Medical Cannabis: Sativa and Indica or Cannabinoids and Terpenes

With so many strains, how do you know which one is right for you? While many dispensaries want you to believe that the difference between indica and sativa is night and day, the truth is that the real way to determine how a particular strain will affect you is by the cannabinoid and terpene profile.

What Are Sativa and Indica?

Sativa and Indica aren't significant indicators of how the plants will affect your mind and body. But the terms are on par with each other when describing the plants' physical appearance. Here are some key differences:

● Sativa plants are generally taller with longer, thinner leaves. They also have a longer flowering period than Indica.

● Sativa grows best in warm climates and takes longer to mature than in Indica.

● Indica plants are shorter and bushier with broader leaves. They have a shorter flowering period than Sativa.

● Indica grows in colder climates with shorter growing seasons and matures faster than Sativa.

● Hybrid strains are a mix of the two.

A third, less common type of cannabis is ruderalis. This plant has a lower THC content and is primarily found in Eastern Europe and Russia.

When thinking of Indica vs Sativa for medical purposes, you most likely have heard the phrase "in the couch" to refer to the effect Indica strains may have. Also widely thought to be true is that Indica is more of a nighttime strain category, while Sativa is usually uplifting and taken during the day. Although this holds true for many medical patients, it tends to be subjective. A cross-sectional survey of cannabis users found that rather then being scientific it has a lot to do with perception.

Participants were more likely to perceive feeling "sleepy/tired" or "relaxed" after using indica and "alert," "energized," and "motivated" after using sativa.

How to Determine the Effects of a Strain

The cannabis plant has over 500 naturally occurring chemical compounds. These include phytocannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other organic molecules. The effects of a particular strain are determined by its cannabinoid and terpene profile.

What are Cannabinoids?

Although THC and CBD are the two most well-known cannabinoids, over 140 have been identified. Each one has its own effects. For example, THC and CBD both have anti-inflammatory properties. But THC may also influence appetite and cause a psychoactive response, while CBD does not. Each interacts differently with our endocannabinoid system and with the other compounds in the plant.

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in all plants, not just cannabis. They give cannabis its distinctive smell and taste. They also play a role in the effects of a particular strain. Over 20,000 have been identified in nature, and more than 200 have been isolated in cannabis strains.

The combination of cannabinoids and terpenes is known as the entourage effect. This refers to the theory that the compounds work together to produce a different result than they would on their own.

For example, a strain with high levels of THC and a terpene called myrcene may produce couch-locking effects. But a strain with high THC and limonene, another terpene, may have uplifting and energizing effects.

Some of the most common cannabis terpenes include Pinene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Bisabolol, Limonene, Linalool, Humulene, Eucalyptol, and Ocimene.

What are Flavonoids?

Flavonoids are a class of phytonutrients. Over 6,000 have been identified in nature. They're found in all plants, including cannabis.

Flavonoids are believed to play a role in the entourage effect. But they also have their own unique outcomes. For example, some flavonoids may help reduce inflammation. Others may act as antioxidants.

The Bottom Line

The best way to find out how a particular strain will affect you is to ask your dispensary for the cannabinoid and terpene profile. You can get your medical card online as well as find detailed information online for many cannabis strains. Some of the main strain sites are leafly and of course weedmaps.

Now that you know what to look for, you can find the perfect cannabis strain for your needs!