The Truth About Indicas, Sativas, and Hybrids: Why Cannabis Type Doesn't Predict its Effects

TLDR 

It is essential to know that the effects you experience from consuming cannabis are far more complicated than knowing if it is an indica, sativa, or a hybrid. The truth is that there is no significant difference in the effects of indicas, sativas, and hybrids. Traditionally, cannabis consumers, budtenders, and others have relied on cannabis types to predict the effects from consuming specific strains, however, a more nuanced approach is required. Rather than depending on the strain’s type, educated consumers are encouraged to focus on the effects of dominant terpenes, flavonoids, esters, and cannabinoids found in the plant. So, the next time you’re at your local dispensary, don't let the bud’s type fool you into thinking you know what effects a strain will have. Instead, ask your budtender about the effects of dominant terpenes, flavonoids, esters, and cannabinoids in the strain to get a more accurate prediction of what you can expect.

Part I: Introduction

Do you go for the indicas because they’re supposed to be relaxing? The sativas because they’re supposed to be uplifting? Or do you pick a hybrid of the two and hope for the best?

The fact is, the strain’s categorization doesn't really matter as much as you may think. In this blog post, we will address the myths about indicas, sativas, and hybrids and offer alternative ways to best determine the cannabis strain that's right for the effects you’re seeking so that you can make an informed decision next time you are at the dispensary.

What’s the deal with indicas, sativas, and hybrids?

We first need to dispel the idea that there are distinct effects of consuming the three different types of cannabis: indicas, sativas, and hybrids. Predicting a strain's effects is much more complicated. So, where does the distinction between indicas and sativas come from? Botanists initially distinguished between cannabis plants based on the strain’s physical characteristics. For instance, sativas tend to have longer and skinnier leaves, whereas indicas tend to have shorter and stubbier leaves. At some point, cannabis consumers and commentators began to believe that whether a strain is an indica or sativa (or a hybrid mixture of the two) determined the effects of consumption despite no solid evidence.

People commonly associate sativas with energetic and uplifting effects. Alternatively, indicas are known for the mnemonic device "Indica - In Da Bed," meaning it is generally thought to have more sedating effects. Hybrids, created by cross-breeding sativa(s) with indica(s) strains are usually seen as having a mix of the effects found in the two types. While this sounds good in theory, the lines of cannabis parentage for many strains are so blurred that very few pure sativas or indicas actually exist. Instead, most strains are hybrids. 

Despite these limitations, many people continue to rely on the strain’s categorization to choose their weed, despite it not being the most accurate or reliable way to determine its likely effects. Now that we know that strain type does not accurately predict consumption effects, what should you look for when choosing between cannabis products?

PART II: Better Predictors of Strain Effects

While shopping for cannabis, you may have heard the names of chemical compounds like terpenes, flavonoids, cannabinoids, or esters, and you may have heard about the interaction between those compounds, often referred to as the Entourage Effect. These terms get thrown around a lot when talking about cannabis, but what do they mean? Simply put, all of those chemicals are found in the cannabis plant, and the theory known as, the Entourage Effect posits that the combination of those chemicals creates the effects from consuming cannabis. We explore each of these compounds–and how they may contribute to your strain’s effects individually and together–starting with the Terpenes, below. 

What about Terpenes?

More recently, as cannabis testing and research has become more commonplace, people began focusing on the quantity and types of terpenes present in the plant as the determining factor for classifying cannabis into indicas, sativas, or hybrids. But what is a terpene? 

Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give cannabis its distinct smell. They also provide the different effects you feel when consuming various strains. While terpenes are thought to contribute to and predict the effects associated with a strain’s high, focusing on terpene profile alone is not enough to accurately and consistently anticipate the effect from consuming a particular strain. Further complicating things, the same strain can often have a different terpene profile based on the time of year it was harvested, the climate where it was grown, and even the pH of the soil. What else can we consider?

What are Flavonoids?

Flavonoids are chemical compounds found in plants, including cannabis, and contribute to the plant’s distinct flavor. There are at least 10,000 known flavonoids, some unique to cannabis and some found in other varieties of plants. Like terpenes, some of these flavonoids are linked to different therapeutic (some flavonoids have anti-inflammatory and/or neuroprotective properties) or psychoactive effects associated with various strains. While Flavonoids are an important  piece of the “effect” puzzle, the next compound is the one that gets all the glory. We’re talking, of course, about cannabinoids! 

Do Cannabinoids (such as THC and CBD) Play A Role?

Cannabinoids are the compounds found in the cannabis plant that you’ve most likely heard about before. Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids interact with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for regulating many important functions, including mood, memory, appetite, and pain sensation. The ECS has receptors located throughout the body, and these receptors are responsible for mediating the effects of cannabinoids.

THC and CBD are the most well-known and heavily researched of these compounds, but there are over 100 different cannabinoids that have been discovered. Each one interacts with your body in different ways to produce various effects; for example, THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects while CBD is the active ingredient in a drug approved by the FDA as a treatment for certain conditions causing seizures. Still, there are many misconceptions about cannabinoids. One misconception is that indica strains have higher CBD levels and lower THC levels, and vice versa for sativas. In reality, THC and CBD levels vary widely among both indicas and sativas (in some cases, indicas have higher concentrations of THC and sativas have higher concentrations of CBD). Another misconception is that increased THC levels correlate with increased psychoactive effects (i.e. hella ripped), but some research indicates that increased THC levels may not make you higher. Cannabinoids alone are not enough to accurately predict the effects of a specific strain, so we turn to the next compound found in cannabis: esters.

What are Esters?

Esters are compounds produced when an organic acid combines with an alcohol group. Esters are found in a variety of plant-based oils, including cannabis oil. Esters help give cannabis its distinctive smell and flavor. Esters are considered “inactive” compounds because they do not bind to ECS receptors like cannabinoids do but, they have been shown to increase the functionality of those receptors. Ester’s are an essential factor to consider when trying to determine the effects of a strain, yet research into cannabis esters and their effects is still limited. 

The Entourage Effect: the myth and reality

Many have pointed to the Entourage Effect to communicate cannabinoids' relationship with terpenes and flavonoids. The Entourage Effect is the theory that the compounds in cannabis not only work together but that they work in synergy with each other, boosting each other's effects. But the science remains unsettled; a 2020 research review found little data to support the theory of the Entourage Effect being a reliable phenomenon. This suggests that most claims that cannabis compounds complement and amplify each other require further research.

Despite the lack of scientific consensus, the Entourage Effect remains popular among explanations of how a strain will affect users. The reality is, we still don't know enough about the Entourage Effect to say for sure how it fits in with predicting the effects of a given strain. When it comes to cannabis, there are more questions than answers. But that's part of the fun; as our understanding of the plant evolves, so too does our ability to fine-tune our experience with it.

Part III: CONCLUSION

Can we actually predict the effects from consuming a particular strain?

As discussed above, this question defies simple answers: it's complicated. What we do know is that cannabis contains an array of compounds that can produce different effects. Predicting how those compounds interact with each other and the body is still hard to determine. A case has been made for the Entourage Effect meaning the effects of a cannabis strain are determined by the delicate balance and synergy of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and esters. But even then, everyone experiences cannabis differently; two people could consume the same strain and have entirely different reactions. One thing is sure, predicting cannabis effects based on whether the strain is an indica, sativa, or a hybrid is becoming a thing of the past.

So how should I choose my strain?

The best way to determine which product might be right for you is by evaluating the strain’s dominant terpenes, flavonoids, esters, and cannabinoids profile. Trial and error is the best way to find what works for you: experiment with different strains and products and pay attention to how they make you feel. If you need help, ask your local budtender to be your guide. They may even help you find your new favorite strain! 

*DISCLAIMER:  Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The products described herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice. UCG Inc. encourages responsible, legal cannabis use of its products and brands, including the award-winning Dabstract™ brand.