One of the classic mistakes when using cannabis is using the wrong strain. There are two main strains of cannabis, indica cannabis, and sativa cannabis. While both of these will produce a high when consumed, the effects are very different. 

So what are the effects of indica cannabis, and how does this cannabis differ from sativa? This article tells you everything you need to know. 

1. Body High

One of the defining characteristics of indica strains is that they produce a body high rather than the head high, that’s characteristic of sativa strains. If you’re looking for a strain that makes you feel relaxed and at ease, an indica strain could be the right strain for you. 

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more mental high that has a more noticeable effect on your perceptions, you should probably go with a Sativa strain. On the other hand, if you want to relax and unwind after a long day at work, indica weed might be right for you. 

2. Pain Relief

Not only is indica weed good for relaxing and unwinding, but it’s also good for pain relief. If you have aches and pains, indica strains can help to alleviate them. For this reason, a lot of people use these kinds of strains medicinally. 

Using indica cannabis for pain relief may actually be a better option than a lot of prescription painkillers. Prescription painkillers are often opiate-based. This means they can be highly addictive. Cannabis, on the other hand, is less addictive and less dangerous. 

It’s impossible to overdose on cannabis, so this makes it a great option if you’re looking for a safe painkiller. The downside is that indica weed still has a psychoactive effect. 

Why do people smoke CBD hemp flower? It’s because it offers the same painkilling effects as indica weed, but it doesn’t come with a high as regular cannabis does. 

3. Couchlock Effect

One of the indica side effects that some people don’t like is its significant “couchlock” effect. This means that if you sit down while high on an indica strain, you might struggle to find the motivation to get back up. 

If you had plans of being productive, this could be a big issue. On the other hand, if you just want to relax and unwind, this feeling could actually be desirable. 

If you’re going to smoke indica weed, you’ll need to plan ahead and ensure you don’t have any responsibilities. 

4. Less Stimulating

Some people use cannabis to help them focus and stimulate creative thinking. Generally speaking, you’re only going to get this kind of effect from sativa strains. Indica strains are much less helpful for this as you are unlikely to feel very motivated. 

This doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get anything done while smoking an indica strain, but if you’re planning to be productive or active, you’ll need to be careful with how much you smoke. 

5. Good For Sleeping

If you’re someone who struggles to get to sleep, indica cannabis could help out. Indica cannabis has a very sedating effect, so it’s not really suitable for daytime smoking. 

The best way to enjoy an indica strain is to smoke it in the evening a few hours before you go to bed. Smoking cannabis too close to your bedtime isn’t always ideal, because you might wake up feeling a little groggy. 

The trick is to time it, so you smoke a few hours before you go to bed. Everyone is different, so you’ll be able to work out what works best for you based on experience. 

6. Good For Solo Use

If you’re looking to have a good time with your friends, an indica strain might not be ideal. Indica strains tend to leave everyone feeling sedated and can quickly kill the vibe. 

If you want to have a social and upbeat atmosphere, it makes more sense to partake in sativa strains. If you’re someone who likes to smoke alone, indica strains can be very enjoyable.

For example, indica strains are the perfect companion to chilling out and watching a movie at the end of a long day. 

7. It Can Stimulate Your Appetite

This can either be a desirable or undesirable indica side effect, depending on your situation. There are a lot of medical conditions and treatments that leave you without much of an appetite. Indica strains can be an invaluable way to help you get some nutrition. 

On the other hand, smoking indica strains could also lead to you consuming an unhealthy amount of calories. The key here is to plan ahead and get some healthy snacks ready. 

Despite what you might think before smoking, you’ll likely eat anything available once you get high. It really pays off to have the right kind of food on hand. 

8. Indica Plants Grow Faster

If you’re interested in growing your own cannabis, a lot of growers favor indica strains. There’s a simple reason for this, indica plants tend to grow faster, and they’re usually easier to grow. 

If you’re concerned with the fast turnaround on your cannabis growing, you might want to consider growing an indica strain instead of a sativa one. 

Now You Know How to Enjoy the Effects of Indica

So, now you know how to best enjoy the effects of indica cannabis. The trick to getting the most out of an indica strain is planning accordingly. These strains shouldn’t be used if you intend to have a productive day. 

On the other hand, if you just want to relax and watch a movie before bed, you can’t beat a strong indica strain. If you want to enjoy indica effects without them being too paralyzing, you might consider using a hybrid strain, which offers the best of both worlds. 

If you want to learn more about other cannabis-related topics, take a look at some of our other articles.