Indica vs Sativa

Different cannabis offers subtle, but important, differences in the type of psychoactive effects (or ‘high’). Sativa strains tend to produce a somewhat more euphoric, uplifting and creative high.

Indica varieties often produce heavier effects, sometimes with a profound body high/body stone. These indica strains can be especially popular with medical cannabis users, or with those seeking some serious chill out time at the end of a busy day.

However, that’s only part of the story. Many growers find that they, perhaps unexpectedly, get e.g. a strong head high from an indica. Your own personal endocannabinoid system also means that you may experience different effects to other people, even from the same strain.
Head high vs body high explained

One of the great joys of cannabis home growing is the chance to assess different strains and find out how you respond to sativa, indica and hybrid varieties. Some find strong preferences to particular types of weed, or even specific strains which deliver the best effects/medical relief.

Other growers find that they enjoy a sativa (or sativa dominant hybrid) first and a solid indica later in the evening. Many growers enjoy a selection of jars containing their favourite strains.
Head highs, often from sativa strains, can give a creativity or productivity boost, allowing users to get on with their tasks.

Body highs may be more suited to an evening chill-out session on the sofa with some good food. But each user has their own unique endocannabinoid system, meaning that we may all have our own preferences.

Some dedicated growers even maintain a collection of their favourite mother plants to ensure genetically identical offspring and guaranteed consistency of effects. Note also that there are relatively few completely ‘pure’ indica or sativa strains.

Many will have phenotypes that can express differing levels of sativa/indica. Astute growers will pay particular attention to the seed banks strain description and may read a few online grow reviews before deciding to buy cannabis seeds.
Head high vs Body high characteristics
Head high Body high
Creativity Relaxation
Focus Pain relief
Motivation Stress reduction
Clarity of thought Laid back
Extra energy for jobs & tasks Reduced aches & stiff muscles
Tendency to enjoy resting

What is a body high?

A body high, or body stone, is most often (but not always) associated with strong indica, or indica dominant hybrids. The effects may feel physically sedating. Often aches & pains will melt away. Vape/smoke too much and you may sense the onset of couchlock. The contents of the fridge may start to draw your interest.

With a well-baked body high, the user often feels so relaxed and content that they are quite happy to veg out on their sofa or bed, surfing or watching TV. Many medical users appreciate the strong body effects and feel this aids restful sleep/relaxation.
What is a head high?

A head high is usually (but not exclusively) associated with a strong sativa (or sativa dominant) cannabis seed variety, such as Haze A strong sense of euphoria is often accompanied by an energetic vibe. Artists & musicians often comment on the productivity boost that results from a storming head-high.
What is a hybrid high?

When growing a hybrid, the genetics often express characteristics of both the indica and sativa genetic lineage. For many growers, hybrid cannabis seeds offer a mixed effect, some body-high alongside a head high. Note that when growing a hybrid you may get some sativa leaning phenotypes and perhaps some indica leaning plants.
What is the effect of cannabis induced by?

THC is the main cannabinoid in most cannabis strains, and this produces the bulk of the psychoactive effects. But these effects are steered, or modulated, by the presence of other cannabinoids AND the cannabis terpenes. In addition to these variables is the fact that we all have our own unique endo cannabinoid system. This means that two different people may experience somewhat different effects from the same strain.

That’s the reason that so many different cannabis growers have their own personal favourite cannabis seed varieties. The real beauty of home growing is that it allows you to narrow down your own list of personal favourite strains, enabling you to produce crop after crop of banger harvests ideally suited to your own needs & preferences.
Identifying cannabis strains by type of effect

It’s generally, but not always true, that sativa strains tend to be more associated with a creative, energised high and indica strains are more closely linked to laid-back, chill-out effects. But various other factors should be considered.
THC levels & minor cannabinoids

With dozens of (largely unexplored) cannabinoids present in cannabis; little is known about the possible synergistic effects produced by an array of cannabinoids. Sometimes this is called the ‘entourage effect’ though it isn’t fully scientifically accepted.

An indica with the right THC loading and presence of certain other cannabinoids that suit your personal endocannabinoid system might produce a sativa-style head high.

Different people often get subtly different experiences from the same strain. Many have their own preferred strains that deliver the perfect type of high for them. The fact that there are so many different cannabis strains, rather than just a dozen ‘top’ ones, shows how varied the demand is when it comes to strains

When buying cannabis from the streets, coffeeshops, clubs or dispensaries the genetics in your bag may sometimes fail to impress. The only real way to guarantee perfect strains that give optimised effects for you is to grow the plants yourself.

Home growing allows you precise control over both the quality of the cannabis genetics as well as the way they were grown. Home growing also allows you to fine tune your own journey towards the perfect strains for you. Within a few grows you should start to get an idea of the types (and strengths) of cannabis that give you the most pleasure, fun and medication.

Enjoy your next grow!