Most individuals buy Indica online to enjoy a relaxing experience and unwind after a demanding day. This conjures an image of cannabis users as lazy or idle, a stereotype attached to them by those who do not partake. The perception is that individuals who use marijuana are less inclined towards activity, which leads to a sedentary existence. Research challenges this assumption.
Sophie Boutouis, from the University of Texas, and her colleagues, associates from the University of Ohio, conducted a study examining the lifestyle of marijuana users.
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways:
- Behaviours of People Who Smoke Cannabis Strains
- Cannabis Use Doesn’t Mean Lazy
- What Does Indica Strains Do to Users?
- How to Determine Indica Plants?
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Are all Kush products or strains considered Indica?
- What causes Indica strains to make you feel relaxed and sleepy?
- Does pure Indica have the same effects as an Indica-dominant hybrid?
- Does Indica have a specific aroma profile?
- What are some other forms of cannabis products that may contain Indica strains, and what are the indicators to identify them?
Key Takeaways:
- Cannabis Indica strains tend to induce relaxing and sedating effects due to THC, CBD, and their dominant terpenes.
- Smoking cannabis doesn’t correlate with a sedentary or “lazy” lifestyle.
- People who smoke cannabis walk more than non-users.
Behaviours of People Who Smoke Cannabis Strains
Cannabis smokers are not what most people think of them. They live a lifestyle that is opposite of most people’s assumptions. In a study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine Reports, researchers at the University of Texas and Ohio University analyzed data from 2,591 adults involved in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health from 2016 to 2018 (1).
Their findings revealed interesting correlations regarding participants’ behaviours. They observed that individuals who reported using marijuana tended to engage in walking for exercise more frequently compared to non-users, e-cigarette users, and those who used both substances.
The primary findings from the main analysis reveal that there are no significant distinctions in the frequency of strength training or overall physical activity among non-users, marijuana users, e-cigarette users, and dual users.
In this study, the researchers aim to determine the behaviour of marijuana users and e-cigarette users toward exercise, which is similar to another study published in the same journal (2).
Cannabis users tend to walk more frequently than non-users, which may be due to the possibility of the use of cannabis strains to enhance motivation and enjoyment of physical activity, as well as the likelihood of marijuana users residing in urban areas where walking and public transport are more common modes of transportation.
Despite the limitations of this study, it appears that the connection between marijuana use and exercise might not be of paramount concern when weighed against the substance’s impact on other dimensions of adult health.
Cannabis Use Doesn’t Mean Lazy
Users who consume cannabis for running activities experience reduced negative feelings, heightened positive emotions, increased tranquillity, enjoyment, and dissociation, along with more pronounced symptoms of runner’s high (3).
The positive impacts of cannabis reported by runners align with the conclusions drawn from a 2019 study (4). This research highlighted that individuals incorporating marijuana into their workout routines engaged in a more balanced and regular exercise regimen.
With proper understanding and moderation of cannabis consumption, individuals seeking to enhance their motivation for physical activity may find it worthwhile to explore the effects of cannabis.
What Does Indica Strains Do to Users?
Both recreational and medical cannabis users find value in an Indica strain for various reasons. The relaxing and sedating effects can be truly enjoyable, especially when relieving stress. People commonly describe Indica’s impact on the human body as inducing a “stoned” or “body high.” It accentuates sensory perceptions like sound, touch, and smell while inducing profound relaxation, occasionally leading to drowsiness.
Many users liken the experience of smoking or vaping a quality Indica weed to unwinding with a glass of wine, brandy, or scotch—a ritual that rewards after a long day’s work.
Unlike Sativa strains, which often inspire physical activities like swimming or hiking, Indica cannabis strains tend to induce a “couch lock” effect. It leaves users content to unwind indoors, perhaps watching a movie.
Medical patients turn to cannabis Indica strains for relief from various conditions. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy use it for chronic pain relief and to stimulate appetite. People with Insomnia find it conducive to a night of restful sleep.
How to Determine Indica Plants?
Both Indica and Sativa plants belong to the Cannabis genus, and their names are now widely recognized as the common identifiers for these prominent marijuana varieties. The term “Indica” traces its roots back to India, as it was in this region that Jean-Baptiste Lamarck documented the earliest specimens in 1785.
Indica also originated in Afghanistan, where cultivators extensively utilized it for hashish production.
| INDICA PLANT | INDICA FLOWER |
| Indica plants tend to have broad leaves and a compact structure with a richer, darker hue and shorter flowering period. | Indica buds are packed tightly with a chunkier structure. Trichomes on mature Indica flower may display a milky-translucent hue, though they lean towards an amber tint. |
Conclusion
Society often stereotypes users of cannabis Indica flowers by associating them with negative traits like laziness or a sedentary lifestyle. The reality is that the effects of Indica and other cannabis strains vary uniquely from person to person. For some individuals, cannabis can catalyze motivation to encourage them to engage in activities and tasks with enhanced vigour. Uplifting mood due to the cannabis effect can facilitate a proactive approach to daily endeavours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Kush products or strains considered Indica?
Not all strains of Kush adhere strictly to the pure Indica lineage; some are hybrids. Authentic Kush strains primarily exhibit Indica traits or lean towards Indica dominance. While Kush fits within the Indica-hybrid spectrum, a diverse array of hybrid Kush strains exists. In comparison to other cannabis varieties, Kush, e.g. Hindu Kush, often induces sedative effects reminiscent of Indica strains and promotes feelings of relaxation and contentment alongside euphoria.
What causes Indica strains to make you feel relaxed and sleepy?
The relaxing impact of Indica can be due to THC content and terpenes. THC affects the regulation of sleep via interacting with brain receptors. When consumed before sleep, Indica can induce feelings of relaxation and drowsiness. The effects of Indica stem from the interplay of THC with your endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Indica also contains terpenes like myrcene, linalool, and limonene that induce calm and relaxing effects.
Does pure Indica have the same effects as an Indica-dominant hybrid?
If your hybrid strain possesses elevated levels of Indica genes, you may notice a stronger inclination toward Indica effects. In cases where an Indica-dominant strain harbours nearly balanced Sativa and Indica characteristics, it tends to offer a blend of effects, which ensures you’re not overly sedated by the Indica or excessively energized by the Sativa influence.
Does Indica have a specific aroma profile?
The classification of Indica or Sativa does not solely determine the aroma profiles of cannabis strains. Genetic variation within each category significantly affects the range of aromas found in different cannabis strains. While Indica strains have musty, earthy, and skunky smells, the specific genetics of each strain can lead to nuanced variations in these scent profiles.
What are some other forms of cannabis products that may contain Indica strains, and what are the indicators to identify them?
Some edibles and concentrates may feature Indica strains. Carefully inspect the product label to discern the strain employed by the brand. In instances without details, reach out to your budtender.
References:
- Sophie Boutouis, Frances Wymbs, Berkeley Franz, The association between marijuana and e-cigarette use and exercise behavior among adults, Preventive Medicine Reports, Volume 40, 2024, 102668, ISSN 2211-3355 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102668.
- Michael T. French, Karoline Mortensen, Manuel Alcalá Kovalski, The relationships between marijuana use and exercise among young and middle-aged adults, Preventive Medicine, Volume 147, 2021, 106518, ISSN 0091-7435, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106518.
- Laurel P. Gibson and Angela D. Bryan. Running High: Cannabis Users’ Subjective Experience of Exercise During Legal Market Cannabis Use Versus No Use in a Naturalistic Setting. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Ahead of print http://doi.org/10.1089/can.2022.0338
- YorkWilliams Sophie L., Gust Charleen J., Mueller Raeghan, Bidwell L. Cinnamon, Hutchison Kent E., Gillman Arielle S., Bryan Angela D. The New Runner’s High? Examining Relationships Between Cannabis Use and Exercise Behavior in States With Legalized Cannabis. Frontiers in Public Health, Volume 7, 2019, ISSN=2296-2565, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00099.
