The Difference Between Indica and Sativa Strains
More and more people have been turning to medical marijuana over the past few years, thanks in large part to decriminalization across much of the United States. This has led to more people becoming familiar with the terms Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid in recent years. However, many people may not know that there can be a considerable difference between the three, especially between Indica and Sativa.
This is something the majority of many medical marijuana patients should be aware of, because they can have quite different effects on various diseases.
What Are The Medical Benefits Of Marijuana?
Research into the potential medical benefits and side effects of marijuana have been ongoing for several years. There have also been a variety of different studies released in the past few decades, although much of this has been limited because of criminalization. Throughout this time, there have been a few different areas that have repeatedly been shown to benefit from the use of the drug.
Perhaps one of the most notable of these has been in the treatment of mental illness, as marijuana has offered some surprising effects on a few different disorders. This has included the likes of Anxiety, Depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, it should be noted that this hasn’t been a positive treatment across the board and shouldn’t be used for every type of mental illness. For example, many medical experts have noted that it shouldn’t be used in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.
Another notable area that it’s been shown to have a positive impact is the treatment of chronic pain. While the drug may not treat the underlying issue, it has been shown to help alleviate the pain itself and help patients to manage this better. The majority of CBD-based products have been shown to have this effect, so patients will also be able to use the likes of CBD oil and more. This has been the case for a variety of different causes, although many patients may need to have the underlying cause treated.
Over the past few years, more and more studies have shown that marijuana can be an effective way to help manage Epilepsy. This is especially true with the likes of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, both of which have been especially tough to help manage. Coupled with another epilepsy medication, the use of the drug has been shown to have quite an impact on Epilepsy’s effects. There have been a few other areas that Marijuana can help with. Chief among these are:
- Easing the effects of alcohol withdrawal;
- Easing the vomiting and nausea caused by chemotherapy for cancer treatment.
Difference In Appearance
Many people who are familiar with marijuana plants will be able to tell which strain is which just by looking at the plant. While hybrids can be somewhat difficult to tell – because it’s a mix between both strains – both Sativa and Indica can have significantly different appearances. Sativa plants are generally much taller and thinner than Indica, with many wild plants growing ip to 12 feet long. This is perhaps the easiest way to tell the plants apart, as Sativa’s leaves are scrawny and almost pencil like.
Anyone familiar with what a marijuana plant looks like will probably think of a Sativa plant. In contrast to this, Indica will typically grow to about half the height of an average Sativa, normally at about six feet. However, it’s generally much denser and thicker than its counterpart. Many people have compared it to an evergreen tree, because of the fact that the leaves can get much thicker the closer you get to the bottom of the plant. On top of this, it’s leaves are notable for being quite fat and wide.
What Are The Different Effects?
A difference in appearance can be one thing, but many patients will want to know if there’s a difference in medical benefits between Indica and Sativa. Over the past few years, it’s generally been accepted that Sativas should be used as a mood-lifting, energizing strain, whereas Indicas were better for the likes of sleep. While this is still the case, recent research has shown that there are much more medical benefits to both. This research has shown that there are many more differences between the two than many people would have thought.
Medical Effects Of Sativa Strains
Cannabis Sativa has always been seen as the more energetic strain. Because of that, many people have been able to be somewhat more productive with it than they would be if they were using an Indica. As such, it’s the more stimulating of the three strains. On top of this, it has a higher concentration of THC when compared to either Hybrids or Sativas. Because of that, it can be a better strain for any illnesses or ailments that require a high THC content.
Also read: Medical Marijuana Strains You Should Know.
Because of that, the feeling that a user can have after smoking some Sativa can be more brain-oriented than body-oriented. There are a few different illnesses and ailments that Sativa strains have been known to help with. Chief among these are the likes of Migraines and most forms of chronic pain. It’s also been known to have a positive effect on helping to manage nausea.
Medical Effects Of Indica Strains
There can be a variety of different stereotypes about people who use marijuana. The majority of these are focused on smokers being hungry and lazy. Much of this stems from the effects that Indica can have on people. This is primarily because the strain can be much more relaxing than Sativa, and comes with a considerable amount of medical and therapeutic benefits.
Generally speaking, Indica has a much higher CBD content compared to its THC content. Because of that, it can provide more of a ‘body experience’ than Sativa, although there are several exceptions to this rule. In terms of its medical and therapeutic benefits, there are a number of things that it can help with. The most prominent of these are the likes of anxiety and insomnia, as it allows a user to relax more and fall asleep. Aside from this, it can also help with the likes of muscle spasms and chronic pain. With the various benefits that it offers, many people have referred to it as a natural sleeping pill.
With the variety of benefits that both strains of Marijuana can offer, you’ll be able to look after a number of different ailments and illnesses. That doesn’t mean that the therapeutic and medical benefits of the drug are limited to the above. In contrast, research is still ongoing about how the drug can be used for a variety of other illnesses. This has led to a variety of breakthroughs for its use in several different areas. However, it should be noted that you should always ensure that you’re getting the right strain for you, depending on what you’re suffering from.
With the advancement of the research across the United States, as well as increased legalization, this has become increasingly easier. In many states, you may be able to talk to a medical professional about which of the strains will e the right choice for you. This will also allow you to figure out which of the sub-strains and strength levels will be the right one for you. Similar to many other medications, the process of figuring out which dosage is right for your condition can be somewhat of a long process. However, there are very few side effects of the drug.