If you’re interested in learning more about cannabis, there is one initial lesson to gain: not all weed is the same. Cannabis is a wildly diverse plant, offering a variety of strains under three main categories: indica, saitiva, and ruderalis plants. Although individual strains vary — creating different flavor profiles, intensity levels, and potentially prolonged effects — these umbrella categories, indica, sativa, and ruderalis, tell you how exactly how the cannabis will impact your mind and body.
So… what benefits can indica offer you?
Indica Plant Breakdown
Indica has a rich history, its origins reaching from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Turkey. In 1785, botanist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was given plant specimens from India. He noted that they should be differentiated from the sativa plant, deeming them Cannabis indica. These plants grow shorter and bushier than sativas, with wide, short leaves. Indica tends to grow more quickly as well, flowering much sooner than sativa. With regards to THC and CBD levels, they contain more CBD than sativa, albeit with consistent THC content.
Indica Effects
Indica is known for its impact on the user’s physical body. Oftentimes paired with the phrase “in da couch,” this type of cannabis creates what’s referred to as a “body high.” These plants encourage physical relaxation, and the effects indica offers can vary depending upon the specific strain. Strains with more THC, for example, may cause more prolonged, intense physical effects, while strains with a more balanced CBD content may simply cause the user to feel tired.
Because of the benefits indica has on the user’s body, this type of cannabis is typically used for those seeking relief from both pain and sleeplessness, and as an appetite stimulator. One 2018 report supports the theory that users of indica see more effects when combating insomnia than those using sativa. Indica has also been known to help users manage anxiety, given its high CBD content. A study done in 2013 notes that “CBD has been shown to elicit antipanic effects… in the dorsal periaqueductal gray, a critical area for the modulation of emotional reactivity to stress.”
Best Practices for Use
As mentioned above, the effects of indica can prove highly beneficial to users seeking relief. Before any user begins their cannabis journey, they should proceed with caution. You never know how a certain strain of cannabis, or even a method of consumption, will affect you until you try it. Some users may prefer smoking over edibles, for example, to minimize the intensity of their high.
Always make sure you follow the “slow and steady” rule when incorporating new forms of cannabis into your lifestyle. Side effects of overuse of indica may include:
- “Couchlock,” or such an extreme form of physical relaxation that your body simply doesn’t want to move.
- Impaired coordination
- Dry mouth, or “cottonmouth”
- General paranoia
Although these side effects are common, they can be jarring in the moment, so always make sure to listen to your body until you find the balance that works best for you. You may discover that you prefer the relaxing effects of indica when unwinding at the end of your day, as opposed to during a more energetic, social situation. By experimenting at your own pace, you can find out how the benefits of indica can be incorporated into your personal lifestyle.
Discover Indica Near You
Now that you’re equipped with the breakdown of indica and its effects, you can dip your toes into the soothing world of indica cannabis and try out its wide variety of strains. Luckily, weed delivery services like CanEx offer a convenient service for cannabis exploration. CanEx is a proud Californian service delivering all throughout Southern California, from Los Angeles to Riverside County.
Their aim is to make high-quality cannabis accessible and convenient, pulling that long-haul trip to the dispensary out of the equation. Each delivery zone has its own online marketplace with an extensive selection of cannabis products. From pre-rolled joints to delicious chocolates packed with THC, CanEx offers products for all users operating at every price point. When browsing online, be sure to check out their search feature to discover all of their indica products, a mere click away.
Need a little help on your journey towards discovering the right indica strain for you? Totally understandable. Reach out to the experts at CanEx for personalized recommendations, cannabis tips and tricks, or more information about their quick, convenient delivery service today.
