Cannabis head high vs body high

Different cannabis seed varieties offer subtle, but important, differences in the type of psychoactive effects (or ‘high’). Sativa cannabis seed strains tend to produce a somewhat more euphoric, uplifting and creative high.

Indica seed varieties often produce heavier effects, sometimes with a profound body high/body stone. These indica strains can be especially popular with medical cannabis users, or with those seeking some serious chill out time at the end of a busy day.

However, that’s only part of the story. Many growers find that they, perhaps unexpectedly, get e.g. a strong head high from an indica. Your own personal endocannabinoid system also means that you may experience different effects to other people, even from the same strain.

Head high vs body high explained

One of the great joys of cannabis home growing is the chance to assess different strains and find out how you respond to sativa, indica and hybrid cannabis seed varieties. Some find strong preferences to particular types of weed, or even specific strains which deliver the best effects/medical relief.

Other growers find that they enjoy a sativa (or sativa dominant hybrid) first and a solid indica later in the evening. Many growers enjoy a selection of jars containing their favourite strains.
Head highs, often from sativa strains, can give a creativity or productivity boost, allowing users to get on with their tasks.

Body highs may be more suited to an evening chill-out session on the sofa with some good food. But each user has their own unique endocannabinoid system, meaning that we may all have our own preferences.

Some dedicated growers even maintain a collection of their favourite mother plants to ensure genetically identical offspring and guaranteed consistency of effects. Note also that there are relatively few completely ‘pure’ indica or sativa strains.

Many will have phenotypes that can express differing levels of sativa/indica. Astute growers will pay particular attention to the seed banks strain description and may read a few online grow reviews before deciding to buy cannabis seeds.

What is a body high?

A body high, or body stone, is most often (but not always) associated with strong indica, or indica dominant hybrids. The effects may feel physically sedating. Often aches & pains will melt away. Vape/smoke too much and you may sense the onset of couchlock. The contents of the fridge may start to draw your interest.

With a well-baked body high, the user often feels so relaxed and content that they are quite happy to veg out on their sofa or bed, surfing or watching TV. Many medical users appreciate the strong body effects and feel this aids restful sleep/relaxation.

What is a head high?

A head high is usually (but not exclusively) associated with a strong sativa (or sativa dominant) cannabis seed variety, such as Haze cannabis seeds. A strong sense of euphoria is often accompanied by an energetic vibe. Artists & musicians often comment on the productivity boost that results from a storming head-high.

What is a hybrid high?

When growing a hybrid, the genetics often express characteristics of both the indica and sativa genetic lineage. For many growers, hybrid cannabis seeds offer a mixed effect, some body-high alongside a head high. Note that when growing a hybrid you may get some sativa leaning phenotypes and perhaps some indica leaning plants.

Autoflower seeds vs feminised seeds: Effects on head high & body high

The specific cannabis genetics of your strain, and the relative indica vs sativa influence is what determines whether you get a head high, body high or a bit of both. It doesn’t matter whether you grew the buds from autoflower seeds, feminised seeds (or even regular seeds).

What is the effect of cannabis induced by?

THC is the main cannabinoid in most cannabis strains, and this produces the bulk of the psychoactive effects. But these effects are steered, or modulated, by the presence of other cannabinoids AND the cannabis terpenes. In addition to these variables is the fact that we all have our own unique endo cannabinoid system. This means that two different people may experience somewhat different effects from the same strain.

That’s the reason that so many different cannabis growers have their own personal favourite cannabis seed varieties. The real beauty of home growing is that it allows you to narrow down your own list of personal favourite strains, enabling you to produce crop after crop of banger harvests ideally suited to your own needs & preferences.

Identifying cannabis strains by type of effect

It’s generally, but not always true, that sativa strains tend to be more associated with a creative, energised high and indica strains are more closely linked to laid-back, chill-out effects. But various other factors should be considered.

THC levels & minor cannabinoids

With dozens of (largely unexplored) cannabinoids present in cannabis; little is known about the possible synergistic effects produced by an array of cannabinoids. Sometimes this is called the ‘entourage effect’ though it isn’t fully scientifically accepted.

An indica with the right THC loading and presence of certain other cannabinoids that suit your personal endocannabinoid system might produce a sativa-style head high.

How much cannabis do you use?

Many users will find that a low-medium cannabis dose can give them a head-high and perhaps a nice mental lift. But if they over-indulge the effects can deliver more of a couch-lock body stone, even from a sativa. As well as knowing more about the cannabis genetics that best suit you, understanding your doses for different effects is also important.

Cannabis terpenes

As with the proposed entourage effect, more research is also required to better understand how cannabis terpenes modulate, or ‘steer’, the cannabis high. There is plenty of circumstantial evidence that indicates that a terpy strain is much more enjoyable than a bland strain.

But could the presence of a heavy terpene loading also amplify the feelings of a head high vs a body high? Further studies would be useful, but with the results so subjective answers may not be easy to find.

What time of the day it is?

Strange though it may sound, some people find that the time of day can affect whether they feel more of a head high or body high. This can vary from individual to individual. For some cannabis fans, a fat joint just before bed will always result in a great night sleep no matter what the strain. But for others, sativa strains must be avoided in the evening, or they may make the user feel too stimulated to sleep.

What sort of person are you?

Many growers fine-tune their all-time favourite strains over many years of cannabis home growing. Knowing the type of person you are and what you want from cannabis is a great starting point.

Many grow weed to help them relax and de-stress. Often sedative indica or indica dominant hybrids are a good starting point for those seeking a solid body effect. Other growers find that sativa cannabis seed varieties, or sativa dominant hybrids, give them extra energy, passion and motivation for sports, arts, music etc.

The home grower has the advantage of being able to look for specific cannabis seed varieties that best suit them. And they also have the advantage of knowing how well it was grown!

Why are you taking a given strain?

If you’re a medical cannabis grower your over-riding priority may be the quality of the medical effects from your strain. Sometimes medical users find optimised effects from very specific strains. Sometimes even specific mother plants. For some recreational users, the strain may seem less important so long as it’s strong & enjoyable.

What are the best cannabis strains for a head high?

Most Dutch Passion growers love the powerful head highs from the following strains. We include a mix of feminised seed varieties as well as autoflower seed options.

• Desfrán. Perhaps the purest sativa feminised seed variety in the collection. Soaring head high. Large stretch in bloom, ideal for growing with the SCROG method.
• Ice Cream Haze. High THC, potent Haze with XL yields and dreamy gelato taste.
• Amsterdam Amnesia. Classic Dutch Amnesia with a searing ‘up’ high. Pungent aroma and branch bending yields.
• Auto Skywalker Haze. 26%  THC levels, independently verified! Highly recommended to fans of potent Haze strains.
• Auto Lemon Kix. Fruity, sweet and 20%+ THC levels. Easy to grow with consistently potent plants and heavy yields.

What are the best cannabis strains for a body high?

If you’re looking for a buzzing body high with strong physical effects, check out this cannabis cup winning selection of proven cannabis seed varieties.

• Blue Zushi, powerful & compact indica with 26% THC levels and a staggering 2.6% terpenes. Chilled out bliss!
• Kerosene Krash. Epic Gorilla Glue x Sherbet genetics, 21%+ THC levels with a strong body stone and intense fuel-spill aroma.
• Blueberry. Classic feel-good indica dominant, popular with those seeking a laid-back, relaxed strain with legendary Blueberry taste.
• Auto Banana Blaze. Budget priced autoflower seed variety, classic Afghani Kush with a pronounced body high and rare, sweet banana taste.
• Auto Mazar. Autoflowering version of the legendary Mazar, a hard-hitting indica that allows you to kick back and relax like a boss.

What are the best cannabis strains for a hybrid high?

Many, perhaps most, connoisseurs like to have a jar of buds that will give a beautifully balanced heady/body high. Anxiety and stress melt away, you can feel your body relax - a quality hybrid is genuinely hard to beat. If that sounds like you the here are 5 strains you shouldn’t miss out on!

• Auto Critical Orange Punch. A repeat top-5 best seller, adored for her powerful balanced hybrid high. Sweet tropical fruity taste, easy to grow and XL yields.
• Auto Cinderella Jack. Another best seller, with independently verified 25%+ THC levels guarantee she always hits the spot.
• Auto Ultimate. Typically Dutch Passion’s heaviest yielding auto with a long growth cycle (11-14 weeks). 20% THC levels, rich taste, worthy recent cannabis cup winner.
• Orange Bud 2.0. The long-awaited sequel to the original Orange Bud. Even richer terpene profile and a hugely enjoyable balanced high.
• Frisian Dew. Cannabis cup winning outdoor champ known for her all-weather resilience. Fruity, fresh and supremely enjoyable buds. Top pick for outdoor growers.

Key takeaways and further tips for an optimal experience

Different people often get subtly different experiences from the same cannabis seed variety. Many have their own preferred strains that deliver the perfect type of high for them. The fact that there are so many different cannabis strains, rather than just a dozen ‘top’ ones, shows how varied the demand is when it comes to cannabis seed genetics.

When buying cannabis from the streets, coffeeshops, clubs or dispensaries the genetics in your bag may sometimes fail to impress. The only real way to guarantee perfect strains that give optimised effects for you is to grow the plants yourself.

Committed growers will often retain mother plants which are simply too good to lose, perhaps buying a separate tent for them. Other keep a collection of their favourite cannabis seed varieties in the fridge.

Home growing allows you precise control over both the quality of the cannabis genetics as well as the way they were grown. Home growing also allows you to fine tune your own journey towards the perfect strains for you. Within a few grows you should start to get an idea of the types (and strengths) of cannabis that give you the most pleasure, fun and medication.

Enjoy your next grow!