What Should I Choose – Indica or Sativa?

Long answer short – there’s absolutely loads to choose from! If you’ve been reading around this site, then you’ll find in that there doesn’t seem to be any major difference between medical and recreational cannabis. The distinction comes from the user, who might need it for specific ailments, rather than the type of plant itself. To quote Dr. Ethan Russo in an interview from the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research:

“Dr. Russo: There are biochemically distinct strains of Cannabis, but the sativa/indica distinction as commonly applied in the lay literature is total nonsense and an exercise in futility. One cannot in any way currently guess the biochemical content of a given Cannabis plant based on its height, branching, or leaf morphology. The degree of interbreeding/hybridization is such that only a biochemical assay tells a potential consumer or scientist what is really in the plant. It is essential that future commerce allows complete and accurate cannabinoid and terpenoid profiles to be available.

CCR: Sativa is often described as being uplifting and energetic, whereas indica as being relaxing and calming. Can you speculate on what could be the basis for these perceived differences?

Dr. Russo: We would all prefer simple nostrums to explain complex systems, but this is futile and even potentially dangerous in the context of a psychoactive drug such as Cannabis. Once again, it is necessary to quantify the biochemical components of a given Cannabis strain and correlate these with the observed effects in real patients. Beyond the increasing number of CBD predominant strains in recent years, almost all Cannabis on the market has been from high-THC strains. The differences in observed effects in Cannabis are then due to their terpenoid content, which is rarely assayed, let alone reported to potential consumers. The sedation of the so-called indica strains is falsely attributed to CBD content when, in fact, CBD is stimulating in low and moderate doses! Rather, sedation in most common Cannabis strains is attributable to their myrcene content, a monoterpene with a strongly sedative couch-lock effect that resembles a narcotic. In contrast, a high limonene content (common to citrus peels) will be uplifting on mood, while the presence of the relatively rare terpene in Cannabis, alpha-pinene, can effectively reduce or eliminate the short-term memory impairment classically induced by THC.”

Piomelli Daniele and Russo Ethan B..Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.Dec 2016.ahead of print http://doi.org/10.1089/can.2015.29003.ebr; retrieved from: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2015.29003.ebr

So, the question then becomes, “which variety of cannabis plant has the cannabinoid-terpenoid profile I’m looking for, what sort of environment do I need to grow it in in order to get this profile and how long do I need to flower the strain for to get the effects I want?” Sadly, there’s not any one way of knowing for sure, and the only way to tell is by using the same strain in small amounts a few times, trying many different strains and finding the ones that suit you best. For those who are growing at home and need to keep things small and discrete, autoflowering strains of cannabis can be used, but there is some debate concerning their overall cannabinoid content (although ruderalis plants seem to be high in CBD).

The taxonomy of cannabis – it’s a difficult issue.

So, do we agree with Dr. Russo’s statement? Due to the amount of crossbreeding and the fact that the same strain name can produce phenotypes with distinct cannabinoid and terpenoid profiles, Dr. Russo is what we might call “mostly correct”. However, there does seem to be some sort of pattern. Indicas are likely (although not always) to have higher amounts of CBD and myrcene in them, whilst sativas tend to produce less CBD and, in the case of equatorial sativas, more THCV.

However, we are not here to debate the taxonomy of the cannabis plant and the way botanists define things. We would like to introduce you to some of the best strains from the best breeders. Most of these are grower, time and user-tested. Wherever possible, we have selected varieties from standard, reliable breeders. However, we should be careful of applying the term “medical” to any strain, as 1) almost any strain could be “medicinal”; and 2) there is no definitive evidence on any particular strain’s or strains’ efficacy for a particular ailment or condition. Much of what we have written here is based upon patient reports gathered from a number of sources, including Leafly.com and searching various forums, such as the Mr. Nice Forum and UK420.com, as well as seed breeder forums and descriptions (which can be more marketing gimmick than reality, unfortunately, but things are changing!). Now, we do not know for definite if any of the below are the “best” or “more medical than other strains out there” – our list is based upon what we’ve found many growers and breeders in the cannabis community say themselves.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive but a guide of some of the best/most stabilized strains from some of the best breeders. For a more extensive look, check out the breeders and seed banks themselves (and start growing your own), and have a look to see if there’s any particular strain you might prefer. Please remember that some indica hybrids may, on occasion, have sativa phenotypes (and vice-versa). This means that you could grow a sativa strain and end up with a plant with an indica effect. The environment the cannabis plant is grown in has a significant impact upon the terpenoids and cannabinoids expressed by any particular cannabis plant.

There are also some great, lesser-known, underground breeders that we may not know of, or who are local to the area they breed and grow in, creating some amazing cannabis varietals. There is a lot of politics in the cannabis growing community, especially as there are many arguments over who created what and when, as well as the quality of the seeds. Our findings suggest that, yes, there are some breeders who are more open, honest and trustworthy than others, but also that many breeders will have a few excellent strains, and a lot of not-so-good or unstable ones that either require time and patience to grow, or are simply a way of making an easy buck with a interesting-sounding name. We want to avoid such politics, and simply try and point you in the right direction and hopefully get you to understand the cannabis plant and its effects a lot better. We have split the lists into Breeder, Strain Name, Genetic Background and Effect.

Indica/Indica Dominant Cannabis Strains

Breeder: Ace/Cannabiogen
Strain Name: Pakistan Chitral Kush
Genetic Background: Chitral x Hindu Kush x Pakistan
Effect: Relaxed, happy, sleepy. Stress, insomnia, pain, muscle spasms, inflammation.
Afropips Seeds
Fast Blast
Iran x Blueberry
Euphoric, relaxed, sleepy. Pain, stress, depression, insomnia.
Barneys Farm
Violator Kush
Malana x Hindu Kush
Relaxed, happy, sleepy, euphoric. Pain, insomnia, depression.
BC Bud Depot
CBD God Bud
BC God Bud x Harlequin
Relaxed, happy, euphoric. Pain, stress, muscle spasms.
Bodhi Seeds
Cougar’s Milk
Socal Master Kush x Appalachia
Relaxed, euphoric. Stress, focus.
Cali Connection
Pre-98 Bubba Kush
Hindu Kush
Relaxed, happy, sleepy. Insomnia, pain, stress, headaches, depression.
CBD Crew Seeds
Critical Mass
Afghan x Skunk No. 1
Relaxed, happy, sleepy. Pain, stress, depression.
CH9 Seeds
Chemdog
Ultimate Chemdog x Vintage 2006
Relaxed, sleepy. Pain, muscle spasms.
Chimera Seeds
Schnazzleberry No. 2
The Dom x Blueberry
Relaxed, sleepy, weightless. Pain, insomnia, muscle spasms.
DJ Short
Blueberry
Thai x Afghan
Relaxed, happy, sleepy. Stress, pain, depression.
DNA Genetics
Cataract Kush
LA Confidential x OG Kush
Relaxed, happy, sleepy. Stress, depression, pain, nausea.
Dr. Atomic
Northern Lights No. 5
Northern Lights No. 5
Happy, focused, uplifted, relaxed. Stress, pain, depression, eye pressure.
Dutch Passion Seeds
Blue Moonshine
Blueberry x Afghani
Sleepy, relaxed, weightless. Pain, insomnia, inflammation.
Emerald Triangle Seeds
Blackberry OG
Black Domina x Very Berry x Lost Coast OG
Relaxed, euphoric, happy, uplifted. Pain, stress, muscle spasms.
Flying Dutchmen
Dutch Delight
Big Bud x Skunk x Afghani
Sleepy, relaxed. Pain, insomnia, muscle spasms.
Green House Seeds
King’s Kush
OG Kush x Grape Ape
Relaxed, happy, sleepy. Pain, stress, lack of appetite.
Holy Smoke
Kong
Motavation x White Russian
Relaxed, euphoric, tingly. Pain, stress, insomnia, nausea, depression.
Homegrown Fantaseeds
Master Kush
Hindu Kush x Hindu Kush
Relaxed, happy, sleepy. Insomnia, depression, headaches.
Jordan of the Islands
God Bud
Unknown x Hawaiian x Purple Skunk
Relaxed, happy, euphoric. Pain, stress, insomnia, depression.
Karma Genetics
C99 X Biker Kush
Cinderella 99 x Hell’s Angel OG
Relaxed, sleepy, euphoric, happy, tingly. Pain, stress, depression, insomnia, nausea.
Kiwi Seeds
Alegria
Unknown (20% sativa, 80% indica)
Uplifting, happy. Anxiety, depression
Mandala Seeds
Hashberry
Unknown. Cross between a US and Indian indica.
Relaxed, euphoric, happy, uplifted, sleepy. Pain, stress, insomnia, lack of appetite, inflammation.
Mr. Nice Seeds
Medicine Man aka White Rhino
Brazilian Sativa x Indian Indica (White Widow) x Afghani
Relaxed, happy, uplifted, tingly, sleepy. Stress, pain, depression, nausea, insomnia.
Nirvana Seeds
Ice
Afghani x Skunk x Northern Lights x Shiva
Relaxed, happy, euphoric, sleepy, hungry. Stress, depression, lack of appetite.
Paradise Seeds
Sensi Star
Unknown (Afghani?)
Relaxed, happy, sleepy, euphoric, uplifted. Pain, stress, insomnia, depression, muscle spasms.
Reeferman Seeds
Mighty Mite
Kootnay Mountain Mighty Mite
Relaxed, happy, sleepy, euphoric. Pain, insomnia.
Reserva Privada Seeds
Purple Wreck
Purple Urkle x Train Wreck
Relaxed, happy, euphoric, uplifted, focused. Stress, depression, insomnia, nausea.
Resin Seeds
Hammershark
Dieseltonic x Shark Shock
Relaxed, euphoric, happy, focused, uplifted. Stress, pain, depression, inflammation, nausea.
Royal Dutch Genetics
Strawberry Kush
Kalifornien x OG Kush
Happy, relaxed, euphoric. Pain, stress, depression, lack of appetite.
Sagamartha Seeds
Matanuska Tundra aka Matanuska Thunder Fuck
Euphoric, happy, energetic, uplifted, creative. Stress, pain, depression, fatigue.
Sannies Seeds
Herijuana
Petrolia Headstash x Killer New Haven
Relaxed, sleepy, happy, euphoric, hungry. Pain, insomnia, stress, depression, inflammation.
Seedsman Seeds
Mazari
Mazar I Sharif
Relaxed, happy, creative, sleepy, uplifted. Pain, stress, lack of appetite, insomnia.
Sensi Seeds
Black Domina
Afghan x Ortega x Northern Lights x Hash Plant
Relaxed, sleepy, euphoric, happy. Insomnia, stress, pain.
Serious Seeds
Warlock
Afghani x Skunk No. 1
Happy, relaxed, focused, euphoric, uplifted. Stress, pain, depression, inflammation, muscle spasms.
Soma Seeds
Somango
Big Skunk Korean x Jack Herer
Relaxed, sleepy, hungry, uplifted, creative. Stress, insomnia, pain, muscle spasms, depression.
Spice of Life
Donk
Unknown x Blue Satellite
Uplifted, euphoric, relaxed. Depression, anxiety, stress.
Sweet Seeds
Cream Caramel
Bluback x Maple Leaf Indica x White Rhino
Relaxed, happy, sleepy. Stress, insomnia, fatigue, muscle spasms.
TGA Subcool
Deep Purple
Purple Urkle x Purple Querkle
Relaxed, euphoric, sleepy. Pain, stress, inflammation.
T.H. Seeds
Bubblegum
Indiana Bubblegum
Happy, relaxed, euphoric. Stress, pain, depression.
Tom Hill
Deep Chunk
Afghani
Relaxed, happy, euphoric, uplifted, sleepy. Insomnia, pain, stress, eye pressure, fatigue.
Underground Originals
Smile
Unknown
Relaxed, happy, euphoric. Depression, anxiety.
World of Seeds
Afghan Kush x Yumbolt
Afghan Kush x Yumbolt
Sleepy, relaxed, happy. Pain, insomnia, muscle spasms, nausea.

Sativa/Sativa-Dominant Cannabis Strains

 

Breeder: Ace/Cannabiogen
Strain Name: Vietnam Black x Thai
Genetic Background: Vietnamese x Highland Thai
Effect: Stimulating, energetic, uplifted. Fatigue, depression.
Afropips Seeds
Malawi Gold
Malawi Gold
Relaxed, focused, energetic, uplifted, euphoric. Stress, fatigue, pain, headaches.
Barney’s Farm
Acapulco Gold
Acapulco Gold – Mexican Sativa
Happy, uplifted, euphoric, energetic, creative. Stress, depression, fatigue, muscle spasms.
Bodhi Seeds
Big Sur Holy Bud
Californian Sativa
Happy, uplifted, relaxed, creative, euphoric. Stress, depression, nausea, muscle spasms.
CBD Crew Seeds
Medi Haze
Super Silver Haze x Neville’s Haze
Relaxed, uplifted, happy, energetic, focused. Pain, stress, inflammation, depression, nausea.
DJ Short
F13
Thai x Mexican x Afghani
Uplifted, energetic, euphoric. Depression, stress, focus.
DNA Genetics
Cannalope Haze
Haze Brothers Original Haze  x Mexican Haze
Happy, uplifted, energetic, euphoric. Stress, depression, pain, nausea, fatigue.
Dr. Atomic
Atomic Haze
Northern Lights x Cambodian x Super Silver Haze
Relaxed, happy, talkative, energetic. Depression, stress, nausea, pain, eye pressure.
Green House Seeds
Super Lemon Haze
Lemon Haze x Super Silver Haze
Happy, energetic, uplifted, focused, euphoric. Stress, fatigue, pain, depression.
Holy Smoke
Bhutanese Thimphu
Bhutanese Thimphu
Euphoric, uplifted, happy. Depression, fatigue, anxiety, inflammation, spasticity, muscle spasms.
Homegrown Fantaseeds
SPR Haze
Amnesia x Unknown Indica
Relaxing, uplifted, euphoric. Stress, focus, inflammation.
Jordan of the Islands
The Purp
Mendocino Purps
Relaxed, euphoric, uplifted, happy, sleepy. Stress, depression, pain, insomnia, fatigue.
Karma Genetics
AG13 x Biker
AG13 Haze x Biker Kush
Happy, euphoric, relaxed, energetic, uplifted. Stress, pain, depression, headaches, fatigue.
Kiwi Seeds
Congo Haze
Red Congolese x Neville’s Haze
Focused, uplifted, energetic, creative, happy. Nausea, cachexia, tension, muscle spasms.
Mandala Seeds
Beyond the Brain
Colombia/Haze x Satori
Energetic, chatty, uplifted, creative. Depression, tension, anxiety.
Mr. Nice Seeds
Super Silver Haze/Mango Haze
Haze x Skunk No. 1 x Northern Lights
Happy, uplifted, euphoric. Anxiety, depression, fatigue, stress.
Positronics Seeds
Grapefruit
Cinderella 99 x Unknown Sativa
Happy, energetic, uplifted, euphoric, creative. Stress, depression, pain, fatigue, headaches.
Reeferman Seeds
Nepalese Highland
Nepali IBL
Happy, relaxed, uplifted, euphoric, giggly. Stress, fatigue, depression, nausea, insomnia.
Reserva Privada Seeds
Silver Kush
Silver Bubble (SSH x Bubblegum) x OG No. 18
Relaxed, happy, uplifted, creative, giggly. Stress, depression, fatigue, eye pressure, pain.
Resin Seeds
Critical Haze
Critical Mass x Afghan Haze
Happy, euphoric, hungry, uplifted, euphoric. Stress, depression, insomnia, lack of appetite, pain.
Sagamartha Seeds
Western Winds (Kali Mist phenotype)
Unknown Sativa
Happy, uplifted, creative, energetic, focused. Cramps, spasticity, depression, fatigue.
Sam the Skunkman
Original Haze x Skunk No. 1
Haze x Skunk No. 1
Electric, uplifting, energetic. Focus, motivation.
Sannies Seeds
Sannie’s Jack
Jack Herer (Haze x Northern Lights x Shiva Skunk)
Uplifted, happy, energetic, creative, euphoric. Stress, pain, fatigue, headaches, depression.
Seedsman Seeds
Early Durban
Durban Poison x Skunk No. 1
Uplifted, euphoric, energetic, happy, creative. Stress, pain, fatigue, headaches, depression.
Sensi Seeds 
Ed Rosenthal Super Ball
African x Afghani x Hindu Kush x Thailand x Mexican x Jamaican
Euphoric, tingly, uplifted, relaxed, happy. Stress, pain, depression, headaches, muscle spasms.
Soma Seeds
Amnesia Haze
Afghani x Hawaiian x Southeast Asian x Jamaican x Cambodian Thai x Haze
Energetic, relaxed, happy, uplifted. Stress, pain, depression, fatigue, insomnia.
Serious Seeds
Kali Mist
Unknown Sativa
Happy, uplifted, creative, energetic, focused. Cramps, spasticity, depression, fatigue.
Spice of Life
Blue Satellite
Blueberry Sativa x Sweet Tooth No. 3
Happy, euphoric, creative, uplifted, relaxed. Stress, depression, pain, nausea, lack of appetite.
TGA Subcool
Nurse Jackie
Medicine Woman x Jack the Ripper (Jack Herer hybrid)
Energetic, happy, euphoric, uplifted. Pain, stress, headaches, inflammation, muscle spasms.
T.H. Seeds
S.A.G.E.
Unknown Haze x Afghani
Happy, relaxed, focused, euphoric, uplifted. Stress, depression, pain.
Tom Hill
Haze
Original Haze (Mexico x Colombia x Thailand x India)
Euphoric, energetic, uplifted, happy. Stress, pain, depression, fatigue, lack of appetite.
Underground Originals
Oldtimes
ES x ESB x Blueberry
Euphoric, relaxed, talkative, uplifted. Stress, anxiety, depression.
World of Seeds
Columbian Gold
Santamarta Sativa
Euphoric, relaxed, energetic, creative, uplifted. Pain, lack of appetite, stress, depression, inflammation.

Indica-Sativa Hybrid Cannabis Strains

Breeder: Big Buddah
Strain Name: Cheese
Genetic Background: Skunk No. 1 x Afghani (Exodus Cheese)
Effect: Relaxed, uplifted, hungry, euphoric. Stress, pain, depression, insomnia, lack of appetite.
CH9 Seeds
Blue Lemon Thai
Lemon Thai x Toxic Blue
Relaxed, uplifted, creative, euphoric. Fatigue, stress, focus.
Chimera Seeds
C4
Cotton Candy Kush x Shishkaberry
Relaxed, uplifted, focused, happy, euphoric. Fatigue, stress, pain, headaches, depression.
DJ Short
Azure Haze (Blue Dream)
Blueberry x Super Silver Haze
Relaxed, uplifted, euphoric, dreamy. Depression, anxiety, stress.
Mandala Seeds
8 Miles High
African Sativa x Indian Indica
Relaxed, uplifted, talkative. Stress, depression, anxiety.
Mr. Nice
NL5 x Haze
Northern Lights No. 5 x Haze
Happy, energetic, uplifted, energetic, relaxed, focused. Stress, depression, fatigue, pain, inflammation.
Resin Seeds
Cannatonic
MK Ultra x G13 Haze
Relaxed, happy, uplifted, focused. Pain, stress, inflammation, muscle spasms, depression, anxiety.
Sannies Seeds
Cheeseberry Haze
Blue Cheese x Lady Cane (Super Silver Haze x G13)
Relaxed, uplifted, dreamy. Stress, anxiety.
Serious Seeds
White Russian
AK-47 x White Widow x White Widow
Relaxed, uplifted, creative, euphoric, sleepy. Stress, pain, depression.
Soma Seeds
NYC Diesel
Mexican Sativa x Afghani
Happy, uplifted, euphoric, relaxed, energetic. Anxiety, depression, pain, stress, fatigue, inflammation.
TGA Subcool
Jilly Bean
Orange Velvet x Space Queen
Happy, uplifted, relaxed, euphoric, creative. Stress, depression, cramps, nausea.
Underground Originals
The Blues
The Blues x Killerskunk (The Blues x Smellyberry)
Relaxed, uplifted, creative, focused.. Anxiety, depression, stress.

 

Some Tips on Deciding Which Cannabis Strain to Grow

 

Should you decide to grow one of the above yourself, please take genetics and the environment you’re growing in into account. A sativa strain from equatorial regions will likely not grow so well in a small grow tent in the middle of North America or a wet and windy country in Europe. Also take into account the sort of environment the breeders get their seeds from, as this means that the seeds they grow will likely be “conditioned” to grow in that environment. Approximating the environment that the cannabis strain comes from in your own grow room is the way to get the best out of your cannabis plant. Most of the bigger seed breeders are from the USA, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Holland and the United Kingdom, although there are some from other parts of the world as well. Generally speaking, a hardy hybrid that can be grown indoors or outdoors and has a flowering time of 10 weeks or less are the most forgiving of mistakes is best for a beginner. Indeed, even the best breeders use such strains as a backbone for their own breeding projects due to their stability and ability to withstand diseases!

 

As far as using any one of the above strains, we would recommend vaporizing and tinctures most as it gives the most direct and controllable method of ingestion. Edibles and “dabbing” of concentrates are fine for medical use, but we would recommend to ingest using these methods in small amounts, as well as slowly and at longer intervals, due to the fact that they produce much stronger effects. Many companies that focus on making medicinal products tend to make tinctures, due to ease of titration and its ability to be used by almost anyone, young or old. Of course, strain names don’t tend to make much difference when it comes to such products, as they’re looking at making specific cannabinoid-terpenoid profiles (which is arguably the case for the strains as well, but their greater variability makes this less of a factor).