There are a variety of ills that the user may cure of medical marijuana, but this is no panacea. There are arguments from both sides as to whether or not smoking does or does not damage the body. Either way, it’s an interesting topic for debate, and there are many unanswered questions since research is limited.
Cannabis Class: The Difference Between Indica & Sativa
The topic of medical marijuana or where to find it isn’t the issue here. Nor will we discuss its benefits, negatives, legalities, etc. This article is concerned strictly with Indica versus Sativa as well as their effects on the human body. Which one might be beneficial for your ills, and which one you should avoid.
Marijuana comes from the Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica plants. Two different flowering plants in the Cannabaceae family. Both contain psychoactive properties that alter normal brain function when ingested or inhaled. They can be consumed by smoking dried buds or drinking a tincture made from boiling it a solvent such as water or alcohol.
The main difference between these two species is in their chemical composition.
Each contains a different amount of cannabinoids that have various effects on the body when ingested. Cannabis Sativa has a higher THC content, while Cannabis Indica has a higher CBD content. THC is the primary intoxicant that gives users that classic ‘high’ sensation. CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive properties and can counter or reduce some of the adverse effects caused by too much THC consumption.
Both Sativa and Indica are native to Asia, but each has been transplanted worldwide. Cannabis Sativa can grow into a tree that can reach over 20 feet in height; Cannabis Indica only grows to about 4 feet. The leaves on Sativa are wide and thin with serrated edges; the veins pattern visible. The indica leaf is broad at the base, smaller up top with smooth or sometimes jagged edges with dark veins.
The seeds of these two species are readily available on the internet and in some parts of the world.
They can also be purchased at nurseries or garden stores. Seeds for Cannabis Sativa will produce plants that grow thin leaves with long, slim buds. Seeds for Cannabis Indica will produce short bushy plants with fat round buds covered in resin crystals known as trichomes.
Cannabis Sativa is known for inducing mind-altering effects that are uplifting. The user will feel happy, excited, and talkative when partaking in this strain. This could be beneficial to the depressed, socially anxious, or apathetic who want a mood boost. Sativa may also produce an unpleasant sensation in some users that are often described as ‘paranoid’ or anxious.
Cannabis Indica is known for its relaxing effects. These are usually accompanied by a feeling of serenity. It also induces the munchies! This could benefit those suffering from loss of appetite, anorexia, or other conditions that reduce need. Indica can be a great nighttime strain for insomnia as it tends to cause sleepiness and drowsiness.
The effects from Sativa are usually uplifting and mildly euphoric, while Indica induces a sense of physical relaxation and calmness. Many cases of successful treatment with medical marijuana have symptoms that indicate the need for higher THC content. even though they think of themselves as a Sativa person., Indica may be better suited to treat their condition These two species have been cross-bred so extensively that most hybrids do not fit neatly into one category.
The proper classification of Cannabis strains will be based on their cannabinoid content and environmental factors such as soil conditions. Both can provide a wide range of medical and recreational benefits due to the wide variety of different effects.
