Discover Your Cannabis Chemotype — Peninsula Alternative Health

Have you ever heard of a cannabis chemotype?

Chemotype is the word used to classify and distinguish the different cannabis varieties based on their chemical compositions.

When we think of medicating with cannabis for a particular effect, we may often think of the old tale that sativa equals a motivational and energizing feeling, while indica equals a calming, slow, and “in the couch” effect.

However, sativa and indica technically each refer to a particular species of cannabis, not a particular strain. As each species has countless strains, each with a wide range and variety of cannabinoids and terpenes, thinking in terms of sativa or indica isn’t enough to fully define a particular strain’s effects.

If we’re truly looking for an energizing or a very relaxed experience, we need to look beyond “sativa or indica”, and understand the particular plant’s chemotype.

So where do we start?

Let’s first clear up some confusion with the words sativa and indica. As mentioned above, these words represent different species of cannabis, not two different strains.

When we think of strains, we’ll think of Granddaddy Purp or OG Kush, and may ask if they are a sativa, indica, or hybrid.

This knowledge does help us a bit more, but we can’t look purely at the species itself to understand the effects of our medicine, since all strains vary in chemical composition, even from grower-to-grower and from dispensary-to-dispensary.

So unfortunately the “sativa or indica” terminology is not fully accurate and has become an outdated way to understand the potency of effects we can feel from cannabis. For example, the strain of OG Kush we mentioned earlier could vary in its THC and CBD content, thus creating vastly different effects.

If we want a better way of determining a particular strains effect, such as if it will feel uplifting and energizing, or moderately relaxing, our best bet is to look at the label and determine the plant’s chemotype.

What are the 3 Chemotypes?

First proposed by E. Small and H.D Beckstead in 1971, there are 3 main chemotypes for the cannabis plant, and each is distinguished by the ratio of THC to CBD.

Instead of thinking “indica or sativa”, instead we can think of the three key factors to show the effects of a particular plant: (1) the amount of THC, (2) The amount of CBD, and (3) the ratio of THC to CBD.

Let’s show a few examples!

Strain 1: 20% THC / 5% CBD - Chemotype I (Because of the higher THC content)
Strain 2: 10% THC / 10% CBD - Chemotype II (Because of the equal THC and CBD content)
Strain 3: 5% THC / 18% CBD - Chemotype III (Because of the higher CBD content)

This can be our first solid marker to understanding the overall effects of our medicine.

Some of us may prefer strains that fall under the second Chemotype, i.e. 50:50 THC:CBD, since these two cannabinoids work together and create a unique effect. Known as the entourage effect, when CBD is consumed with THC, the CBD binds to endocannabinoid receptors and thus weakens THC’s ability to fully bind there as well.

This reduces the “psychoactive” effect we’ll feel from the THC, while also keeping some of the more disruptive possible symptoms of high THC content (anxiety, cognitive changes, etc) at bay.

Now that we know of the different chemotypes, we can now understand a bit more about the products we are purchasing and their likely effects, as the THC to CBD ratios end up being the largest differing factors.

Maybe you’ll feel great from a strain with very high THC with no CBD (Chemotype I). Or perhaps utilizing a strain with half THC and half CBD makes you feel even better (Chemotype II).

The percentages for each Chemotype also don’t have to only be 50:50 or 100:0.
For example a strain that is 75% THC and 25% CBD is still considered a Chemotype I, but may be a better experience for you compared to 100:0 THC:CBD, or a 50:50 THC:CBD blend.

The most surefire way to discover what ratio works best for you is to create a journal, start experimenting, and record your results so you can find what cannabis chemotype your body and mind best responds to.

We’re all different and have unique features, so be sure to find the cannabis chemotype that works for you, and let us know yours in the comments below!

References

Jin D, (2021). Identification of Chemotypic Markers in Three Chemotype Categories of Cannabis Using Secondary Metabolites Profiled in Inflorescences, Leaves, Stem Bark, and Roots, Frontiers in Plant Science. 12:699530. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.699530.eCollection 2021. PubMed