Picking a cannabis strain is a lot like placing a coffee order- you can’t just pick any name just because it sounds cool. You have a defined taste and blend that your body and mind can readily accept.
With cannabis gaining acceptance and legalized status, you are surrounded by endless options. The fact- not all cannabis strains deliver the same experience. While Indicas may put you to sleep, the Sativas will energize you completely. There are strains right in between these two, which offer unique benefits and flavors.
We will be discussing the importance of finding good indica, the need for dispensary purchases, and other details in this guide. By the end, you would be able to find the strain that suits your needs.
Understanding Strain Types
Consuming cannabis can give you two entirely different vibes- one kind relaxes you while the other makes you feel energetic. There is a whole load of strain between these two extremes, which is why it is crucial to choose the strain that gives you the exact effects.
Going to a reputable place to buy weed, such as the Silverleaf dispensary located in Somerset, NJ, can make it easy for you to choose the right strain, as the budtenders there are knowledgeable and understand your every requirement before recommending the perfect cannabis strain for your needs and desires.
For some reason, if you have to choose the right strain yourself, you must understand the difference between Indica, Sativa, and the hybrid variants to customize the strain.
Indica: Traits and Effects
If you want to wind down after a hard day at work, you might want to choose the Indica strain. They come from short and bushy plants that have wide leaves. They are known to possess a higher CBD level. You can observe a short growing cycle, which makes them best for indoor cultivation.
Most common effects of this strain on your body and mind include- deep relaxation, support for sleep and tension relief in your muscles. It is a perfect strain for stress relief and relaxed evenings.
Sativa: Traits and Effects
This strain has been developed to help you stay active or creative, as it can improve your mood and enhance your energies.
Sativa plants are typically tall with narrow leaves that grow in warm climates and have a long flowering cycle. You will observe they are high on THC and low on CBD.
The effects typically involve mental stimulation, alertness, increased focus, and elevated mood levels. You may feel anxious if you are sensitive to strong dosages. It is perfect for creative purposes and social settings, during the day.
Hybrid: Balance and Customization
When you mix Indica and Sativa plants, you get hybrid-bred solutions to offer combined effects fine-tuned to your needs. You can create hybrids that are either indica-dominant, sativa-dominant, or balanced.
These hybrids can be designed by combining the benefits of both parents, and is available in defining combinations to get the desired effects. Some of the common effects include balanced effects on mind and body, customized solutions for pain relief and relaxation.
If you want a more personalized experience and flexibility, you can enjoy the hybrid strain. Knowing the strain type can help you choose something that perfectly fits your experience and mood requirements.
Role of Cannabinoids in Effects
Cannabinoids are compounds within the cannabis strain that will make you experience different moods and effects. You must have heard of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), the two different and popular cannabinoids. They can define whether the strain you are choosing will be therapeutic, psychoactive, or balanced.
THC Dominant Strains
A THC-dominant strain is usually responsible for stronger effects on the mind and body, causing euphoria. You may experience increased appetite, relaxed muscles, and heightened sensory perception. If you take a higher dosage, you may even experience anxiety or paranoia. It is mainly suited for pain relief or other recreational purposes.
CBD Dominant Strains
If you go for CBD-dominant strains, it will calm your mind and body. Choosing the right CBD for daily consumption can help you relieve your body of stress and anxiety. It can also help reduce chronic pain and inflammation, along with controlling seizures and spasms. It is ideal for therapeutic use, especially for beginners and those sensitive to THC.
Balanced 1:1 Varieties
With a 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD, you can get a more balanced strain. It gives you a mix of euphoric and calming effects, thus ensuring a more manageable experience for your mind and body.
You may experience better focus, a relaxed body, and mild euphoria using this balanced variant. It can also help you reduce anxiety and paranoia while helping you stay functional throughout the day.
It is crucial to choose the strain that helps you achieve the state of mind you desire.
Influence of Terpenes on Aroma and Impact
You may have noticed that some cannabis has an earthy smell while others give citrusy scents. This is because of terpenes. Terpenes are aromatic compounds you find inside the cannabis. They can determine how your chosen strain can smell and taste, influencing your senses eventually.
Here are some of the key terpenes to know
- Myrcene: It offers an earthy and musky scent with a hint of cloves, inducing sedating and relaxing effects on your mind and body. It is commonly found in Indica strains like Blue Dream.
- Caryophyllene: It provides a spicy and peppery aroma, inducing anti-inflammatory and stress-reducing effects. It is the only terpene that can become a cannabinoid once you bind it to CB2 receptors
- Limonene: It offers a bright and citrusy aroma, which feels like lemon peels, inducing mood uplifting and creative effectives. It is commonly found in Sativa dominant strains like Super Lemon Haze.
When the cannabinoids and terpenes merge inside the cannabis, it can create an entourage effect, which ensures these compounds deliver a nuanced effect. For instance, when you use a THC strain with myrcene, you will find it is less intense. However, the same THC, when combined with limonene, will provide energetic effects.
That’s why you should use aroma to guide you towards the cannabis that will benefit you. You will notice that your favorite strain comes with a particular scent profile that aligns with the desired effects.
Always let your senses guide you towards the cannabis when you enter the dispensary, online, or physical.
Determining Desired Effects and Uses
When choosing cannabis, you should always look beyond the label to determine how you would feel by consuming it. Your cannabis strain choice should depend on whether you want relief, a productivity boost, or something to relax.
Here are a few points that can help you ensure you choose cannabis that offers the desired effects and uses.
- Align the strain with your purpose of consuming the cannabis. When you opt for Indica-dominant strains or ones rich in linalool, you may experience calming effects. In case of pain relief, you should go with strains that contain more CBD or are balanced in CBD and THC. Sativa-dominant strains can help you stay more focused and uplift your creativity.
- You must always consider the usage before going ahead with the cannabis strain. If you want to use it for medical purposes like pain relief and anti-anxiety, you need CBD-heavy strains. It is perfect for daytime use. In case of recreational use, you might want to prioritize euphoria. That’s when you should go with THC-dominant strains.
- If you want to consume it during the day, you might want to choose a sativa-leaning strain or hybrid cannabis. It is ideal for workouts and social outings. However, if you want to slow things down or wind down in the evening, you should go with an Indica-dominant strain.
Your strain choice will begin with the question- what do you want to feel or what is the purpose of using cannabis?
Consumption Methods and Strain Compatibility
Your consumption method can also determine how the strain will affect you. That’s why choosing the right method to deliver the strain to your body also matters. It depends on your health preferences and the experience you aim to achieve. Some methods kick in faster while others provide long-lasting effects.
- Smoking and Vaping: They are known to deliver the effects immediately. You can typically feel the effects within minutes, and they last for 1-3 hours. It can be useful when you want to test a new strain. This method is ideal for Sativa or hybrid strains, where you need immediate relief or quick energy.
- Edibles: This will take about 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick-in. the effects will last for over 4-8 hours on your body. It is suitable for Indica or balanced stains that cause sleep inducing or relaxed effects on the body. Edibles like these work best if you have sleep issues or other chronic problems.
- Topicals: This is perfect if you want to gain comfort for the joint pain or inflammation you are experiencing. It takes about 15-30 minutes for the effects to stay, and they last for about 2-4 hours. They don’t enter the bloodstream, which means you don’t feel the high. If you don’t want to experience any mental effects but want to get targeted pain relief, you can use this method.
Researching Strains: Dispensary and Online Resources
It is crucial to make an informed decision while choosing the cannabis strain. You must consider your personal goals and preferences, along with using the online resources and in-person experience, to choose the strain.
- There are several online platforms that can become your digital guide in looking for cannabis strains. They provide an in-depth insight into the strain, its effects, and user reviews. You must look for all the possible online resources before making the decision.
- It is equally important to check the chemical composition of the cannabis strain while choosing your cannabis. You must look at the data from lab tests to get an understanding of the cannabinoid content, to check THC and CBD levels, and to understand potency and effects. You should also consider the influence of the aroma of the terpenes and the flavour to determine the effects.
- You can go with in-store consultations to get personalized advice based on your needs and preferences. They will be able to help you articulate the strains that will give you the desired effects. You can ask them questions about the characteristics of the strain and their consumption methods.
By combining these resources, you can make an informed decision about the cannabis strain. It helps you make a holistic choice regarding the strain.
Trial and Error: Dosing, Journaling, and Adjustment
You must go with the trial-and-error approach to find the dosage you seek. Taking a cautious approach and tracking the experiences can help fine-tune the cannabis use for the best outcomes. The right dosage can help you get the desired effects.
Here are a few pointers to ensure you find the right dosage using the trial-and-error approach.
- Start with a low dosage and slowly increase it to ensure you find the right dosage. This is especially true when you are trying a new cannabis strain. You should always wait for 1-2 hours to assess the effects before you increase the dosage. This is true for all the methods of consumption.
- Microdosing is also a great way to figure out if the cannabis can provide you the desired effects. It can also help you identify the exact dosage you need. With small and regular doses, you can build the desired effects with time.
- You should have a symptom and effect journal to keep track of your dosage journey. You should track the dosage along with the method of consumption. It is equally important to determine the time of day you wish to consume the cannabis.
- Fine-tune your experience while gradually increasing the dosage. This would help you get the ideal effect that you are aiming for. Make sure to keep adjusting the doses depending on the time of the day and your evolving goals.
The trial-and-error process can help you keep track the progress or make adjusts on the go to optimize the effects.
Legal and Regional Availability
You must be aware of the legal landscape in your area before you purchase cannabis from the dispensary. There are cannabis laws that differ by location, which you must know to make an informed decision.
- Understand the state and country laws to know if it has been legalized completely. In some cases, it is only available for medical use while in others it is also available for recreational use.
- There are specific laws for home cultivation as well. in some countries, you are allowed to grow a limited number of cannabis plants in your home. You should connect with the local ordinances before you begin cultivation, whether for personal or commercial use.
- There are definite standards dictating product labeling. For instance, you should clearly indicate the THC and CBD levels in the cannabis. You should mention the terpene profile, additives, and ingredients on the label along with warning and safety information.
Conclusion: Empowered Strain Selection
You must be aware of the cannabis variety, its effects, and complete profile before you consume it. There are different ways to consume cannabis, and each differs in the effects it produces. Apart from that, you must be aware of the local laws and dispensary regulations before identifying the cannabis.
It is essential to choose cannabis that conforms to cultivation laws, has the standard product labels, and helps you stay safe. You should be updated on the cannabis laws and compliance to avoid legal complications.
