Indica vs sativa vs hybrid: Understanding weed strains

The terms indica and sativa are widely used and hotly contested. Whether you're new to weed or a long-time cannabis consumer, you've likely heard about the supposed body high of an indica, the cerebral rush of a sativa, or the varied effects of a hybrid strain. Browse any well-stocked dispensary menu, and you'll find all types of strains, or "cultivars," featuring one of these three labels.

But how helpful are they, and when can indica versus sativa be misleading? Learn about the controversy surrounding indica and sativa strains, the origin of these terms, and whether they're still valuable to cannabis consumers today.

What is a hybrid strain?

If you've ever smoked weed, you're likely already familiar with hybrids, which is a cross of indica and sativa strains. That's because every strain of weed you've ever smoked has probably been a hybrid. As a result, classifying a particular cultivar or strain as indica or sativa usually means that it tilts to one side or the other of the indica/sativa spectrum.

Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Hybrids can exhibit a wide range of effects, appearances, and growth patterns, depending on the specific lineage of the parent strains. 

Here's what you need to know about hybrid strains:

• Indica-dominant hybrids: Indica-leaning strains are hybrids with a higher percentage of indica genetics, resulting in potentially more relaxing and sedative effects. They often retain the physical characteristics of indica plants — such as the shorter stature and broader leaves — and may be more suitable for evening use or pain relief.
• Sativa-dominant hybrids: Sativa-leaning strains have a higher percentage of sativa genetics, leading to potentially uplifting and energetic effects. They might have the physical traits of sativa plants — such as taller growth and narrower leaves — and may be preferable for daytime activities requiring focus and creativity.
• Balanced hybrids: Balanced hybrid strains have an even mix of indica and sativa genetics, potentially offering a blend of relaxing and uplifting effects. Balanced hybrids can provide consumers with a well-rounded experience suitable for various recreational occasions and medicinal purposes.

5 popular hybrid strains to try right now

Hybrid strains offer a range of aromas, flavors, and effects. Try some of these and see what works for you:

• Blue Dream: A sativa-dominant hybrid with a sweet, berry aroma, Blue Dream is known for its balanced effects, potentially offering cerebral stimulation and physical relaxation.
• GSC: A balanced hybrid with a sweet, earthy aroma. GSC is known for its potentially strong, euphoric effects.
• OG Kush: A classic hybrid with an earthy, piney aroma known for its balanced effects, potentially offering both mental stimulation and physical relaxation.
• White Widow: A balanced hybrid with a sweet, earthy aroma, White Widow is known for its potentially uplifting and creative effects.
• Pineapple Express: A sativa-dominant hybrid with a fruity pineapple aroma, Pineapple Express is known for its potentially uplifting and energizing effects.

What is indica?

Indica strains are a loose classification of cannabis plants typically associated with relaxing and sedative effects. 

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Here's what you need to know about indica strains:

• Geographic origin: Indica strains are believed to originate from regions with colder climates and shorter growing seasons, such as the Hindu Kush mountain range in Central Asia.
• Plant shape: Indica plants are characterized by their short, bushy stature and broad, dark green leaves. They typically have shorter flowering cycles than sativa strains, allowing them to complete their life cycle in a shorter period.
• Reported effects: Indica strains are believed to have calming and soothing properties. Consumers often report experiencing a sense of full-body relaxation, making indica products popular choices for evening consumption or potential relief from aches and pains. Again, the effects of any given strain depend on numerous factors.
• Terpenes: Terpenes commonly found in indica strains include myrcene, which has an earthy, musky aroma and is believed to promote relaxation and sedation. Indica strains may also be higher in linalool, a terpene with a floral scent thought to have calming and anxiety-reducing properties.

5 popular indica strains to try right now

There's no guarantee that indica strains will provide relaxing and calming effects, but you can try some well-known indicas and decide if you like the effects:

• Northern Lights: A classic indica with a sweet, earthy aroma known for its potentially relaxing effects, Northern Lights is popular for those looking to alleviate stress or insomnia.
• Granddaddy Purple: Also known as GDP, Granddaddy Purple has a sweet, grape-like aroma. It's reportedly used to help with pain, stress, and sleep issues.
• Blueberry: As the name suggests, Blueberry has a sweet, blueberry aroma and flavor. It's often used to help with stress and pain relief.
• Bubba Kush: Bubba Kush is an earthy, sweet indica known for its potentially heavy sedating effects. It's typically a popular choice for those looking to unwind or get a good night's sleep.
• Hindu Kush: Originating from the Hindu Kush mountain range, Hindu Kush is a pure indica strain with a sweet, earthy aroma and a reputation for relieving stress.

What is sativa?

Sativa strains are a loose classification of cannabis plants most commonly associated with uplifting and energetic effects. 

Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Here's what you need to know about sativa strains:

• Geographic origin: Sativa strains are thought to originate from tropical and subtropical regions such as Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, which is why they typically grow better in warmer climates.
• Plant shape: Sativa plants tend to have a tall, slender stature and elongated leaves with a relatively light green color. They generally have longer flowering cycles compared to indica strains, which is an adaptation to the longer growing seasons in their native environments.
• Reported effects: Sativa strains are often sought after for their potentially cerebral and invigorating properties. Consumers report experiencing increased creativity, focus, and energy, making sativa products popular for daytime consumption or social situations. That said, the effects of any given strain depend on factors like chemical composition, terpene profile, and individual consumer variables.
• Terpenes: Sativa strains tend to have the terpene limonene, which has a citrusy aroma and is believed to promote a sense of delight and stress relief. Sativa strains may be higher in pinene, which has a pine-like scent and is thought to improve focus and alertness.

5 popular sativa strains to try right now

While there's no guarantee that all sativa strains will give you uplifting, cerebral, and energizing effects, there's only one way to find out. Here are a few popular sativas:

• Jack Herer: Named after the cannabis activist and author, Jack Herer is known for its spicy, piney aroma and potentially clear-headed, focused high.
• Sour Diesel: Also known as Sour D, Sour Diesel has a pungent, diesel-like aroma known for its potentially fast-acting, invigorating effects.
• Green Crack: Despite (or perhaps because of) its controversial name, Green Crack is a popular sativa strain known for its fruity, tangy flavor.
• Amnesia Haze: Known for its strong cerebral effects, Amnesia Haze often leads to feelings of euphoria and increased creativity. It has a citrus, earthy aroma and is a popular choice for daytime use.
• Strawberry Cough: With a distinct strawberry aroma, Strawberry Cough is known for its uplifting and creative effects, often accompanied by a mild coughing sensation.

The origins of sativa and indica terminology

The indica and sativa terminology dates back to the 1700s. From there, they follow a unique botanical history:

• 1753: Indica and sativa have been in the cannabis lexicon since the mid-1700s. In 1753, Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus identified psychoactive cannabis plants as Cannabis sativa in his work Species Plantarum.
• 1785: Thirty-two years later, French biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck identified Cannabis indica as a different species while observing the physical characteristics of India's cannabis plants. Lamarck argued that C. indica plants have dark green, wide leaves compared to C. sativa leaves, which are light and narrow.
• 1930: More than a century later, Russian botanist Dmitrij Janischewsky identified Cannabis ruderalis as the third subspecies. This time, it was not a result of unique physical expressions but rather unique traits in the plant's flowering cycle. Janischewsky noticed that while most cannabis plants begin to flower due to changes in the available sunlight, ruderalis plants automatically begin to flower 20 – 40 days after sprouting.
• 1960s - 1970s: The counterculture movement of the 1960s and 70s popularized cannabis use and instigated further study into the plant. Around this time, American biologists Loran Anderson and Richard E. Schultes argued that there are three cannabis species: C. sativa, C. indica, and C. ruderalis. Departing somewhat from Linnaeus and Lamarck, Anderson and Schultes characterized a distinction between the plants based on their ratio of the cannabinoids THC and CBD. They observed a difference between cultivars high in THC with low CBD (C. sativa), those with high THC and CBD (C. indica), and those with a high CBD to THC ratio (C. ruderalis).
• 1976: Around the time Schultes and Anderson were making their claims, Ernest Small and Arthur Cronquist argued that only one central cannabis species existed, which they labeled C. sativa. Human intervention, they contended, subsequently created two subspecies: C. sativa (low-THC hemp) and C. indica (high-THC cannabis cultivated for intoxication). At the same time, growers began cultivating cannabis strains for recreational consumption, and the distinction between sativa and indica began to blur. Cannabis enthusiasts and growers began to create hybrid strains, combining traits of indica and sativa plants to produce new varieties.
• 1990s - 2000s: The rise of legal, medical cannabis led to renewed interest in the differences between indica and sativa strains. Cannabis advocates and researchers began to explore the chemical composition of different strains, particularly their ratios of THC and CBD. It's hard to pinpoint exactly when the notion of “relaxing" indica strains and “energizing" sativa strains became widespread. Still, it was likely an offshoot of building interest in cannabis strains in general.
• Present day: You probably haven't heard your local budtender suggest a great new ruderalis strain. That's because botanists never quite agreed on a definitive cannabis taxonomy. While most people still refer to cannabis strains as either indica or sativa, many experts believe this binary classification system is too simplistic. Instead, they suggest that the effects of different strains are influenced by a range of factors, including terpene and cannabinoid ratios, growing conditions, and individual differences in how people metabolize and respond to cannabis. 

As research into the effects of cannabis continues, the debate over the significance of the indica versus sativa distinction is likely to continue as well.

Are indicas and sativas really different?

Indica and sativa strains are somewhat different—indica plants often have short and bushy statures, while sativa plants are typically taller with narrower leaves. However, the idea that indica strains are relaxing and sativas are more energetic has been challenged in recent years.

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The effects you feel from a strain are more related to the individual plant's chemical composition, specifically its balance of cannabinoids like THC and CBD and terpenes, rather than its indica or sativa labelling. Add to that, most strains available today are hybrids, and the line between indica and sativa gets blurred.

In 2021, researchers released a study which analyzed the genetic makeup of over 100 cannabis plants. It found a lack of genetic distinction between indica and sativa samples. In plant taxonomy, specific rules dictate which family, genus, and species are used to categorize a plant. These categorizations help scientists and growers identify plants with similar characteristics and provide an avenue for predicting the traits they'll carry, such as smell, appearance, and potential therapeutic properties.

How terpenes shape the effects of cannabis

When it comes to cannabis, the lack of available resources for research over the past few decades has resulted in a deeply rooted folk taxonomy that oversimplifies the complex makeup of cannabis and disregards what scientists are finding to be the key indicator of a cultivar's effects: terpenes.

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Terpenes greatly influence the character and effect a cannabis plant will produce, and while there are potentially hundreds of terpenes in cannabis, these are the most abundant:

• Myrcene: The most abundant terpene found in cannabis. It has an earthy, musky aroma and is believed to have sedative and relaxing effects.
• Limonene: Has a citrusy aroma that is believed to promote uplifting effects. It may have potential anti-inflammatory effects.
• Pinene: Provides a pine-like scent in certain weed strains and pine trees and is thought to improve focus and alertness. It may have potential anti-inflammatory effects.
• Caryophyllene: A spicy, peppery terpene with potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
• Linalool: Has a floral scent and is also found in lavender. It's thought to have calming and anxiety-reducing properties. It may also have potential anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects.

To predict how a specific strain might affect you, find the the product's Certificate of Analysis, examine its cannabinoid and terpene profile, and read strain reviews.

The difference between indica vs sativa vs hybrid strains

Determining the various characteristics between sativa, indica, and hybrids can be daunting. Here's a quick guide to the main differences between each cannabis type:

Strain type	Geographic origin	Plant shape	Reported effects	THC content	Terpenes
Sativa	Tropical and subtropical regions	Tall, slender stature with elongated leaves and light green color	Potentially cerebral and invigorating	Potentially higher THC content, lower CBD-THC ratio	Potentially higher in limonene and pinene
Indica	Colder, mountainous climates	Short, bushy stature with broad, dark green leaves	Potentially calming and soothing	Potentially higher CBD content, higher CBD-THC ratio	Potentially higher in myrcene and linalool
Hybrid	Temperate climates	A mix depending on heritage	Balanced or leaning in one direction	THC and CBD content can vary widely	Terpene content can vary widely

How to choose the right strain for you

Choosing a weed strain can be complex, as many factors can influence your experience.

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Consider these tips when choosing a strain:

• Understand how cannabinoids affect you: THC is the primary intoxicating compound in cannabis, while CBD is non-non-psychoactive. Understanding the effects of these and other cannabinoids can help you choose a strain that will produce your desired effects.
• The ratio of THC to CBD: The ratio of cannabinoids can significantly impact the effects of a particular strain. Strains with high THC content are often associated with a strong psychoactive effect, while strains with higher CBD are popular for their calming and relaxing effects. Consider your tolerance level and what effects you want to achieve when choosing a strain based on THC:CBD ratio.
• Terpene profile: Some common terpenes found in cannabis include limonene, myrcene, and pinene. Consider a strain's terpene profile when choosing, as its primary terpenes can have specific effects you may experience differently.
• Potency: The potency of a strain can have an impact on its effects. Generally, strains with higher THC content (18% or more) will produce more intense psychoactive effects. However, higher potency does not always mean a better experience, as too much THC can result in unpleasant side effects like anxiety or paranoia. You should consider your tolerance level and start with a lower-potency strain if you are new to cannabis.
• Other factors: Once you become more familiar with how different cannabinoid and terpene profiles affect you, consider exploring other factors, such as the growing method, the strain's geographic origin, and the genetics. You may discover an appreciation for greenhouse-grown strains or exotics.

FAQ

Is sativa an upper or downer?

Sativa strains are often described as cerebral, heady, uplifting, and energizing, while indica strains are often described as relaxing, sedating, full-bodied, and stoney. However, this does not mean that a pack of pre-rolls labeled “sativa" will energize and uplift you. Read strain reviews and note the cannabinoid and terpene ratios of the flower you're interested in buying to better understand how it might affect you.

How does indica make you feel?

This question depends on a host of factors. You and your friend might smoke the exact same bud and have two very different experiences. In addition, it's unlikely that the indica strains you find in dispensaries today are true indicas. 

Technically, all modern cultivars are hybrids, the crossbreeds of indica and sativa weed strains. Hybrids are cultivated to have specialized effects, flavors, and aromas, so it's worth talking to your budtender about what you're looking to experience.

Can I tell the difference between a sativa and an indica by smell or appearance?

While there can be some general differences in appearance, like tall and narrow-leaved plants for sativa strains and short and broad-leaved plants for indica strains, it's difficult to determine the exact type of strain based solely on smell or appearance. 

Aroma profiles can vary widely, even within the same strain category. The best way to know the effects and characteristics of a specific strain is to research its genetic lineage, consumer reviews, and unique cannabinoid and terpene profile.

What strain makes you laugh the most?

That's like asking which movie will make you laugh the most — it depends on the person. The Weedmaps' strains catalog lets you filter thousands of strains by the effects consumers have reported. Browse through the “Giggly” category and see which speaks to you first.

Are indica or sativa strains more likely to make you paranoid?

There is no clear distinction between indica and sativa strains causing paranoia. The effects of a strain depend on several factors, including cannabinoid and terpene profiles, personal body chemistry, and tolerance level. 

You may experience paranoia or anxiety with high-THC strains, especially if you are new to cannabis. To avoid such negative effects, starting with a low dose, monitoring your reactions, and consulting with a healthcare professional is best.

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Featured image by Gina Coleman/Weedmaps