Cannabis is a genus of plant that comes in several varieties. If you smoke or ingest Cannabis, it helps to become familiar with the different strains and their effects. The most common types are Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. However, there are also many hybrid strains. Let’s explore what hybrid Cannabis is and how its effects differ from pure strains.

Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid Strains of Cannabis

Cannabis Sativa is known for its energizing effects. It’s often taken to inspire creativity and euphoria. Sativa plants often have a higher dosage of THC relative to CBD, increasing their psychoactive quality. Cannabis Indica, on the other hand, brings about states of extreme relaxation. Indica strains are typically higher in CBD and lower in THC. Aside from the type of feeling you prefer, the time of day is a factor to consider. Indica is generally preferred later in the day as it’s more conducive to sleep.

Hybrid strains of Cannabis are those that contain both Sativa and Indica. Just as Sativa and Indica plants can differ significantly in their chemical composition, so hybrid strains are all different. For one thing, growers have their own combinations in order to create plants with particular effects. Because hybrid plants are all different, you have to ask the grower about the ratio of THC to CBD.

Ratio of CBD to THC

Experts on Cannabis will tell you that what really matters is the individual strain and, in particular, the ratio of active chemicals. The most important cannabinoids are THC, which provides the psychoactive effects and CBD, which isn’t psychoactive but has important medicinal effects such as helping with pain relief.

When shopping for Cannabis, it can be a little confusing when you hear about hybrids, balances, and ratios. The balance or ratio refers not to the Sativa-Indica mix but the ratio of CBD to THC. A 1:1 balance refers to equal parts CBD to THC 2:1 is two parts CBD to one part THC. 1:2 contains twice as much THC as CBD. People using Cannabis for mostly medicinal reasons seek high ratios, such as 18:1, indicating much higher levels of CBD.

Types of Hybrid Strains

While growers all have their own blends, there are several general categories of hybrid strains.

Indica Dominant

An Indica dominant hybrid strain tends to be slightly more energizing than a pure Indica strain. In terms of appearance, these plants have darker leaves and are shorter than Sativa plants. People who are sensitive to the side effects of Cannabis, such as anxiety or insomnia, often prefer Indica dominant strains if not pure Indica.

Sativa Dominant

Sativa dominant strains of Cannabis appear taller and narrower than Indica dominant plants, with lighter green leaves. This type of hybrid is often recommended for people who want a stimulating effect that’s a little mellower than pure Sativa.

50/50 Cannabis

Balanced, also known as 50/50 Cannabis, contains equal parts Sativa and Indica. This type of balanced strain is often marketed as giving you the best of both worlds. As the name suggests, this type of blend provides an effect somewhere in between the typical Sativa and Indica strains.

Popular Hybrid Strains

New strains of Cannabis appear on the market all the time. Some gain almost legendary status for their reported benefits. Currently, we can identify a few very popular hybrid strains such as Larry Bird Kush, named after the basketball star, which is quite high in THC. Another blend that’s very much in demand right now is Cannatonic, known for its anti-anxiety effects.

Find the Right Blend for Your Needs

Browsing the different strains of Cannabis can be overwhelming as there are so many choices. You can read reviews and the copy created by sellers, but you really have to find out for yourself which strains provide the effects you’re after. You can, of course, use guidelines such as CBD-THC blends and Sativa vs. Indica to guide you as you decide which strains to sample.