Sativa gets you going; Indica helps you relax.
That’s the simple explanation for the difference between these strains of marijuana. Simple — but not entirely accurate.
If you’re new to the medical marijuana community, sorting through cannabis products and strains can be confusing. CannaMD is committed to patient education and making treatment easier to understand. In this article, we clarify the universe of sativa, indica, and hybrid strains and help patients choose a medical cannabis product that’s right for them.
What Are Sativa And Indica?
The terms “sativa” and “indica” were created by 18th-century botanists to define what appeared to be two different species of cannabis: Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. Carl Linneaus used the term “sativa” to describe hemp plants found in western Eurasia and Europe. These taller, leaner varieties of cannabis were cultivated for fiber and seeds. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck used the term “indica” to describe the more psychoactive varieties of cannabis discovered in India. In addition to producing seeds and fiber, these shorter, thicker plants were harvested for hashish production.
In modern cannabis culture, the sativa label is a generalization for narrow-leaf varieties of cannabis, while stout, broad-leaf plants fall into the Indica category. While Sativa and Indica cannabis strains look and grow differently, this distinction is primarily only useful to cannabis cultivators because numerous other factors beyond physical appearance influence the effects of a given strain.
The indica/sativa distinction is often used as a shorthand to simplify product differentiation and selection. But this simplistic division of products has become less meaningful due to the ever-growing number of strains hybrid breeding has brought to the market.
What Are Hybrid Strains?
Though sativa and indica were once considered distinctly different species, research shows they are subspecies of the same plant. This closely related biology allows for easy cross-breeding and hybridization. Various sources list anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000-plus hybrid strains of cannabis now on the market.
Cannabis growers and retailers may refer to a strain as “indica-dominant” or “sativa-dominant.” This distinction is less about botany and more about the effects, based on the popular energizing vs. relaxing differentiation.
How Do I Get Consistent Effects Between Strains?
While many users try to predict the effects of a particular cannabis product based on its sativa/indica/hybrid designation, the effects of a strain do not always align with its physical properties. In addition, there is little evidence to suggest that Indicas and Sativas exhibit a consistent pattern of chemical profiles.
In an interview with Dr. Daniele Piomelli, editor of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, noted psychopharmacology researcher Dr. Ethan Russo stated:
There are biochemically distinct strains of cannabis, but the sativa/indica distinction as commonly applied in the lay literature is total nonsense and an exercise in futility. One cannot in any way currently guess the biochemical content of a given cannabis plant based on its height, branching, or leaf morphology. The degree of interbreeding/hybridization is such that only a biochemical assay tells a potential consumer or scientist what is really in the plant.
A 2021 study from Dalhousie University published in the journal Nature Plants examined the content of some 300 cannabis strains. The authors wrote:
Strains labeled indica were just as closely related to strains labelled sativa as they were to other strains labeled indica.
Adding:
Not only did we find that indica/sativa labeling is misleading, but so are the names given to strains. For example, we found that two strains both named “OG Kush” were more similar to other strains with different names than they were to one another. Overall, strain names are often not reliable indicators of a plant’s genetic identity and chemical profile.
An even more comprehensive study published the same year in the journal PLoS ONE compared the cannabinoid and terpene content of more than 90,000 cannabis flower samples from dispensaries in six U.S. states. After crunching the numbers, the researchers concluded that there was no consistent difference in the chemical profiles of strains labeled as indica or sativa.
But if sativa and indica classifications aren’t the best way to distinguish between user experiences, what other plant properties should we be studying? For answers, let’s look at how a strain’s chemical composition affects the user, and how knowledge can help patients find strains that work best for them.
Is Sativa Or Indica Better For My Condition?
Choosing a strain based on the sativa versus indica classification alone can paint a muddy picture of the effects a user will feel. Several different factors, including the product’s chemical profile, the user’s biology, tolerance, dose, and consumption method determine how a particular cannabis product will be experienced. Understanding how these factors influence perceived effects can help you find the best product for your needs. Understanding the chemical profile of a strain, including cannabinoids and terpenes, can be a great place to start.
Cannabinoids In Sativa And Indica
The exact number of cannabinoids found in marijuana remains a subject of debate, and discoveries are made each year. A 2020 report in the Journal of Cannabis Research suggested that there were more than 140 cannabinoids identified in the cannabis plant.
The cannabinoids found in medical marijuana bind with cannabinoid receptors in the human body to influence the endocannabinoid system, which regulates and controls critical bodily functions such as learning and memory, sleep, temperature control, pain control, appetite, inflammatory and immune responses, and eating.
Two of the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Instead of choosing a strain based on its indica or sativa classification, consider starting your product decision on the amount of THC and CBD contained in a specific strain. A simple generalization is that
- THC-dominant strains are known to elicit psychoactive effects and are commonly recommended for the treatment of chronic and severe pain.
- CBD-dominant strains contain very small amounts of THC and are preferred by patients suffering from anxiety and/or those who do not wish to experience any psychoactive effects.
- Hybrid strains may contain more balanced levels of THC and CBD and are often recommended as a “first step” for new patients.
Other cannabinoids may also play a role in the effects of a particular strain of cannabis, and an equally important variable is the presence and abundance of the numerous terpenes found in marijuana.
Are Terpenes The Key To Marijuana Effects?
Terpenes are the chemical compounds that give marijuana and other plants their distinct aromas. The terpene linalool gives lavender its calming scent, while pinene evokes the fresh, invigorating atmosphere of pine forests. Beyond the scent profile, terpenes interact with cannabinoids and other compounds in medical marijuana, to enhance benefits such as pain relief, healing and sleep. This synergistic relationship is known as the “entourage effect.”
Terpenes also contribute to and alter the physical and psychoactive effects of a cannabis strain. Terpenes such as myrcene and linalool are known for stress relief and relaxation, while limonene and pinene promote clear-headed and energizing effects.
The Dalhousie University study mentioned above suggests that terpenes may play an outsized role in identifying the effects of a given strain of marijuana. The authors write:
The sativa–indica scale currently used to label cannabis poorly captures overall genomic and metabolomic variation. Cannabis labeling is instead probably driven primarily by a small number of key terpenes whose concentrations contribute to the characteristic aromas commonly associated with sativa and indica.
They go on to suggest that:
A practical and reliable classification system for Cannabis that is consistent with contemporary understanding of the terms ‘Sativa’ and ‘Indica’ may be achievable by quantifying a small number of terpenes and/or genotyping genetic markers associated with key cannabis aromas
Appreciating the interaction between different cannabinoids and terpenes may better assist patients in finding the perfect cannabis product – more so than simply focusing on sativa versus indica designations.
Do You Have Questions About Sativa, Indica And Hybrid Medical Marijuana Strains?
CannaMD’s state-certified network of medical marijuana doctors is available to provide advice and assistance with your medical marijuana questions and needs. Contact CannaMD‘s experienced team at (855) 420-9170 today. Ready to get your card and purchase legal cannabis products? You can find out if you qualify for medical marijuana treatment with our quick online application!