Indica Infused Flower: What You Need to Know

The naming of indica infused flower stems from the Enlightenment and is credited to French biologist JeanBaptiste Lamark. In his 1785 Encyclopédie méthodique, Lamark proposed a new species of cannabis based on the samples he had received from India, from his friend Pierre Sonnerat, the French naturalist. Lamark provided a botanical description of how indica differed from European sativa, in stem, leaf, and sexual organs. He also described the psychoactive effects resulting from consuming the indica plant, stating: “The principal effect of this plant consists of going to the head, disrupting the brain, where it produces a sort of drunkenness that makes one forget ones sic sorrows, and produces a strong gaiety.” Over two centuries later, the term indica remains relevant.

Growers, retailers, and consumers currently identify two main types of cannabis plants: indica and sativa.

Indica plants are short and fat with thicker leaves, while sativas are tall and thin with skinnier leaves. Indica plants have shorter growth cycles and fare better in colder climates, whereas sativas have longer growth cycles and fare better in warmer climates.

Both types of cannabis plants usually smell different, which is likely due to different terpene profiles.

While there’s a wide range of indica and sativa strains, the range of hybrid strains is even larger, and, given the last half century of crossbreeding, some even say there really aren’t any pure indicas or sativas any more.

Hybrids can be a mix between two indica strains, two sativa strains, or an indica and sativa strain. What’s more, hybrids vary in strain proportionality, such as a hybrid that’s equal parts indica and sativa versus a hybrid that’s 80% indica and 20% sativa.

Indicas are known for producing a ‘body high’ and are generally more relaxing, whereas sativas are known for producing a ‘head high’ and are typically more energizing.

Nonetheless, the kind of ‘high’ a cannabis plant produces is ultimately determined by its specific set of compounds – cannabinoid and terpenes – and how a person’s body interacts with them. That’s to say, two people may get a different reaction from the exact same flower.

Regarding THC and CBD levels (the two most common cannabinoids), indicas and sativas can both have varying levels of each depending on the strain – so some indica strains may be higher in THC, or CBD, some sativa strains, and vice versa.

How to Grow Indica Cannabis

You know the basics of growing good marijuana. But what about growing great Indica marijuana in particular?Sativa and Indica plants grow differently. This is logical, since they evolved in distinctly different climates. Sativa types come from hot, tropical regions while Indica strains originated in the harsh mountainous parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.As a result, the two types demonstrate different growth patterns. With a little planning you can make the variations work to your advantage.

1. Start with the Right Strain

There are so many seed strains on the market; it can be hard to pick the best one. Here’s the secret to growing great Indica bud: choose a strongly Indica dominant hybrid.You will have better results with a strong hybrid than a pure Indica variety. Hybrids are more resilient. 

2. The Trick to Vegetating Marijuana

You can control the size of your plants by varying the length of time you allow them to remain in the vegetative stage. As soon as you change your lights to a 12/12 schedule, flowering is stimulated. The plants may stretch during flowering, but their maximum potential size is already set.

3. Grow Small, Fast and Full

For the highest yields of quality buds from Indica type marijuana, you want to grow fast and small. This means packing as many plants as possible into your grow space and limiting the time they spend vegging.

4. Train for Higher Yields

Unlike leggy Sativa plants, Indica strains generally don’t reach staggering heights. They grow short, squat and bushy, with thick leaves.This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be training them. On the contrary, it is really easy to get Indica strains to do what you want.

5. Give them a Cool Breeze

Think about the environment that Indica strains evolved in. Even in the summer, nighttime temperatures in the mountains of the Hindu Kush drop significantly. Unlike their Sativa counterparts who like the consistency of tropical temperatures, Indica strains are used to fluctuations.For the best harvest, make sure you let the grow room temperature drop 10-15°F each night, especially during flowering.

What are the effects of Indica?

Indica strains are known for producing a “body high,” leaving you physically relaxed and even sleepy. Marijuana enthusiasts often describe it as producing a feel of being “couch locked,” and use the phrase “in-da-couch” to remember that indica effects are best enjoyed on the couch (preferably with one of these movies). Most people prefer indica effects in the evening.

In contrast, sativa strains produce an energetic “head high,” better suited for creative or physical activities, and are typically enjoyed in the daytime hours. Hybrid strains are a cross between indica and sativa, producing a high that combines a bit of both properties.

Medical marijuana patients also often use these specific strain categories for treating different illnesses and conditions. They are commonly used to treat insomnia, chronic pain or loss of appetite. Again, more research is needed, and many researchers believe that other factors, like CBD to THC ratios, are more important for determining potential medical uses. Still, scientific literature does show that indica tends to have a higher CBD content than sativa, and sativa tends to have a higher THC content. CBD is increasingly demonstrating itself to be a potentially potent treatment option, carrying anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties. CBD also does not make users feel “high.”

Benefits of Indica Strain?

The cannabis indica plant tends to be short, sturdy, and resilient. It’s also easier to grow, and flowers much earlier than its sativa counterpart. Its low height makes it ideal for growing indoors. And one of its significant benefits is that it tends to have higher yields. If you’re a first-time grower, or growing inside, you would likely fare well with one of these plants.

Indica marijuana also presents a number of benefits for the medical and recreational user.

Recreationally, indica weed is more popular to use before watching a movie, relaxing and winding down at night. It is also primarily known to make you feel happy, sedated, euphoric, hungry and sleepy. The high is often described as a “deep body stone,” which can loosen the muscles and feel similar to a painkiller.

Medically, indica weed is popular for treating sleeping problems, muscle spasms, chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD and appetite loss. The higher CBD content of many indica weed strains also makes them a preferred choice among many medical marijuana patients, like those who have multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and lupus. Further research is necessary to determine exactly how indica marijuana in particular can and should be used in medicine as a treatment option.