SATIVA VS INDICA: TRUTHS AND MYTHS

Sativa vs Indica. Here’s our view on the truths and myths surrounding the legend!

The Origins

We tend to recognise two types of cannabis plant, Sativa and Indica.

*Actually, not many people know this, but there is also a third called
Ruderalis.*

But for this conversation, we will concentrate on the two main types, Sativa and Indica.

Cannabis Sativa was first classified in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus.

It was the only classified type of cannabis at that time.

That was until 1785 when Jean-Baptiste Lamarck received some plants from
India and found a cannabis plant that he decided should be separated from the Sativa classification.

So this plant was given the classification of Cannabis Indica.

Then, in 1924, D. E. Janischewsky discovered and classified the Ruderalis plant.

We are just going to focus on Sativa and Indica!

Ever since that first separate classification, there has been plenty of debate as to if they should be in separate classifications or not

As an example, a Canadian study performed by Ernest Small, concluded that Lamarck had done little research into the new classification of Cannabis Indica.

It would seem with little material to compare, a conclusion was made by Lamarck mainly on the appearance of the ‘Indica plant’ (it being shorter, thicker stemmed, and with fatter, denser flowers).

It is also worth noting that these classifications are based solely on how the plant grows and looks, and that neither Linnaeus or Lamarck based these classifications on the effects of the plant, nor is there any evidence they even consumed the plants in that manner.

So, is it all nonsense?

Is Sativa, known for an uplifting euphoric head high,

actually no different to an Indica, known for a sedating relaxing body high.

I have my own idea, but let’s look into it with a bit of a science ⚗️ hat on.

Sativa vs Indica – The Obvious Differences

So, the most obvious difference between Sativa and Indica is their appearance, as mentioned above.

Sativas tend to be taller, with longer thinner leaves and long flowers (buds).

An Indica is, by comparison, shorter, with wider spanning leaves and fatter, denser flowers.

Indica tend to also look denser, due to the shorter nature of the plant.

There is an argument to be had that the high is obviously different, and I can think of a few strains that highlight this fantastically.

Take Amnesia Haze or Lemon Haze, the high tends to be a focused, head led high.

These being Sativas, that fits.

The same goes for Northern Lights on the Indica side

This strain packs a body led high, leaving you couch locked with little focus.

So, it would seem there are some obvious differences.

But are these differences down to the Sativa/Indica classification?

Or is it more complex than that?

Sativa vs Indica – The Terpenes Arguement

Cannabis has an abundance of terpenes within all the different strains.

Terpenes give the flower its aroma.

We now have strains that smell and taste like strawberries, oranges, cake and even cookies (albeit with a strong cannabis smell and these are often subtle background notes).

But do these terpenes make a difference and is there any correlation between them, Sativa’s and Indica’s?

Lets use the terpene Myrcene as an example (a terpene known for giving an earthy herbal smell).

This terpene is known for its ability to battle things like anxiety and insomnia ⬅️ ❌ often things people associate with the effects of an Indica strain.

So surely, it should only really be found in Indica
strains?

Not the case, as it is also found in Sativa’s on occasions, albeit in a lower concentration.

Likewise, Limonene (a terpene known for giving the plant a citrus lemon smell) is known for combatting stress and boosting mood, common attributes given to Sativa’s, and very present in some of the more obvious Sativa strains.

But again, this can also be found in many Indica plants.

This proves that whilst knowing the levels of terpenes present in a plant can give an indication to its effects, it does not show that terpene profiles alone can determine a plant from being Sativa or Indica.

Sativa vs Indica – The Cannabinoids Arguement

Just like terpenes, cannabis has an abundance of cannabinoids.

The most obvious and prevalent in todays day and age is THC(A) and CBD(A).

(Just so we are all aware, on the plant, these cannabinoids
contain an extra carbon dioxide molecule making them technically THCA and CBDA, and these are not psychoactive.

THCA and CBDA are converted to THC and CBD when combusted or if the cannabis
is decarboxylated.)

Whilst these are the most common and well-known cannabinoids, there are plenty more we know of (THCV, CBN, CBG to name a few) and many more we have yet to discover.

So maybe we can use these to determine a Sativa or Indica.

But again, this is not the case.

Cannabis can have many variations of cannabinoids and these have absolutely no correlation to Sativa and Indica.

In fact, terpenes are a better indicator, and we have already seen they are not reliable at all. ❌

The only thing we can show with cannabinoids is the percentage％of each one (although some are so small it is almost impossible to calculate them), and thus if it will get you high from THC or not (although that is mainly due to the fact we have always searched and concentrated on THC, and
more recently CBD potent strains).

This argument is basically the two above arguments lumped together.

It suggests that the high you get from each varying strain, regardless of whether Sativa or Indica, is based on what terpenes and what cannabinoids are present and in what ratio.

A collection of certain terpenes in certain ratios, combined with the varying cannabinoids present in the strain, make for a more uplifting and euphoric high (often thought to be Sativa), more so, then a strain with the same terpenes and cannabinoids in different ratios that give a more sedative and calming high (often thought to Indica).

So, it is fair to say the entourage effect plays a big part in the high and the effects of a cannabis strain.

However it DOES NOT have any correlation with the Sativa/Indica classification, and thus seems to makes this classification almost pointless with regards to anything apart from appearance.

Let us think about the entourage effect.

It makes perfect sense.

It is obvious that different strains have a different kinds of high and that much we can all agree on (if you have ever smoked the
strain green crack, you know not all cannabis knocks you out).

It is also obvious that terpenes present in a Sativa can be found in an Indica and vice versa, and the same can be said for cannabinoids.

This, kind of causes a problem.

If the only distinction between Sativa and Indica is the looks then
technically, the Sativa for the day and Indica for the night should not be true.

Having said that, I would say this.

The Sativa and Indica classification are a good place to start if you are new to cannabis and want to make sure you are getting the right kind of high for the situation you are in.

Likewise, it is a good indicator for even an experienced smoker of a rough idea what to expect from a new flower.

So does this automatically mean that the new flower out, which claims to be a knockout Indica, really will deliver?

Probably yes, although unlikely to be a pure Indica.

This would be much more down to terpenes and cannabinoid ratios then the fact the plant is short and dense!

Also because when smoked, the flower had a sedative effect, and therefore it was deemed to be an Indica and hence sold as such.

The Sad Truth of it..

Sativa Vs Indica

Unfortunately, in this day and age of cross breeding and breeding plants with unknown strains, we are probably close to the point where there is no real true Indica or Sativa left.

The originally classified Sativa strains back in 1753 are sadly lost to myth and legend.

That is, unless, you live in the mountains of the Hindu Kush in Asia and have access to some of the original seeds.

Although, it is entirely possible that even they have been cross bred at some point by now.

So we can all strive for the Holy Grail as a result!

,

the pure strain…..if you find one, let me know!

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