Education

Medically Reviewed By:

Nidra Sidhu, M.D. Integrative Medicine

Indica vs. Sativa – What’s The Difference?

As you dive deeper into the hemp world, you may encounter terms like cannabis strains, sativa, indica, or hybrid. There’s a lot to know about this powerful plant, and we’re here to help educate you about the ins and outs of indica and sativa so you can make informed decisions about what you’re consuming on your wellness journey.

The reason the different strains from the cannabis plant matter is because the indica vs. sativa edibles effects vary due to the chemical makeup of those strains. We’ll go deeper into these differences in the section below. Are you curious about which strains are right for you?

Continue reading to learn more. 

Some of the things we’ll touch on in this article are: 

When most people think of indica vs. sativa, they think indica plants equal couchlock and sativa means support. This isn’t always the case, especially as everyone’s body chemistry is different and will respond differently to different product. Some indica plants may be uplifting for some while some sativa strains tend to cause stress. 

There’s no “right way” to consume the different stains. It’s all about understanding the differences between the indica vs. sativa leaf so your approach to the plant is more well-rounded. You may be surprised to know that those terms don’t actually determine the effects, and are rooted in botany — the cannabinoid makeup and terpenes are what determine the effects of the strain.

While this is true, the stereotypes about these different strains exist for a reason. 

If you’re ready to learn more about indica vs. sativa effects, keep reading.

Indica vs. Sativa: What Are They?

The terms indica and sativa plants are used to describe the different types of cannabis plants, along with cannabis plant ruderalis (which we’ll talk about a little later). The hemp plant is traditionally found in different parts of Europe and Central Asia. There were geographical barriers like the Himalyan Mountains that allowed for two different populations of the hemp plant to flourish — indica vs. sativa. 

When referring to indica plants and sativa leaf, people often mean the kinds that have a THC content above the federal legal limits. This is a narrow view of cannabis strains and hemp because products ranging from cannabidiol to any other hemp-derived product also come from a specific strain.

They often just get lumped into the category of “industrial hemp.” Indica and sativa strains are a way to help organize the thousands of different strains ranging from “Hindu Kush” to Maui Wowie. They are especially helpful when it comes to medical marijuana.

Now that you know a little about the origins of these types of hemp, let’s take a look at the indica effects, sativa strains effects, and their differences. 

The Different Parts Of The Hemp Plant

Many different parts of the hemp plant offer benefits and experiences for the body, primarily when they work together to create the Entourage Effect. Indica vs. Sativa effects varies based on these different hemp compounds that we’ll get into below. 

What are the different cannabinoids?

The cannabinoid profile is really where it’s at to determine how a strain and chemical compounds might affect the body. Which is better: Indica vs. Sativa for pain? It depends on this cannabinoid profile and the terpenes that might be beneficial for interacting with the different pain receptors in the body. 

The most popular of the different hemp plant compounds include: 

Of course, there are others like CBG, CBN, and over 100 more major and minor phytocannabinoids. Today, we want to focus on THC and cannabidiol because they have the most information available. While more studies have been done on cannabidiol and less on the effects of THC thanks to its legality, we’re most curious about tetrahydrocannabinol, especially delta 8 THC.

While delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol is only legal up to 0.3% on a dry weight basis, the same isn’t true for delta 8. Both of these are a type of THC, but delta 8 has shown to be a smoother, and longer-lasting version of delta 9. Delta 8 is also legal in most states. 

There aren’t many risks in consuming delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol unless you count the potential for euphoria. The delta 8 benefits far outweigh any cons. But if you’re new to this plant compound (and even if you’re not), we recommend starting small and working your way up with serving sizes so you can gauge how your body reacts to it.

Different serving sizes work for different folks thanks to considerations like genetics, metabolism, what you’re consuming, how much you’re consuming, how often you’re consuming, and so on. 

If you’re consuming cannabidiol, delta 8, delta 10, or delta 9 THC, you may be wondering how long does delta 8 stay in your system? You can read the linked article to learn more about how long delta 8 stays in your system, and it all comes down to the factors listed above, like body chemistry and the amount taken. 

Does delta 8 show up on a drug test? Again, it depends, but it can show up on a drug test due to those tests looking for the metabolite THC-COOH. If you did fail a drug test while consuming delta 8, it would be considered a false positive because it isn’t illegal federally. Delta 8 may show up on a drug test if it reached a specific cut-off value, or it may not be present at all. 

What are terpenes?

In simple terms, terpenes are the aromatic oils found in different plants. When you buy essential oils, those are terpenes. When you smell lavender and rosemary on your fingers after rubbing the raw plant in between your fingers, those are terpenes. The scent you are inhaling is the terpenes. But this isn’t all they are, a scent.

Terpenes are developed to help attract pollinators, and repel predators, and are shaped by climate, geography, soil types, time of day, and many other factors, which is pretty cool. 

Different terpenes are believed to produce different effects — some offering relaxation and others promoting clarity. Some popular cannabis strains terpenes include: 

Many of these are believed to have supporting properties. More studies are needed to understand how these terpenes interact with other cannabinoids in the body to create the Entourage Effect. The terpenes may act one way on their own and then shift their functions as they start to mingle with other hemp compounds.  

The list is too long to explain all of the terpenes found in the hemp plant — over 150! And the terpenes naturally occurring in the plant are a significant reason why you should consume broad-spectrum or full-spectrum hemp products — because those types of extracts will contain all of these beneficial terpenes rather than filtering them out during extraction.

What Are Indica And Sativa Hybrid Strains?

Perhaps when you’re out shopping for your favorite hemp-derived products, you come across the “hybrid strains.” What are Indica and Sativa chocolate edibles hybrid strains? Really, it has more to do with the cannabinoid profile than whether it is an Indica or Sativa-dominant strain.

Hybrid strains are generally cross-breeding between the Indica and Sativa leaf strains, which gives you hybrid strains variation. As with all strains, you’re going to want to look at the cannabinoid profile and terpene profile to genuinely understand what type of experience you’re likely going to get. Of course, this can take some effort, so doing your research when looking into hybrid strains ahead of time will always be helpful.

What Are Cannabis Strains? What Is Cannabis Ruderalis?

So you’ve heard of cannabis Sativa plants and cannabis Indica, but you haven’t heard of cannabis ruderalis just yet. Let’s talk about it! The origins of cannabis ruderalis aren’t entirely certain, but it’s believed — and contradicted — by many experts to be a subspecies of cannabis Indica and is native to Asia, and Central and Eastern Europe, specifically Russia.

This was once considered a wild breed but has been embraced by specific cultivar communities. It’s a short and stalky little plant, especially compared to the Indica strains vs. Sativa strains varieties. 

Cannabis ruderalis plants usually grow to be around one to two and a half feet tall with smaller yet still chunky buds. Those buds on all of these hemp plants contain and produce the majority of the plant compounds that we’re discussing in this article.

How does this “wild” plant make you feel? Well, that depends on how it’s grown. It’s a highly resilient and hardy plant capable of “autoflowering” — it flowers on its own without the need for a specific light cycle to get it going — and because of those traits, it’s crossbred with Sativa plants and Indica edibles strains to make THC-rich strains and cannabidiol-rich strains that recreational and medicinal users love. 

Once upon a time, this wasn’t a very popular strain because it had low THC content, but now breeders have created the best of both worlds — an auto-flowering plant that matures quickly and is also rich in the plant compounds that consumers know and love. So when you’re shopping for your favorite Indica and Sativa leaf, remember that there are other species out there like ruderalis who are adding to the complexity and beauty of this industry. 

Now let’s look at Indica and Sativa for pain, common delivery methods, and the different ways you can consume this product. 

Indica Strains vs. Sativa Strains For Pain And Delivery Method

There are plenty of ways to consume delta 8 THC, so there are no excuses for not trying it out if you really want to. What is delta 8, exactly? We touched on it earlier. Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol is a type of THC that is both psychoactive and legal in most states. It occurs naturally in small amounts in the hemp plant, and so many premium producers of delta 8 create it through a complex process called oxidation that converts delta 9 THC and cannabidiol into delta 8. 

When purchasing delta 8 products, always ensure they are a premium brand by checking for third-party lab testing and good manufacturing practices.

This way, you can guarantee that you’re getting what the label says you’re getting. It is also compliant with federal regulations on the legal amount of delta 9 allowable within a hemp-derived product. 

If you’re looking to buy delta 8 online (or any hemp-related products), it’s helpful to understand what each delivery method offers. Below you’ll find the four most common delivery methods for using this powerful plant.

Edibles.

Edibles come in all shapes and sizes. You can purchase gummies, chocolate brownies, capsules filled with hempy goodness, and a variety of other treats that are easy to consume and can add a lot of fun to the experience. Edibles are typically longer lasting in the body because they’re processed through the liver. This process takes a little longer for the plant compounds to reach the bloodstream, and then they hang out there, offering a smoother experience. 

Activation time for edibles can range anywhere from 30 minutes to over 2 hours, and that’s because of how it’s processed and because a bunch of other factors come into play. If you’ve just eaten a huge meal and then take some delta 8 gummies 1000 mg, it might take a little longer for those gummies to kick in because they’re essentially waiting in line behind your food.

Your metabolism, body chemistry, serving size, and other factors also come into play for activation time.

Drop it under the tongue.

Tinctures and oils are another popular delivery method that can offer powerful Indica Strains effects and Sativa plants effects. These tinctures are a liquid, typically in a bottle with a dropper where you can measure out how much you want.

The liquid is dispensed into your mouth and usually underneath your tongue. Once it lands here, your mouth starts to do some work by absorbing the liquid through the membranes there where it can then enter the bloodstream. 

Activation for this delivery method can range anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes to upwards of 30 minutes.

It’s a bit faster than edibles, although it may not last as long because of how it enters the bloodstream. It’s possible to find broad-spectrum and full-spectrum tinctures, as well as ones that incorporate other terpenes to give it a more palatable flavor profile for those who aren’t a fan of the taste of hemp. 

Inhaling.

Inhalation offers the fastest activation because it’s going straight to the lungs and into the bloodstream. While there are some drawbacks to this delivery method (like inhaling combusted air), it also has its perks. If you want something discrete, you can “sip” on your hemp by taking baby hits of vapor. If you need rapid relief, inhaling might give you that instant gratification.

This is a popular consumption method, and it’s also the shortest-lived. Only you can decide what is the best delivery method for your needs and desires.

Apply It Externally.

Topical delta 8 THC and other hemp-derived products are rising in popularity. You don’t have to ingest delta 8 to experience its benefits.

Topical products come in the form of lotions, salves, ointments, and more. You just rub them into the skin wherever it suits you, and voila! For some, it’s soothing for sore muscles, and for others, it provides a calming ritual to begin or end the day. 

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it can absorb plant compounds in its own way. While it may not get you high, it doesn’t mean it isn’t working some kind of magic. Of course, more research is needed to understand the effects of the plant compounds on the skin and in the body when absorbed through the skin. 

Delivery Methods

Each of these delivery methods — delta 8 edibles, tinctures, inhalation, and topicals — offer their own unique benefits. Our favorite delivery method is edibles because it provides a prolonged, smooth high compared to shorter-lived experiences. You might enjoy trying out each option so you can decide what feels best for you. You never know! You might like all of them for different reasons. 

Choosing Between Indica And Sativa Edibles

Now it’s time to choose between the different Indica strains vs. Sativa edibles. Delivery method and strength or serving size goes hand-in-hand with delta 8 and other hemp-derived compounds. Similar to HHC vs. Delta 8, the amount you take will determine how much your body absorbs and uses. This availability is called bioavailability, and it depends on how the plant compounds are delivered and the quality of the product that determines how much your body can actually use. 

When choosing different Indica Strains vs. Sativa effects, we have some suggestions to help the process go smoother. 

The exciting thing about consuming delta 8 products is that it’s very open-ended. It’s about trying new things and seeing what works for you. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all world because we are all unique humans. It’s ok to talk to people and see what they enjoy, but you do you at the end of the day.

The Takeaway

Shopping for Indica and Sativa plants isn't always straightforward, mainly because cross-breeding these strains is very popular. The best piece of advice we can offer is to understand the difference between Indica strains vs. Sativa edibles and then make your own choices based on the cannabinoid and terpene profiles found in the third-party lab results that should always be a bare minimum requirement for hemp products that you purchase. If you want to try out premium delta 8 gummies, head on over to Delta North. These gummies are delicious, compliant, and effective. You can purchase delta 8 gummies today and have them delivered to your door! 

Legal Disclaimer: You should still consult an attorney for the best legal advice regarding Delta 8 in your state, as the material shared here is for informational purposes only.

Clayton McCall

Clayton is a Senior Content Specialist, researcher, and holistic healthcare practitioner. Having been in the supplement industry for more than 15 years, Clayton brings a wealth of experience to the delta 8 space. His publications include alternative therapy, stress and coping, and alternative health.