As a medicinal Cannabis patient, or simply a user of Cannabis, you have more than likely heard the terms “Indica,” “Sativa,” and “Hybrid.” You may find yourself wondering what these terms mean and what the differences are between them, as well as how they work from a medicinal standpoint.

There were originally only two primary types of Cannabis plants known as “Cannabis Indica” and “Cannabis Sativa.”

After generations of crossbreeding, it is now quite rare to find a pure Indica or pure Sativa strain.

It is now common for most strains of Cannabis to be Indica-dominant, Sativa-dominant or hybrid. As you may expect, different plant genetics can often lead to different medicinal effects.

Let’s start with Indica. Indica plants are typically shorter and have wide leaves.

The buds of an Indica plant will usually be quite dense. You will typically find that Indica-based strains are more relaxing and will usually be associated with more bodily sensations.

These strains are often recommended for nighttime use due to these effects.

As for Sativa, these plants are typically taller with long and thin leaves.

The buds of a Sativa plant are typically less dense and can be somewhat feathery. Sativa strains usually produce a cerebral feeling and are more uplifting and euphoric. As a result, they are recommended for daytime use.

A hybrid is a Cannabis plant that is a crossbreed between an Indica and a Sativa plant. Most strains of cannabis are a hybrid of these.

Within this subset, there can be Indica-dominant and Sativa-dominant strains, or some that are relatively even in their split.

Keep in mind that while the plant genetics play roles in how products may affect you, it is not the only contributing factor. If you have a product that is 10% THC and 8% CBD it may affect you differently if it is Indica-dominant as opposed to if it is Sativa-dominant.

It all depends on what you are looking for and what effects you desire. That being said, a plant with the same genetic makeup (Indica, Sativa, or hybrid) and the same cannabinoid content (THC and/or CBD) can also affect you differently depending on how the product was grown.

Products grown indoors or under artificial light can affect you differently than products that were grown outdoors or in greenhouses using natural light.

Knowing the genetics of your plants can be beneficial in helping you to find the proper product for you and for what you want.

Keep in mind that this is only one of the several dynamics present when finding the product that best suits you. Plant genus should not be the sole or deciding factor, but a supporting factor along with your knowledge of cannabinoid content, terpene profiles, growth techniques, etc.

It all comes back to conscious consumption and knowing what you are putting into your body.

We want this control to continue on to the device you use for consumption, and that is what we have kept in mind when designing our vaporizers.