Everything You Need to Know About Cannabis Sativa
While cannabis indica is known for delivering some of the most soothing and relaxing effects and hybrid strains are more well-balanced, cannabis sativa strains are the top choice for users who want profound mental stimulation and relief for mood disorders such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
These strains usually take longer to grow and are more difficult to grow indoors. With that said, many growers still take on the challenge as sativa strains often have some of the most enjoyable flavors and sensational effects. So what can you expect when growing sativa strains, what can you expect from smoking them, and when should you use them? Here’s everything you need to know about cannabis sativa.
What Is Cannabis Sativa?
While cannabis indica plants are short, bushy, and known for producing dense buds, sativa plants are much taller, narrow, and have thin, cone-like buds. Cannabis sativa plants usually take a fair while longer to grow than cannabis indica plants and are well-suited to outdoor growing in warm weather climates. However, growers often grow these strains regardless due to their enjoyable effects.
Sativa strains are usually the marijuana strains that consumers choose when they want something that’s going to stimulate their mind and their body. While indica strains are known for producing relaxing and sedating effects, sativa strains can give you a burst of energy, creativity, and mental focus that makes it easy to stay awake and enjoy a variety of tasks.
Usually, sativa strains contain higher levels of THC than indica strains and offer a much more mentally-focused high. However, many sativa strains are also high in CBD and good for users who want to soothe their body of pain and tension while still enjoying mentally uplifting effects.
Growing Cannabis Sativa Plants
Although sativa plants begin to flower fairly quickly, it can take up to 10-12 extra weeks before they’re ready to harvest. As such, growing sativa plants from seed to harvest can often take 16 weeks or even more in some cases. They also rely on good conditions which can make it a struggle to grow them efficiently.
You can grow cannabis sativa plants indoors. However, since they can grow up to 20 feet tall, many users don’t have space inside. Most growers choose to grow sativa plants outdoors instead, especially during Spring and Summer when there’s plenty of sunlight and not too much rain or snow.
If you plant to grow sativa strains outdoors, you’ll need to buy a few things. Of course, you’ll need the seeds for your chosen strain. You can find these in seed banks and some cannabis stores. Make sure you use feminized seeds or autoflowering feminized seeds- regular seeds have a 50/50 chance of growing female cannabis plants and these are the ones you need to produce weed.
You should germinate your seeds first before transferring them to either plant containers or directly into the soil. It’s best to use pots or containers as this will keep your plants raised and prevent damage from pests or excessive rainfall. Outdoor growing takes less effort than indoor growing, but you’ll still need to water your plants when they become dry and provide them with nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium through nutrient-enhanced water or soil.
What Are The Effects Of Sativa Strains?
The mind-boosting effects of sativa strains are especially prominent. When you smoke a sativa strain, you’ll usually feel much more creative, making them perfect for users who want to write, make music, or partake in other creative tasks. They’ll also heighten your senses and curiosity so that every task will seem more fun, whether you’re talking with friends or simply kicking back and watching TV. They may even make you perform better on cognitive tasks.
These strains are also known for significantly improving your mood. Studies show that even a couple of puffs of cannabis can help reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and sativa strains are a prime example of this. You’ll swiftly feel happy, optimistic, and motivated to take on the day when you smoke sativa strains. Many people use them first thing in the morning as a wake-and-bake to perk up their mood.
While indica strains are usually the best choice for users who want a strong body-high, sativa strains still provide enjoyable physical effects. They can send soothing tingles throughout your body to relieve mild pain, inflammation, and tension. Interestingly, users often report that the physical effects of sativa strains are more energizing and uplifting, making it easy to stay active.
Whether you want a strain that’ll wake you up in the morning, a strain that’ll make it easier to chat and vibe with your friends, or a strain that’ll boost your mind and make everything seem more fun and interesting, sativa strains are ideal.
When Should You Use Sativa Strains?
If you’re looking for a strain that’ll help you reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, sativa strains are ideal due to their mood-boosting properties. What’s more, they can also help with other mental issues such as bipolar disorder, ADD, and ADHD, especially as they can make you more mentally focused and positive.
While indica strains are the best choice for relieving painful conditions, sativa strains can still help soothe your body without making you feel lazy and couch-locked. As such, users suffering from mild pain, headaches, or migraines may enjoy sativa strains if they want to feel more uplifted and less sedated.
Of course, sativa strains are also fantastic for recreational users. They’ll give you a more cerebral and psychoactive high, making you think much more creatively and curiously. They can also make you enjoy all kinds of creative and mental tasks more, as well as being good strains for social situations.
What Are Sativa-Dominant Strains?
Hybrid marijuana strains are made by crossing an indica strain with a sativa strain. Not only do the resulting plants have physical properties of both cannabis sativa and cannabis indica, but the marijuana they produce will give you a mix of both sativa and indica effects.
These strains can differ significantly in their genetic profiles. Some lean more towards indica genetics, meaning they’re more physically relaxing while still offering some slight mental stimulation. Some are well balanced with a 50/50 mix of genetics, making them perfect for users who want the best of both worlds. Sativa-dominant strains are ideal for sativa users who still want to physically relax.
Some sativa-dominant strains contain 90% sativa to 10% indica genetics, whereas others could be closer to 55/45. Whichever way, these strains will still give you the mental effects you know and love from sativa strains while also giving you stronger physical effects. Not only can these be great for recreational use, but medical users often love hybrid strains as they can give them a mix of physical and mental benefits.
How Is Cannabis Indica Different?
In contrast to the exceptionally tall heights of sativa plants, cannabis indica plants usually grow to around 3-6 feet tall. They’re shorter and wider and produce thick buds throughout, making them ideal for indoor growers who have limited space. They’re also much faster to grow, making them perfect for beginner growers.
Growing indica strains from seed to harvest will usually take around 8-12 weeks. Despite their smaller size, indica plants can produce impressive yields of dense, resinous buds. If you grow them indoors, you’ll have to put a lot of effort into controlling the growing conditions, but you’ll end up with quality marijuana much quicker.
Indica strains are often used for pure relaxation. They can quickly wash away any stress in your mind and any tension in your body. You’re often left in a highly euphoric and carefree state of mind, while your body will feel light and tingly. These strains are perfect for use during the evening or at night to relax after a tough day.
While recreational users often use indica strains to mellow out at the end of the day, they also have a bevy of uses for medical users. Indica strains are the best choice for relieving chronic pain and inflammation. They can also relieve your mind of chronic stress. Eventually, they’ll leave you feeling hazy, lazy, and couch-locked, making it easy to fall asleep.
Best Sativa Strains To Buy
Durban Poison
Durban Poison is a well-loved pure sativa strain that offers some of the most stimulating effects. This strain will make you feel mentally alert and creative throughout the day, making it perfect for users who need something to perk their minds up. Of course, it’ll also help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression in a flash.
Purple Haze
Purple Haze is a notorious strain that offers cerebrally-stimulating, mind-bending effects. If you want to take your mind to new heights with all kinds of curious and creative thoughts, then give this strain a try. It’s even more enjoyable thanks to its sweet and earthy flavor.
Red Congolese
Red Congolese is another one of the best sativa strains to try. It’ll make you feel exceptionally happy and clear-minded, as well as clearing your mind of any stress or worries. It can also help with a range of medical issues, including nausea, cachexia, physical tension, depression, and Alzheimer’s.
Fortune Cookies is a deliciously sweet sativa-dominant hybrid strain. It’s a joy to smoke, not just due to the flavor, but also due to its ability to give you a mental-boost along with relaxing physical effects. If you want a sharp cerebral burst before being blessed with soothing relaxation, make sure you try this strain.
