Indicas And Sativas Are The Same Thing
These 2 leaves look very different, but the content of the plants they came from could be the exact same.
When it comes to cannabis, we’ve all heard the same thing: Indicas are for chillin’, and Sativas are for getting active. But what if I told you that this isn’t quite right? In fact, there’s no real molecular difference between strains labeled Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid, and I’m about to show you why that popular belief is just a myth.
The Origin of Indica vs. Sativa
The idea that Indica strains will relax you and Sativa strains will energize you dates back centuries, but the science behind this belief is far less solid than you might think. The classifications of Indica and Sativa started in the 18th century when French biologist Jean Baptiste Lamark proposed that the two types of cannabis could be distinguished by their appearance. Indica plants were short and bushy with wide leaves, while Sativa plants were tall and slim with thin leaves.
Back in the day, this system worked well for farmers who wanted to grow different types of cannabis for various uses. But here’s the thing—it’s not really a good system for predicting how cannabis will make you feel. Lamark's classification was purely physical, and today’s research shows that there’s way more to how cannabis affects you than just how it looks.
Jean Baptiste Lamark: French naturalist, biologist, academic, soldier - and the man who classified weed into Indica & Sativa.
This is what people looked like when we came up with these classifications.
Research Debunking the Myth
When scientists finally got around to testing cannabis at a molecular level, they found that the effects of cannabis have almost nothing to do with whether it’s labeled as Indica or Sativa. In fact, Indica and Sativa are both the same species—Cannabis Sativa L..
This means that the traditional labels don’t accurately predict how a strain will affect you. Researchers at Dalhousie University and Bedrocan International tested hundreds of strains and found that the terms Indica and Sativa are pretty much meaningless when it comes to effects. Their studies showed that strains labeled as Indica were often just as similar to Sativa strains as they were to other Indica strains. In other words, the label on the jar doesn’t always match up with what’s inside.
“largely meaningless”
That is how researchers described Indica and Sativa labels in this cannabis study.
Strain Names Are Misleading Too
It gets even weirder: the names of strains can be unreliable as well. In the same study, researchers found that two strains both labeled OG Kush were more chemically different than other strains with completely different names. So, not only is the Indica vs. Sativa classification misleading, but even the strain name on your product might not mean much in terms of what you’re really getting.
One great example is AK47. This strain won the Sativa Cup in 1999, but just four years later, it took home the Indica Cup in 2003. Same strain, completely different classifications, and it all came down to how the plants were grown and where they came from.
What Actually Determines the Effects of a Strain?
There are many many factors that go into the effects you will experience from a specific cultivar.
The specific blend of terpenes and cannabinoids in each plant is much more important that the way a plant grows.
So if Indica and Sativa aren’t reliable indicators of a strain’s effects, what is? The true effects of any cannabis strain come from its chemical makeup, especially its cannabinoids and terpenes.
Cannabinoids: THC and CBD are the most well-known cannabinoids, but there are many others like CBG, CBN, and CBC that also play a role in how a strain makes you feel. The ratio of THC to CBD can greatly influence whether a strain feels more calming or uplifting.
Terpenes: These aromatic compounds give cannabis its smell, but they also contribute to the overall experience. For example, myrcene is a terpene found in many strains labeled as Indica, and it’s associated with relaxation and sedation. On the other hand, limonene, often found in Sativa strains, is linked to uplifting, energizing effects. But here’s the key: you can find these terpenes in both Indica and Sativa strains, which is why the label alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
Why Indicas and Sativas Often Feel Like Expected
You might be wondering, if Indica and Sativa labels don’t matter, why do they often seem to deliver the expected effects? It comes down to association and expectation. If you’ve been told for years that Indicas are relaxing and Sativas are energizing, your brain might start to expect those effects, and in turn, you could perceive them that way.
Another reason could be related to the terpenes. As mentioned earlier, strains labeled as Indica might contain higher levels of myrcene, while Sativas might have more limonene, leading to effects that align with those general categories. But these effects aren’t exclusive to Indica or Sativa - it’s all about the terpene profile, not the label.
How Should You Choose a Strain?
The Entourage Effect
Cannabis plants produce over 150 terpenes, and up to 100 different cannabinoids.
The specific blend of cannabinoids and terpenes in each cultivar determines the effect it will have.
So if Indica & Sativa aren’t what we thought, and strain names aren’t even reliable, how the hell do you find the type of weed you want? The easiest way might be to simply pay attention to the terpenes - because these compounds that give cannabis its smell also greatly influence its effects.
Many dispensaries now list the top terpenes in each strain, and this can be a much better predictor of how the strain will make you feel compared to simply looking for “Indica” or “Sativa” on the label.
I feel like strains that smell good to me, might work good for me too - and likewise for strains that smell good to you. You and I might not agree on what cultivars smell the best, and I like to think that is maybe because ‘the nose knows’. This might just be a high thought - but I feel like we might prefer certain scents of cannabis because we somehow instinctually can tell what will work best for us.
You can also start keeping track of what terpenes work best for you. This will make it easier for you to find the perfect strain - but it will take a little trial and error. Make notes on how different strains with certain terpene profiles make you feel - like whether a strain high in myrcene helps you relax or if one with limonene boosts your mood. Over time, you’ll build a personal guide to terpenes that work for you, helping you choose strains that deliver the effects you’re after.
Read about THE TOP 10 TERPENES IN CANNABIS (and what they all do)
The old Indica vs. Sativa classification is still good for determining what a plant might grow like, but it’s no longer the best way to predict what the effects might be. Instead of relying on outdated classifications, trust your senses and pay attention to the terpenes. This way, you’ll have a better chance of finding the effects you're looking for and can use your own experience to guide future strain choices.
Thanks for reading. Bongs up!
