What’s the Difference Between a Head High and a Body High?

We all know what it means to get high, but do you know the difference between a head high and a body high? It’s an important distinction to understand, because it will not only impact the kind of psychoactive experience you have but also the kinds of therapeutic benefits you’re likely to access. 

Head High vs Body High

The main difference between a head high and a body high is that a head high puts you in an energized, creative state while a body high physically relaxes you and promotes a calming sense of bliss. 

To break it down a bit more, a head high opens up your mind and gets the juices flowing while a body high is more numbing and sedating. If you’re a wake-and-baker, you might strive for a head high in the morning and afternoon and then level it all off with a soothing body high in the evening (though we always recommend cannabis consumption in moderation). 

Characteristics of a Body High and Head High 

The following are some of the qualities that you might expect from each type of high: 

Head High	Body High
Energy  Creativity  Focus Motivation  Alertness  Euphoria	Relaxation  Calm  Chronic Pain Relief  Restful Sleep  Increased Appetite  Stress Reduction

Cannabis is extremely versatile, and it can elicit both types of high. It ultimately comes down to the type of strain you’re consuming. 

How to Achieve a Head High or Body High 

Cannabis plants are largely divided among two cultivars: cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. There’s also a third cultivar (cannabis ruderalis), but it rarely comes into play. The vast majority of cannabis strains you encounter will fit into the sativa, indica, or hybrid (indica + sativa genetics) category. 

Sativa = head high 

Indica = body high 

Sativas tend to be more energizing and headier on account of their high-THC and low-CBD concentrations. Indicas tend to be more relaxing on account of their higher-than-average CBD concentration and lower-than-average THC concentration, though there are other factors in play as well. 

Sativa Strains

If you’re looking to achieve a daytime-friendly energy boost combined with alertness and a desire to take on the world, sativa is your friend. 

Popular sativa strains include Durban Poison, Sour Diesel, Green Crack, Jack Herer, Super Lemon Haze, and Tropicana Cookies (just to name a few). 

Indica Strains 

If you’re looking to unwind at the end of the day with something more relaxing, you want to go with a quality indica strain. Indica strains tend to be more popular than sativas overall, but both cultivars have their devotees. 

Popular indicas include Granddaddy Purple, Zkittlez, Northern Lights, Grape Ape, Bubba Kush, and Papaya (again, just to name a few). Many people also love Hindu Kush, one of the purest and strongest indica strains available. 

Hybrid Strains 

Lastly, we have the hybrid cannabis strains. The type of experience you get with a hybrid can vary depending on whether the genetics are sativa-dominant or indica-dominant. With indica-dominant strains (like Wedding Cake), you can expect a noticeable body high—though not as intense as you’d get with a pure indica. If a strain is sativa-dominant (like White Widow), you can expect more of a head high. 

And then there are the wildcards, those unique strains that are true 50/50 hybrids. Blue Dream is a good example. With a balanced hybrid, you can sometimes get the best of both worlds, like the physical relaxation of an indica combined with the alertness of a sativa. 

But hybrids can vary tremendously in their effects depending on their parent strains, cannabinoid concentrations, and terpene profiles. That’s why it’s good to research hybrid strains and their effects before buying. 

Find Your Perfect High 

If you’re curious about the difference between a head high and a body high, or if you’re wondering how specific hybrids will influence your experience with consuming cannabis, we recommend exploring pre-rolls of various strains. 

For instance, we offer hundreds of Seattle pre-rolls representing just about every popular strain on the market, so you can easily compare the differences and find your favorite strains before you invest heavily in one particular variety. 

Head highs and body highs both have their merits, but your perfect strain will depend on the specific effects you want to achieve. So compare the differences and find your ideal cannabis experience.