Discover the truth about indica vs. sativa cannabis

Author: Elena Experience expert (psychedelics and psychoactive & medicinal plants), blogger, passion for healthy food

Getting the most out of your high begins with choosing between indica, sativa, or a combination of the two. At least, that's what you learned. But the truth is a lot more complicated than it seems. If you want to get better at recognizing weed, and choosing your favorite effects, it's important to know everything about the different cannabis types. In this article, I tell you the truth about this classification, and the difference between indica, sativa, and hybrid types of cannabis. This will help you to finally know the difference between indica and sativa.

What are indica and sativa?

Choosing between indica vs. sativa weed seems like child's play: if you don't want to go for one strain or the other, you can still opt for something in between, the hybrid.

While learning about the different types of cannabis, such as sativa and indica, you soon start to realize there's a multitude of terms. Cannabis, ruderalis, terpenes, hemp, indica, sativa and hybrid ... are just a few examples.

Let's start at the beginning: where did this indica vs. sativa idea actually come from?
If you ever wandered into a coffee shop, or like to grow your own weed, you've certainly noticed that everything seems to revolve around the difference between indica or sativa weed, or a combination of the two.

You've probably heard that indica weed generally provides a relaxing effect, a body high that's ideal for a couch-side submerged evening, or for combating pain symptoms. Sativa cannabis, on the other hand, supposedly gives a mental high, an almost psychedelic energy that is great for getting creative ideas flowing, or chilling with friends.

Depending on your mood, you can then make an excellent choice between these two indica and sativa cannabis types, and then easily find your way through the huge range of cannabis strains available. If you are not sure whether you are more in the mood for an indica couch lock, or sativa energy, you can always go for the indica-sativa combo: the hybrid cannabis strain. Sounds simple, but in reality, it's all a bit more complicated.

What is the difference between indica vs. sativa plants?

Sativa vs. indica cannabis is not only categorized based on the effects we experience when smoking it. In fact, the difference is in botany, where there is quite a bit of debate on the subject. Indica or sativa differences were established quite some time ago.

In 1753, Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus classified the various cannabis plants under one heading: Cannabis sativa L. Here, 'Cannabis' is the genus, 'sativa', the cannabis subspecies and 'L' is the classification system Linnaeus adhered to. Sativa comes from the Latin word 'sativum' and means 'cultivated'.

Several years passed, when French botanist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck distinguished between two more species in 1785: Cannabis sativa, a narrower and more fibrous weed species and Cannabis indica, an extra psychoactive weed species thought to come from India. So, a distinction was made based on the external characteristics of these plants, and it had nothing to do with the supposed different effects. Let's delve deeper into these indica and sativa differences.

What is indica?

Indica, or Cannabis indica, is a plant belonging to the genus Cannabis, or hemp. Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is considered one of the oldest cultivated crops, and has been used by humans for thousands of years. Over time, humans learned to select landraces that possessed certain preferred characteristics. It is still a point of debate for botanists whether indica is a cannabis subspecies of Cannabis sativa, or really an independent species.

Indica weed is native to regions like India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and has a typical appearance: the plant remains fairly compact and stocky. If you want to know how to tell the difference between indica and sativa most quickly, you can do that by looking at the leaves: the leaves of indica plants are usually dark green, with broad leaves with short fingers.

Indica cannabis plants are a favorite among indoor growers who like smaller plants that don't grow too tall, and have short intermodal branches. The plant grows in width rather than height. Outdoors, it can reach about two meters, while indoor indica usually stays under 1 meter.

Indica is also suitable for medicinal users: the plant is known for high concentrations of cannabinoids, including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). Indica grows and blooms fairly quickly because it originates from a colder climate, where towards the end of the season cold and humidity threaten the plant's development.

What is sativa?

Sativa, like indica, belongs to the genus Cannabis - all of which in turn are part of the Cannabaceae. So, the official name is Cannabis sativa. Sativa cannabis can be distinguished from indica by the following characteristics:

Sativa weed has a different appearance than indica weed: sativa weed is long and lanky, compared to indica, and likes to grow tall, somewhat like a vine. It can easily grow up to 3 meters high. It usually has light green leaves and slender fingers. The sativa cannabis plant originally grows in a warm, humid environment. Because of this warm climate, the sativa grows slower, and takes its time to flower and make buds.

Sativa vs. indica leaves in a nutshell

The biggest external difference between sativa and indica cannabis strains is found in the leaves. Weed leaves are special in that they consist of 3- 5 or 7 ‘fingers’. If you know these differences of sativa vs. indica leaves by heart, you can very easily distinguish plants from each other:

Sativa leaves:

• Light green
• Long
• Slender fingers

Indica leaves:

• Dark green
• Wide
• Short fingers

What's the difference between sativa and indica and hybrid?

To further complicate matters, there is a third player. Actually, it's indica vs. sativa vs. hybrid, the latter referring to a combination of indica and sativa genetics. Seed breeders are experimenting with it, bringing a lot of new strains to the market.

Almost all weed on the market, about 90%, contains indica genetics. It is very difficult to find a pure sativa cannabis strain. If this is what you want, it is best to grow it yourself. Because sativa's growing season is longer, it is more convenient for most growers to choose a hybrid or indica strain. Nowadays many autoflowering cannabis seeds are also sold: these plants grow and flower independently of the number of light hours. This allows you to harvest faster. This possibility exists thanks to ruderalis, a cannabis plant native to East-Europe and Russia. Read more in this blog about differences between sativa, indica and ruderalis.

Mixing sativa and indica

A question many people ask is whether you can mix sativa and indica with each other. And the answer is: of course you can. If you'd like to become as good as possible at distinguishing different weed strains and recognizing subtle effects, it's wise to keep it as pure as possible at first.

But if this is not your concern, and you just want to experiment: feel free to mix strains for a personalized blend. If you use medical cannabis for a (chronic) condition, it can be nice to mix different strains with each other. There is a personal mix for each user. Some swear by sativa or indica for sleeping, others find indica or sativa for nausea suitable, as a hybrid or otherwise. The possibilities are endless, but once you have discovered your favorite trains, you need look no further.

Indica vs. sativa effects

The debate over the differences between indica vs. sativa effects continues to flare up. While there can obviously be major differences in the effects of a cannabis strain, it is a bit more nuanced than it is presented when comparing sativa, indica and hybrid effects. This is because it has not been scientifically proven that indica cannabis possesses certain unique properties that sativa, in turn, does not.

So, how do these different indica vs. sativa effects come about? This largely lies within the unique profile of terpenes and cannabinoids, plant substances that distinguish an Amnesia haze from a Critical kush. The complex interplay of different substances in indica vs. sativa cannabis can also have a different effect on everyone, depending on personal factors such as experience and tolerance.

The story of indica vs. sativa can be easily told and is quickly understood. For convenience, it is understandable coffeeshops, smartshops and seed suppliers adhere to this classification system. Still, it is good to know this is not exact. Below are some common comparisons between indica vs. sativa cannabis strains and how to link them to the terpene/cannabinoid profile.

Indica vs. sativa high

Many users report distinct differences between different cannabis strains. There are some generalities that often come up when talking about the differences between the sativa high vs. indica high. I list them for you:

Sativa high:

• Euphoric
• Energetic
• Alert
• Creative
• Psychedelic
• Social

Indica high:

• Body high
• Relaxed
• Sleepy
• Munchies
• Pain relief
• Couch-lock

It is important to note that these effects are certainly not experienced this way by everyone and are a subjective approximation of the differences between sativa and indica weed. Sativa vs. indica is not so easily divided in effects.

Indica or sativa for pain

The many medicinal users of cannabis show that this plant possesses many qualities. Diverse pain conditions can be treated with a whole range of indica vs. sativa cannabis strains. 

Indica is especially praised for its relaxing, pain-relieving properties, making it suitable for the use against pain. However, certain sativa or hybrid strains can also have pain-reducing effects!

Indica vs. sativa for sleep

In general, indica-dominant strains are considered the best choice for a good night's sleep. Indica is known for its soothing properties, which are perfect for a relaxed mood. A great cannabinoid for promoting restfulness is CBD. So be sure to try a strain with a high CBD content. Again, indica vs. sativa for sleep is not always the right question to ask. 

Tip: Check out our CBDshop for CBD products like CBD oil, or our CBD Medical section in our Seedshop.

Indica vs. sativa for sex

Marijuana and sex can be a great combination, at least if you are completely comfortable with your partner and you can let yourself go completely. Indica cannabis strains would be better suited for slow sex, where you can massage and pamper each other at a snail's pace. Then again, for a spicier and more alert lovemaking, sativas would come out best. Whatever you do, get to know each other well before experimenting with weed in bed. That way you'll have a good sense of what works best for you when trying indica vs. sativa for sex.

Sativa or indica for anxiety

Anxiety can be an all-consuming emotion to your life. For some people, cannabis can be a calming factor, relieving feelings of discomfort, depression or anxiety. For feelings of restlessness, pain and anxiety, indica, or hybrid cannabis strains can be very useful. They can ideally serve to calm an overly active mind.

It is important to note that if you are struggling with prolonged feelings of anxiety, it is very important to see a doctor, and not rely solely on substances such as indica vs. sativa marijuana. Please note that weed can also induce anxiety in some people, so always consult with a healthcare professional before using indica or sativa cannabis for anxiety!

Indica vs. sativa for edibles

Maybe this sounds familiar: you’re planning a fun evening with some friends and sativa vs. indica edibles. Then, it turns out you have a totally different experience than your friend. How is it that some people become very calm from sativa edibles, while others become paranoid or don't feel well? Unfortunately, there are many uncertainties about how you will react to products containing marijuana, such as edibles like weed brownies. What you should never underestimate is that your mood, where you are and your physical condition play a very large role in your experience.

In addition, it's not just about indica vs. sativa edibles, but also about dosage and where you got the weed from. So, both can be great for an enjoyable time, but can just as easily cause an unpleasant reaction. Whether sativa or indica is better depends on many factors. Only take edibles if you feel good and are in a familiar environment and know the dosage of the product.

Other factors

Scientists agree that the effects of cannabis are a lot more complex than the cannabis world likes to make it seem. There are a number of factors that strongly determine what kind of high you experience.

Terpenes indica vs. sativa

Terpenes undoubtedly play an important role in the way you experience cannabis. Terpenes are aromatic plant substances that provide the unique and beguiling aromas that cannabis is rich in. How one strain of cannabis is almost reminiscent of a pine forest, while another (appropriately) smells like a skunk ... it all has to do with the whopping 150 different types of terpenes that cannabis possesses. Terpenes are thought to influence various mind-altering and therapeutic effects that determine how stoned or high you get from cannabis.

Cannabinoids

In addition to terpenes, cannabinoids are the most important determinants of your high. THC and CBD you already know. But the world of cannabinoids is much more diverse, and there are many substances that science has yet to unravel, but undoubtedly play a role in the effects of weed.

Personal preferences

Last but not least, your personal preferences largely determine how you experience things. This ranges from your literal preference for sweet smells and tastes, for example, to the chemical composition of your body, which makes you less likely to get high or gets you high in no-time.
Getting to know yourself well is an important step in knowing your favorite weed strains.

How to make the best choice?

So, is there a difference between sativa and indica weed? And if so, how do you make the best choice? You may be left with more questions than answers, now that you know there is no simple answer that fits everyone. One of the best ways to figure out what kind of weed you like best is to try out different strains.

CBD-rich strain

Make sure you pay attention to other factors as well, such as THC/CBD ratio. Try a CBD-dominant cannabis strain from our CBD Medical selection. A great example to try is the Cup-winning Euphoria, with 10% CBD and 9% THC.

Sativa-dominant

Want to try a true sativa? Then you're looking good with Sensi Seeds Durban. This subtropical plant is one of the best sativas from the Sensi Seeds brand's best sativas.

Indica-dominant

Since almost all strains these days contain indica genetics, it's not that hard to choose between them. Allkush from Paradise Seeds is an indica-dominant kush with a modern twist. This strain is also great for making hash.

High THC levels

Want to get high as a kite? Try a high THC cannabis strain such as Blue Gelato Royal Queen Seeds with 23% THC.

Conclusion

The major difference between indica and sativa lies in botany: there are external differences between the plants. It has not been scientifically proven that indica marijuana is more calming and sativa weed is more uplifting. The differences between different weed varieties are nuanced, and mainly have to do with the cannabinoid and terpene profile. In addition, your personal preference also plays a large role in the effect of cannabis. Still, it is understandable that the classification system of indica vs. sativa sticks with coffee shops, smartshops and seed houses: it is a simple and clear way to quickly and easily guide customers through the world of cannabis. The more you learn about this special plant, the less you need this simplified view to make the most of indicas, sativas and everything in between.

Elena Experience expert (psychedelics and psychoactive & medicinal plants), blogger, passion for healthy food

Elena studies Organic and Biodynamic agriculture because, besides psychedelics and psychoactive & medicinal plants, she also has a passion for healthy food. Learning about the endocannabinoid system, different cannabinoids and terpenes is super interesting.

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