How Sativa Strains Affect Your High
There are hundreds upon hundreds of strains to choose from. It can feel a little overwhelming to select a strain that will work for you. If you’ve got your eye on a few Sativa strains, there’s some important things you should understand.
The first is that “Sativa” isn’t necessarily an indicator of effects. Every single strain has a different effect profile, and there is no all-encompassing way to describe Sativa strains. The key is to keep an open mind to all sorts of cannabis and choose a strain that imparts the effects you desire, whether that strain is a Sativa, Indica, or hybrid.
Every Sativa Strain is Different
Strains can make you feel energized, focused, creative, euphoric, sleepy, giggly, hungry, tired, happy, relaxed, or even talkative. Sativa strains will often impart a variety of effects.
Jack Herer, Durban Poison, Silver Haze, and Amnesia are all Sativa strains, but they aren’t necessarily suited to the same purposes.
Sativa strains like Charlotte’s Web and Harlequin impart their effects differently from other Sativa strains. These strains are low in THC and high in CBD, meaning that they don’t produce a significant high but still impart effects.
It’s such a varied world that asking “what are Sativa effects?” is akin to asking “how does food taste?” It’s not a question with a blanket statement for an answer.
What is The Difference Between Sativa and Indica?
There is an unofficial rule that Sativa strains bring you up while Indica strains bring you down. Many cannabis users, including seasoned expert-level connoisseurs, abide by this rule. The situation isn’t as clear-cut as this rule makes it out to be.
The actual difference between indica and Sativa strains is the way the plant grows. Sativa strains are taller cannabis plants with narrow, pointy leaves that produce fluffy flowers. Indica plants are short, shrubby cannabis plants with blunt, broad leaves that generally produce dense flowers. On paper, the differences stop there.
They may not be wrong, but the mechanism by which these effects are produced is currently not understood or recognized by modern cannabis research.
Each strain imparts its effects through a unique combination of cannabinoids and terpenes. The major cannabinoids and terpenes of Sativa and Indica strains don’t significantly differ, at least not to the extent where the strains should function as polar opposites.
There’s Only One Thing Sativa Strains Can’t Do
Although the perceived difference between Sativa and Indica strains is not thoroughly understood by research and doesn’t seem to make sense in the current context of what we know about cannabis, there seems to be one thing that sets Sativa strains apart from India strains.
The majority of people who use cannabis as a wellness tool and people who use their strains with a purpose will tell you that Sativas aren’t helpful at bedtime. The overwhelming majority of strains that people report using as sleep aids are Indica strains or Indica-dominant hybrid strains.
These anecdotal reports seem to be universally agreed upon by most cannabis users at a rate too significant to write off as a coincidence. Research may not have progressed to the point that we’re able to determine why, but evidence seems to suggest it’s a good rule to avoid Sativa strains when you’re ready to tuck yourself in for the night.
The Medical Effects of Sativa Strains
Sativa strains don’t boast medical effects that Indica strains do not. Every type of cannabis can be used to reduce the perception of pain, ease symptoms of depression and anxiety, lower the impact of stress, and support relaxation.
The key in this situation is not to choose Indica or Sativa but to select a strain based on its reputation. Northern Lights is a heavy Indica strain with a massive following of loyal medical users. Sour Diesel is a potent Sativa with a similar medical following.
Medical cannabis users should choose strains on a case-by-case basis. When using cannabis with a specific purpose, it’s essential to determine what works best for your personal needs.
Limiting yourself to Indica strains or Sativa strains could be depriving you of the relief or effects you’re seeking.
Common Side Effects Reported by Sativa Users
The most common side effects reported by Sativa users are dry mouth, dry eyes, and increased appetite. These side effects are common among all cannabis users and aren’t specific to Sativa strains.
Things like anxiety and paranoia are less common side effects of using cannabis. The risk for these side effects increases when someone uses a dose of cannabis that’s larger than what their tolerance is prepared to handle. In other words, overconsumption makes for a bad time.
There is no way to avoid dry mouth or dry eyes. An increased appetite is easy to work around. If you don’t want to get the munchies and eat a bunch of unnecessary snacks, simply use cannabis before mealtime. If you were going to eat anyway, there’s no harm done.
Some people rely on this cannabis side effect. Medical cannabis patients often use cannabis to stimulate their appetites when they’re having trouble eating or understanding their natural hunger cues. In this instance, the munchies are extremely helpful.
In order to avoid any adverse effects, try microdosing and avoid edibles.
Edibles take longer to work. Their onset and duration can be unpredictable. Not knowing when the effects will begin may create a sense of tension, as can the extended high that edibles produce.
When you inhale a small amount of cannabis, it works quickly and wears off within a few hours. This makes the experience more manageable for novice-level cannabis users.
Common Moods and Effects Experienced by Sativa Users
Effects will vary from strain to strain. They won’t always be the same.
Some Sativa strains are energizing, while others promote focus, make you a little more talkative than usual, or stimulate your creativity. Some strains produce all of these effects simultaneously.
Other Sativa strains are uplifting and euphoric. They’ll make you feel good, but you won’t necessarily feel driven to be productive.
How to Find the Perfect Sativa Strain for You
First things first: don’t limit yourself to Sativa strains. There are dozens of strains out there that you’re bound to love, and chances are slim to none that they’re all Sativas. You should be shopping strains based on effects and purposes.
The strain you love to use when you’re cleaning your house may not be the same as the strain you like to use when you’re getting ready for bed. The perfect strain should always fit the moment.
The Stori case and Stori app work together to help you find the perfect high. The Stori case is outfitted with six air-tight, lightproof storage pods and six storage tubes built to the same specifications.
These pods and tubes are designed to keep your cannabis fresh. Your favorite strains will be just as tasty and potent on day 300 as they were on day one.
Then, open the Stori app. The lids on your pods and tubes are color-coded. You can input information about each strain in each container easily, keeping your stash organized. You’ll know what’s in the blue one, what’s in the pink one, and what’s in the yellow one.
You can record the names of the strains, the amount you purchased, where you bought them, and even how much you spent.
Let Stori Organize Your Strain
As you sample your strains, you can rate them and leave notes in the app. This will help you keep track of what you do and don’t like about a particular strain or help you match it to a specific case. If your strain makes you feel a little too creatively inspired to focus on mundane tasks, you’ll know to save it for a time where you want to indulge in your craft.
You can also use the app to find similar strains. If you know you’re in the ballpark of the perfect strain, the app’s suggestions can help you narrow your focus and find a winner.
Stori gives you everything you need to curate the perfect cannabis experience for yourself. There’s a massive world of Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid strains that all deserve a place in your Stash box. We make it easier to find them and keep them.
Sources: