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Carpathia Clinic
9 Charing Cross, St Helier
Jersey JE2 3RP
Opening times
Clinic operating hours
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Indica vs Sativa
Indica vs Sativa are often debated and poorly understood but do you know truth for myth?
Myth: Indica strains will produce a heavy body ‘couch-lock’ effect and Sativa strains will produce uplifting, energetic highs.
Truth: Indica and Sativa are defined by their appearance, not their effects.
All modern day cannabis strains are hybrids. Strains that are more indica dominant may be more likely to induce stereotypical indica effects, however there is no guarantee. All strains are different.
The terms ‘Indica’ and ‘Sativa’ are both widely used and often debated. Sativa strains are generally believed to have more energetic, uplifting effects, whereas indica strains are generally thought to have more calming, sedative effects.
There is really no such thing as a true indica or sativa anymore. Every strain available nowadays is really a ‘hybrid’, some are more indica-dominant, and others are more sativa-dominant. Perhaps pre 20th century you could source heritage ‘landrace’ strains, however, following decades of ‘hybrid’ breeding, it appears that those days are gone.
While there is partial truth that indica-dominant strains can produce a more ‘body-heavy’ high and sativa-dominant strains provide a more invigorating, focused high, but it isn’t always the case. What really affects the way a strain will make you feel is the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes.
There is another myth that Indicas have more THC than Sativas. Again, this is not true.
While THC and CBD are the most well known cannabinoids, there are over a hundred different cannabinoids in cannabis, along with dozens of varying terpenes. They work harmoniously to give every strain its unique properties.
This is a relatively new phenomenon, known as ‘the entourage effect’(fig1) which also theorises that levels of the terpenes are more responsible for creating the differences in psychoactive variability between indica and sativa, than the percentage levels of THC or CBD.
For many people, a more balanced strain is the way to go. CBD is endearingly known as ‘the babysitter’ of THC and can reduce its ability to produce negative side effects, they work in harmony to provide a more enjoyable experience, with less potential for any anxieties.
Each cannabis cultivar has a unique cannabinoid profile and therefore, unique biological activity. A sativa strain could very well make you sleepy and exhibit other common indica effects if it has the right combination of THC, CBD, terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids. Terpenes are essential oils containing hydrogen and carbon that carry powerful medicinal properties. They give different marijuana strains their individual aroma and taste.
Terpenes are found in nature, in abundance. Using terpenes and other compounds that come in a strain helps to identify the effects it might provide, making it far easier to classify individual cannabis strains. It is not as simple as indica or sativa dominant to determine how a strain will make you feel.
The most common terpenes found in cannabis
Terpenes are present in both indica and sativa strains of cannabis. However, it has been noted that indica strains tend to have a dominance of the terpene ‘myrcene’, combined with other terpenoids such as a-pinene. Sativa strains, in contrast, appear to have more complex terpene profiles and the ‘sativa-like’ effects may come from terpenoids, such as alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, and limonene, that help to enhance focus and feeling energised.
Myrcene, caryophyllene, and linalool for example, are known to help encourage sleep and relaxation. Higher levels of CBD may encourage the ability to rest easier, unwind, and feel calmer. It should be noted that the terpene profiles in whole flower cannabis degrade over time, whereas cannabis extracts such a full spectrum CBD oil, retains the majority of terpene and cannabinoid molecules, as they are minimally refined.
In summary
Trying to define the effects of a cannabis strain by branding it an indica or sativa is an outdated idea and often false. It all comes down to the contents of each specific strain, the amount of each cannabinoid, the varying terpenes and the many other cannabis compounds that will determine its effects.
It should be noted that the extent to which a specific strain makes you feel, will differ from person to person and is subjectively dependent on a person’s unique endocannabinoid system along with other factors.
Our clinic doctors are trained to the highest
standard with the MCCS and have confident knowledge on the effects of differing levels of THC, CBD and terpenes.
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Carpathia Clinic
1st Floor,
York Chambers,
18 Charing Cross,
St. Helier,
Jersey JE2 3RP
Tel: 01534 888121 or 07797 798121
Email: contact@carpathiaclinic.com
Opening Times
Clinic Office Hours
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Consultation times vary and are subject to availability.
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In accordance with best practice, we follow the strict guidelines and standards set by the Care Quality Commission.
All our clinicians are fully trained to the high standards of the
Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society.
The Carpathia Clinic is a proud member of the Cannabis Industry Council.
