Is there a difference between indica and sativa strains?

Some of the most popular terms in the cannabis world are indica and sativa. They’re inevitable when buying cannabis or speaking to someone who smokes weed on a regular basis. With cannabis legitimized across the country, industry experts have begun to question the validity of these conditions. Are they still relevant?

The terms indica and sativa are used to describe the effects of a particular strain of cannabis. Indica strains represent a gentler experience, while sativas are meant to leave the user energized and creative. For plant breeders, the terms Indica and Sativa are meant to distinguish the appearance of the plant. Indica leaves are wider, sativas are taller, with narrow leaves.

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“‘Indica’ and ‘Sativa’ were used to distinguish cannabis strains based on physical characteristics,” Jeff Chen, founder of the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, told Insider. “But at some point, popular culture began to differentiate the effects of indica versus sativa consumption, even though there was no evidence to support it.”

Even if your budtender or friend makes the case for a particular strain, the reality all depends on the batch itself and the effect it has on you. Depending on the cannabis strain, an indica strain can be more energizing than a sativa, and vice versa.

These days, the lines between sativas and indicas are incredibly blurred, so experts call these terms “meaningless”. Over the years, cannabis has been crossed extensively, resulting in cannabis plants that contain parts of both indica and sativa strains. Another influencing factor is the environment in which the plant is grown; Things like sunlight, temperature, and humidity go a long way in this. The same strain may be different when grown in Colorado than when grown in California.

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Regardless of the genetics of the plant, cannabis interacts with our body in very complex ways. Because of this, a friend can experience a completely different reaction to the same batch of cannabis as you do.

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Recent data on cannabis shows the importance of terpenes, which could provide better guidance when choosing a strain or marketing its effects. They are not only responsible for providing taste and aroma, but also support and influence the effects of other cannabis compounds and play an important role in the entourage effect of cannabis.

Cannabis remains a mystery and more research is needed to better market it and develop a better understanding of its effects on our bodies.