In the world of cannabis, the terms “indica” and “sativa” have long been used to describe the effects of different strains. Indica is often seen as the relaxing, sleep-inducing option, while sativa is touted as an energizing, uplifting choice. However, as cannabis research evolves, the validity of this traditional dichotomy is increasingly questioned. As National Geographic reported, experts now argue that the real factors influencing your cannabis experience are far more complex than a simple label.
Origins Of Indica And Sativa Labels
The distinction between indica and sativa dates back to the late 18th century, when French biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed categorizing cannabis plants based on their physical characteristics. According to Lamarck, indicas were shorter plants with woody stems and broad leaves, while sativas were taller with fibrous stems and thin leaves. This classification system, however, was based purely on the plant’s appearance, not its chemical properties or effects on the human body.
Neuroscientist Nick Jikomes, formerly the director of science and innovation at Leafly, points out that the way a substance makes you feel is due to its chemistry, not its physical structure. “You can't just look at a plant and predict how it will affect your body and mind,” Jikomes says. Yet, the indica-sativa labeling system persists and is deeply entrenched in consumer culture worldwide.
Misconception Of Indica Vs. Sativa Effects
The popular belief that indica strains are sedative and sativas are stimulating is widespread, but it’s not supported by scientific evidence. “People think that if you smoke an indica, it’s like taking a Xanax and you’re going to be falling asleep, whereas a sativa is almost like doing a line of cocaine and you’re going to be jacked up and hyper,” Alex Pasternack, co-founder and president of the international cannabis brand Binske, told National Geographic. However, research shows that there is little to no difference in the chemical makeup between the two categories.
In a study led by Jikomes, the chemical profiles of over 90,000 commercial cannabis flower samples from six U.S. states were analyzed, revealing that the labels often do not accurately reflect the plant’s chemistry. The study found no consistent difference between indica and sativa strains in terms of their levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. This finding was echoed by a separate study from Dalhousie University, which analyzed nearly 300 cannabis strains and found no scientific basis for the distinctions between indica and sativa.
A New Approach To Cannabis Classification
As the cannabis industry grows and matures, experts are calling for a new classification system that reflects the chemical complexity of the plant. Each cannabis strain contains around 540 chemical substances, including over 144 different cannabinoids like THC and cannabidiol (CBD), which produce specific effects. Terpenes, another type of compound found in cannabis also play a significant role in determining the plant’s effects. For example, the terpene myrcene is thought to enhance the psychoactive effects of THC, while limonene is associated with elevated mood and stress relief.
Pasternack argues that a more accurate labeling system would focus on these chemical attributes, listing the key compounds present in a strain along with their respective amounts—similar to how nutrition facts are displayed on food packaging. Such a system could also group strains based on their dominant terpene profiles, such as limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene, and pinene, which are linked to specific gene expression patterns.
Simplicity Vs. Sophistication
Despite the push for a more scientifically accurate labeling system, the current indica-sativa classification is likely to remain popular, largely due to its simplicity. As Jikomes notes, “The whole system is just whether you want an upper or a downer. It enables retailers and brands to have a universal, foolproof way to market an arbitrary set of products to any consumer, and it's simple enough that anyone can understand it.”
Ultimately, while the science suggests that the indica-sativa distinction may be outdated, the ease of use and consumer familiarity with these labels mean they are unlikely to disappear anytime soon. As Jikomes puts it, “You can put as many terpenes on the sticker as you want, but my prediction is that the indica/sativa system is here to stay.”
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