KNOW YOUR WEED: THE BEST INDICA DOMINANT CANNABIS STRAINS

One of the greatest things about cannabis is just how many options you have. However, this can just as easily be the greatest downside of cannabis for many people, especially beginners. Even if you know you're into indica dominant cannabis strains, there are still so many different ones to choose from that making a choice can be overwhelming.

We've put together this informative guide highlighting some of the best indica strains to make your life a little easier.

WHAT DOES INDICA DOMINANT CANNABIS MEAN?

For those of you who don't know, let's briefly go over what makes a strain Indica dominant.

There are two main types of cannabis: Sativa dominant and Indica dominant. Sativa dominant strains give off a heady, energizing high. Indica dominant strains, on the other hand, offer more of a relaxed body-high. It’s good to mention the effects we just mentioned are generally speaking as the ratio of cannabinoids and terpenes, as well as how you individually react to these things will determine the effects noticed.

Lamarck, a 19th-century biologist, was perhaps the first to break cannabis into its two species, Indica and Sativa. He purported that since each type grows in such different environments (Sativa grows in Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America, while Indica grows in India, Turkey, Pakistan, and Afghanistan) the strains had to adapt and evolve to their environments. This affected not only the look of the plant but the effects when ingested.

All that aside, the overall main thing you need to know is this: Indica can make you sleepy and calm, and Sativa makes you creative and energetic. As you experiment for yourself with varying cannabinoid ratios, you’ll start to get a better idea of how each strain works specifically for you.

INDICA EFFECTS

Indica dominant strains are known for their anecdotally calming, sedating effects.

Users report feeling sleepy, relaxed, and hungry after taking Indica strains. Indica strains are also reported to have pain and nausea-relieving benefits. Some Indica strains are much higher in CBD than Sativa strains, and it's best used at night due to its sedating effects.

Many people use Indica strains to unwind after a long day thanks to the anecdotal stress-reducing effects. Others with chronic pain or injuries use it as they report it helps them manage their pain. Users of Cannabis Indica often report what's called "couch-lock," meaning they don't want to get up from the couch because they're just so relaxed.

BEST INDICA STRAINS TO TRY

Now that all that's out of the way, let's jump into some of the top Indica strains on the market today.

The Indica strains below are some of the most popular, as well as some of the Origins team's favorites. We've tested all of these strains, and performed detailed research ourselves with independent cannabis testing facilities, as well as through Leafly, to give you the most accurate description of each. So, let's dive right in.

GORILLA GLUE STRAIN

Gorilla Glue is an indica-dominant hybrid strain from GG Strains.

Gorilla Glue can be recognized by its crystal-covered, dense buds and pale-green color, often with small orange hairs. It has a citrus-like, peppery smell and taste, and anecdotally delivers heavy sedating effects. Users report feeling intense couch-lock, feelings of euphoria, and overall very relaxed.

The good thing about Gorilla Glue is that despite the alleged relaxing, euphoric effects, it doesn't reportedly make users feel too sleepy. Users do report heavy dry mouth from the strain, though, so have plenty of water on-hand. Gorilla glue is anecdotally great for dealing with stress, pain, and anxiety.

Cannabinoid Profile:Between 17-22% THC, under 1% CBD

Terpene Profile:Caryophyllene, limonene, linalool, beta-pinene, alpha-pinene, terpinolene, myrcene

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES

This mixture between OG Kush and Durban Poison is one of the most popular strains of all time.

Girl Scout Cookies is recognizable by its wiry, crispy buds laced with purple and orange hairs. It has an earthy yet sweet smell, and reportedly mixes a euphoric high with a big-time relaxation. Users love using it for stress and depression support, as well as soothing aches and pains.

Girl Scout Cookies is a powerful strain, so you don't need too much to start feeling great. It's purportedly a great social strain, making it a favorite at parties and get-togethers.

Cannabinoid Profile:Between 16-21% THC, under 1% CBD

Terpene Profile:Limolene, humulene, caryophyllene, myrcene, linalool, pinene

HINDU KUSH

Hindu Kush is 100% indica-dominant, and reportedly offers a strong high.

This is a great strain for kicking back and relaxing after a long day, or fighting off a bout of insomnia. Users report feeling extremely relaxed and sleepy when taking it, as well as happy and euphoric. Hindu Kush has dense, deep-green buds with plenty of orange hairs.

Like Gorilla Glue, this one tends to give users extreme dry-mouth, so drink up. You might love this strain if you suffer from stress, soreness, or trouble sleeping. Our research and studies we’ve read report that Hindu Kush helps greatly in all these areas.

Cannabinoid Profile:Between 15-19% THC content, under 1% CBD.

Terpene Profile:Pinene, limonene, caryophyllene, humulene, caryophyllene

PURPLE KUSH

Straight out of Oakland, California, Purple Kush is the child of Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani.

Purple Kush has an earthy, sweet smell and dense, crystal-covered buds with touches of purple. It anecdotally offers users great relaxation and sleep benefits, and can aid in enhancing appetite. It's reportedly a stress and pain-relieving pro, and also may help with depression and insomnia.

Users reportedly love the taste of purple kush, as well as its almost sandalwood-like smell. As a nearly 100% indica strain, this is top-of-the-line when it comes to relaxing strains. Use this one after a long day, or before bed for the best results.

Cannabinoid Profile:Between 13-18% THC, under 1% CBD

Terpene Profile:Myrcene, pinene, caryophyllene, humulene, alpha-pinene, linalool

ICE CREAM CAKE

This citrusy strain is a cross between Gelato #33 and Wedding Cake.

As far as taste goes, it doesn't get much sweeter than this. You'll swear you can taste hints of vanilla when you take Ice Cream Cake. This is a reportedly strong strain, giving you quick effects with just a little bud.

Ice Cream Cake anecdotally offers extreme relaxation and happiness, mixed with sleepiness and euphoria. It may help fight pain, stress and anxiousness, without too heavy side effects like dry mouth and eyes. This strain is perfect to smoke just before bed.

Cannabinoid Profile:Between 20-23% THC, under 1% CBD, CBG, THCV

Terpene Profile:Limonene, caryophyllene, linalool

NORTHERN LIGHTS

With light buds almost bordering on yellow, Northern Lights is easy to pick out of a line as one of the most popular strains of all time.

Descended from Afghani and Thai landrace, Northern Lights has a spicy-sweet scent and a generous coat of crystals. Anecdotally, it's a very relaxing and mood-lifting strain that can cause sleepiness but many say the tiredness isn’t too bad to manage. It also can cause pretty heavy dry-mouth and dry eyes, so keep your favorite cottonmouth drink and the eye drops nearby.

Northern Lights offers reportedly great body high mixed with a slight head-high that can inspire creativity in some. It's one of the purest indica strains out there, meaning it can offer big munchies and big soreness relief.

Cannabinoid Profile:Between 14-18% THC, under 1% CBD, CBG,

Terpene Profile:Myrcene, caryophyllene, limonene, humulene

BUBBA KUSH

This wide, leafy bud with plenty of orange hairs is high in THC and offers a reportedly intense high.

You're going to want to save the Bubba Kush for after work or before bed
it's maybe the best indica strain for sleep. Anecdotally, it offers users heavy relaxation and sleepiness on top of a happy, euphoric high. Users tout it as one of the best stress and ache relieving strains of all time.

Of course, this comes with strong dry mouth and eyes and the munchies, so have some snacks on hand.

Cannabinoid Profile:Between 14-19% THC, under 1% CBD, CBG

Terpene Profile:Humulene, caryophyllene, linalool, caryophyllene oxide

ANIMAL COOKIES

Also known as Animal Crackers, this mix of Girl Scout Cookies and Fire OG is a fan favorite.

Animal Cookies has a sweet smell and offers reportedly intense effects. This makes it a great strain for relaxing and kicking back with a throwback movie and a few good friends.

Cannabinoid Profile:Between 17-21% THC, under 1% CBD

Terpene Profile:Caryophyllene, Limonene, Myrcene, THC-A, 9-THC

BLACKBERRY KUSH

This combination of Afghani and Blackberry Kush is easily identifiable by its dense, purple and orange buds.

It has a very herbal, citrus-like smell that reminds users of berries. Blackberry Kush isn't the strongest strain on this list, so you may need a bit more than usual, but the taste and effects make it a top-tier choice.

Cannabinoid Profile:Between 14-18% THC, under 1% CBD

Terpene Profile:Myrcene, Limonene, Caryophyllene, 9-THC, CBG, CBD-A

ONLY SMOKE THE BEST INDICA DOMINANT CANNABIS STRAINS

Every marijuana user deserves only the best indica dominant cannabis strains for relaxing, relieving stress and pain, or just getting a good night's sleep. Pick one of the Indica dominant cannabis strains above and you won't be disappointed.

For high-quality Indica, Sativa, and hybrid strains, shop at Origins.