Sativa vs Indica Edibles: What are the Differences?

Have you ever wondered what is the difference between Sativa and Indica edibles? In many cases, people tend to assume that edibles are largely the same, especially if they have just started using them.

However, there can be very significant differences between Indica vs Sativa edibles. In line with this thought, today, we’re looking at some core differences to help you decide which of these two cannabis products will work best for your needs.

What are Indica and Sativa strains?

Before we look any further at Sativa vs Indica edibles for chronic pain, anxiety and other uses, it’s first important that we understand what these two terms mean. Sativa and Indica are two different strains of cannabis, both delivering very different properties - both in terms of the high they produce when used and the characteristics of the plants themselves. 

Indeed, Cannabis Sativa plants often tend to be larger; these plants usually have narrower leaves and are best suited to warm climates and regions. This ties into its origins, where it first appeared in regions along the equator where weather conditions are hotter. Contrastingly, Indica plants are usually a lot smaller; their leaves are larger and broader and they thrive in cooler conditions. They first emerged in areas such as Russia and the Middle East, where the harsher climates no doubt influenced their properties.

Both Indica and Sativa plants can be grown outdoors; however, due to the Sativa strain’s need for a higher temperature and hotter climate, these are more commonly grown indoors where the temperature can be controlled strictly. In contrast, Indica strains tend to be hardier and are more well-adapted to growing outdoors and in more variable conditions.

Sativa vs Indica Edibles: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to choosing the ideal edibles for your needs, it’s important to understand the different factors that go into these products. As part of this, one of the most significant things to consider is the type of cannabis plant that’s been used to create the edible. This factor will in turn, impact not only the flavor of the product but also the properties it produces. 

Perhaps the biggest difference between Sativa vs Indica edibles is the characteristics of their highs. Sativa highs are generally considered most appropriate for the daytime, producing energizing and uplifting results. In contrast, Indica edibles typically have much milder highs, with these edibles often resulting in relaxing and calm results. These are often considered more popular during the evenings or when a little extra rest is needed.

Overall, Sativa strains are most commonly used for recreational purposes. Contrastingly, Indica strains may be more medicinal in nature, and many people use these edibles to help with pain relief, feelings of stress and anxiety, and to help with sleep.

However, be sure to discuss cannabis consumption with your healthcare provider before taking any cannabis edibles for medical or recreational purposes to ensure that doing so is safe and will not interfere with any medications you might be taking.

The Basic Properties of Sativa vs Indica Edibles

Sativa and Indica edibles vary hugely depending on the type of cannabis used, and keeping this in mind could help you find the right option for your needs. 

CBD Concentration

In terms of CBD concentration, Indica edibles are typically vastly higher than Sativa strains. Indeed, Indica plants are generally considered more medicinal, which translates into their edibles.

The concentration of CBD in Indica plants is typically around 0.1 to 0.5%; however, this can range anywhere up to 15% for some ultra-high CBD strains. In contrast, the majority of Sativa strains have much less CBD, with concentrations of CBD often falling around 0.1%.

THC Concentration

THC is known as the main psychedelic compound in cannabis plants, and as a result, it plays a direct role in the strength of your high after consuming edibles. If this is important to you, Sativa edibles tend to be better suited, as these are usually higher in THC.

In fact, the range of THC concentration for Sativa plants is usually around 15 - 30%, whereas Indica strains will often be slightly lower at around 10 - 20%. Of course, there are outliers to this, and some Indica strains have been selectively bred to produce a higher level of THC concentration.

Which is Stronger: Sativa or Indica Edibles? 

Generally speaking, Sativa edibles will be stronger in terms of THC concentration vs Indica edibles, although this will inevitably come down to the type of cannabis that is used. For example, though Sativa strains are usually the most potent in terms of THC concentration, one of the strongest strains on the market - Godfather OG - is actually an Indica-dominant plant.

The same can also be said for the Chemdawg strain, among others. However, many Sativa-dominant or pure Sativa strains will still boast impressive THC levels, such as the Bruce Banner strain, which has a THC content of 25%, and Blue Dream at 21%.

What About Hybrid Edibles?

Thus far, we have primarily focused on the difference between indica and sativa plants. However, there is a third category that cannabis strains can potentially fall into a hybrid.

This can be a little tricky to define, given that, in reality, the vast majority of modern strains are developed due to some form of hybrid breeding historically.

Hybrid cannabis strains are bred by combining Sativa cannabis strains and Indica strains, giving a 50 / 50 plant as a result. This process benefits from a concept called “hybrid vigour” (where genetically dissimilar organisms produce more productive offspring), and this results in a unique set of properties in the resulting offspring plants. 

In many cases, hybrid strains are carefully bred and selected for a set of certain characteristics, such as high THC levels or specific cannabis flavor profiles. This helps make them highly popular options for many people - and, notably, they are often also among the strongest cannabis strains on the market.

When talking about hybrids, we generally refer to pure 50 / 50 crosses. However, hybrid strains can also be Sativa dominant or Indica dominant, making them closer to one of the two strains genetically. Many of the strongest cannabis strains on the market fall into one of the two latter categories; as such, keeping this in mind is important when choosing a cannabis edible to make sure that you’ve selected the most appropriate product.

How Edibles Differ From Smoking Cannabis

Thus far, we’ve considered the main differences between Indica vs Sativa edibles - however, it’s important to consider that edibles themselves differ significantly compared to other forms of cannabis consumption, which can impact the results.

Generally speaking, consuming cannabis edibles, regardless of whether you choose Sativa vs Indica edibles, will be slower to take effect than smoking cannabis directly. This is due to the fact that your body will need to digest the cannabis edible first, which can be a somewhat slow process.

After eating a cannabis edible, your body will begin to digest the treat, and compounds in the edible such as THC are then metabolized in the liver. This process can potentially take several hours to take effect (usually, this will vary between 30 minutes and two hours for most people); however, once it does, the high that is produced by cannabis edibles will often be stronger. Indeed, since the THC is metabolized into a potent form in the liver which crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily, the highs can potentially be much more intense once you do start to experience them.

How Long Do Edible Highs Last?

As with the properties of cannabis edibles, the duration of time for which your high will last can also vary with many different factors. Typically, most cannabis edible highs will last for up to 12 hours, with a range between four and 12 hours being more common. 

However, it is easy to consume too much cannabis when taking edibles due to the delayed onset; as a result, it’s essential to take things slow and steady when consuming cannabis edibles to ensure you don’t end up taking on more cannabis than you had intended. In addition, try to space out your doses of cannabis edibles and increase the dosage gradually; don’t immediately jump into high doses if you have never taken edibles before.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking to get started with cannabis edibles, knowing about the different products that are available is highly important - and considering the difference between Sativa vs Indica edibles is crucial. 

We’ve outlined some of the main things you need to know today; however, don’t forget that while there are shared characteristics between Indica and Sativa edibles, each product will inevitably be unique.

So, consider this when determining which item is right for your needs. After all, just because it’s an Indica edible doesn’t necessarily mean it will be low in THC - so the individual properties of the strain are highly worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you feel more high with sativa or indica?

Sativa strains produce mind-boosting and uplifting effects, which improve alertness. The cannabis plant is mainly used in combination with CBD and has more THC than CBD. Medicinal strain dica can relieve pain and improve sleep.

Are sativa or indica edibles better for anxiety?

If you want to calm down stress at night, indica can be the best solution.

Does sativa or indica make you sleepy?

Indica usually have calming and relaxing effects to the nervous system and helps create a sense of rest. Indica is used to relieve headaches or sleep problems. Generally, sativas have been considered more calming but can cause some to experience feelings of euphoria.