Ahhh, yes. The question all new herbalist asks. The article you are about to read is simple and well written. I couldn’t possibly put it into better words myself. To view the original article, there will be a link at the bottom of this post!
Ok, let’s get down to business. What’s the difference between indica and sativa?
Indica and Sativa are the two main types of cannabis. Each has its own unique effects and a distinctive high.
Cannabis is one of the oldest crops known to mankind, with records of its cultivation dating back thousands of years.
Today, it is widely accepted that marijuana has two main species: Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. Crossbreeding of indica and sativa strains has also led to a wide variety of hybrid strains.
Indica and sativa strains are thought to have different effects, and people often use them for different purposes.
Let’s take a look at the differences between these two types of cannabis.
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Appearance
The most accepted way of distinguishing indica versus sativa is by appearance, or what scientists refer to as morphology.
Sativa plants are tall, loosely branched and have long, narrow leaves. They are usually grown outdoors and can reach heights of up to 20 feet.
Indica plants are short, densely branched and have wider leaves. They are better suited for growing indoors.
Effects
Indica and sativa strains each have their own unique effects. Sativa strains are more stimulating, while indicas tend to be more sedating.
The high from sativa strains is energizing, cerebral and well suited for daytime use. A feeling of well-being and ease is often associated with sativas, making them ideal for social situations. They are also said to promote deep conversation and enhance creativity.
Sativa
- uplifting and energetic
- cerebral, spacey or hallucinogenic
- best suited for day use
Indica
- relaxing and calming
- body buzz or ‘couch lock’
- best suited for night use
Sativas have a higher CBD:THC ratio, while indicas have a higher THC:CBD ratio. Naturally, both have their own unique benefits as well.
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Sample Pack┃7 Strains, 1 Gram Each
Benefits and Uses
Generally speaking, indicas are best for physical ailments such as pain and inflammation, and sativas are best for mental conditions such as depression and ADHD.
However, there are certainly exceptions based on the individual.
Uses of Indica
Patients dealing with conditions like multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, and sleep disorders tend to benefit from indica’s full-bodied, muscle relaxing effects.
Indicas can also be used to treat anxiety, while many find that sativas can exacerbate anxiety or create paranoia.
Sativa strains can also be used for moderate relief of these conditions, and some patients will trade the increased relief of indicas for the energy-boosting effect of sativas during the day.
Uses of Sativa
Due to its uplifting and energizing effects on the mind, sativas are a great choice when treating mental ailments.
Sativa strains are often used to treat conditions like anxiety, ADD/ADHD, depression, and other mood disorders.
However, some people may find that certain sativa strains increase their anxiety, so it is always important to test out a new strain before committing to it as a medication.
Hybrid Strains
Hybrids are crossbred strains of cannabis that have both indica and sativa genetics. They can take after either parent, or be a blend of both. The goal is usually to create a strain with desirable characteristics from each parent.
Hybrids are relatively common, and many popular indica and sativa strains have hybridization somewhere in their ancestry.
In some cases, a hybrid strain may be more characteristic of one species (indica or sativa).
These strains are referred to as indica-dominant or sativa-dominant. For example, Northern Lights is a 90% indica-dominant strain.
Summary
There are two main types of cannabis strains: indica and sativa. Growers have also created hybrids, which are a mixture of the two.
Indica strains tend to be used at night, while sativas are better during the day. Different strains can also be beneficial for different conditions. Indicas are often used for painful conditions, while sativas are often used for mental disorders.
Each strain has unique genetics, resulting in different levels of THC and CBD. Indicas tend to have more THC, while sativas tend to have more CBD.
Original article from cannabiscanadaforums.com