We associate indica buds with stoned effects and sativas with uplifting, motivating effects, with hybrids somewhere in between. But the real question is whether there is any difference at all.
On the subject, it turns out consumers around the world have been focusing on the wrong thing for years. In an interview, Dr. Ethan Russo persuaded the scientific community, the press, and the public to abandon the terms indica and sativa.
What is behind the words of Dr. Russo?
First of all, there are differences between indicas, sativas and hybrids. But these differences are mainly in the appearance and growth of the plants.
What do indica plants look like?
Indica plants are short, have broader leaves, and have a shorter flowering time.
What do sativa plants look like?
Sativa plants are taller, have narrower leaves, and have a longer flowering period.
What distinguishes hybrids?
Hybrids can exhibit traits of both types and be either indica-dominant or sativa-dominant. The question is whether the physical differences really equate to the famous differences in effect.
Science can't really confirm that indica plants make you sluggish and sativa plants uplift you. In fact, there is no scientific evidence that indica plants or sativa plants have any plant-specific effects at all.
dr Russo says that using the terms sativa or indica to indicate different effects is pointless and even potentially dangerous. Its justification has its right to exist, because the effect depends on other points. These include:
- The cannabinoids
- terpenes and other compounds
- The way the body reacts to substances
- The tolerance
- How much is consumed
- How the plant is consumed
So rather than looking at whether it's an indica or sativa plant, pay close attention to the strain's THC and CBD levels, as well as its terpenoid profiles, for clues as to its effects.
dr Russo also noted that the "chilled" effect doesn't come from the indica strain, but from the myrrene content in the plant. The mood-enhancing effect, on the other hand, is said to depend on the limonene content.
In his opinion, it's important that companies selling CBD provide consumers with complete cannabinoid and terpenoid profiles in the future, so that they can better determine the effects.
