Can You Mix Indica and Sativa Strains?
If you've ever wondered whether you can mix sativa and indica cannabis buds, you've come to the right place. Mixing cannabis strains—as it turns out—is an excellent hobby for marijuana enthusiasts who are looking for a gourmet high. For medical users, mixing strains can lead to finding the exact cocktail of benefits they need.
Indica and Sativa Strains
In the cannabis world, strains are classified as indica, sativa, and hybrid. While the cannabis plant itself comes in three varieties—indica, sativa, and ruderalis—only the first two produce the potency users are looking for, which is why ruderalis is generally not bred for use.
Indica
Indica plants are short and bushy with wide leaves that almost touch. These plants, by definition, contain more than 0.5% myrcene—a spicy-smelling terpene that is shown to help with sleep.Although the effects of cannabis strains come about from a complex interplay of factors, cannabis indica is generally known for producing a body high, providing the most effective pain relief, and being the preferred strain for use at night.
Sativa
In contrast to indicas, sativa plants are long and lanky with longer, thinner, and pointier leaves. They contain less than 0.5% myrcene, making them ideal for use during the day.Rather than locking the user to the couch, sativa strains produce more of a cerebral high and make you feel more alert, uplifted, energetic, and creative. Strong sativas are described as euphoric.
Hybrid
"Hybrid" as an isolated term simply means a strain that was created by mixing other strains, usually with the aim of keeping the best of both. The two cannabis strains that are mixed could be two indica strains, two sativas, or one indica and one sativa.Examples of hybrid strains are Pineapple Express with a balanced 50/50 sativa/indica ratio. Royal Domina is sativa dominant with 85/15 sativa/indica, whereas Blueberry is indica dominant with 80% indica. Can you mix sativa and indica? As you’ve just seen, cultivators do it all the time.
Other Features of Cannabis Strains
While sativa and indica are useful categories for understanding marijuana strains, those terms by themselves don't tell the whole story. The properties and effects of cannabis strains are also influenced by:
The climate and altitude where they're grown
Whether they're grown indoors or outdoors
The percentage of THC and CBD
The percentage of other cannabinoids
The percentage of cannabis terpenes
Varying qualities of cannabis
The same strains, grown under the same conditions, could even vary from one batch to the next. That's why it's important to buy marijuana that has been tested for its contents in a lab. When buying weed in Seattle, you can (and should) always request a certificate of analysis.
Mixing Cannabis Strains
Okay, are you ready to get your chef's hat on and start whipping up a salad? Then let's go! First, you'll need to decide what you're trying to achieve. Second, start combining strains until you find your favorite blends.
Blending for Flavor
If you're a recreational user of cannabis, the flavor might be your top priority. For this, you'll need two strains with different flavors that you think would taste amazing when combined.Generally, sativas have more fruity, floral, and spicy flavors whereas indica flowers taste more herbal with overtones of earth and fuel. In general, lemon strains and blueberry strains taste amazing when mixed with pretty much any other strain.
Blending for the High
Another reason you might mix sativa and indica is that you want a certain kind of high. For example, CBD is known to "tame" the effects of THC when present in high amounts, so you might mix a CBD-heavy strain like ACDC with high-THC strains to soften any unwanted effects.Conversely, if you want to feel a mind-and-body buzz that washes over from your head to your toes, you could mix sativas and indicas together to experience the effects of both.
Blending for Medical Benefits
Medical marijuana patients who use cannabis to treat a condition can mix sativa and indica to find the combination that works for them. The aim would be a mix of cannabinoids and terpenes that's specially tailored to their symptoms and likes.As an example, sativa strains are generally used to address psychological conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Indicas are preferred for pain, inflammation, and sleep, so they're often used by patients with arthritis.If you mostly struggle with pain and inflammation, you might mix a pure indica with some sativa so that you don't fall asleep. At night, you can simply go with the indica for maximum pain relief and relaxation.If your condition is more related to depression and anxiety, you could mix a sativa-dominant strain with a high-CBD strain to take the edge of any anxiety-inducing effects. At night, throw in a little indica to calm the buzz and go to sleep.
Recommended Blends
These blends come recommended by cannabis users who have tried them before and provide a great starting place for anyone who is new to blends.Pick the one that most closely matches your requirements (flavor, medical benefits, or effects) and grind up enough for a single hit.
Royal Domina and Medical Mass
Royal Domina
Myrcene, Pinene, and Caryophyllene
20% THC
85/15 Indica/Sativa
Medical Mass
Myrcene, pinene, limonene
10% CBD
60/40 Indica/Sativa
Blend: Royal Domina provides a pretty kick-ass high, while the high CBD content of Medical Mass keeps you functional.
Sour Diesel and OG Kush
Sour Diesel
Limonene
19% THC
90/10 Sativa/Indica
OG Kush
Myrcene
20% THC
55/45 Sativa/Indica
Blend: One of the most highly recommended blends, this combination serves up tons of flavor and a well-rounded high.
Royal Cheese and Blue Mystic
Royal Cheese
A cheesy, earthy aroma
17% THC
75/25 Indica/Sativa
Blue Mystic
Sweet, fruity, sugary aroma
21% THC
60/40 Indica/Sativa
Blend: This is one for the flavor aficionados. Savor a delightful blend of earthy cheese and fruity sweetness along with a couchlock level of relaxation.
Blueberry and Bubblegum
Blueberry
Delicious blueberry flavor
16% THC
80/20 Indica/Sativa
Bubblegum
Yummy bubblegum flavor
15% THC
80/20 Indica/Sativa
Blend: A flavorful treat for the senses with a balanced, mild high.
Wedding Gelato and Chocolate Haze
Wedding Gelato
Calming and euphoric
20% THC
60/40 Indica/Sativa
Chocolate Haze
Heavy and euphoric
25% THC
95/5 Sativa/Indica
Blend: A delightful indica-sativa blend that provides a clear-headed, euphoric high along with the winning taste of chocolate cake.
Lemon Shining Silver Haze and Shogun
Lemon Shining Silver Haze
High in limonene
21% THC
75/25 Sativa/Indica
Shogun
Head high
25% THC
70/30 Sativa/Indica
Blend: Two high-THC, sativa-dominant strains pair perfectly for a rush of mental stimulation.
Jack Herer and Afghan Kush
Afghan Kush
Sleepy body-high
21% THC
100% Indica
Jack Herer
Energizing and uplifting
15% THC
55/45 Sativa/Indica
Blend: A head-oriented high from the sativa balanced out by the calming, physically relaxing effects of indica.
Tips When Mixing Strains
Clear Your Schedule
If you're planning to mix cannabis strains for the first time, make sure to clear some space in your schedule for recovery in case your blend yields some surprising results.
Start with One Hit
Only grind enough cannabis for one hit if you're blending strains for the first time. If you like the result, you can go ahead and grind up more and store it in an airtight jar.
Take THC Content into Consideration
Pay attention to THC and CBD content when you mix strains. A mix of two strains that are high in THC could get you so high that it's hard to come down!
Getting Started with Mixing Strains
Now you know the answer to the question “can you mix sativa and indica,” a great way to go is to talk to the budtender at your Bellevue dispensary. Your budtender will likely have some suggestions based on their experience, training, and the experiences of others.Once you get into the swing of grinding and combining marijuana strains, you'll soon become an expert at finding stellar blends! If you find a blend you particularly love, be sure to let your dispensary know—they can spread the word and even request this blend from their cultivators and suppliers.