How to Find The Ideal Cannabis Strain for You

If you have spent time around weed connoisseurs or browsed long enough online, you might have heard two words over and again—Indica and Sativa. Perhaps these terms don’t make sense to you the first time you listen to them, but they are essential for understanding the marijuana you are buying and smoking.

Choosing the right strain from a wide array of cannabis strains is a real challenge that can freeze even the most experienced cannabis consumer in their tracks. Fortunately, this post can help you navigate the tricky terrain and make informed decisions at the dispensary counter.

What is a Strain?

The cannabis plant allegedly originated from the Hindu Kush Mountains of India. Due to conquest and exploration, it got carried over to almost every continent over time.

Thanks to the cannabis plant’s relaxing effect on the consumer, cultivators quickly started selectively breeding their plants to suit their communities’ needs that resulted in variations within cultivars called landrace strains. These landrace strains were further brought into the west to carry out hybridization that gave rise to numerous varieties of cannabis you consume today.

You might be familiar with the terms Indica, Sativa, and hybrid, which are the three primary cannabis strains. Consumers have long thought that Sativas offer a more energizing effect while Indicas have sedating effects, and hybrid is a combination of the two. However, industry experts are reconsidering the three strains.

Beyond the Indica, Sativa, and hybrid strains, cannabis is currently classified based on their unique chemotype and medical benefits. The strains based on chemotype available in the market today include:

  • High-THC, low-CBD (more euphoric)
  • High-CBD, low THC (more clear-headed)
  • Balanced CBD and THC (mildly euphoric)

How to Choose

The right strain for you depends on the effects you desire. Cannabis offers a wide range of medical benefits, but some strains are better at treating certain conditions than others. Consider researching the potential positive and negative effects of a strain before buying it.

Most of the familiar strains available in the market list dry eyes, dry mouth, and dizziness as possible side effects. Marijuana can also interact with any medications you might be currently taking.

Furthermore, you should know your tolerance level before you can find the right strain. If you have only recently started using marijuana, you might want to start with a kind that’s low in THC and high in CBD. This will ensure that you get all the benefits without the euphoric high. On the other hand, if you are an experienced marijuana user and need a more potent strain, consider one with higher THC content.

Similarly, Indica strains offer a physical effect that can be felt throughout your body. It is most commonly used to relieve pain, muscle tension, and stress. Whereas, Sativa strains tend to impact the mood and emotion and are famous for improving focus, energy levels, and combating depression.

Check Out Indicas If…

Hardy plants with short, stocky structure and broad leaves, Indica strains produce a sticky resin that contains cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Some of the popular Indica dominant strains are Afghani, Northern Lights, and Girl Scout Cookies.

Although there are exceptions, Indica strains tend to have a higher CBD to THC ratio than Sativa plants. The high CBD levels are responsible for the medical benefits this strain offers. Indica strains produce a full-body high that is frequently used for relieving stress and anxiety. The most popular medicinal uses of this strain include:

  • Promoting restful sleep
  • Relieving anxiety
  • Stimulating the appetite
  • Reducing inflammation and pain
  • Managing seizures

If you think Indica strains are the right fit for you, you can find Indica bud online.

Check Out Sativas If…

The Sativa cannabis strains grow tall and have narrow, delicate leaves compared to Indicas. Sativas contains a higher THC to CBD ratio. The higher THC content results in an intense cerebral high and might even produce psychedelic effects when taken in high doses. Popular strains of Sativa are Sour Diesel, Jack Herer, Green Crack, and Durban Poison.

Due to their uplifting effects, Sativa strains are typically used to treat emotional disorders like depression. Other medicinal benefits of Sativas include:

  • Improving the mood to alleviate depression and anxiety
  • Boosting focus and creativity
  • Increasing energy to reduce fatigue
  • Stimulating the appetite
  • Relieving pain

No Unique Formula To Find The Right Strain

Whether a strain is right or wrong for you will ultimately depend on your needs- medical conditions, and the associated symptoms you are trying to tackle. The dispensary menu diversity offers a range of selections even within specific categories like Sativa and Indica, allowing patients to customize their treatment plan. As always, you can ask your queries to the bartenders who will be eager to share their knowledge and help you find the right strain.

Keith Mansur

Keith Mansur is the founder, publisher, and editor of Oregon Cannabis Connection newspaper. The print publication has been serving Oregon since 2010. He has been a Oregon medical marijuana patient, grower, and caregiver since 2006. Find him on Facebook or email him at occnewspaper420@gmail.com

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