Indica Versus Sativa

When I first started working in the cannabis industry in California, I decided to get a medical marijuana card. This allowed me to enter into the doors of a cannabis dispensary. I had the opportunity to receive my medical marijuana card from Dr. Allan Frankel who was a medical cannabis doctor who completed his MD at UCLA. His story as a medical marijuana doctor was featured in Playboy Magazine. He was friendly and I felt comfortable by his presence. Frankel had a chart on the wall of his office explaining the difference between cannabis indica strains and cannabis sativa strains. He explained in great detail the distinction between the two genetic phenotypes. I listened to his explanation. He stated that cannabis indica strains have symbolized the moon and have a sedative effect. On the other hand, cannabis sativa symbolizes the sun and has a stimulating as well as an uplifting effect. He further described in great detail how cannabis indica and cannabis sativa have different neurological effects on the physiology and the brain. This had an influence on my point of view about the neurological effects of cannabis. So, when I supplied different strains of cannabis to medical cannabis dispensaries, I would explain to my clients by using the nomenclature, sativa and indica, to explain the effects of the genetic strains. Out of my admiration for Dr. Frankel, I believed this to be a scientific fact.

However, since that time current research has discovered there is no molecular difference between the two classifications of indica and sativa genetics. It is now a consensus of the scientific community that morphology of the plant structure does not determine specific effects on the physiology and the brain of the individual.

This myth of cannabis indica as having specific effects and cannabis sativa as having specific effects is being propagated throughout the cannabis industry. It is a marketing tool. And many individuals are misinformed when purchasing cannabis. Such false information has even influenced the thinking of the American neuroscientist, Andrew D. Huberman from Stanford University. On his podcast (link below) Huberman explains how cannabis indica has specific effects and cannabis sativa has specific effects on the brain and physiology. He is a well-renowned neuroscientist, and I was surprised this misinformation was being communicated to the public.

Is there currently a better way for the individual to understand the effects of the cannabis when one is consuming the plant? The answer is yes. For instance, researchers have discovered that the impact of terpenes is a more accurate understanding of the piece of the puzzle. The terpene profile changes the way in which cannabinoids interact with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Furthermore, the terpenes might influence and interact with the brain on a neurological level. The type of terpenes in a strain, and the concentration of the terpenes could possibly impact the type of high one experiences. Terpenes can be used as a form of aromatherapy which could possibly impact your mood and influence the type of high one experiences.

References:

Episode 92: The Effects Of Cannabis (Marijuana) On The Brain & Body | Huberman Lab