Cannabis sativa and cannabis indica are two species of cannabis. Anecdotal evidence suggests that indica can make people feel calmer, while sativa can boost a person’s creative energy. However, this may be an oversimplification.
As cannabis use for both medical and recreational purposes becomes legal in more states, there is a growing interest in the different effects that various types, including indica and sativa, can produce.
Sativa and indica share many features but also have differences.
Anecdotal evidence and some cannabis dispensaries claim that indica is more calming and sativa is more energizing. However, some expertsTrusted Source say that such statements are misleading. Many more factors are involved in creating the recreational and medical effects of cannabis than strain alone.
In this article, learn more about the differences between each strain, as well as the effects that indica and sativa can produce.
Physical differences between strains
Botanists use physical differences — such as variations in height, branching patterns, and the shape of the leaves — to identify different strains of plants. This is where the names “indica” and “sativa” come from.
Indica plants are shorter than sativa plants, and they have a woody stalk, not a fibrous one. Indica plants also grow more quickly than sativa plants.
There is some disagreement regarding what caused these physical differences between strains. Some researchers Trusted Source say these differences are due to humans breeding different varieties, while others say that a mixture of evolving adaptations and geographic isolation is responsible.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the most studied and discussed elements, or cannabinoids, present in different strains of cannabis. However, researchers have identified at least 144Trusted Source different cannabinoids so far.
THC and CBD have very different effects on the human body. Knowing whether a cannabis plant is from the indica or sativa strain does not always provide much information about the relative amounts of THC or CBD it may contain, as people tend to believe, but it can be helpful.
It is also important to note that THC and CBD are only two of the hundreds of chemicals that create the varying effects of different strains of cannabis. A person should be sure to review the cannabinoid profile on the certificate of analysis of the product. This can give more information about the THC, CBD, and other possible chemical content in the strain.
THC
Medical expertsTrusted Source say that THC has psychoactive properties. In other words, THC is what produces the “high” effect that people tend to associate with using cannabis.
Strains of cannabis with a high THC content may be helpful for people with pain, difficulty sleeping, and depression, though they can make some people anxious.
CBD
CBD does not create a “high,” but it can affect mood and be helpful in addressing anxiety and psychoses. However, despite its reputation for inducing calm, CBD can be a stimulant in small and monitored doses.
The Cannabis indica plant originated in the Middle East, in places such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tibet.
It generally has a higher CBD content than cannabis sativa, though the CBD to THC ratio is very close to
The general perception is that indica is an effective pain reliever, with a flat and relaxing high. Many medical cannabis strains contain a hybrid form of this strain.
That said, it is important to note that little scientific evidence backs these ideas. There are far more variations within the indica versus sativa categorization, and many scientists believeTrusted Source that people should not generalize the psychoactive and other effects of different strains.
Cannabis sativa comes from warmer parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia and Central and South America.
The general perception is that it provides a more energizing and creative high, though it can prompt anxiety in some people. Sativa can also be helpful for people with depression, headaches, nausea, and appetite loss. Sativa plants tend to contain more THC than CBD.
Again, it is important to note that some scientific researchTrusted Source negates these claims. Some sativa plants may be energizing while others may not. The same goes for indica strains.
Both growers and nature have created hybrid forms of both cannabis sativa and cannabis indica throughout the long history of humans’ use of cannabis.
People have bred hybrids to make plants that grow more quickly, improve yield, and balance out the energizing and calming effects.
Cannabis ruderalis has its origins in cooler parts of the world, such as Russia and the border between Hungary and Ukraine. It grows wild, and some speculate that it may descend from escaped hemp plantsTrusted Source .
It does not have very high levels of THC or CBD, but breeders value it for its ability to flower by itself, without assistance from a cultivator. This is why people frequently use ruderalis to create hybrids with sativa or indica.
