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Indica vs. sativa: Science suggests there’s not actually a difference

"People think that if you smoke an indica, it's like taking a Xanax and you're going to be falling asleep, whereas a sativa is almost like doing a line of cocaine and you're going to be jacked up and hyper," says Alex Pasternack, co-founder and president of the international cannabis brand Binske. This dichotomous labeling system is deeply entrenched among consumers, be they in a California dispensary, Dutch ‘coffee shop,’ or Bangkok smoking lounge. However, mounting scientific evidence suggests that these labels are largely meaningless, with no significant chemical or genetic differences between the two—implying that consumers may not be getting the specific effects they seek. “The…

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  Which high to buy? How to decode labels when shopping for weed

Flower comes in three main categories. Indica, sativa and hybrid. According to stoner tradition, indicas induce a nighttime sedentary effect, while sativas offer a peppier daytime buzz. There is no credible science to back any of this up. It is a pseudoscience like astrology, valuable to those who choose to place stock in it. While virtually everything available in dispensaries today is a hybrid of some kind, indica became associated with certain observable characteristics like broader leaves, and most importantly, its earthy smell. Sativas, meanwhile, are generally associated with bright smells like citrus and pine.

 The Real Story Behind Sativa and Indica: Todd McCormick Explains Why Modern Weed Feels Different

Todd shares decades of firsthand experience as a grower, researcher, and activist. We talk about why myrcene became the world’s most common terpene, how COAs and THC percentages mislead consumers, and why “energizing” vs. “sedating” labels often come down to how (and when) the plant was harvested. If you’ve ever wondered why your “sativa” makes you sleepy — this conversation will change how you think about cannabis forever.

Articles of Interest

Cannabis sativa research trends, challenges, and new-age perspectives

Cannabis sativa L. has been one of the oldest medicinal plants cultivated for 10,000 years for several agricultural and industrial applications. However, the plant became controversial owing to some psychoactive components that have adverse effects on human health.

Cannabis sativa — hemp

With a history of association with humans going back some 10,000 years, few plants come with more cultural baggage today than hemp. Probably native to Central Asia, humans have mainly used hemp for its fibers. In fact, until the early eighteenth century, hemp was the most important source of fiber in North America.

Cannabis sativa: The Plant of the Thousand and One Molecules

Cannabis sativa L. is an important herbaceous species originating from Central Asia, which has been used in folk medicine and as a source of textile fiber since the dawn of times. This fast-growing plant has recently seen a resurgence of interest because of its multi-purpose applications: it is indeed a treasure trove of phytochemicals and a rich source of both cellulosic and woody fibers. Equally highly interested in this plant are the pharmaceutical and construction sectors, since its metabolites show potent bioactivities on human health and its outer and inner stem tissues can be used to make bioplastics and concrete-like material, respectively.

Indica and sativa labels are largely meaningless when it comes to cannabis complexities

If labels describing cannabis strains do in fact represent two distinct groups of cannabis, then the differences should be reflected by chemical and genetic differences. Our study, published in Nature Plants, found that indica and sativa labels are largely meaningless.

Indica vs Sativa

Indica and sativa plants differ not only in their physiological effects, but also in their appearance. Indica plants are short and stocky, featuring leaves that are broad and “chunky.” Sativa plants tend to be taller and skinnier and may even be lanky in appearance, with leaves that are thin and pointed.