Related: <a title="Strains That'll Have You Feeling Energized" href="https://weedzly.com/library/best-strains-to-feel-energized">Strains That'll Have You Feeling Energized</a>
The number of people using cannabis is growing daily. It is estimated that more than 40.3 million Americans are active cannabis users. This number is expected to surge to 46.6 million users by 2025! That's not surprising. Cannabis was introduced into the market as an all-natural plant medicine with numerous medicinal benefits and an ability to relieve stress and anxiety.
However people use cannabis for different reasons, whether recreational or medicinal. Cannabis exists in numerous strains and could come three ways: <a href="https://weedzly.com/brands/flower-by-flowers/products/indica">Indica</a>, <a href="https://weedzly.com/brands/flower-by-flowers/products/sativa">Sativa</a>, or <a href="https://weedzly.com/brands/flower-by-flowers/products/hybrid">Hybrid</a>. Do these strains provide different effects that you should know about? Let's find out.
<img title="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673916466/articles/m9wka8ildtqh8pu0crrv.jpg" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673916466/articles/m9wka8ildtqh8pu0crrv.jpg" alt="Sativa Hybrid Indica" width="557" height="348" />
<h2 id="0">The Differences Between Indica,&nbsp; Sativa, and Hybrid Weed</h2>
Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa are the two main strains of the cannabis plant. Each of these strains produce different effects when consumed. Anecdotally speaking, Indica provides users with a body high associated with highly sedative, relaxing, and calming effects. These effects are popularly referred to as 'couch-lock.' <a href="https://weedzly.com/library/strains-thatll-have-you-feeling-couch-locked">What is couch lock?</a> Thus <a href="https://weedzly.com/library/best-strains-for-a-good-nights-sleep">Indica's are preferred for night time use when you want to relax and fall asleep</a>.
On the other hand, Sativa users report a mind high associated with uplifting, increased focus, and an energizing cerebral buzz. As such, Sativa's are preferred for daytime use when you need to be alert and more focused.
Sometimes growers can crossbreed Indicas and Sativas to create Hybrids that provide specific traits or effects. Experts believe that hybrids inherit the best qualities from their parents. As such, they may even be more potent than their original Indica or Sativa parent.
Hybrids can provide users with a body high or a mind high depending on its dominant parent. For instance, Sativa-dominant hybrids are believed to provide a mind high while Indica-dominant hybrids provide a body high.
Please note that experts who categorize the effects of any cannabis based on its strains may be inaccurate and misleading. Cannabis effects are based on more than just its strain. Numerous factors like the plant's chemical properties and a user's body biochemistry must be considered to determine the medicinal or recreational effects of cannabis.
<img title="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673916522/articles/ithwmmlmqqe8n6gksans.jpg" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673916522/articles/ithwmmlmqqe8n6gksans.jpg" alt="Types of weed" width="565" height="297" />
<h3 id="1">Physical Appearances: Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid</h3>
Cannabis cultivators often consider these differences when deciding the best plants to grow, whether indoors or outdoors. While Indicas and Sativas have very distinctive physical appearances, hybrids tend to assume the appearance of their dominant parent.
For instance, growers looking to grow their plants indoors are better off going for cannabis Indica. That's because they tend to grow short and generally stocky, reaching up to 3-6 feet tall.
They have a dense branching with broad and wide chunky leaves that make them appear bushy.&nbsp; Indicas grow much faster with a short flowering time of 6 to 7 weeks, and they produce bountiful harvests. If you are looking to <a href="https://weedzly.com/library/tips-for-growing">grow weed in your backyard</a>, do enough research before starting your own personal weed farm. This could help you in multiple ways and increase your yield.&nbsp;
Outdoor growers are better off going for Sativa strains since they can grow very tall, reaching than 15 feet high. They have thin, lightly colored, and fingerlike leaves. Sativas take their time to grow and mature. They have a flowering period of 9-15 weeks.
The physical appearance of Hybrids depends on their parents. For instance, growers often crossbreed Sativa strains while trying to control their height.
<h3 id="2">Effects: Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid</h3>
Perhaps the most crucial difference between Indica and Sativa is their <a href="https://weedzly.com/library/cbd-and-thc-whats-the-difference">THC to CBD ratio</a>. Cannabis plants contain numerous cannabinoids and terpenes that play a very significant role in determining the effects they deliver.
Indica strains and Indica-dominant hybrids tend to be more concentrated with CBD. Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is the non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants. According to rigorous clinical studies, CBD provides users with numerous therapeutic and medicinal benefits. From helping with insomnia, anxiety, depression to relieving pain and more!
Sativas strains and Sativa-dominant hybrids tend to have a higher level of THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, is the intoxicating and psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis plants that gets you high. Though it is mainly associated with recreational benefits, rigorous research shows that it also provides users with medicinal benefits. THC has been shown to help patients through the misery of chronic pain, address nausea, appetite loss, fight cancer, and more!
<img title="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673916565/articles/fjxs7oubyl332m9ibv05.png" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673916565/articles/fjxs7oubyl332m9ibv05.png" alt="Sativa indica hybrid" width="557" height="413" />
<h3 id="3">Flavors and Aromas: Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid</h3>
Terpenes are active oils that occur naturally in cannabis plants. While terpenes are mainly associated with the plants' distinctive flavors and aromas, new studies show that they also influence the medicinal and therapeutic effects delivered by THC and CBD.
Indica strains emit flavors of earth, bananas, berries, musky, and traces of spice. Sativa strains, on the other hand, tend to provide users with sweet, citrus, racy, and tangy flavors along with a pungent, sour smell.
<h3 id="4">The Bottom Line</h3>
All <a href="https://weedzly.com/strains">cannabis strains</a> have their distinctive chemical composition and provide different effects. When choosing the right strain to meet your needs, it's important to research and <a href="https://weedzly.com/library">understand every strain beyond its label of Hybrid, Sativa, or Indica</a>.