The general rule that often applies is that sativas are more invigorating and energizing, while indicas are more relaxing and relaxing, but in reality it's not that simple. Individual plants produce varying effects, even among the same type of cannabis. Physical differences are relatively minor. Sativa plants tend to be taller, with longer, more airy buds, whereas Indica plants are chubby and broad, with buds.
In terms of particular ailments, Sativa strains tend to be better for psychological disorders such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Indicas are usually best for pain and inflammation and are therefore beneficial for patients with arthritis, fibromyalgia and cancer. However, because many diseases are accompanied by side effects such as depression and insomnia, the patient should consider treating both their primary illness and their daily symptoms. In the end, each patient will prefer multiple strains that are likely to fall into the Sativa, Hybrid, and Indica categories.
Sativa strains have higher amounts of THC and lower amounts of CBD than Indica strains. However, the high associated with sativas can reduce anxiety in many users, as well as increase energy. Anxiety reduction is not necessarily synonymous with a feeling of lethargy. While the greater amount of CBD found in indica results in a relaxing rather than energizing experience for most, it may not be an option when anxiety haunts you during the workday.
CBD, in general, is a pain reliever, but Indica is known to help relieve pain and non-migraine headaches. When you experience a sedative effect of Indica or the mental clarity of Sativa, you notice the effect of cannabis compounds within that strain that react with your unique chemistry and body physiology. Indica and Sativa plants differ not only in their physiological effects, but also in their appearance. All psychoactive cannabis strains are actually Cannabis indica, and Sativa strains are kept under the Cannabis indica species.
Unfortunately, Sativa plants need more time to grow and produce less medicine (flowers) than indica varieties. While both strains can relieve pain, indicas such as Animal Blues (THC 13.9%) are known to be sweet and slow, making the adjustment to the high a little milder for those who feel sensitive with bodily ailments. Nowadays it is almost impossible to find a pure indica due to the high genetic variation of cannabis growers who cross plants. Indica in Latin means “from India”, which is where the resin-heavy psychotropic cannabis species originates.
Some examples of native varieties are Durban Poison, a sativa from South Africa; Afghan Indica, from Afghanistan; Malawi Gold, a sativa from Southeast Africa; and Panama Red, a sativa from the country that bears his name. True testing of a particular strain of indica or sativa occurs only when used by an individual patient when they need it most, such as during episodes of pain, nausea, or insomnia. Indica plants are short and robust with broad leaves, while Sativa plants tend to be taller and thinner with thin, pointed leaves. While many may assume that a particular cannabis strain is classified as an indica, sativa, or hybrid based on the presence or absence of a particular cannabinoid, or of a cannabinoid in a given volume, it is actually a terpene that determines this important state of a strain.
Often, patients must maintain jobs or family responsibilities that require a particular energy level and cannot tolerate the sedative properties of many indicas. This is why Indica strains have traditionally dominated those available on the black market, where there is no concern for patient needs and the only objective is benefit. .
