If you’ve been using medical cannabis for any length of time, you’ve probably experimented with a few different strains. You’ve also likely noticed that each one produced different effects. Perhaps one variety left you feeling more focused and alert, while another left your limbs so relaxed that you didn’t feel like moving.
Various strains of cannabis produce different highs. One way of categorizing a high is as either a head high or a body high. Both highs have medicinal benefits; which you’re after comes down to your own priorities and preferences.
The question is, how do you know which type of high is right for you? And, how do you determine which strains will provide you with the desired effects? We’re here to help you understand the difference between a head high vs. body high so that you can choose the products that will produce the desired results.
What’s a Head High?
A head high refers to the mental effects certain strains of cannabis can have. These effects often occur first, even in varieties of the plant that produce both types of highs. They typically include feelings of happiness, euphoria, and pleasure. You may also notice an increase in your focus and energy level.
In many cases, the strains that produce these effects are best suited for daytime use when you need to be more alert and awake. They’re also often ideal for helping to alleviate mood disorders like depression or anxiety. Their uplifting effects can make you feel happier and more optimistic.
One thing to keep in mind with strains that produce a head high is that taking too much can trigger unwanted effects. In other words, a small dose of an uplifting plant may improve your mood, but a little too much (or far too much) can make you feel anxious or paranoid for a short period.
What’s a Body High?
A body high, on the other hand, refers to the effects cannabis has on your body. The effects of this high are more physically soothing and relaxing. In strains that induce both types of highs, the body effects generally kick in later, after the mental effects begin to subside.
Common effects of strains that produce a body high include muscle relaxation, lethargy, clumsiness, and sedation. Depending on the variety, you may also notice increased physical sensitivity or a tingling sensation throughout your body. As such, many medical cannabis users choose these strains to alleviate the physical symptoms of different conditions, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and neuropathic pain caused by cancer treatment. Their sedative properties can help you fall asleep more easily, making them more popular for treating insomnia.
Just as with strains that produce a head high, your dose of a strain that triggers a physical high plays into the effects you feel. A smaller dose of these strains can cause physical relaxation and sedation, whereas taking in too much can lead to an effect known as couchlock. If couchlock sets in, you may feel so relaxed that you’ll be unable to move from your seat. Again, these effects are temporary, but medical users may want to avoid them if they’re looking for relief during the day.
How Do the Chemicals in Cannabis Affect Your High?
Cannabis plants have numerous compounds within them. The concentration of each compound varies from one strain to the next, which makes each one unique and results in different effects.
The most well-known chemicals in cannabis are cannabinoids. Currently, there are more than 140 different known types of cannabinoids in the plant. Each strain doesn’t necessarily contain every single cannabinoid. At the same time, each strain also doesn’t have the same levels of specific cannabinoids. Some are higher in THC, while others have more CBD. Each variety may also have varying concentrations of other cannabinoids.
Each strain also has different types (and varying levels) of terpenes, which exist in all kinds of plants. These are the compounds that cause each strain’s unique aroma and flavor profile. They can also play a role in the effects you feel. For instance, limonene and pinene are more stimulating and energizing. Terpenes like linalool and myrcene, on the other hand, are more relaxing and sedative.
How Do Sativa or Indica Strains Affect Your High?
Cannabis typically gets divided into two categories: Sativa and indica. There are hybrids, too, which generally get categorized as sativa-dominant or indica-dominant. These categories usually refer to the physical characteristics of a specific plant. Many people also believe that the category has a direct impact on the effects you feel. Sativa plants are thought to be more uplifting and energizing, while indicas are relaxing and sedative.
Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple, especially when you start throwing hybrids into the mix. Sativas, indicas, and hybrids all have varying levels of cannabinoids and terpenes. However, there’s no scientific evidence that proves all sativas produce certain types of effects while all indicas produce another; the notion that one group or the other is likely to have a specific set of effects is entirely anecdotal. Additionally, many strains on the market today are hybrids. These strains often affect both the mind and the body in various ways.
So, What’s the Real Difference?
While it’s easy to say certain strains produce a head high and others produce a body high, it’s not always that simple. It may be that the various types of cannabis have different effects because they contain unique levels of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds. However, there’s no concrete evidence that points toward specific plants or compounds triggering specific effects.
It’s also possible that people feel specific effects because that’s what they’re expecting to feel. In other words, your expectations play a big role in the type of experience you have. As of right now, researchers haven’t found any solid evidence that you might feel a specific way when you use a certain plant. While you can choose strains based on their expected effects, it really all boils down to what works best for your needs.
Find the Strains That Work Best for You
When it comes to a head high vs. body high, understanding what to expect with different strains of cannabis can help you determine which ones might produce the specific effects you seek. One thing to keep in mind is that each strain of cannabis can affect different people in different ways. If you’re looking for specific effects, looking up a cannabis strain’s info or talking to a dispensary budtender can help get you started. The best way to know, though, is to test a few different strains. That way you can determine what provides you with the results you want.
If you’re looking for different strains of medical cannabis in Florida, VidaCann has what you need. With physical dispensaries throughout the state and options for Florida dispensary delivery, you can get the products you need for the relief you seek. Visit VidaCann today to get started.
