The cannabis industry continues to reach new highs as states across the country expand and legalize the use of cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes. Global cannabis market trends, according to Fortune Business Insight, project a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.04% for the period of 2021 to 2028, growing from $28.66 billion in 2021 to $197.74 billion by 2028.

The North American cannabis market is projected to experience stellar growth spurred by a continual rise in states across the country legalizing and expanding access to medicinal and recreational Cannabis. The cannabis industry has returned to pre-pandemic levels and continues to rise with increased demand across all regions of the country and the world.

Cannabis: Versatile Healing with Sativas, Indicas, and Hybrids

With increased awareness and usage comes a market ready to supply demand with a variety of cannabis strains and types. Cannabis seed breeders continue to perfect cannabis genetics to provide potential help to a variety of medical conditions and provide new highs for connoisseurs. Not all pot is created equal, and the versatile Cannabis plant consists of two main types, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis sativa.

Cannabis ruderalis is considered to be a third type of cannabis species, although it lacks potency and is not appealing to consumers or patients and is therefore avoided by breeders. The three main types of cannabis that most people are familiar with are indica, sativa, or a hybrid of the two. Not only can users enjoy a wide selection of Cannabis flower to smoke, but an increase of other products such as edibles, oils, concentrates, and topicals are available with specific strains, also called cultivar or chemovar, and potency noted on labeling. New infusion products such as sublingual or topical products are designed for faster onset time to enter the bloodstream rapidly, comparable to smoking without inhaling smoke into your lungs.

Different cannabis strains produce different effects, and the cannabis plant can be an extremely versatile form of medication providing relief to a variety of conditions such as anxiety, panic attacks, arthritis, chronic pain, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, seizures, and many other ailments. Choosing the right type of cannabis to treat your specific condition or provide the feeling you desire is important to get the effect you seek.

You may not want to smoke a high-dose sativa blend right before you go to bed, or a large indica joint right before you have busy work ahead of you. This is where knowing the difference between indica, sativa, and understanding hybrids will help you to use the right type of cannabis at the right time and for the right condition.

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Which Type of Cannabis Is Best for Me?

MMJ patients should speak with their doctor

There is no direct answer on which type of Cannabis species is best for you. If you are consuming cannabis as a medical Cannabis patient, it is always best to speak to your doctor for suggestions on the right strain and cannabinoid content to provide the most benefit for you.

The added role of cannabinoids and terpenes

Not only does the type of strain dictate the cannabis effects that you feel, in your mind and body, but a host of cannabinoids and terpenes also play a role in the final effects of any Cannabis chemovar. Many cannabis industry professionals use the term chemovar in place of the term strain, as the chemical variety of cannabis can more accurately describe the makeup and typical effects such as high THC, high CBD, and combined THC/CBD or other cannabinoid combinations.

Most people are familiar with indica, sativa, and hybrid, however, and use the terms more as an indication of whether a strain is more indica “leaning” or sativa “leaning,” as most strains available today are some form of a hybrid. A hybrid may provide effects familiar with both strains and may contain additional cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and/or CBG, while still being more indica or sativa dominant.

Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid?

In general, some people find that indica strains provide more of a body buzz, and relief to pain and anxiety, whereas a sativa strain can provide more of a head buzz with an increase in energy, focus, and creativity. The relaxation that indica provides is what has coined the term “in da couch,” although there are always exceptions to the rule. Not everyone reacts the same way to the same strain, and some indicas may be uplifting while a sativa puts you to sleep.

The only way to know is to talk to your medical Cannabis physician or experiment on your own. Some cannabis varieties are appropriate for treating specific ailments and diseases but not others. It is critical to choose the right strain for you to ensure that you receive the best therapy and cannabis experience possible.

It can help to know where to start by knowing what most people experience as the difference between indica, sativa, and hybrid cannabis strains.

Indica vs. Sativa: Plant Structure

You can often tell the difference between an Indica and Sativa just by looking at the plant. Indica plants will grow shorter and bushier compared to a sativa. Cannabis indica plants also have wider leaves in a darker green color than sativa plants. Indica plants are sometimes thought to contain higher THC levels, although with the advancement of cannabis genetics, many sativa and hybrid strains are just as potent.

A Cannabis sativa plant is taller, thinner, and has wispier, thinner, and lighter green leaves compared to indica plants. Hybrids are a cross between indica and sativa and may exhibit traits from each type of cultivar, and may lean more towards one than the other.

Indica vs. Sativa: Plant Growth

The indica plant grows shorter and bushier, with broader leaves mainly due to its shorter flowering season. Cannabis indica originated in areas with cooler climates and in areas of the Middle East such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tibet. Growing indica is ideal for some growers who live in a climate that is not as warm as others and has distinct seasonal changes, due to the shorter flowering time.

Cannabis indica seeds include popular strains like Afghan Kush, Blueberry Muffin, Black Widow, and other favorites. If you don’t want to sex your plants and you want to grow only females, feminized indica seeds can give you a potent punch with a quick flowering time.

Cannabis sativa plants are indigenous to warmer climates in areas closer to the equator, like South and Central America and Southeast Asia. Sativa plants have longer flowering times as they are indigenous to areas with longer summers. Sativas grow much taller than indica plants and can be challenging to grow indoors. Hydroponic growers should prepare their grow space ahead of time with a plan for the proper space and lighting to successfully manage all plants at the full height of maturity.

Here are some of the most popular Cannabis sativa seeds, or start with feminized sativa seeds to guarantee nothing but lovely ladies.

The Different Effects of Each Cannabis Strain

Before you buy your cannabis seeds to start your grow, or head to the dispensary to get your favorite bud, it can help to know exactly what you’re looking for. If you want a high THC content with CBD or without, a sativa or indica leaning strain, or something to help with a specific ailment, be sure to think about this ahead of time to get the right cannabis seeds or bud for you. Make sure you read the labels, ask your budtender, or get your seeds from The Seed Cellar to speak with a friendly staff just a phone call away for help in choosing the best cannabis seeds for you.

Sativa Effects

Cannabis sativa strains tend to provide more of a head buzz with an energizing effect, which makes them good for daytime use. Typical effects of sativa include:

• Cerebral effects – sativas typically provide an uplifting, euphoric effect with increased energy, creativity, and alertness.
• Invigorating – the invigorating effect of a sativa strain can help someone to tackle a physical activity with increased focus (you might finally feel like cleaning out that closet or mowing the lawn)
• Perfect for daytime use – if you like to wake-n-bake, sativa is a good strain for you. Starting your day with a nice sativa blend can give you the invigorating, creative boost you need to tackle your day with a whistle in your work.

Sativa Medical Uses

Cannabis sativa is often used to treat many health conditions and ailments. The uplifting, creative effect can help to ease depression for many, although any type of Cannabis could create anxiety in some people, and everyone should start with small doses to learn what their own tolerance levels are. Sativa can provide relief for many health conditions without giving patients “couch lock”.

Research continues to advance regarding the treatment of health conditions with cannabinoids, which are continually showing efficacy in treating many conditions and show great potential for treating many others, as reported in this study published by the National Library of Medicine. Some of the most common diseases and symptoms that Cannabis sativa is known to treat include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Chronic pain
• Chronic headaches and migraines
• HIV/AIDS
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• ADD/ADHD
• Lack of appetite

The sativa strain along with a variety of terpenes provide significant relief to these conditions and many others. Limonene, for example, is a terpene that shows potential to treat depression, and pinene provides anti-inflammatory benefits.

Indica Effects

Cannabis indica is known to provide relaxing, sedative effects, sometimes described as more of a body buzz, with typical effects of indica including:

• Couch lock – indica may cause you to not want to get up off of the couch (couch-lock).
• Sleep aid – This can provide relief for anxiety and is good for nighttime use if you want to stay in bed and relax.
• Appetite inducer – indica strains are also known to give users the munchies and can be used to improve appetite related to many conditions.

Indica strains with varying cannabinoids and terpenes are providing relief to a long list of conditions with proven therapeutic benefits.

Indica Medical Uses

Cannabis Indica can help to promote sleep, provide pain relief, and is used to treat many other conditions. According to an article published by Harvard Medical School, medical Cannabis is known to be used successfully to treat many conditions with the common pathway of chronic pain, such as endometriosis, fibromyalgia, and interstitial cystitis. Medical cannabis is also used to treat conditions causing seizures and to lessen tremors in Parkinson’s disease.

Medical Cannabis is also helpful to treat loss of appetite which is a symptom of many conditions such as HIV and wasting syndrome, as well as eating disorders, anorexia, and cancer chemotherapy treatments. Cannabis is also showing promising results to treat depression and PTSD, particularly for veterans returning from combat. There is a long list of conditions currently being treated with medical cannabis, and much more research still needs to be done.

Some of the most common conditions treated with cannabis Indica include:

• Loss of appetite
• Eating disorders, anorexia
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Depression
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Chronic pain from many illnesses such as arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and cancer

Hybrids: Best of Both Worlds

Even cannabis strains which are described as either indica or sativa, are likely some sort of hybrid based on various combinations of crossbreeding and terpenes. Because a hybrid is no longer definitively described as either indica or sativa, the method of cultivation, yield, cannabinoid, and terpene profile are going to be what’s most important. With a hybrid, consumers have the choice to search for the exact benefits or effects they’re looking for and can find combinations of sativa and indica strains in one beautiful Cannabis plant.

A hybrid strain is often described as being indica dominant or sativa dominant, and various strains contain a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes. A hybrid can provide patients with specific treatments, such as pain relief, without causing drowsiness. A low THC high CBD blend can provide pain relief and relaxation with less chance of couch lock.

Whether seeking to learn more about the many different types of cannabis varieties and strains for medicinal or recreational purposes, it can be very beneficial to take the time to understand the differences between Indica and sativa and learn more about the options available with many hybrid strains today.

The Seed Cellar is one of the largest cannabis seed banks and differs from other seed banks with our storefront and friendly staff available to take your call or service walk-in customers. We offer only top-shelf cannabis seeds from the top breeders, delivered in original breeder packaging. Check out the seed bank today for any seed type or strain, whether looking for the best regular cannabis seeds, feminized or autoflowers, all available in sativa, indica, or hybrid strains.