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One makes you hyper? One makes you sleepy? Are these truths or myths?

When we talk about Sativa cannabis strains versus Indica cannabis strains, is there really a difference? Well yes, but maybe not in the way you have learned. 

Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa are variations of species that both come from the cannabis plant. If you walk into any dispensary or browse through their inventory online, you will most likely be welcomed with a list of weed strains including, Indica vs Sativa and hybrid strains.

And while cannabis enthusiasts are trained to believe that Sativa produces a more invigorating high, while Indica strains provide for a more relaxing full-body high, recent knowledge suggests that the difference between Indica and Sativa may be all in our heads, go figure! 

So here’s the lowdown on two of our favourite weed strains: simply selecting a “type” of cannabis strain and expecting certain effects, may not be the best way to go about choosing a strain that is right for you.  So how do you choose the right strain? It’s not rocket science, but it does take some time educating yourself about each plant’s composition, and how that reacts to your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). 

Read on to learn what canna-experts are discovering about Indica-dominant and Sativa-dominant hybrid cannabis strains.  

Indica Vs Sativa: What’s The Real Difference?

It’s easy to generalize Indica vs Sativa, as both growers and consumers have long categorized them based on their appearance and psychological effects. In fact, when it comes to Indica vs Sativa’s physical appearance, the difference is more obvious. The Sativa plant tends to be tall, light green, and with slim leaves, while the Indica plant is short, sturdy, and with wider dark green leaves. 

Sativa

• Light Green

• Tall

• Slim Leaves

Indica

• Short

• Sturdy

• Wider Leaves

Indica Vs Sativa: Plant Composition

It is important to note that modern cultivators typically breed a wide array of strains that contain predominantly Sativa, or Indica, but cross-breeding is more common. Cross-breeding is also referred to as hybrid strains. In other words, nowadays there is no such thing as pure Indica or Sativa strains. So, if you see a dispensary categorize a strain as either Indica or Sativa it generally means that one strain is more dominant. With that said, the psychological effects of Indica vs. Sativa can be harder to define. That’s because the effects you feel when you smoke a certain strain have everything to do with the chemical profile of the plant and how it reacts to your body. More specifically, the compounds are known as cannabinoids and terpenes. Terpenes are essential oils that are responsible for giving a cannabis plant its rich flavour and are secreted from the same part of the cannabis plant that contains THC and CBD. Both cannabinoids and terpenes are compounds found within the cannabis plant but have different medicinal properties.

Experts believe that there are over 150 cannabinoids found in cannabis, and contain around 100 different types of terpenes. When all these magical little compounds work together in a harmonious way, experts call it “The Entourage Effect”, or defined by Healthline as “the theory that all the compounds in cannabis work together, and when taken together, they produce a better effect than when taken alone” In layman’s terms, the entourage effect = the personal high you will feel after ingesting a particular strain of marijuana. But, here’s the kicker, everyone will experience the entourage effect differently, because everyone has different body chemistry. Saying that you may smoke a heady Indica dominant northern light’s strain, and have a completely different high than your friend who smokes the same exact strain. Hence, why smoking or consuming a Sativa or Indica strain may not always coincide with the “high” you were expecting.

Indica Vs Sativa: How Do I Choose The Right One For Me?

Let’s break it down in simpler terms. Sativa and Indica cannabis plants differ in their physical appearances. That’s a fact. When it comes to how each cannabis strain will make your body feel, that is still being investigated. Leafly held a blind-tasting of the Indica vs. Sativa and found that long-time smokers don’t necessarily have the capacity to distinguish between the two strains. With that said, many cannabis consumers still agree that Indica dominant strains are better for sedated, full-bodied highs, while Sativa dominant strains are more conducive to uplifting and cerebral highs. It should also be added that hybrid strains are any two strains mixed together, usually one being more dominant than the other. So that’s also an option when looking for a bud strain.

When it comes to science, most experts believe that the “high” you feel when consuming Indica vs. Sativa strains, will be distinguished by how their chemical compounds affect you as an individual. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to each strain’s flavor profile. How does it taste? How smoothly does it enter your lungs? And most importantly, what effects do you feel after 30 minutes of consuming it?

When all is said and done, the cannabis plant is complex, and experts are still discovering all of its unique properties and medicinal values. Most of us are just here for the ride. So, perhaps the best advice is to experiment with a few strains until you find the perfect bake for your body and mind.

*Photo credits for Sativa picture and Indica picture courtesy of Wiki Commons.