Top 5 Tips On Choosing Your Delta 8 Strain

Whether you’re a frequent Delta 8 user or a newbie, it might be confusing when you see certain products that say the strain is “Indica,” “Sativa,” or “Hybrid.” Or, maybe they say the strain is “Blue Dream” or “OG Kush” or some other nonsensical-sounding name. 

Even further, you might not know which strain is best for you or best for what you’re looking to experience. You could be using Delta 8 recreationally or for specific benefits, so it is good to know which strain you need to buy. Heck—you may be lost right now as I say “strain,” so let’s get into what a strain is, what different types of strains there are, what they do, and why it’s important to pick out the one best suited for you.

What is a Strain? 

Strain is the different breeds, or subtypes, of the Cannabis plant. These are the names you see, like "Blue Dream" or "OG Kush."

You might think of Delta 9 THC (marijuana) when you hear the word “strain.” Since Delta 8 THC is derived from the same plant (Cannabis), that means the different strains will generally act in the same way as Delta 9, just in a milder form. 

Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid strains are subspecies of the Cannabis plant. They’re named for how they are cultivated and bred. Within each subspecies, there are individual strains. 

But contrary to popular belief, the categories Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid don’t necessarily describe the strain’s effects on the body and mind. That doesn't mean you shouldn't look to them as a guide, however.

What are terpenes?

We have to introduce one more term: terpenes. Terpenes are another compound (like cannabinoids CBD, CBN, CBG, and THC) found in the Cannabis plant. All plants contain terpenes, but for the sake of this article, let's just pay attention to the cannabis-related terpenes. 

Terpenes are actually the "creators" of the effects that the different strains will have on you. They are also responsible for the aromas and flavors of each strain. There have been 150 different terpenes identified in cannabis, and there will be more as research continues.  

So, terpenes are the reason that you can't completely rely on the three subspecies (Sativa, Indica, Hybrid) to pick out your strain. The terpenes are the better guide for how you will experience each strain. Certain terpenes are more common in each category. They could help you differentiate sedating effects from energizing ones.

Myrcene, for example, is a terpene responsible for sedative-like effects and found in Indica strains in higher percentages. This terpene is also found in beer, which is why beer can make you sleepy! Terpenes such as limonene and pinene create a more uplifting experience and are found in Sativa strains in higher concentrations. 

Your body composition, tolerance, previous food intake, dosage, and other factors will affect how you experience different strains. This is also a good reason to always do your research when buying a new product or trying something new. 

Learn more about different primary cannabis terpenes here.

Strains and Their Categories

The three categories are thought to describe the effects of the strains based on the terpene profiles in which each category is dominant. These are how they are perceived and how most Delta 8 products will be categorized, which is still helpful when you are starting with the basics of choosing your strain.

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• Sativa: Energetic and uplifting
• Indica: Lethargic (also known as In-Da Couch)
• Hybrid: Balanced effects

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Experts believe that there could be well over 700 different strains. The strains are the names you see (such as Green Crack, OG Kush, Gorilla Glue, or Cherry AK), and you will only see them on products such as flowers, vapes, and cartridges. Delta 8 gummies and tinctures almost always offer a hybrid experience.

Additionally, at least 150 terpenes have been classified. So, there's a lot to figure out and look through. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Check out our Ultimate Terpenes Guide for the full scoop.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself

Though it is popular to choose a Delta 8 strain from just the three categories of sativa, Indica, or Hybrid, we know that we shouldn’t solely rely on these categories. Instead, we should look at the terpenes in the different strains. There are other things to consider when deciding on a strain, as well.

Here are the top 5 questions to ask yourself when choosing your strain.

1. What do you want to gain from your experience?

If you want to relieve or manage a certain ailment, you can look for strains best known for their specific benefits, such as anxiety relief, pain management, or sleep aids. 

2. Do you know your tolerance? 

Knowing your tolerance can help you find either a milder or stronger strain. That is based on the Delta 8 THC concentrations in each of the products. Our Delta 8 vape and flower products show how much each strain has, whether in milligrams or percentages. If you don’t know your dose, the best way to figure it out is to start with a low dose and work your way up, noting how you’re feeling as you experience it. 

3. When will you want to use your Delta 8?

It is important to choose the time of day to use your Delta 8 product. For example, if you are using Delta 8 as a sleep aid, you’ll probably want to take it at night rather than in the morning.

4. Are there any flavors that you don’t want to try?

If you don’t enjoy a flavor, you shouldn’t get a product that tastes or smells like that flavor. This is common sense, right? Maybe you found a strain you really want to try, but it tastes like grapes (GROSS), so you might be inclined to try it anyway. Remember, there are over 700 different strains - you will be able to find a strain with the effects you want AND in a good flavor.

5. What type of product are you comfortable with?

Not all strains will be available in certain products. If you’re only comfortable using vape pens or cartridges (we are unable to ship these products as of 11/2/2021), then aim for those products in the strains you want to try. 

Dab wax is another way to vape, and we can actually ship it (!). We currently carry MANY strains in our dab products. If you want to try using flowers but don’t know how to roll your own, some strains are available in prerolls. You can also buy pre-roll paper and carefully pack it yourself after watching a short online tutorial.

All of these factors are important to look at together—not just on their own.

It is important to know the types of strains, their effects, and what you are looking for when it comes to your “high.” If you aren’t aware of what a certain strain entails, you could be caught off guard, and your experience could be unfortunate. If you don’t enjoy your experience, you might be wary of trying a different strain. Delta 8 can be very beneficial to some people, so if you’re scared off from a bad strain experience, then you might assume all strains will make you feel that way. 

Want to research a strain you’re not familiar with? Visit our complete Weed Strain Library to start exploring. Just remember, though, that your body may react differently to strains than what you see online. Keep an open mind and be in a comfortable environment when trying new strains. 

Don’t be intimidated by the number of strains and terpenes that are out there—be encouraged! You will find strains that you don’t enjoy or don’t check all of the boxes on your list. Since there are just so many strains and terpenes, you will eventually find one you enjoy.

Experiment With Different Strains

As you make your way through the world that is Delta 8 and the different strains, don’t be afraid to experiment and keep an open mind when trying different strains. Though one strain might say you’ll be couch-locked for the experience, your body may react differently, and you could feel energetic depending on the terpenes present. 

The strain definitions are guidelines for what the effects should feel like, but your body composition, what you’ve eaten just before using the product, and other factors could impact your experience. When trying out different strains and listening to your body, make sure you start with a low dose and work your way up from there, noting how you feel and your personal experience.

I hope this article was informative, so get out there, try some strains, and let us know in the comments which ones you like! If you still have questions, a team member here at The Green Dragon CBD will be happy to help you!