Shopping around for the best cannabis products takes more than just choosing ones with cool-sounding names. Since the local Sand Diego dispensary has been carrying a more varied selection of goods, many buyers get confused when phrases such as “Hybrid,” “Sativa,” and “Indica” are bandied about. To get the most out of cannabis, it’s necessary to understand the differences between different strains. Once you know the effects these products can cause, it will be easier to create the experience you’re looking for!
Uniqueness of Strains
There are a lot of varieties of cannabis, though the distinction falls within three specific categories: sativas, indicas, and a blend of the two called hybrids. These strains have several characteristics that put them into distinct classifications.
- Cannabinoid Content: The compounds in marijuana that create its medicinal and psychoactive effects are called cannabinoids. Certain strains have more of some types than others. THC is a psychoactive substance, why CBD offers medicinal interactions without creating a “high” sensation.
- Terpenes: When smoking, vaping, and consuming cannabis products, you’re bound to smell and taste them. Cannabis terpenes are the molecules that give each strain a particular aroma and flavor. These terpenes create the smell of oranges or coffee while imparting a fruity or chocolatey flavor, depending on the plant’s genetics. Your San Diego dispensary staff may have more information concerning a product’s specific terpenes.
- Environment: Sommeliers claim to be able to taste the kind of soil wine grapes grew from, and cannabis aficionados feel the same way about their favorite flora. Differing fertilizers, weather conditions, and other circumstances around a plant’s cultivation will affect how it grows, and thus how it tastes and interacts with your body.
Each strain of cannabis has its own individual characteristics that let it stand out from the crowd. While knowing the history of a specific variety is helpful, it’s useful to understand what differentiates the two main strain types. Even so, much of what made indicas and sativas unique can be found in hybridized strains as well, somewhat blurring the lines when searching a San Diego dispensary for the perfect product.
Strength of Sativa
Generally, sativa strains were considered to be a more “active” variant for cannabis consumption. It has been noted to provide a more psychologically active “high,” that is associated with creativity and sociability. Some people find their minds are far more active yet focused, allowing them to deal with tasks that would normally have been hindered by anxiety-induced distractions.
Idyllic Indicas
When it comes to relaxing, indica strains should make the top of your list. These breeds usually have higher levels of CBD but similar amounts of THC. Generally, users feel intense calm and relaxation, sometimes called being “couch-locked” for the inability to even make it to their feet. This makes it great for nighttime use, working especially well for insomnia sufferers or those with overactive minds.
Hybrid Horticulture
These strains take a little genetics from sativas and some from indicas, creating their own version that is a mix of the two. Some hybrids offer a less intense euphoric high of a sativa while others create the relaxed feeling idicas produce, but at a level that still allows you to function normally. Because they are a blend of the two, hybrids can create novel sensory experiences that combine the benefits of both traditional strains. Talk you your San Diego dispensary staff for advice on which strains have the effects you’re looking for.
How to Choose
There’s no such thing as the perfect strain of cannabis, but there are definitely breeds that will offer you the experience you’re looking for. Though excessive cross-breeding has made the indica and sativa typologies somewhat unreliable, they do make an excellent place to start.
Think about what issues you deal with, or the conditions from which you’re looking for relief. Patients with overactive minds or insomnia may want to check out indicas, while partygoers looking to let loose may wish to consider sativas. If cannabis has been prescribed as a treatment, your doctor may have excellent recommendations, too.
When it comes to consuming cannabis, there are various methods of ingestion to consider. While smoking and vaping typically produce fast and potent effects, choosing to buy edibles online in Canada can lead to a longer-lasting and more mellow experience. So if you’re looking for a more discreet way to consume cannabis without the harshness of smoking or the need for equipment, buying edibles online in Canada might be a great option to explore.
Sample Size
The best way to find out what works best is to try it! Head down to the nearest San Diego dispensary and check out their inventory. Ask the staff questions, as they’re more than happy to share their knowledge with you. Some sativas respond like indicas, and vice versa, so you never truly know how you will react to a strain until you sample its effects! Once you better understand how different strains work with your body, you’ll have no problem choosing the one that works for you!
