Guide to Indica Cannabis From The Experts
If you’re new to cannabis, you’ve probably heard the term indica and wondered what it means. Indica is both a cannabis strain and a specific plant. The Cannabis indica plant, in particular, has developed a reputation for its therapeutic and calming effects.*
To help you decide whether the indica strain is the right cannabis for you, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about this strain.
What is Indica?
Indica is a term that tends to be used to describe the effects of certain cannabis strains. Indica is typically known for inducing a relaxing body high and is often recommended for nighttime use. However, it’s important to not rely too heavily on the term Indica when deciding on a specific cannabis strain. While terms like indica and sativa are used in pop culture to describe the effects of cannabis, they aren’t definitive labels. Technically, indica and sativa refer to the structure of certain cannabis plants, rather than to specific effects.
Indica plants are short, bush-like cannabis plants that have their origins in dry and hot areas like India and Afghanistan. They have distinctive broad leaves with short stems—the type that are typically used in cannabis imagery. These plants also tend to grow relatively fast and produce a high bud yield.
When it comes to understanding exactly how certain Indica plants affect you, you want to look at the compounds present.
Debunking the Indica vs Sativa Myth
It is a myth that indicas calm you down, while sativas energize you. It's more important to consider the compounds in cannabis, rather than the plants themselves. Why is it more important to consider the compounds in cannabis than whether the plant is indica or sativa?
Early cannabis history
When Carl Linnaeus assigned a scientific name to cannabis in 1753, the only kind of cannabis he had ever seen in Sweden was the shorter, stockier plant we have come to know as cannabis sativa. After he died, a French botanist named Jean-Baptiste Lamarck went on an expedition to India and named another, taller plant we all know as cannabis indica.
For generations thereafter, connoisseurs of cannabis commented that the sativa varieties got you stoned and the indica varieties got you high.
Modern cannabis history
It wasn't until 2005 that a doctoral student at Indiana University named Karl Hillig discovered that 200 years of cannabis consumers got the effects right but the names wrong.
Cannabis is part of a family of plants that includes not just indica and sativa, but also 70 kinds of hackberries plus two kinds of hops. (There is a brand of beer in Germany that is brewed with cannabis flowers instead of hop flowers, just as an aside. It can be quite a surprise for naive beer drinkers visiting the little town in Germany where it's brewed.)
The genetic differences in cannabis weren't all about whether a plant is tall or short, Hillig discovered. The real differences were whether the plant was fibrous, that is, it was hemp, or it was non-fibrous, something that could not be used to make ropes and that sort of thing.
Hillig reclassifed all of the hemp varieties of cannabis as sativa and all of the drug varieties of cannabis as indica. He also divided the drug varieties of cannabis (all of which were indicas) into broad-leaved drug (BLD) and narrow-leaved drug (NLD) subtypes. Hillig didn't just do this for grins. He found certain groups of genes appeared together in THC-making indica plants, and other groups of genes appeared together in the CBD-making sativa or hemp plants.
However, there are a lot of hybrids between the two varieties. So Hillig found another way of looking at cannabis that helps you predict a plant's effects.
Most modern drug varieties of cannabis are indicas, and lean toward the BLD, broad-leaf types, but have a mixture of BLD and NLD types. Pure BLD strains like Bubba Kush tend to be more calming and cerebral, while the strains that more NLD, narrow-leaf characteristics are better for getting high.
That doesn't mean that Cannabis sativa is only good for making rope. But it does mean that you shouldn't be so concerned about whether your weed is indica or sativa as about its content of THC and CBD.
And if you are reading along and you are thinking, "Wait a minute. Isn't that the exact opposite of what everybody always says about indicas and sativas?" you would be right. The traditional thinking has always been that indicas are calming and sativas are stimulating. But genetic analysis shows that exactly opposite is true.
It's the compounds that make the difference, not whether a plant is called indica or sativa.
Indica Compounds
Cannabis contains many chemical compounds that impact the way you feel after you smoke or consume the plant. Typically, in pop culture, indica is said to be high in CBD and low in THC. These are the two common compounds that you come across with Indica.
Cannabidiol in Indica
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major cannabinoid compound that has developed quite a reputation for its therapeutic effects. The strains that are traditionally (but not scientifically) idenfieid as indicas tend to be high in CBD, and those that are deliver impressive health benefits. Research tells us that CBD has demonstrated an ability to help:
reduce anxiety (1)
treat skin conditions (2)
act as an anti-inflammatory (3)
improve sleep (4)
reduce seizure frequency (5)
Tetrahydrocannabinol in Indica
While what are commonly called indicas are not as high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as other strains, it can still contain some. THC can exert a range of health benefits, but it’s most known for its psychoactive properties. THC is the chemical responsible for the characteristic high of cannabis, so if you want to experience psychotropic effects, this might be the compound for you. As well as getting you high, research tells us that THC comes with some impressive therapeutic benefits, such as:
Terpenes in Indica
Terpenes are tiny compounds that provide a range of health benefits but they’re better known for their aromas. Terpenes are responsible for creating distinctive plant smells that either attract or repel animals, depending on the plant’s needs. Terpenes aren’t unique to cannabis, but the makeup of terpenes in a cannabis strain influences how you experience it. The following terpenes are commonly found in Indica strains:
Myrcene: This is a pepper-like scent with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (12, 13).
Linalool: A spicy floral scent that is present in lavender, linalool also acts as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory (14, 15).
Limonene: As the name might suggest, limonene is responsible for the distinctive smell of citrus fruits. Limonene may also help reduce your anxiety and support healthy digestion (16, 17).
Humulene: Humulene has a woody scent and some impressive potential therapeutic benefits. Humulene may help reduce inflammation and even help fight against cancer (18, 19).
Indica vs Sativa
When researching indicas, you’re also likely to come across sativas. Sativas are largely heralded as the opposite of indicas. Rather than bringing calming effects, sativas induce a stimulating and creative boost. However, like indica, your experience of sativa strains won’t be because it’s simply sativa—it’ll be due to the chemical makeup of each strain.
In terms of structure, sativa is very different from Indica. Sativa plants have long, thin leaves, tend to take longer to grow and produce a smaller bud yield than Indica. Sativa plants tend to prefer environments with longer daylight hours, which can be attributed to their Southeast Asian, Central American and African origins.
But are you planning to decorarte with sativa or to smoke it? As we mentioned earlier, all the get-you-high plants that generations of pot afidionados have been identifying as sativas are biologically really indicas. Don't get hung up on the name. Look for the THC and the CBD.
The main difference to be aware of between indica and sativa is the cannabinoid content. Indica plants tend to be high in CBD and low in THC, while sativa plants usually contain higher levels of THC and lower levels of CBD. Because of this, the strains traditionally identified as sativas are likely to produce a much stronger high.
What to Look for in Indica-Sativa Hybrids
Just about every cannabis plant in every dispensary is really a hybrid of indica and sativa, with the indica genes predominating. Don't worry about whether you pot is indica or sativa or a hybrid. Look for the THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, and terpenoid content. Or consider the strain. Or better yet, let those wonderfully knowledgeable people at Claybourne describe the effects for you. But forget about the indica-sativa distinction.
What does a high from Indica feel like?
Not all indica strains produce the same effects. Variations in the amount and type of chemical compounds in each plant affect how you experience each one.
We do know that indica strains tend to be high in CBD and low in THC, meaning that you’re likely to feel the relaxing anxiolytic effects of CBD and not feel too high. When looking at indica strains, it’s best to research the amount of CBD and THC present to really get a good idea of what your experience will be like. And don’t forget about the terpene makeup! Terpenes can affect your mood, energy and health.
What Are Indica Side Effects?
The good news about indicas is that there are no side effects from using pot that happens to be called indica. However, different people have different reactions to THC and CBD. Your dispensary can help you understand how their products affect you.
Anything Else About Indica?
Are you looking for a calming cannabis experience? Then ask your dispensary for strains that contain more CBD and less THC. It's the CBD that is calming. Different amounts of THC and terpenoids make your experience of each strain unique.
Are you looking to get high? Then seek strains of cannabis with more THC. The real issue isn't whether your oit is a sativa. It's how much TCH is in it. And the assay on the product panel will tell you that.
Don't buy "indicas." Buy high-quality strains of cannabis from reputable dealers.
Claybourne Co.'s Hybrid Indica Products
The Judge: Our award-winning gold cut and highest testing strain with total terpenes ranging from 2.4% to 2.6% and total cannabinoids between 42% and 46%. It took 2nd place in the 2021 San Diego Farmers Cup in the indoor flower category. Shop The Judge.
Tropic Fury: With total terpenes in the 3.4% to 4% range and total cannabinoids between 32% and 35%, this blend produces a relaxing high. Shop Tropic Fury.
Melon Machine: This indica blend has a tasty and fruity aroma that produces a relaxing, cerebral effect.
Divine Storm: Terpene profile: This divine strain is an indica-dominant hybrid that and has users praising it for its nerve calming effects. Shop Divine Storm.
Black Triangle OG: A balanced hybrid, Black Triangle buds are packed with terpenes and notes of earth, pine, citrus and hash spice that produces a potent high that's sure to facilitate great conversation. Shop Black Triangle.
Ice Cream Paint Job: With total terpenes between 1.3% and 1.7% and total cannabinoids in the 34% to 36% range, this indica-dominant strain exudes a sweet, vanilla cream and earthy aroma. It's coated in a thick layer of trichomes covering its light purple paint job, which is how it earned its name.
Sweet Tea Lemonfade: This Indica leaning hybrid is described as mind stimulating, physically relaxing and producing an entralling high.
Vanilla Dice: Our in-house strain is sweet and smooth with a creamy vanilla flavor that produces a relaxed vibe. Shop Vanilla Dice.
Wintergreen Supreme: This indica-leaning Kush hybrid produces a unique, pungent nose with a hint of mint. Shop Wintergreen Supreme.
Zkittles Cake: Another winner in the 2021 San Diego Harvest Cup, Zkittles Cake took 2nd place for sweet-citrus and cool-mint quality, with a peppery aftertaste, as well as its trippy psychoactive high. Shop Zkittles Cake.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only, and should not be substituted for professional medical advice.