What Is Indica And Its Effects
- 1. The history of indicas
- 2. Indica's characteristics
- 3. Differences between sativa, indica, ruderalis, and hybrids
- 4. The effect of original indicas
- 5. Indicas nowadays
- 6. The best indica-dominant autoflower strains
- 7. In conclusion
Indica and Sativa have probably influenced every decision related to smoking or growing cannabis seeds you’ve ever made. What is Indica? It is probably one of the first questions you have asked if you’re a novice in cannabis.
1. The History Of Indicas
Cannabis Indica is a species of cannabis plant. It was found in 1785 in the Hindu Kush mountains in the Middle East and is more abundant in places such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tibet where the climate is colder and has low humidity. Because of this, Indicas have developed different structures, appearance, and effects than other cannabis species and are usually short and stocky with dark-green, wide leaves.
Way before the '70s, Indicas were used by locals to make hashish, which they consumed almost daily for their medicinal properties. Because of this, they selected the cultivars with the strongest effect and unknowingly selected plants with high CBD levels, making it super effective as a pain reliever with a body relaxing high.
2. Indica's Characteristics
The typical Indica is an overall more compact plant, it usually grows short and has a thick stem. The leaves are darker than on Sativa plants, for example, they have really short and wide "fingers". Indica strains tend to grow more side-branches and are bushier than Sativas, and the buds will grow dense and normally will weigh more than other species of cannabis.
Due to being from the mountains, Indicas can withstand cold climates with ease and will produce more trichomes due to being used to grow closer to the sun.
Main Characteristics:
• Short and bushy, usually growing between 90 - 150cm.
• Thick and dense buds.
• Resistant to cold climates and low humidity.
3. Differences Between Sativa, Indica, Ruderalis, and Hybrids
- Sativa
Sativas are the tallest of all species of cannabis, they can grow well over 3 meters high, developing slim with thin leaves. It grows better in hotter climates with high humidities. Sativas deliver a euphoric, uplifting, and creative high, like Wedding Cheesecake Auto, usually not recommended for medicinal cannabis patients.
- Indica
Indicas are kind of the opposite of Sativas, they grow short and stocky with really wide leaves. This species grows better in cold climates with low humidities and are usually preferred by medicinal users for its relaxing body high, like Gorilla Glue Auto, which can be used to treat muscle pain, insomnia, and eating disorders, among others.
- Hybrid
Hybrids are a mix of Indica and Sativa genetics. They can show growing characteristics or effects from both species. Gorilla Cookies Auto is a perfect example of a balanced hybrid of Sativa and Indica.
- Ruderalis
Ruderalis grow super short with small chunky buds. It is extremely resistant to harsh climates and unless crossed to another species like the ones above, it will usually contain a very low THC and high CBD levels.
4. The Effect of Original Indicas
The most important characteristic of this subspecies of cannabis is its medical effects and how they influence energy levels and productivity. Indicas tend to decrease energy and are better for consumption in the evening or at night (when the day ends). Indicas generally have a higher CBD content than other subspecies, although the CBD to THC ratio is very close to 1:1. Nowadays Indicas have been developed to have high THC levels so the only way to get a high-CBD Indica is by getting the original landraces or by looking specifically for CBD-rich Indicas, such as our CBD Auto 20:1.
It is important to note that there are new ways to categorize a cannabis plant other than Indica or Sativa. Nowadays Indica or Sativa is used to know the structure of a plant will have more than the type of high.
5. Indicas Nowadays
Before Cannabis became so popular, there were original Indicas around. Those original plants were CBD-rich and were what some people think Indicas nowadays deliver: a relaxing, sedating, and potent body high that leads to a couchlock effect. Although that used to be the case, it isn’t anymore. It’s still perfectly valid to describe those effects as “Indica-like”, as long as we remember that Indica-like effects don’t necessarily mean a plant has Indica lineage.
In the last 50 years, cannabis breeding has been leading the market. As a result, there’s almost no such thing as a “pure” Indica (or Sativa) anymore. Almost every flower you have come in contact with is a hybrid. Calling a strain Indica usually means it is a predominantly-Indica hybrid. Nowadays, modern cultivators have purposefully bred and grown a wide spectrum of strains within both the Indica and Sativa categories for the purpose of making available the right medicine for every individual.
Each unique combination can influence how it affects a person’s disease and the strain you smoke should be one that fits your preference and adapts to your lifestyle. Sometimes patients must maintain jobs or family responsibilities that demand a particular energy level and can’t tolerate the sedative properties of many Indicas, that’s why most Indicas have been genetically modified (crossed) to suit everyone.
The Indica = relaxation thought is outdated and inaccurate. So, what does Indica mean and what effect will it have on us? The real meaning of Indica plants today is in their traits during the cultivation cycle. Indica plants tend to grow short with thick stems and broad, deep-green leaves. They also have shorter flowering cycles and grow well in cold climates with low humidity.
As we know, each strain produces a unique effect and can affect each person differently but that doesn’t mean you can’t make correct decisions when choosing which strain to consume. The effects you experience from a particular strain (either Indica or Sativa) are connected to the compounds found in the plant (cannabinoids and terpenes). Each cultivar has its own cannabinoid and terpene mix, they are responsible for delivering a Sativa or Indica-like effect as well as the medicinal benefits.
6. The Best Indica-Dominant Autoflower Strains
Here at FastBuds, we pride ourselves on producing only the highest quality autoflowering Indica strains. For more than a decade we have focused purely on the auto side of cannabis cultivation, and thanks to this dedication we now have the widest selection of Indica dominant strains of autoflowering cannabis plants out of any seed bank in the entire world. No matter if you are looking for a plant that will grow tall, small, purple, or green. A plant that will put you into a nice deep couch lock, or something more subtle - we have you totally covered. So without further ado, let's have a look at our current bestselling Indica dominant autoflowering strains.
Banana Purple Punch Auto is one of the heavier Indica dominant strains, with a genetic split of Sativa 25%/Indica 75%. With a seed to harvest period of just 8 weeks you would expect her to have a slightly lower expected harvest, but that is not the case whatsoever. Indoor growers can expect to get anywhere between 450 – 550 gr/m2, and with a THC level of over 26%, she is in the exclusive “most potent autoflower” club. As the name suggests, Banana Purple Punch Auto comes in with a fruity, candy-like terpene profile and has some of the best bag appeal out of our entire range. You can expect bright-orange hairs and a beautiful mix of purple, pink, and magenta hues.
Forbidden Runtz Auto is a beginner grower’s wet dream, with huge results from very little effort. She is anything but picky, can be grown in a wide range of climates, and works great in both indoor and outdoor setups. In terms of flavors, this beauty offers a deep, rich, earthy, and sweet fruity profile that will satisfy even the pickiest among us. She can produce up to 450 – 550 gr/m2 when grown indoors, or 50 – 150 gr/plant when out in the elements. Her genetic mix of Sativa 35%/Indica 65% makes her perfect for any time use. There are a variety of ways to cultivate flavourful wonder. Some growers much prefer the synthetic route. If you go down this path, simply apply bottled synthetic nutrients according to the instructions on the bottle. However, if you’re more inclined towards self-sufficiency and would rather strive to develop your own sustainable closed-loop system, then you’ll get on much better with an organic approach. Forbidden Runtz Auto will highly benefit from large additions of organic matter to the soil. Use your own homemade compost to deliver many helpful nutrients. You can either apply it as a mulch or make aerated teas or compost extracts and apply as root drenches and foliar sprays.
How could you have a list of the best Indica dominant autoflowering strains and not have Northern Lights Auto slotted in somewhere? You couldn’t! This plant is one of your true OG’s and is a real compact big yielder. If you are looking for a strain that will help you relax, chill out, and sleep then Northern Lights Auto is the one for you. With a mix of peppers, spice, and a mild fruitiness - this strain is slightly unusual in terms of flavor but that’s exactly why she is so instantly recognizable. The genetic split is heavily in the Indica corner here - Sativa 30%/Indica 70%. She responds better than most to colder climates but will flourish in almost all conditions. You can greatly improve your success rate when growing Northern Lights Auto through numerous organic cultivation strategies. Applying worm castings early on in the growing cycle will provide key nutrients, beneficial microbes, and protection from some common pathogens.
If medicinal effects mixed with a nicely balanced Indica high are what you are looking for from your sensimilla, then CBD Auto 1:1 (CBD Crack) should be right up your alley. This strain truly is the best of both worlds, with a THC and CBD percentage of 7%. The high levels of CBD are perfect for those looking to decrease their stress and anxiety levels, and the low THC count offers a mild but balanced psychoactive boost that will leave you feeling euphoric with a very mild physical buzz. Mango is at the fore of the flavor profile and is backed up by hints of both pepper and Jasmin. An extractor’s dream!
7. In Conclusion
Labeling a strain Indica or Sativa was established years before we realized how terpenes and cannabinoids interacted together to deliver unique effects. When choosing a strain to consume or grow it is recommended to know the smell and flavors a plant produces to really know the effect you will get. If you're looking for a strain that will deliver the real effect of an Indica, we recommend our Zkittlez Auto, this Indica-dominant strain will deliver that relaxing, pain-relieving body high you're looking for.
Even though it's really hard to find, there are original landrace Indicas or Sativas (and they truly are 100% Indica or Sativa) the lineage will most likely match their effect, other than that it is not uncommon to consume an “Indica” and have a Sativa-like effect or vice-versa, it all depends on the unique mix of terpenes and cannabinoids a cultivar has.
