Indica vs Sativa. Cannabis plant is divided into two fundamental categories: indica strains and sativa strains. However, what makes the difference between the indica varieties from the sativa varieties? And how can we difference an indica variety from a sativa variety?
Indica vs Sativa. Both indica and sativa strains contain psychoactive components of the marijuana plant, which means that both produce psychoactive effects. However, it is possible to distinguish between a sativa variety and an indica variety by its sources and its different effects. Indica strains began to thrive in colder and more mountainous areas and the sativa strains began to thrive in humid equatorial areas.
Due to the increase in the cultivation of cannabis plants, genetics has played an important role in the cultivation of new cannabis plants and this has led to the development of hybrid strains. Hybrid strains have the effects of both indica plants and sativa plants. Currently there are indica, sativa and hybrid strains.
Indica strains have sedative physical effects. Indica varieties are known for providing a relaxing effect on the body. Indica varieties produce relax, especially when you’re at the movies or at a music concert. They also help you to relax at night, especially after working all day.
Indica plants are shorter than sativa ones. They are chubby and bushy plants. The leaves of Indica plants are thick and the foliage is dense. These plants can withstand harsh conditions; for example, the conditions of the Hindu Kush mountain. You can make hashish with both varieties of cannabis. Hashish is another way to consume marijuana.
Indica plants bloom in six or eight weeks and due to their hereditary programming of plants born in the mountain, it is necessary that they develop their flowers before winter. Indoor growers appreciate the way the flowers of the indica varieties bloom and flatten quickly.
Both indica and sativa genetics have potent medical properties due to their sticky resin and calming effect. It has been concluded that Indica and Sativa strains can be effective in treating insomnia, anxiety, nausea and pain.
Is there really a difference between Sativas and Indica?
The majority of marijuana smokers are skeptical about the differences in the effect of consumption between sativa and indica varieties. This happens because now most of the hybrid strains have effects of both varieties. Currently it is difficult to find a pure strain of sativa or indica. Most of the pure strains have been crossed to produce new hybrids.
There is a way to know if a strain is indica or sativa. You first look for a pure indica strains that is available, for example Afghan Kush, L.A. Confidential and Hog. Then you look for a pure sativa variety like Green Crack, Frutilla Haze, Durban Poison and Jack Herer. Secondly, you have to smoke some of the indica strains for a day and see the effects. Smoke sativa strains another day and compare the effects.
From there, you can draw your conclusion about the difference between the effect produced by an indica variety and a sativa variety.
Hybrids
There are 3 types of hybrids:
The hybrids with a predominance of sativa have a mixture of effects although the cerebral “high” sativa predominates over the relaxing body effect of the indica. Some examples of sativa effects include Purple Trainwreck, Alien Girl, Headband, Juicy Fruit and Sour Diesel. Indica-dominant hybrids can alleviate discomfort and migraines thanks to their calming effect. Some examples of indica-dominant effects include Skywalker OG, Afgooey, Purple Urkle, Girl Scout Cookies and Tahoe OG. A good balanced hybrid is a combination of indica and sativa genetics. Some examples of balanced hybrids are Super Silver Haze, Blue Dream, Purple Diesel and White Widow.
Cannabis ruderalis is a third type of cannabis. It is a kind of wild hemp that comes from the steppes of Russia. It has low levels of THC, which makes it little psychoactive. It is not recreational, but it can be used to treat several diseases such as anxiety, pain, depression, PTSD and more.
