Cannabis Sativa / Indica Differences

Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica

How are they different?

&

Which is best for you?

Some species of cannabis (indica and sativa) produce fairly large amounts of a chemical known as tetrahydrocannabinol (a cannabinoid commonly called THC), and cannabis plants that are grown for their THC content are generally referred to as marijuana plants- whereas  plants in the cannabis genus are commonly referred to as hemp plants, but the term hemp is more appropriately used to describe cannabis plants that are cultivated for commercial purposes (like clothing, fuel, etc) rather than for their THC content.

Medicinal cannabis generally comes in two basic families if you like - Sativa and Indica, and each type has its own distinct set of characteristics. 

Medicinal cannabis types are available from pure Sativa strains to pure Indica strains, and include every combination in between however.

So here’s a look at the veritable differences...

Cannabis Sativa       

Cannabis Sativa is a tall, slower growing and slower at maturing plant. 

Typically the plant has long thin leaves which may well vary in colour from light green to darker greens. 

Sativa buds are long and thin and turn red as they mature in a warm environment. 

In cooler environments the buds may be slightly purple. 

Sativa plants smell sweet and fruity and the smoke is generally quite mild. 

And for industrial purposes... it is a source of fibre for rope and other products.

 

The cannabis Sativa medicating effect is often characterized as uplifting and energetic. The effects of a Sativa are mostly cerebral. They give a feeling of optimism and well-being, as well as providing a good measure of pain relief for certain symptoms, like those suffered by MS Sufferer’s. 

A few pure Sativas are also very high in THC content. 

They are known to have a quite spacey, or hallucinogenic, effect. 

Sativas are a good choice for daytime medication.

Cannabis Indica

Cannabis indica’s are short to moderate in height bushy plants, generally reaching between 3 and 6 feet in height. 

Its leaves have short broad fingers, and they are generally dark green, but are sometimes tinged with purple. As they near maturity, the leaves may become significantly more purple. 

It is a strong smelling plant with a “stinky” or “skunky” smell. The smoke of Indicas is generally thick and more prone to cause coughing when inhaled. Indicas are the traditional source of hashish.

 

The Indica medicating effect is most often described as a pleasant body tingle. 

Indicas are great for relaxation, stress relief, and for an overall sense of calm and serenity. Indicas are also very effective for overall body pain relief, and often used in the treatment of insomnia. They are the late evening choice of many patients as an all-night sleep aid. 

A few pure Indica strains are very potent in THC, and will cause the “couchlock” effect, so often desired by many who simply can’t sleep through the experience of pain which cannot be treated by anything else.

  snagged from weed world  http://www.weedworld.co.uk