Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid: A Detailed Comparison

Indica, sativa, or hybrid strain – which one to choose? While on the surface, this question seems relatively straightforward, when we dig deeper into the world of Cannabis and its various chemovars, we are proven once again that appearances can be deceptive.

While a simple Google search can offer us a handful of information about each strain and its effects, the way Cannabis will actually affect us goes beyond the choice of a strain. 

But what plays the first fiddle here? And which strain – weed indica vs sativa vs hybrid, is the right one for you? 

We answer just that in our detailed guide! 

Key Points:

• Indica and sativa are the two main Cannabis types. Within them, we can find many strains with varied properties. 
• A hybrid weed is a mix of indica and sativa strains. Hybrid strains can be indica-dominant, sativa-dominant, or a balanced combination of both parent plants.
• Usually, we attribute more relaxing properties to indica strains and energy-boosting ones to sativa plants. 
• Various strains’ properties will depend on their Cannabinoids and terpenes contents. 

Intro to Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid Strains

The two most known types of Cannabis are indica and sativa. While the first one is thought to offer relaxing, calming properties, the sativa plants are closely associated with heightened states of joy and good mood. 

Somewhere in the middle are hybrids. A hybrid weed combines both indica and sativa strain properties, offering a more balanced experience for the users. 

Seems easy enough, right? However, it’s vital to keep in mind that these broad descriptions of chemovars’ potential effects are not always 100% accurate. What we really should be paying attention to are the Cannabis strains’ cannabinoid and terpene contents. But more about it later.

For now, let’s go over the three Cannabis types to gain a better understanding of these popular weed plants and their potential effects.  

Indica

Origin: Cannabis indica comes from the beautiful lands of Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Turkey. The plant is indigenous to the Hindu Kush mountains and was first introduced to the European world in 1785 by the French biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. He’s responsible for giving the plant its name – Cannabis indica. 

Plant: Due to the harsher mountain climate, indica is smaller and stocky, with bushy and chunky leaves. The plant grows faster than sativa strains and produces more buds. 

Popular strains: Popular indica strains include Purple OG Kush, Northern Lights, Hindu Kush, and Sensi Star.

CBD-to-THC ratio: The ratio of CBD to THC in indica strains is often similar. 

Common Effects: People who administer this plant can experience deep states of relaxation in tandem with pain-relieving properties and better sleep. For this reason, indica strains are often the weed of choice for nighttime use. 

Sativa

Origin: Cannabis sativa, in contrast to indica that flourishes in the harsh mountain climate, is native to hot, dry climates of Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America, and some regions of Western Asia. The plant was classified by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. 

Plant: Sativa plants can be recognized by their size. They grow high and thin and have finger-like leaves. Sativa strains grow slower than some other weed chemovars.

Popular strains: Among the popular sativa strains, we will find Strawberry Cough, Trainwreck, Durban Poison, Sour Diesel, or Super Lemon Haze.

CBD-to-THC ratio: It’s common for sativa plants to have a higher content of THC compared to CBD. 

Common Effects: This plant is celebrated for its focus and creativity-enhancing properties. Some users report feeling energized, while others use sativa to combat anxiety. 

Hybrid Strains

Origin: There is no one origin place for hybrid strains, as they are grown around the globe in a wide variety of cultivars. 

Plant: The appearance of hybrid weed plants depends largely on the combination of parent plans used to create them. Hybrids can be indica-dominant, sativa-dominant, or a fairly even mix of both strains. 

Popular strains: Popular hybrid strains include OG Kush, White Widow, Blue Dream, GG4, and Girl Scout Cookies.

CBD-to-THC ratio: There are various combinations of THC-to-CBD ratios in hybrid strains.

Common Effects: Some of the hybrid strain effects can include soothing and stress-reducing properties, as well as pain-relieving ones. The potential effects will depend on the ratio of parent plants as well as the THC content strains carry.

Terpenes and Cannabinoids: True Heroes of the Story

While knowing your way around different weed plants can be very helpful, it’s often not enough to find a strain that is going to be just perfect for you. 

It’s because a greater indicator of what you can actually expect from a particular strain comes not from the distinction between sativa, indica, and hybrid weed but from their Cannabinoids and terpene contents. 

That’s where things become a little bit more complicated, as among the same type of Cannabis (for example, sativa), you can have plants that offer varying properties. 

Let’s take a closer look! 

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds Cannabis plants contain. These compounds are responsible for creating many of the positive and negative effects we can experience after smoking or ingesting weed strains. 

And you already know two of them – THC and CBD. These are the compounds that come into interactions with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for regulating many crucial functions, like sleep, memory, and appetite. 

But THC and CBD are only two out of around 100 compounds identified up until now. We’re still learning a lot about particular roles and the effects they can have on the human body. 

Terpenes

Terpenes, although rarely discussed, can also impact how we experience the effects of weed. These compounds affect the taste and smell of the plant, but research suggests they also influence the way cannabinoids and other terpenes behave. 

Various terpene mixes can lead to different results, as some combinations will result in relaxing properties while others will offer an energy boost. Needless to say, for a better experience, it’s worth getting a basic understanding of how different terpenes interact with each other and what kind of outcomes they usually produce.

How To Choose the Right Strain?

Now that you have a clear overview of weed indica vs sativa vs hybrid, as well as the role of Cannabinoids and terpenes in the way Cannabis can affect us, you are much closer to finding the answer to the question, which cannabis strain may be the right one for you. 

Here is some advice that may come in handy when making this choice. 

• Consider your end goal. Faced with such a huge variety of Cannabis strains, you may feel overwhelmed. Before you even start your research, think about what weed effects interest you the most. 
• Account for individual circumstances. Your weed tolerance, dosage, regularity of use, and metabolism all impact the way Cannabis affects you. It’s also the reason why some strains may work wonderfully for your friends but offer you completely different experiences. Every person is different, and finding the best plant for your particular needs and predispositions may take some time.
• Start slow. Don’t jump into the deep end. Start with strains that are less potent. Mind your dose and give yourself time to feel the effects and recognize if you enjoy them. 
• Talk to the real pros. Research is your best strategy. Weed growers and sellers can tell you a lot about their products, and if you want to really dive deep, head to our knowledge base or contact us directly – we’ll be happy to help! 
• Pay attention to THC, CBD, and terpene contents. We’ve already covered why that’s important, but it bears repeating. This information will tell you a lot more about the potential effects a weed can offer in comparison to simply going off of the type of weed. 

Conclusion

That’s where we reach the conclusion of this guide. We outlined the basic differences between sativa, indica, and hybrid weed, as well as talked about the other factors that will shape your experience with different strains.

You still may have a lot of questions unanswered. Which strain is the best for a relaxing evening at home? Is a hybrid weed good for anxiety? Will sativa strains make me all jittery and uneased?

While we couldn’t answer all of these concerns in this guide, we invite you to get familiar with other articles and guides on the Get Kush website. We provide our Clients with a comprehensive knowledge base on all things weed-related so you can educate yourself before making any decisions. 

Our company was created from a deep appreciation of Cannabis and its immense potential. We’re gladly sharing that knowledge and passion with you. Visit our store and source the highest-quality weed from a reliable vendor in Canada. 

Buy cannabis, weed concentrates, and edibles without ever leaving the house. Begin your Cannabis adventure right now!    

FAQs

Is hybrid weed better than Indica or Sativa?

Hybrid weed is not better than indica or sativa plants, but it can offer you more balanced effects, depending on the strain. If you don’t want to lean towards uppers or downers too much, then choosing a hybrid strain can be the best solution.  

What is stronger, indica hybrid or sativa?

Sativa is known for having a higher ratio of THC to CBD than indica, resulting in a more potent body high. So, if you’re planning a more peaceful evening, going with an indica strain makes more sense.

Is hybrid weed for pain?

There are some hybrid weed strains with potential pain-relieving properties; however, it is an indica weed that offers a broader spectrum of potent strains with this particular effect. 

Sources:

1. Sativa vs. Indica: What to Expect Across Cannabis Types and Strains, https://www.healthline.com/health/sativa-vs-indica#indica
2. Sativa vs. Indica vs. Hybrid Cannabis: How They’re the Same (and How They’re Different), https://leafwell.com/blog/sativa-indica-difference-which-is-right-for-me 
3. Sarana Rose Sommano, Chuda Chittasupho, Warintorn Ruksiriwanich, and Pensak Jantrawut, Molecules. 2020 Dec, The Cannabis Terpenes, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7763918/