Cannabis sativa L. is an important herbaceous species native to Central Asia, which has been used in folk medicine and as a source of textile fibers since ancient times. This fast-growing plant has recently seen a resurgence of interest due to its versatile applications: it is indeed a treasure trove of phytochemicals and a rich source of cellulosic and wood fibers.
The pharmaceutical and construction sectors are seriously interested in this plant, because its metabolites exhibit powerful bioactivities on human health. While delving into the world of cannabis and all its intricacies can be enlightening, there is still much to learn from a scientific perspective. Two major varieties of cannabis feed thousands of consumers: cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. Which variety should you choose?
Indica cannabis: what is it?
The phenotype of Cannabis indica results directly from the evolutionary processes that the plant has undergone to adapt to its environment. While we thought that the Cannabis sativa grew mainly in the Western Hemisphere, the Cannabis indica was named for its propensity to grow wild in India. More precisely, in the mountainous area between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The indica plant is much more robust than the sativa.
It has a woody stem rather than a more flexible and fibrous stem. The indica’s leaf is a darker green, with wider fan-shaped fronds than those of sativa. At full maturity, an indica plant has more mass than a sativa.
The effects of Cannabis Indica
If the cannabis sativa seeds are appreciated for their stimulating effects, the cannabis indica is just as popular for its relaxing and medicinal virtues. Human beings have been interacting with this plant for so long that the beneficial uses of the Cannabis indica are seemingly infinite. With its prominent myrcene profile, Cannabis indica is known to be sedative and provide a greater body-high than Cannabis sativa. It promotes sleep, tranquility and pain relief.
Remember, it is the magical terpene myrcene that is most likely responsible for these effects. Myrcene also allows indica to promote appetite, or what is commonly referred to as “the munchies.” Indica is also widely used to promote sleep. However, when taken as an edible or tincture, the effects stay in the body longer than when smoked.
Who should use indica?
Those looking to:
- Increase their appetite;
- Improve their nighttime sleep;
- Help us treat their pain;
- Relax after a long day of work;
- Calm their nerves;
- Disconnect from racing thoughts.
The best activities for an indica effect
Following the taking of a cannabis indica, the following activities are appropriate.
- Yoga;
- Sleep ;
- Meditation ;
- Physiotherapy/pain management;
- Relaxation;
- Snacks;
- Watching TV/Entertainment.
Cannabis Sativa: what is it?
Without knowing anything about the profile THC or terpene of a plant weed, you can tell a sativa from an indica just by looking at it. When we talk about structural characteristics, we are actually talking about its phenotype. Sativas are the slim, slender cousins of indicas. The leaves of sativa are long, thin and feathery compared to those of indica.
While the flowers of an indica cluster around the plant’s nodes (the parts of the plant where new growth emerges), the flowers of an sativa branch outwards. Besides the thickness of the plant, sativa plants can reach up to 6 meters, they are slender. At the end of the flowering phase of a cannabis sativa plant, it will look much longer and less densely flowered.
The effects of Cannabis Sativa
People are looking for weed seeds of sativa strain to feel invigorated, stimulated, inspired and energized. Known to have a distinct “cerebral” effect, Premium quality cannabis seeds Sativa strains are popular. Many find that sativas stimulate the creative unconscious. For those who take cannabis in the morning, the first puff or edible will most likely come from a reliable sativa strain that encourages them to welcome the day.
Athletes often like to take some sort of sativa before or during a workout. Many athletes say the high allows for meditative focus without the sedative effects of many indicas. On the other hand, some people attribute to sativas strong an increase in anxiety. Additionally, concentration, activity, acuity, creativity, socialization and stimulation are buzzwords to describe the Cannabis sativa.
Who should use sativa?
Those looking to:
- Wake up and cook;
- Tackle their chores;
- Get organized ;
- Exploit their creativity;
- Think and work more innovatively;
- Act more socially.
The best activities for a sativa effect
Following the taking of a cannabis sativa, the following activities are appropriate.
- Cleaning / organization;
- Creative brainstorming;
- Fighting the to-do list;
- Hobbies/personal opportunities;
- Safe outdoor adventurer;
- Gentle exercise;
- Arts/Journaling.
Indica and sativa strains: what are the main differences?
In many respects and beyond their physiognomy, the premium seeds Sativa and Indica strains are different.
Difference between sativa and indica: terpene profile
The way that the Cannabis makes you feel has nothing to do with his physical characteristics. It is rather determined by the content of THC and terpenes. Although many types of terpenes are present in cannabis, limonene and pinene take center stage for strains sativa the most popular. How do you know if your weed will lift your mood? Feel it. The citrus and pine aromas that emanate from a fresh bud will tell you that you are likely holding a sativa or sativa-dominant strain.
The way terpenes interact with the cannabinoids in your weed is what creates the psychological and physical effects. Some say that any variety containing more than 50% limonene is a sativa. On the other hand, a predominance of that familiar earthy, skunky smell probably indicates that you’re holding a indica. This rich, musky scent is attributed to myrcene, the terpene most associated with the “couch-lock” effect, that feeling of being so relaxed that you have trouble getting off the couch. A variety containing 50% or more myrcene is considered a indica. These are the simplest and most identifiable ways to differentiate sativa from indica.
THC and CBD content
Additionally, people often associate a rate of THC higher and a rate of CBD lower with sativas, while they associate a higher level of CBD with indica. Research conducted on claims that sativas have high THC higher indicate that it is true, but not to a significant extent. This means that the THC and CBD contents of sativas and indicas can vary, which ultimately means that sativas and indicas cannot be boxed into airtight categories. It’s also important to mention that there has been a lot of crossbreeding over the thousands of years of cannabis’ existence. Almost every strain, whether it is called “sativa” or “Cannabis indica“, is a form of hybrid.
Sativa and Indica: Climate
The ideal climatic conditions for growing indica versus sativa are not the same. For the sativas, warm temperatures are optimal; they thrive in places like Mexico, Africa, Brazil and Thailand. Cannabis seeds indica, on the other hand, grow better in cooler climates like Turkey or Morocco. Another aspect to consider when deciding to grow indica or sativa is the possibility of growing indoors or outdoors. While indica plants are ideal for indoor cultivation, sativas are best grown outdoors due to their size.
Appearance: Sativa vs Indica
The appearance of sativas and indicas is also very different when the plants mature. Sativas are generally tall and slender; their height can reach twenty feet or more. Most indicas, on the other hand, are short and bushy; they are generally only three or four feet tall.
The buds also differ; they are generally denser on the indica plants than on sativas, although sativa buds are generally the stickier of the two. When it comes to the branches of the plant, sativas tend to be longer and more spreading than indicas. As for the leaves, indicas often have cannabis leaves taller and wider than sativas, and their leaves are darker green than those of sativa plants.
Harvest: Indica or Sativa
Another characteristic difference between the two is the time it takes sativa plants compared to indica plants to flower before it’s time to harvest. Sativa plants take longer to mature or produce buds than indicas because they contain less chlorophyll. Indicas typically have a flowering time of 45 to 60 days, while sativas take 60 to 90 days to complete flowering. However, sativa strains generally need less time in the vegetative growth stage than indicas, so the overall growth time is about the same.
Nugs: sativa and indica
Experienced users of cannabis can also often tell the difference between sativa and indica by the smell of the product. Comparing cannabis seed nugs sativa And indica, most people find that the aroma of fresh sativa buds is generally much more pungent than that of indicas. Sativas can smell sweet and fruity or floral and can even smell like fuel. Indicas, on the other hand, often smell earthy and musty; some users go so far as to describe the aroma as being similar to that of a skunk.
How to choose between sativa and indica?
While the difference between indica and sativa effects is important to many recreational marijuana users, it is of particular importance to those who need it for beneficial purposes. The difference between indica and sativa effects means that individuals can choose their ideal cannabis strain based on their personal preferences and the ailments they would like to alleviate through consumption.Depression
THE sativa cannabis strains are stimulating, energizing and often contain high amounts of CBD, a cannabinoid that has been shown to be effective against depression. In the choice between sativa and indica, the strains sativa are often more ideal for depression because they stimulate the desire to get up, get out, and be productive.ADHD
The main difference between an indica and sativa high is that the latter is a stimulant, which affects the brains of people with ADHD in the same way as medications prescribed for their condition. The use of strains sativa marijuana like medical cannabis for ADHD can provide the attention needed to get things done without unwanted pharmaceutical side effects.Appetite stimulation
THE collectible cannabis seeds France of stock sativa are also good for stimulating hunger, which is important for people who suffer from wasting following treatments for cancer or HIV/AIDS. THE THC is also excellent for calming nausea and vomiting, another reason why it is a popular natural treatment for cancer patients.Insomnia
The predominant grass varieties indica can be extremely sedative and are often taken as a remedy for insomnia. Usually this type of strain is consumed in the evening or just before bedtime.Muscle pain/spasms
When choosing a indica When compared to a sativa for pain, it is essential to consider the “body” euphoria that results from consuming indica strains. This makes them particularly effective in relaxing muscles and relieving body pain.Headache
There are a variety of over-the-counter medications and pharmaceuticals available to treat severe headaches like migraines, but some people do not respond to these treatments or cannot resist the side effects. THE medical cannabis and especially indica strains, can help people who suffer from migraines.
What does the choice between indica and sativa depend on?
The structure of the plant makes it possible to determine with certainty whether it is Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica. Although these plants weed are generally known to be stimulating or sedative, the truth is that each individual’s cannabinoid receptors are different. This means that a Northern Lights Cannabis indica that puts your friends to sleep can just as easily put you out of your mind. The important thing is to pay attention to how the content of THC, CBD and terpenes of a variety affect your mind and body.
The question we most often ask when offered a dose of weed is: “Is it indica or sativa?” Instead, the question you should ask is “what is his profile in THC and terpenes?” It’s okay if that sounds a little too highbrow for you. The bottom line is that the experience you get from your weed depends much more on the entourage effect of cannabinoids and terpenes in your weed than the physical characteristics of the plant itself. You may find that you like Cannabis indica as much as Cannabis sativa.
