Hey Braddah,
Interesting, thanks.
Hmm... the article (2020) says,
"In reality, no scientific evidence supports this dichotomy because on a molecular level, indica and sativa strains don't have pattern differences that set the two "types" apart from each other."
I think that's not exactly true. Genetic expression governs chemical expression, more or less. I don't see this as an issue of nuanced responses to environmental conditions. I think at the root, there is something more intrinsic going on.
Here's an article (2021) about a Canadian study...
"The research shows that genetically it is impossible to prove whether a cannabis plant is an Indica or Sativa. There is no difference in the genes. “What our study mainly shows is that you should not just rely on those labels, but that you should look at the specific terpene profile,” says Van Velzen. “For example, cannabis labelled as Sativa often contains higher concentrations of single terpenes with tea-like and fruity aromas, while Indica samples generally contain higher concentrations of terpenes with an earthy smell such as myrcene...”
But the distinction that the researchers found is not convincing: "It really is about these specific, individual terpenes that make the difference. The overall chemical profile, like the genetics, shows no apparent difference between the labels. We also found only a small number of regions in the cannabis genome that likely contribute to the earthy aroma associated with the Indica label,..."
So that's all a bit contradictory. There are differences in what's regarded as indica and sativa, and those differences are found in the terpene profiles. And, the expression of those terpenes is, in fact, part of the genome. Sure, I can see that those expressions may be effected somewhat by environmental factors, but I see that as being secondary.
There's also the obvious fact that there are genomic variations, such as between hemp and chemotype 1 (high THC). You can grow both in a controlled, ideal environment indoors – or in the same field under the same conditions outdoors – and you will get two very different looking plants. That has to be the genome at play. And you will certainly have major differences in cannabinoid expression and terpene expression.
Earlier in this thread, I touched on terpinolene as being associated with sativa effects, and indica (likely) not being associated with terpinolene-dominance.
Is it true that a landrace or heirloom sativa – i.e. a 100% sativa strain – would be terpinolene dominant, and would have classic sativa effects? Is it also true that a landrace or heirloom indica – i.e. a 100% indica strain – would not have terpinolene-dominance, and would have classic indica effects?
Let's take a quick look at dominant terpenes in the five oldest landraces...
Afghani (indica): myrcene; others - terpinolene, pinene, caryophyllene, limonene.
Nepalese (indica): myrcene; others - caryophyllene, limonene.
Hindu Kush (indica): limonene; -or- close mix of dominance - caryophyllene, myrcene, humulene, limonene. (One source says limonene dominant, followed by caryophyllene, carene, pinene, linalool and ocimene.)
Thai (sativa): terpinolene (1/3) and myrcene (1/3); others - pinene, ocimene, caryophyllene, limonene.
[source: Ace Seeds]
Aceh (sativa): pinene and ocimene; others - caryophyllene, humulene. (Very sparse info on this one.)
And, which are the terpenes commonly associated with classic sativa and indica effects?
(Note: limonene is said to amplify both sativa and indica effects, so I will list it in both categories below.)
Terpenes associated with "awake", "stimulating", "energizing", "invigorating":
• terpinolene
• pinene
• ocimene
• terpineol
• limonene
Terpenes associated with "relaxing", "sedating", "sleepy":
• myrcene
• linalool
• caryophyllene
• humulene
• limonene
Conclusions:
Not withstanding the crap-shoot of trying to arrive at definitive terpene profiles online...
If you go back to the oldest recognized landrace indicas and sativas, there seems to be a clear correlation between commonly recognized terpene effects and classic indica and sativa effects. It would be interesting to extend this little analysis to newer landraces as well.
Stare at the color codings and you'll see interesting patterns pop out. Greens and cyan are associated with "energizing", while blues and purple are associated with "relaxing". You can see the importance of the dominant one or two terpenes (in terms of imparting the classic effects), and then the lesser influence of the secondary terpenes.
It's easy to see where 50/50 hybrid strains, or even indica- and sativa-leaning strains (i.e. most modern cannabis strains) would not necessarily adhere to these primary correlations. Hence, I can understand the popular position that there is no reliable correlation of effects to be applied to the many hybridized strains that are presently labelled as 50/50, sativa-dominant, or indica-dominant. But as the article above states, "you should look at the specific terpene profile" to attempt to arrive at what effects the strain will have.
HI-BISCUS is a good example of a 50/50 hybrid. Dominant terpenes are
terpinolene,
myrcene, and
pinene. It's known to have sativa-type energizing and creativity effects, and I can vouch for that. But, it also has indica effects at the same time, in terms of a noticeable, muscle-relaxing body high.