Indica vs Sativa vs Hybrid: Is the Old Cannabis Classification Still Relevant Today?

When you’re standing in front of a selection of strains and deciding whether to purchase sativa UK or try an indica-labelled option, chances are you assume that the labeling provides a good indication of what you’ll get from the strain. First off, take a gander through complete range of weed strains at Canna City– every single category, every single effect, all in one place so you can decide for yourself.

However, before we tear apart your assumptions regarding why the labeling may be misleading, let’s explore why the labeling itself could be deceiving.

The Simple Rule That Worked for Years

As it turns out, there was a straightforward rule that worked for years. Dispensaries promoted it. Packaging displayed it. Indica made people feel relaxed and sleepier. Sativa made people feel energized and social. Hybrids were either one or the other, based on whichever parent had more influence. And honestly, that was all well and good because it was clean, easy to remember, and super convenient to shop based on. What it turned out to be is virtually irrelevant to how you truly feel when consuming the product.

Where did these classifications come from? These classifications originated in 18th century botany. When a French naturalist separated the cannabis plants using their physical characteristics (height, leaf shape, stem thickness) rather than their effects on individuals.

What Does Science Really Say?

Dr. Ethan Russo is one of the leading voices in cannabis research. He has stated that the entire concept of indica-sativa is “completely nonsensical” when used as it typically is for packaging purposes and shop shelves.

National Geographic simply said much of the same thing. They noted that many people have a common misconception of indica-sativa; and years of simplifying the process have caused people to miss what is actually creating the user experience.

So what creates the feeling someone gets from consuming a particular strain? In general two things create the feeling someone gets from consuming a particular strain:

• Terpenes – the aromatic compounds found in cannabis flowers that determine flavor and aroma, and also affect how cannabinoids act on a person. This is sometimes referred to as the entourage effect.
• Chemotype – the amount of THC to CBD (and any other cannabinoids) in a particular plant. Chemotype is generally a better indicator of how intense/characteristic a product is going to be compared to plant-shape labels.

Two products labeled as “Sativa” could potentially contain completely different levels of terpenes and therefore produce completely different results. Labels provide virtually no consistent information about how each individual product will make you feel.

Old vs New Models Side-by-Side

Is There Any Point in Ignoring the Label Entirely?

While you should avoid ignoring labels altogether (old habits die hard), you’ll likely find value in shopping wiser. Here are a few ways you can shop smarter:

• Do not ignore where the terpene breakdown and cannabinoid profile is listed. Look at those figures when trying to figure out which product is right for you.
• Think of “indica”, “Sativa”, and “hybrid” as loose guidelines rather than promises. Think of them as useful filters for quickly identifying products that fit within certain categories.
• Take notice of how each specific product makes you feel, then write it down so you can reference it later.

If you’re looking for where to buy indica UK, or searching for the top hybrid strains available in the UK, your best bet is to focus on the data behind the label. That’s where the true answers of “is this product going to relax me or give me energy?” reside.

The Bottom Line for UK Buyers

The old system isn’t useless, but it’s a blunt instrument dressed up as precision.

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