Indica cannabis and sativa cannabis are two types of cannabis with distinct differences. Indica and sativa plants grow differently- indica plants are short and bushy and sativa plants are long and narrow. They’re also said to produce different effects, with sativa strains known for stimulating qualities and indica strains known for being deeply relaxing. But what about hybrid cannabis?
Hybrid cannabis plants combine the genetics of both indica and sativa plants, resulting in a plant that has properties of both types. Not only do the plants have physical qualities of both indica and sativa plants, but consuming hybrid strains gives you a mix of sativa and indica effects. Here’s a guide to hybrid strains and how hybrid cannabis was created.
What Is Hybrid Cannabis?
Hybrid cannabis simply refers to strains that are made by crossing indica and sativa genetics. These strains display properties of both indica and sativa plants. For example, a hybrid cannabis plant could have the short stature of an indica plant yet have buds and leaves imitating sativa plants.
Crossbreeding marijuana plants is extremely common, especially since hybrid strains have become exceptionally popular since they emerged. Marijuana seeds are made when a male plant pollinates a female plant. However, growers experiment by specifically choosing male plants and female plants of different strains to reproduce.
There are many strains made by crossing two indica strains or two sativa strains, but hybrid strains cross an indica strain with a sativa strain to produce a plan with both indica and sativa genetics. Some hybrid strains are indica-dominant, some are sativa-dominant, and some are balanced with a 50/50 ratio of indica to sativa genetics or close.
How Hybrid Cannabis Was Created
Cannabis has a long-running history with many countries producing unique strains. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when the first hybrid strain was created, but the popularity of hybrid strains is largely attributed to the creation of a strain known as Skunk #1.
In the early 1970s, growers in the United States experimented with crossbreeding mountain-bred hashish strains from places like Afghanistan and Pakistan with tall, narrow sativa strains bred in hotter climates such as Central and South America. Meanwhile, Dutch breeders were also experimenting with strains to create interesting crossbreeds.
These experiments led to the creation of Skunk #1, a legendary hybrid strain that has had a huge impact on cannabis. Skunk #1 was a 75:25 sativa-dominant hybrid created in the early 1970s by Sacred Seed Co. under the leadership of Sam Skunkman. It was made by crossing sativa landrace strains Colombian Gold and Acapulco Gold with the purebred Afghani indica.
Growers soon discovered the versatility of hybrid strains. Having a strain with the ability to grow under versatile conditions from outdoor climates to greenhouses to indoors under HID lighting was huge for cannabis breeders. Skunk #1 went on to win the first Cannabis Cup in 1988 and the variety and popularity of hybrid strains have only grown since.
What Are The Effects Of Hybrid Cannabis?
As well as having a mix of physical qualities and growing behaviors of both indica and sativa strains, hybrid strains also give you a mix of effects. The type of high you’ll experience often depends on the strain’s ratio of indica to sativa. But in general, you’ll experience both uplifting cerebral effects and relaxing physical effects.
Sativa-dominant hybrids are often perfect for users who want relaxation while still feeling highly mentally uplifted. The sativa genetics of these strains help to boost your mood, heighten your senses, and give you a burst of mental and physical energy. However, they’ll still provide physically soothing effects and may feel more sedating as time progresses.
Indica-dominant hybrids often give you deep relaxation while still giving your mind a boost. These strains are far better for evening relaxation but can still keep you relatively alert and focused due to the sativa genetics. They’re also commonly used for users who want to relieve pain and physical tension or improve their sleep.
Balanced-hybrid strains usually give you an even mix of both indica and sativa genetics. As such, you can enjoy the best of both worlds with the relaxing, physically-soothing effects of indica strains and the cerebrally-stimulating effects of hybrid strains.
What Are The Benefits Of Hybrid Cannabis?
Hybrid cannabis strains are fantastic for both recreational and medical purposes. Users who can’t decide whether they’d like to use an indica strain or a sativa strain often decide on a hybrid strain instead. These strains give you much more versatile effects and are great for all-day use.
Recreational users often use hybrid strains as they give them a mix of positive qualities from both indica and sativa strains. They can enjoy the mental stimulation usually brought about by sativa strains along with the deeply relaxing effects of indica strains at the same time.
Medical users often use hybrid strains as they can help tackle a wide range of symptoms. Indica strains are generally considered better for physical ailments such as chronic pain, inflammation, nausea, headaches, and migraines. Sativa strains are usually best for helping with mental issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Hybrid strains give you a mix of both, tackling all kinds of mental and physical symptoms at once.
As well as giving you the effects of both indica and sativa strains, hybrid strains often have some of the most unique aromas and tastes. By mixing two aromatic strains, you often end up with some of the most flavorful strains possible. This adds to the enjoyment of smoking or vaping hybrid strains.
Conclusion
Hybrid cannabis is made by pollinating an indica plant with a sativa plant or vice-versa. The result is a unique cannabis strain that hosts the qualities of both plants. These plants are often extremely versatile when it comes to growing, as well as giving you a mix of indica and sativa qualities when consumed.
Strains such as Skunk #1 in the early 1970s massively popularized hybrid cannabis strains, but now there are tons of them. Many of the most popular strains on the market today are made by crossbreeding multiple popular strains for a versatile and flavorful hybrid. If you want to try some out for yourself, you can buy hybrid strains online at BudExpressNow.ca.
