Among some of the confusing things about cannabis are the differences between products labeled “Sativa”, “Hybrid”, or “Indica”. So, here is a brief crash course in what these terms actually mean.
The reality is that all modern cannabis plants are hybrids. This is due to centuries of humans cross-breeding the original strains, for reasons including cultivation ease, strength, flavour, and more. This means strains from as recently as the ’70s & ’80s no longer exist in those original forms. Most of our modern fruit and vegetable varieties have gone through similar cultivation techniques to breed hardier, bigger, more flavorful food.
Why do we keep using these terms?
These words have become a shorthand for how the weed you’re purchasing is likely to make you FEEL. Think of it as a spectrum, with Sativa on one end and Indica on the other.
Items marked as Sativa are more likely to give you an energetic and sometimes euphoric head high. These are good strains to use when you want to get things done and not be fuzzy-headed in the process.
Indicas, on the other hand, are often recommended for relaxation, stress-management, and to help with sleep disruptions. They are more likely to give you the infamous feeling of “couch lock”, since they may make your body feel heavier, as well as making your thought-process more lethargic and motivations less important.
Hybrids, as you’ve probably guessed, have effects that span both a Sativa and an Indica high. They may make you feel bright and happy while also impelling you to sink into your couch. They may also give you a high that is both euphoric and relaxing.
Deciding which variety is right for you comes down to a bit of experimentation and natural body chemistry. Many people like to have a variety of product on hand to conjure up whatever high they are craving in the moment.
At the end of the day it’s about how the weed makes you feel, and we hope right now you feel more confident making that choice for yourself.
What’s your preferred high? Tell us in the comments!
