One of the first issues that new cannabis users encounter – once they have decided whether to smoke or take cannabis in some other way – is choosing the strain of cannabis to try. In most cases, this comes down to choosing between indica and sativa.

In making this choice, cannabis buyers want to get the strain that has the effect they are seeking. Of course, that’s the problem. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there, and many people get confused trying to decide which strain to pick.

Experts interviewed by a newspaper in Washington recently talked about the different effects. As the Tri-City Herald noted, the cannabis curious can speak with budtenders about the right strain to choose. But they are better off having some idea of what they want to achieve with their cannabis purchase before visiting the dispensary.

The Herald wrote: “It’s most important to know what type of high you’d like to achieve. Each strain of weed will have different effects, and different people will respond positively to different strains. Over time, a marijuana user will be able to identify their preferences more clearly.”

Issues to Consider When Choosing Between Indica and Sativa

Most cannabis experts associate sativa strains with uplifting and energizing effects that can help the user enhance creativity, focus and productivity. Sativa strains also tend to have a higher THC content, the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis use.

Most associate indica strains with relaxing and sedative effects, which users find helpful for reducing anxiety, stress and promoting restful sleep. Indica strains tend to have a higher concentration of CBD content, the non-psychoactive compound associated with health and wellness.

Generally speaking – and it’s important to note that different people have different reactions to cannabis strains – sativa strains are useful for daytime use or for socializing. Indica strains are good for nighttime use or unwinding after a long day.

More Differences Between Indica and Sativa

The experts interviewed by the Herald offered more details on the differences between the two strains. For example, they said indica typically results in a “chill high” that impacts the body more than the head. It’s also associated with relieving pain, increasing appetite, and decreasing anxiety and stress.

Sativa is associated more with the silly, “I can’t stop laughing” high. People typically feel the effects of sativa more in the head than the body. In addition to enhancing creativity, sativa strains also are associated with relieving nausea.

The two strains even look different, in addition to having different chemical compound profiles. Indica is a short, bushy species of cannabis with broad leaves, while sativa is tall with narrow leaves.

These are some issues to keep in mind when going through the cannabis marketplace and deciding between indica and sativa strains of cannabis. It’s also important to understand that some hybrid strains mix the benefits of both. That’s where talking to the budtender is going to come in handy.