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Does Indica Make You Sleepy or Hyper?

Does Indica Make you Sleepy or Hyper scaled

When talking about cannabis, strains are segmented into three main categories which are Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid.

If you have ever purchased cannabis from a dispensary, it might have come to your attention that every strain in the ingredients list has been classified as one of the categories mentioned above.

This is due to the fact that cannabis plants from each category have similar physical and taxonomical properties, but their flowers are found to have distinct properties.

 

Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid

Indica strains are extracted from the cannabis plant and have a bushier outlook as compared to the Sativa cannabis plant. Some of the common effects of Indica are about making you feel relaxed and are therefore helpful to people coping with insomnia, pain, nausea, and poor appetite. 

Sativa strains originated from hot and dry climates, extracted from cannabis plants that are distinguished by their tall and thin leaves. Sativas have a lower amount of CBD compared to Indicas and are associated with providing an energized effect. 

Hybrid strains are a combination of Indica and Sativa and are grown in farms or greenhouses. The ratio of THC and CBD in hybrid strains depends upon the intention, whether they were grown to increase the CBD levels or THC. Some of the common effects of Hybrid strains are anxiety and stress-reducing impact. 

The key reason Indica dominant cannabis provides a sleepy or relaxed effect is that it has a relatively higher amount of cannabidiol as compared to other strains. 

While the CBD to THC ratio may vary in different types of strains, the pure Indica strains have a higher CBD amount which is why they contain more relaxing and calming properties.

Common Uses of Indica Strains 

The effect of each cannabis strain varies from person to person. However, the most common effects of Indica strains are discussed below:

Promotes Sleep

A study conducted to test out the effectiveness of cannabis to induce sleep under natural conditions found out Indica was the key contributor in treating insomnia. 

This study consisted of 409 people with insomnia who experimented with more than a thousand different types of cannabis administrations.  The researchers documented the severity levels of insomnia, cannabis consumption, side effects experienced, cannabis subtypes, and product characteristics. 

Upon result, it was observed that people who consumed CBD showed significant improvement in their symptoms and that the side effects were lower when the Indica cannabis plant was used.

Relieves Stress and Anxiety

In 2013, a study was conducted to find out what cannabis agents were the best for the treatment of anxiety disorders. This study included the examination of five main categories of anxiety disorders that are:

  • GAD, short for generalized anxiety disorder that features apprehension, irritability, and anxiety attacks; 
  • A panic disorder where an individual feels uncontrollable fear or anxiety;
  • Social anxiety disorder where a person feels anxious or panics in social environments;
  • OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, defined as recurrent thoughts and behavior that are aimed at minimizing or eliminating the cause of distress;
  • PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, where a person is deeply affected by trauma and thus feels anxious, numb, or scared when triggered by a terrifying event. 

The result of the study was that cannabis with a higher amount of CBD, such as Indica, was much better in treating anxiety disorders discussed above. In addition, the study verified the fact that Indica proposes a sense of well-being in people feeling anxious and allows them to relax. 

Relaxes Muscles

Indica-dominant strains are well-known for relaxing muscles and helping with spasticity. Some of the common Indica strains for relaxing muscles are Northern Lights, Critical Kush, Nine-Pound Hammer, etc. 

Decreases Inflammation and Pain

As per Americans for Safe Access, ASA, an organization that is dedicated to the regulation of research utilizing cannabis for therapeutics, one of the top effects of Indica strains is to reduce chronic pain and inflammation. This is most likely due to the fact that Indica cannabis contains a higher amount of CBD, a cannabinoid associated with such therapeutic effects.

Therefore people suffering from neuropathic pain or arthritis pain may consume Indica strains for relief from acute pain. 

The Most Popular Indica Strains

Some of the most popular Indica strains are Northern Lights, Critical Mass, Purple Kush, and Granddaddy Purple

Northern Lights

Northern lights is unquestionably one of the most well-known Indica strains. It is best for allowing the user to relax and induce sleep. It also possesses qualities that help with muscle discomfort, acute pain, and sleeplessness, even though it has a lower CBD content.

Northern Lights is the proud holder of the Cannabis Cup on multiple occasions.

Purple Kush

Purple Kush is an Indica-dominant strain that works best if consumed in lower doses. This strain’s flower is brightly colored and has a pleasant aroma and flavor. As previously mentioned, this strain offers qualities that aid in the treatment of muscle discomfort, acute pain, and sleeplessness.

Granddaddy Purple

Also known as Granddaddy Purp, this strain has a berry-infused aroma and is commonly known for providing a rather blissful effect on the user. This strain also works wonders for lessening muscle pain, stress, and lack of hunger or sleep. 

Critical Mass

Critical mass has around 65 percent of the qualities of Indica and 35 percent of the properties of Sativa. It allows its consumers to feel emotionally and physically rested, and have a good night’s sleep.

 

Indica Side Effects

The calming and relaxing effects of Indica might cause you to take a higher dosage than you’re used to. As a result, you might feel some of the side effects mentioned below:

Inactivity

Cannabis consists of compounds like THC and CBD, which bind with the receptors (CB1 and CB2) present in our body and therefore trigger the release of neurotransmitters. The CB1 receptor is situated in the central nervous system and brain, whereas the CB2 receptor is located throughout the body.

CB1 receptor mainly interacts with THC, which is known for its psychoactive effects. On the other hand, the CB2 receptor mainly interacts with CBD, which is widely known for its anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects.

As discussed above, Indica strains have a higher CBD amount which is why they can provide relief from conditions such as anxiety, depression, and acute pain. In addition, it also eases symptoms of insomnia which is yet another reason why patients choose this strain for nighttime use.

Now, while these effects are great for situations when you’re unable to sleep or when you’re suffering from chronic pain, they do make you feel drowsy. Therefore, if you’re using Indica to feel more active, you’re wasting your efforts because all you will want to do is sleep. 

If you take a higher dosage than you usually consume, you’ll be locking yourself to the couch. So, it is best if you take this strain when you’re done with all your work and want to unwind for the day. 

Lack of Coordination

Consuming Indica strains through any means will make your body feel heavy, and you could possibly lose motivation to do any work, which can result in a lack of coordination. When you intake this strain, you might find that you feel lethargic and struggle with normal tasks, whereas you’re fine before its consumption. 

Therefore, it is important to know that you should consume this strain when you want to sleep or want to lessen any chronic pain, the symptoms of depression or anxiety, or are suffering from insomnia.

It is strongly advised not to operate any machinery under the influence of any cannabis strain. 

Feeling Hungry

Most cannabis strains result in a rise in appetite, leading users to post-consumption munching (or “munchies”). However, Indica strains are most commonly associated with this kind of effect. So, if you feel that you’ve lost your appetite, try giving Indica a chance. 

The reason why one could feel hungry after the consumption of Indica is that the THC content in it binds with the receptors dealing with hunger. Due to this, when you consume Indica, your brain sends a signal to your body making you feel hungry even when you have already consumed food. 

In addition, your sense of smell and taste are also affected, which makes the food seem more delicious than it is. So perhaps this would be a good time to try veggies or foods that you normally wouldn’t give a chance!  

Dry Mouth

Any cannabis strain that has a higher content of THC can lead to a drier mouth. What happens is that the cannabinoids affect the receptors responsible for producing saliva and cause them to slow down the process; hence, the cottonmouth. It is best if you keep hydrated throughout while you are under the influence of cannabis. 

 

Buy the Best Indica Strains Today!

Choosing the right Indica strains is often overwhelming. There are so many items in the market that choosing the right one based on your preferences is difficult. Well – worry no more because we’ve got you covered! 

Thrive Cannabis Marketplace is your one-stop shop for all your cannabis needs, including cannabis and cannabis accessories. And now, you can Thrive in even more places with the opening of our new Jackpot, Nevada location! 

If you’re coming into town from Twin Falls, Idaho, Thrive Cannabis Marketplace is the closest dispensary. It is the closest marijuana dispensary to Boise, Idaho as well. For information about all our products, services, and locations, visit our page or come to the location closest to you today!