Education

Indica, Sativa, Hybrids Explained

Learn how to tell the differences between Indica, Sativa, and Hybrids and how to use this information to choose products.

Have you ever heard the terms indica, sativa, or hybrid and wanted to know what they mean? Patients will often ask what the difference is and how will those differences help in choosing a product that is right for them. When you go to a dispensary to purchase cannabis flower or cannabis products, there is a variety to choose from.

Products in dispensaries will most often be listed by strain name, and are typically divided into categories.

There are three categories these products fall into, which are indica, sativa, and hybrid.

These terms refer to the genetics of the plant grown to produce the flower, or cannabis products like edibles, oils, or tinctures.  

In the beginning, there were sativa plants and indica plants. Over time, these two types of plants have been continuously crossbred to produce hybrid versions, combining both plant types into one. This has made sativa only and indica only plants very rare. Most strains are a hybrid cross between the two that are often referred to as being either indica dominant or sativa dominant.

What is Cannabis Indica?

Indica dominant plants usually grow short, with wide leaves, and dense buds. Known to produce a body high, products made from indica strains are commonly suggested for pain relief and sleep because of their relaxing effects. For this reason, they are often recommended for use at night.

What is Cannabis Sativa?

Sativa dominant plants typically grow taller, with thin leaves, and have buds that are less dense. Products made from sativa strains are often associated with more of an energetic and mentally stimulating effect. This makes sativa strains more likely to be recommended for use during the day.

What is a Cannabis Hybrid?

A hybrid is a cross between indica and sativa. Since pure indica and sativa strains are very rare, most strains are hybrids between the two. They are usually either indica dominant or sativa dominant. Some hybrid stains are a balanced mix of indica and hybrid, providing a combination of both mental and body stimulating effects.

Although knowing if cannabis flower or a cannabis product is indica, sativa, or hybrid may give some insight into how it might make you feel, it is not the only contributing factor.

Things like the percentage of THC, CBD, or other cannabinoids can make a difference. Another factor is how terpene profiles contribute to how a product will make you feel. Cannabis strains have been known to effect consumers differently, even if it is the same strain. You and a friend of yours might feel different even if you both consume the same product at the same time. We recommend you experiment by trying a variety of strain types to find the perfect product for you. 

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