Indica and sativa are two main cannabis strains, each having unique traits and offering different benefits. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or a cannabis connoisseur, understanding the differences between indica and sativa can lead to a more personalized, satisfactory consumption.
What are cannabis strains?
Cannabis strains have specific genetic traits that deliver different characteristics such as size, growth cycle, flavor, aroma, and general effects. Chemotype and terpene profile are also key factors that influence traits.
High-THC strains produce more psychoactive effects, while high-CBD strains are more therapeutic. Indica and sativa are considered subspecies or cultivar types, while hybrids are a result of breeding. All three carry different effects depending on their cannabinoid and terpene profiles.
When you head to the dispensary, you’ll see cannabis strains and products labeled as “sativa,” “indica,” or a “hybrid” between the two that can be either sativa-dominant or indica-dominant. While the terms “sativa” and “indica” technically identify a plant’s genetic makeup and physical characteristics, over time the medical marijuana community has adopted these terms to explain how a product might make you feel.
Sativa-leaning medical marijuana strains are associated with energy, while indica-leaning strains are linked to relaxation. But as we learn more about how medical marijuana works, we now know that these labels are not as accurate as once thought.
Your medical marijuana experience is shaped by much more than whether the product’s source plant has sativa, indica, or hybrid traits. What do you need to know before heading to the dispensary? Read on to learn more about the physical and genetic differences between these strains, and identify which factors have a greater impact on your desired medical marijuana experience than its indica, sativa, or hybrid designation.
Further reading: Origin, benefits and traits of Cannabis Ruderalis
Indica strains
Indica strains are known for their calming, “body high” effects determined by specific cannabinoids and terpene profiles. They promote relaxation and help with physical pain.
Physically, indica plants are shorter and bushier compared to Sativa plants.
Indica strains often have high THC content, but their relaxing effects are typically attributed to their terpene profile, especially myrcene.
Sativa strains
Sativa strains are considered “uppers” with energizing and uplifting effects, determined by specific cannabinoids and terpene profiles. These strains may improve mood, social skills, and boost focus.
Compared to indica plants, sativa cannabis plants are tall with long, slender leaves.
Sativa strains may be more suitable for daytime use due to their stimulating effects.
Hybrid strains
Hybrid strains are a crossbreed of indica and sativa plants, delivering a combination of the best traits from both strains. They may help with various symptoms such as pain, stress, insomnia, and anxiety, depending on the exact cannabinoid and terpene profile.
These unique strains can be either balanced, indica-dominant, or sativa-dominant, offering a specific experience tailored to your preferences.
The physical and genetic differences between indica, sativa, and hybrid strains
Before diving into the effects of a certain medical marijuana strain, it’s important to understand the roots of the indica/sativa/hybrid designation.
As mentioned, there are notable physical and genetic differences between two main species of medical marijuana, sativa and indica. Sativa plants are assumed to be tall and skinny, while indica plants are assumed to be short and bushy.
These differences can be traced back to what is known as “landrace strains,” or wild varieties of these species that naturally adapted to their environments after being spread by human trade and travel. As medical marijuana plants adapted to new regions, their characteristics diverged from one another.
Indica landrace strains tend to cluster in the Middle East and Asia, while sativa landrace strains often originated in regions like Africa and South America. The different conditions in those regions led the plants to develop general differences in physical and chemical makeup, which are still often cited today as absolute.
Historically, “sativa” referred to the species of cannabis that was prominent in the West. These plants often had low THC levels and were primarily used as industrial hemp is used today: for fibers and seeds in the production of industrial goods and food.
Indica plants were those more common in the East, known and consumed for their intoxicating qualities caused by heightened levels of THC.
However, generations of selecting breeding have blurred the line between the two, resulting in a medical marijuana product market that consists of mostly hybrids.
While pure indica and sativa strains do exist, most of the strains in dispensaries today are hybrid. Breeders cross sativa and indica plants regularly to optimize cannabinoid production, resistance to disease, or higher yield production , which is why there are so many hundreds of hybrid strain options to choose from.
A hybrid plant can exhibit the physical traits of a sativa or indica strain, but could inherit the genetics of the opposite plant. As a result, what the plant looks like can’t always accurately predict how it will make you feel.
Indica vs. sativa vs. hybrid: Comparative overview
Each cannabis strain has specific characteristics such as size, growth cycles, purpose of use, and general effects. Understanding the differences and similarities between indica, sativa, and hybrid strains can help consumers in picking the best option for them, as each strain delivers unique experiences.
| Cannabis type | Indica | Sativa | Hybrid |
| Plant appearance | Short, wide, and bushy | Long, slender leaves | Depending on the dominant, inherited form |
| Potential general effects | Sedating, relaxing | Energizing, uplifting | A balance between calming and uplifting, depending on the dominant strain |
| Medical use | Pain management, insomnia, epilepsy, and inflammation | Headaches, nausea, depression, anxiety | Varies, depending on the dominant properties of each strain |
| Potential side effects | Nausea, fatigue, dry mouth, dry eyes | Restlessness, agitation, increased heart rate, dry mouth, dry eyes | Dry mouth, dry eyes, lethargy, increased heart rate |
| Popular cannabis strains | Northern Lights Hindu Kush | Super Lemon Haze Sour Diesel Green Crack | OG Kush Gelato |
Cannabis ruderalis
Cannabis Ruderalis is one of the few species of cannabis plants alongside Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. The species’ main characteristics include a rapid growth cycle and small stature. Cannabis ruderalis plants are autoflowering and can grow in extreme environments without specific lighting.
The amount of THC that ruderalis produces is not enough to promote significant effects. Unlike cannabis sativa and cannabis indica, it’s rarely used for medicinal or recreational purposes due to its low potency. Cannabis ruderalis is mainly used for creating fast-growing hybrid strains.
Picking the right type of cannabis for you: What actually shapes your medical marijuana experience
Picking a cannabis strain is not an easy task. There are various factors to consider when picking the right one for you. In a dispensary environment, the terms “sativa” and “indica” are often used to reference a type of experience. However, these terms oversimplify the reality of how medical marijuana works. The way a particular variety of medical marijuana affects you is instead based on the precise combination of more than 600 chemical compounds found within the plant, as well as the unique way in which they interact with your endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS).
While the sativa, indica, and hybrid classifications have long been used to predict the experience they elicit, it doesn’t tell the whole story. If the sativa/indica divide isn’t the best indicator for your medical marijuana experience, what should you consider when selecting a strain?
Below are some essential factors to keep in mind when choosing a cannabis strain.
Cannabinoid profile
The levels and ratios of cannabinoids is one of the most important factors in predicting your medical marijuana experience. Cannabinoid profiles contain specific cannabinoids found in a cannabis plant. The main cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). The cannabinoid level and balance determine how a cannabis flower can affect the physical and mental effects users may experience.
THC is a psychoactive compound, offering a “high” feeling. Its intensity depends on the dose and individual tolerance to cannabis. Tetrahydrocannabinol can also help with chronic pain, nausea, and muscle spasms, with a focus on the “body high.”
CBD offers relaxing, therapeutic effects such as anxiety, stress, and inflammation relief without the intoxicating effects associated with THC.
The ratio of THC in relation to CBD and other cannabinoids also directly impacts how you’ll feel, as CBD decreases the impact THC has on your body. A strain with significantly more THC than CBD is more likely to induce those classic “high” feelings than a strain with equal or close to equal percentage of THC and CBD. Conversely, a strain high in CBD and low in THC will not cause an intoxicating experience, offering the functional benefits of medical marijuana without the high.
Sativa, indica, and hybrid strains can vary wildly in their cannabinoid content, ranging from anywhere around or under 10 percent THC up to 30 percent THC or higher. This percentage is not tied to whether a strain is an indica, sativa, or hybrid.
Other, lesser-known cannabinoids can influence the effects of the cannabis plant, such as:
- THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)
- CBN (Cannabinol)
- CBG (Cannabigerol)
- THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin)
- CBC (Cannabichromene)
Terpene profile
Medical marijuana plants also contain compounds known as terpenes, a plant’s aromatic compounds responsible for the smell and flavor.
Terpenes may also possibly contribute to certain effects. Called the “entourage effect,” terpenes are theorized to drive whether a strain invokes relaxation or boosts energy, among other properties. Research is still ongoing into the connection between the entourage effect and medical marijuana experience.
Understanding terpenes and the combinations that can influence consumption experience can help you better understand the way a particular strain of medical marijuana will make you feel. Along with cannabinoid profiles, terpenes offer the greatest insight into how a strain makes a person feel, going a level beyond whether the plant is sativa or indica.
There are no sativa-exclusive terpenes and indica-exclusive terpenes, as the same terpenes can be found in both cannabis strains. But aroma and flavor are still important factors when choosing the right cannabis strain for you.
Some cannabis strains are more fruity and citrusy, while others are more woody, earthy, and even spicy, depending on their specific terpene profiles. Aroma and flavor can enhance your cannabis consumption and make it more personalized and satisfactory.
| Terpene type | Myrcene | Limonene | Pinene | Linalool | Humulene |
| Aroma | Earthy | Citrusy | Pine-like, woody | Floral | Spicy, herbal |
| Potential effects | Relaxation | Uplifting, antidepressant | Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial | Calming | Anti-inflammatory |
| Cannabis strains | OG Kush | Wedding Cake | Blue Dream | Lavander | Sour Diesel |
Consumption method
Before picking the cannabis strain, consider how you want to consume it first. The type of product you’re considering and how you plan to consume it will impact the medical marijuana experience you want to have, as the method of use can determine how cannabis affects the body and at what intensity.
For instance, consuming dry flower with a pipe will be dramatically different than eating an edible, both in terms of bioavailability (how much of the medical marijuana your body actually experiences) and dosage. Smoking and vaping deliver rapid effects, suitable for those seeking uplifting effects in a social setting.
Conversely, consuming edibles, like indica gummies, offers slower, longer-lasting effects as the cannabinoids are absorbed through the digestive system.
Potency
The potency refers to the levels of cannabinoids like THC and CBD found in a cannabis plant, making it a crucial part of the consumption experience.
Strains higher in THC have stronger psychoactive effects for those seeking euphoric, uplifting experiences. CBD-heavy strains offer therapeutic, calming effects without the intoxicating effects of THC.
Purpose of use
Depending on whether you want to consume cannabis during the daytime or evening, the purpose of consumption can determine what cannabis strain to choose, because some strains offer distinct effects while others don’t.
Always look at the specific terpene and cannabinoid profile of the cannabis strain to know whether it might be best for daytime or nighttime use.
Indica, sativa, or hybrid? The answer isn’t so simple
At Ethos, we want you to feel empowered while choosing the best medical marijuana product for your desired experience. That’s why we aim to educate our customers by sharing information as new research, knowledge, and evidence comes to light.
As you plan your next visit, remember to go beyond the indica/sativa classification and look into the cannabinoid percentages, terpene profile, and product type that will greatly impact your medical marijuana experience.
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Indica vs. sativa FAQs
Which cannabis strain is the strongest?
The strength (or potency, to be precise) is determined by the levels of cannabinoids such as THC, as well as personal tolerance to cannabis, dose, and method of consumption. Both sativa and indica strains can contain high levels of THC and be just as potent.
Which strain is best for a beginner?
There are lots of good options for first-time users. If you don’t have a specific purpose of use, start with balanced, low-potency hybrid strains. Always start with a low dose and build your tolerance slowly.
Does indica or sativa make you sleepy?
Indica strains are known for their relaxing and sedating effects, which is why a lot of people prefer consuming them during the evening. Cannabinoid and terpene profiles determine the effects of the specific plant. Strains that have a high level of the terpene myrcene are more likely to cause a sedative effect. It’s good to know that not all indicas are sedating, and not all sativas are energizing.
Why do indica and sativa feel different?
Indica and sativa strains can affect you in different ways, depending on the specific cannabinoid and terpene profiles they’re made of. Indica strains are more likely to produce a ‘body high’, promoting better sleep, relaxation, and pain relief. Sativa strains may be more stimulating for the mind, boosting focus and creativity with their energizing effects, commonly known as a “mind high.” The general effects can vary depending on the specific cannabinoid and terpene profiles of each strain, as well as individual tolerance and dose.
Is sativa or indica better for pain?
Sativa and indica strains are both used for pain relief, but their therapeutic effects are determined by the specific cannabinoid and terpene profiles. Indica strains offer body-focused effects and are more effective in pain relief.
Is couch-lock a myth?
“Couch-lock” is a sedating feeling that can be too much for some individuals, making them unable to “get up from the couch.” With a high concentration of THC and calming terpenes, some strains can be overwhelming for inexperienced users.
The most important thing to consider when choosing between sativa and indica is their cannabinoid and terpene profiles. Each cannabis strain can deliver unique effects that go perfectly with your needs and preferences.
