Hybrid cannabis strains are plants with a genetic makeup that combine the characteristics of sativa and indica plants. However – aside from landrace strains, did you know that pure sativas and indicas don’t really exist anymore? Everything you buy in a dispensary is some form of a hybrid strain. When you see a strain labeled as sativa that simply means it is sativa dominant and vice versa.
Users looking for balanced effects tend to opt for hybrids as they can offer a best of both worlds type high. Continue reading to learn more about the characteristics of hybrid strains and the additional factors to consider when shopping for the perfect product.
Are Hybrid Strains Different From Indicas and Sativas?
When looking at strain reviews, you’ll usually find indicas described as giving off sedating, body-heavy, relaxing, and couched highs. On the other hand, sativa strains are often characterized as heady, cerebral, energy-inducing, or euphoric. As mentioned above, It’s important to understand there is much more to assessing the effectiveness of your weed than just looking at hybrid vs. indica vs. sativa.
With that said, hybrids are a common choice among consumers that aren’t necessarily looking for one dominant effect. To be more specific, hybrids fall into three categories: sativa dominant, indica dominant, or 50-50. Sativa dominant strains can be uplifting, but often have less pronounced physical effects. Indica dominant strains typically give off some physical effects, like body relaxation, but may be more stimulating than a more pure indica. On the other hand, 50-50 hybrids have equal parts indica and sativa genetics, which tends to make them balanced and calming.
Other Factors to Consider When Shopping for Strains
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a biological network that plays an important role in your body and should be considered when shopping for weed. More research needs to be done, but scientists believe the ECS plays a part in regulating a wide range of functions including sleep, appetite, mood, and more. In addition to your ECS, the way you ingest your cannabis can make a huge difference in the outcome. For example, edibles are metabolized into your digestive tract while smoking sends the THC straight to your lungs/bloodstream.
The terpene ratio of a strain is another important differentiator when it comes to the effects felt. Terpenes are naturally occurring elements that largely determine the smell of plants and herbs. Over 100 different terpenes have been identified in the cannabis plant, and every strain tends toward a unique terpene type and composition. The effects of specific terpenes may change when combined with other plant compounds. You can learn more about the five dominant terpenes and their characteristics here.
Finally, another important factor to keep in mind is the specific cannabinoid ratio. Cannabinoids are the naturally occurring chemical compounds within a cannabis plant. They are responsible for producing many of the effects associated with cannabis use. Researchers have not been able to document what all of the different cannabinoids do, but we are very familiar with at least two of them. These two well-known cannabinoids happen to be good-old THC and CBD. Other important cannabinoids include CBN, THCA, and CBG.
How to Choose the Perfect Strain
With so many strains available, it can be overwhelming to try and find the right one for your body or desired effect. We suggest talking to your local budtender as they can often point you in the right direction. Back in the day, we used to simply break it down into indica, sativa, and hybrid, but there’s more to the equation. If you want the most out of your cannabis experience, we suggest putting in a bit of time to find your perfect product.
Follow this checklist to get a better picture of what to look for in your weed strains.
- Decide what you want out of your treatment.
- Know where you can get quality lab-tested cannabis.
- Understand your tolerance and desired consumption method.
- Keep a strain journal to note how certain strains make you feel.
Where to Find the Best Hybrid Strains
We may be biased, but our team puts out specialty indoor flower with top-tier genetics. Some of the most popular hybrid strains include Apple Fritter, Gelato 33, Horchata, Runtz, Zookies, and Do Si Do.
Still unsure about how to find the perfect strain to fit your needs? Reach out to us on Instagram at @SmokeGoodGood.
