Sativa Effects: What To Expect When Consuming Sativa Strains
Cannabis strains are commonly categorized as sativa, indica, or hybrid. Unfortunately, these categorizations are oversimplified and often overused when describing the effects of cannabis. They describe the structure of a cannabis plant, not its effect on your body and mind.
Nevertheless, these categorizations are not likely to be replaced anytime soon, so, with appropriate caveats, this article will provide an overview of sativa’s effects on the brain and body.
What is the Cannabis Sativa Plant?
The Cannabis sativa plant is native to Central Asia, and grows well in warm, dry climates worldwide. The leaves are generally long, narrow, and light green, while the stems are usually long and slender and can grow to 12-20 feet in length in ideal conditions.
Cannabis sativa strains vary in many ways, including flavor. Some popular strains have naturally-occuring flavors, such as pine, lemon, and berry. These are not artificial flavors added to cannabis products; they are due to the naturally occurring terpenes in the plant. Terpenes influence the flavor and aroma of individual strains, and determine how they ultimately make us feel. This is because everyone perceives and experiences terpenes – and all cannabinoids, for that matter – slightly differently.
Consider this: just as the smell of freshly mown grass might appeal to one person and the same aroma may be off-putting to another. We experience cannabis terpenes in much the same way. Some cannabis enthusiasts love strong diesel strains like Sour Diesel, for example, while others gravitate to more fruit-forward varieties. The same premise is true when tasting wine: no two palates are alike. Isn’t it exciting to know that not only are no two cannabis strains alike, but there are hundreds – if not thousands – to choose from?!
The terpenes and flavonoids present in cannabis are left fully intact in all Kurvana products, so you’ll always get an authentic vaping experience. Our extraction process preserves each plant’s unique phytochemical fingerprint, and we never add artificial flavorings. Our vapes taste natural because they are!
How Much THC is in Sativa?
The THC content in a Cannabis sativa plant varies depending on the specific strain and growing conditions, such as the amount of sunlight that it receives. Sativa plants often contain 15-23% THC, compared with approximately 10% for indica.
When purchasing THC Cartridges, the THC of the oil will be significantly more concentrated and you can expect THC percentages ranging from 50% to over 95%.
Sativa Pen Effects vs Indica Pen Effects
As noted above, sativa vs. indica is not an ideal way of categorizing a strain’s effects. The effects of a particular strain are influenced by many other factors, especially the presence of terpenes and cannabinoids: compounds that contribute to a cannabis strain’s chemical profile.
Indeed, questions asked in an online forum of cannabis end-users shows the level of confusion (and contradictory information) about sativa and indica effects:
What does sativa feel like? Do indica and sativa really have different effects?
Does sativa actually give you energy? Is sativa really energizing?
Can sativas make you tired? Why does sativa weed make me tired?
How does sativa make you act?
However, we don’t have to give up entirely. We can make general statements about Cannabis sativa’s effects as long as we keep in mind that there are many other factors in play. So, what does sativa feel like?
In general, most sativa strains are characterized as being energizing, and often provide an uplifting, stimulating effect. They are also commonly described by users as providing feelings of creativity, productivity, clarity and focus. Because of these more cerebrally stimulating qualities, they are often thought of as being for “daytime” use. Indeed, sativas are usually better-suited for physical activity than indicas.
In addition, the happy and mood-enhancing feeling that many users report when using sativa strains has been said to be helpful in reducing stress and anxiety. Still, when choosing a cannabis oil, it’s best to look at that strain’s specific effects as opposed to relying on an indica vs. sativa categorization.
Below are some examples of popular sativa strains and some commonly-reported effects:
- Blue Dream – Mental stimulation and full-body relaxation
- Sour Diesel – Rapid dreamy and energizing effect
- Chocolope – Uplifting and euphoric effect that some report as helping with depression or stress
Another important factor to consider is the content of CBD in your chosen strain. In general, the less CBD (relative to THC) implies a stronger psychoactive and energetic effect, while high volumes of CBD tends to mitigate the effect of THC and provide a more relaxing experience. Adding to the complexity, the same strain may even affect people differently, based on factors like their tolerance, physical size, and other substances they consume at the same time.
The next time you hear someone casually asking for a sativa at a dispensary, all you can do is hope that they are in the hands of an educated and patient budtender.
Sativa Side Effects
Many who are new to cannabis wonder about sativa’s negative effects. After all, there is no one-size-fits-all cannabis strain. Can you have a bad reaction to sativa? Yes, this is possible. Like any product with psychoactive properties, there is potential, especially for inexperienced users, to feel side effects that they find unpleasant. Most of these are transitory and not serious, such as dry mouth or dry eyes.
If you find yourself experiencing more serious effects, such as anxiety or paranoia, be confident that these, too, are temporary. To reduce the risk of these effects, consider lower doses and/or a strain with a lower THC to CBD ratio. For some, choosing an indica strain will offer a more pleasant experience. In all cases, trial and error is the only way to know for sure.
Is Indica or Sativa Better for Sleep?
People often ask, what does sativa do to you? Does sativa or indica make you sleepy? In general, indica strains are more associated with a “sleepy” feeling than sativa, but some sativa strains, especially those with high CBD levels, can provide a relaxing and sleep-inducing experience. These sativa CBD effects will be more apparent in strains with a balanced THC:CBD ratio or ones in which CBD is dominant.
It should also be noted that while indica strains tend to be more sedative than sativas, all THC, in high enough doses, eventually leads to sleepiness in most people. This is why THC is currently being studied for its effects on sleep.
Cannabis Sativa Effects in Edibles
While oils are becoming increasingly popular, vape cartridges are not the only way to consume cannabis. For example, many end users ask what is the sativa effect in edibles. Or, in other words, are sativa gummy effects the same as when you vape or smoke it?
In general, the answer is yes. There are differences between vaping and eating cannabis sativa products, but these differences are not specific to sativa strains. For example, edibles generally provide a longer-lasting (but slower-acting) experience and this describes sativa edible gummies effects as well.
How to Choose Your Next Sativa Strain
One of the best sources for learning about sativa strains’ effects is by reading cannabis product reviews, and even better, by trying them for yourself. Each strain offers a unique experience, and Kurvana is here to guide you with our natural, terpene-rich, full-spectrum cannabis oils. Start low, go slow, and let your senses decide. Find your new favorite sativa in our store!
People Also Ask
Is Sativa an upper or downer?
Sativa is typically categorized as an upper, known for its energizing and uplifting effects that enhance creativity and focus.
Can Sativa get you stoned?
Yes, Sativa strains can produce a psychoactive experience, often characterized by heightened sensory perception and increased energy.
Does Sativa make your eyes red?
Yes, consuming Sativa strains can cause red eyes, a common side effect due to the expansion of blood vessels in the eyes.
