Understanding the difference between a body high and a head high is a key component of making sure that you’re getting the right strain for your needs when you buy cannabis from a dispensary. Having a great budtender behind the counter certainly makes things easier, but it’s even more helpful if you already have an idea of what you need when you come in. We’re going to help you do that.
One of the great things about cannabis is that it can produce an almost endless variety of different experiences. People tend to loosely classify those experiences, though, in terms of feeling a “body high” or a “head high.” In this guide, we’re going to explain what those terms mean. We’re also going to help you understand some of the things that you should consider as you look for a cannabis strain or vape cartridge that can help you meet your specific goals. Let’s jump in.
Body High vs. Head High: What Do Those Terms Mean?
As you might have guessed, the terms “body high” and “head high” refer to whether the experience of using a particular strain of cannabis are felt primarily in the body or in the mind.
A head high tends to refer to sensations of increased creativity, sociability and adventurousness. You might want to use a cannabis strain that creates a head high, for instance, if you’re about to attend a concert or go out with your friends.
A body high tends to refer to sensations of relaxation, pain relief and sleepiness. The term “couch lock” refers to a body high so strong that you want to sit on the couch and doze or watch TV all day. You might want to use a cannabis strain that creates a body high if you’re planning to settle in for a day of relaxation or are about to go to sleep.
Do Sativa and Indica Strains Cause Body Highs or Head Highs?
In general, sativa cannabis strains are more known for causing head highs, whereas indica strains are usually thought of as causing body highs. This comparison, however, is muddied by the fact that most of the cannabis strains sold in dispensaries today are actually hybrids that are created by combining sativa and indica strains. It’s less common to find strains that are exclusively one or the other. You can get some information by looking for terms such as “indica dominant” or “sativa dominant,” but it’s more useful in the long run to research the specific strains themselves. We’ll discuss that as we bring this guide to a close.
What Effects Do Cannabinoids and Terpenes Have on Body Highs and Head Highs?
As we mentioned above, the fact that most modern cannabis strains are hybrids makes it difficult to understand the effects that you can expect a given strain to have based on whether it’s an indica or sativa strain. That would be an oversimplification because few strains have purely indica- or sativa-based lineages. You can get much more information by learning about the percentages and ratios of the active ingredients in the strains that interest you. That’s one reason why the cannabis products sold in dispensaries are tested by independent laboratories.
Here are the two things that you need to look for when you read the lab report for a particular cannabis strain.
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are the primary active ingredients in cannabis flower, and the two cannabinoids that you’ll see in most lab reports are THC and CBD. THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It tends to cause “head high” effects at lower doses and “body high” effects at higher doses. CBD has no psychoactive effects of its own, but it can moderate the effects of THC.
Terpenes
Lab reports tend to focus on the cannabinoid content of cannabis, but terpenes – the natural compounds that occur in different ratios in various strains and give weed its wide range of scents and flavors – can have benefits as well by supporting certain effects that you want to achieve and mitigating effects that you might want to avoid.
Here are some of the terpenes that commonly occur in cannabis along with their potential benefits.
Linalool: Found naturally in lavender. May help to support relaxation and sleep.
Limonene: Found naturally in citrus oil. May provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
Myrcene: Found naturally in hops. May help to support stress relief.
Caryophyllene: Found naturally in cloves. May help to support pain relief.
What Are Some Popular Strains for Head Highs and Body Highs?
Now that you have a basic understanding of head highs, body highs and how to achieve your goals with cannabis, let’s put it all together by discussing some popular strains along with their effects.
Gelato: Balanced hybrid. Gelato has notes of cream and fruit, so it tends to conjure feelings of eating ice cream or sorbet. Because Gelato’s lineage is balanced between indica and sativa strains, it may leave you feeling very relaxed but still ready to do some work or produce something creative.
Ice Cream Cake: Indica-dominant hybrid. Ice Cream Cake has notes of vanilla and butter, which makes some people think of ice cream or frosting when they smoke it. People generally say that it produces more of a body high and makes them feel rested and ready to relax.
Pineapple Express: Sativa-dominant hybrid. Pineapple Express is known for its distinct pineapple-like scent and flavor. People tend to report that it produces more of a head high and makes them feel giggly, uplifted and sociable.
Sour Diesel: Sativa-dominant hybrid. Like all strains with “Diesel” in their names, Sour Diesel has a note that smells strongly of fuel. People have reported that this strain tends to produce noticeable anti-stress and anti-anxiety effects.
Tahoe OG: Indica-dominant hybrid. Tahoe OG has a noticeable lemon note, but people generally describe the overall flavor profile as being very strongly herbal or “earthy.” You might want to try Tahoe OG if you’re looking for a little help with falling asleep at night because people generally report that it leaves them feeling extremely relaxed.