has earned it the nickname “in da couch.”
Hybrid Strains
Due to many years of cross-breeding, pure indica and sativa strains are rare. Most strains are a hybrid of both. Even within hybrids, strains usually fall under sativa-dominant or indica-dominant classifications.
The effects of hybrid strains vary greatly depending on the type of cannabinoids and terpenes found in the plant.
Sativa Compounds
Because many strains are hybrids, the best way to know how the bud in your joint will affect you is to understand its compounds. The entourage effect is the term for cannabis compounds coming together to bolster the overall high of marijuana.
The following compounds, also known as cannabinoids, combine to produce sativa’s high effects.
THC
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC for short, is the psychoactive element in cannabis. THC helps the body release dopamine, a hormone associated with good feelings.
Users report that cannabis strains with high THC levels lead to feelings of intoxication. Relaxation, creativity, and amusement are some of the most common effects of THC.
CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) has the same molecules as THC, but their arrangement is different and not psychoactive. Research regarding CBD is still in its infancy, but users report strains with higher CBD provide the classic indica high.
Generally, cannabis flower with high CBD has a more mellow, soothing effect.
Terpenes
Terpenes are most associated with your strain’s scent and flavour but also influence its effects. In sativa strains, these compounds bolster the energetic buzz of the high. Common sativa terpenes include terpinolene, myrcene, and alpha-pinene.
Popular Sativa Strains
Now that we’ve explored what produces sativa’s high effects, let’s get to the fun part—the bud!
The following strains are popular amongst users who want an uplifting, buzzy high most often associated with sativa. Your mileage may vary, which is why we recommend newcomers to cannabis always start slow. A little can go a long way. Remember, you can always smoke more.
Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel is an icon in the cannabis community, setting the scene ablaze since the early ’90s. This legacy strain is a hybrid, but because of its THC levels and caryophyllene, myrcene, and limonene terpenes, it aligns with sativa’s high effects.
As the pungent flavour from Sour Diesel fades, users report an energetic high that melts away stress as it motivates. Smoking sessions with Sour Diesel can quickly turn into brainstorming sessions!
Amnesia Haze
If a cannabis strain is good enough for Amsterdam’s coffee shops, then we think it’s worth loading into your pipe! Amnesia Haze is an award-winning sativa strain popularized in Amsterdam’s world-famous coffee shops.
With its high THC and myrcene terpenes, smokers claim Amnesia Haze produces an energetic euphoria. By promoting all-around good vibes, this strain is an excellent choice for sharing a smoke with friends. Sparking up this strain is sure to spark a conversation, too!
Pineapple OG
At 70% sativa, Pineapple OG is definitely heavy on the cerebral buzz. But because it has slightly less THC than a pure sativa strain, its heady effects don’t send you blasting off so high you can’t get things done.
Pineapple OG is an excellent companion to creative pursuits. Throw a bud in your one hitter when you want an energetic shift in perception to help propel projects that require an artistic approach.
Lemon Cake
This cake is so good it doesn’t need any frosting! Lemon Cake is a sativa-dominant hybrid with an energizing kick. Many smokers compare puffs of this strain to strong cups of coffee.
The physical energy of Lemon Cake can make activities like jogging or hiking more enjoyable. Whatever you do, we recommend listening to your favourite songs after a smoke session with this bud—the high effects of this sativa can feel like you’re hearing them in a whole new light.
Strawberry Cough
Strawberry Cough is the perfect name for this potent, berry-flavoured strain. It’s a cross between Haze and Strawberry Fields that will leave you in a cloud of fruity smoke as your mind elevates with the uplifting sativa’s high effects.
The energy smokers report from puffing Strawberry Cough suggests a great mood-boosting, stress-relieving strain. Throw these nugs in your bubbler when you could use a puff, puff, pick me up!
The Final Puff
Sativa strains provide a euphoric, “lifted feeling” that really makes getting high feel like you’re above the clouds. Tapping into this species of cannabis can feel like a portal to a buzzy but focused mindset.
The Joint has a massive selection of premium cannabis at incredible prices. Shop our cannabis store now to find your favourite strains and get same-day delivery!
