As the stigma surrounding the use of marijuana in the medical world continues to disappear, those with long-term conditions or suffering from more immediate medical problems are considering making medical marijuana a part of their treatment plan.
Cannabis can help to manage the pain of cancer patients, ease the symptoms of Crohn’s disease, and can even provide much-needed stress relief to those struggling with anxiety and depression.
Especially given the devastating rise of addictions to prescription pain medications, many are flocking to medical marijuana as a safer alternative.
If you currently have a medical marijuana card, or if you’re thinking about applying for one soon, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the different types of marijuana out there. Plus, you also want to explore all your options when it comes to the best ways to consume cannabis.
Before you start trying to figure out which specific strain is right for you, first, you need to learn the basics of indica vs. sativa.
So, what’s the difference between the two main kinds of marijuana?
We’ll break it down for you in this post.
What Is Sativa Marijuana?
First up, let’s talk about what sativa marijuana is, and the types of people who are likely to get the most benefit from it.
Sativa marijuana is primarily known for producing a “mind/cerebral” high.
Sativa is popular among those looking to boost their creativity, manage their depression or anxiety, or even those who like to socialize with others and who are physically active.
You’ll still feel relaxed if you go with a sativa-based strain of marijuana, but you won’t feel immobilized. Many people use sativa strains if they have trouble focusing or if they need a bit of natural mind stimulation.
Sativa also works to increase your body’s natural production of serotonin, which boosts your mood.
It’s a smart option for folks who need to be able to continue with a productive day.
Sativa marijuana plants are tall with narrow leaves, and they usually grow best within warmer climates. They’re a bit of a lighter green than indica plants, and they often take a bit longer to grow.
Additionally, you should know that sativa has low CBD content and high THC content. Since THC is the psychoactive property in marijuana, the higher content in sativa strains explains the “mental high” that sativa is well known for.
Defining Indica Marijuana
Now, let’s discuss indica vs. sativa strains.
Unlike sativa marijuana, indica-based strains are best taken at night or when a person has several hours ahead of them to relax.
This is because indica-based strains create a physical “body high,” which means that they’re incredibly popular among patients who are looking to manage chronic pain.
Indica strains can help with muscle relaxation and tension relief, keep nausea under control, and even help you to feel better after a major operation or surgery. Indica marijuana also allows patients who often feel too physically sick or weak to eat by increasing their appetite.
Additionally, indica strains are a massive help for those struggling with insomnia and other sleep disorders.
They work to increase the body’s production of dopamine, which is what’s responsible for keeping the reward and pleasure centers of the brain activated.
Indica plants are shorter and thicker than sativa plants are, and they’re usually a darker green color than sativa plants. These plants take less time to cultivate and produce a higher number of buds than sativa plants do.
The Best of Both Worlds
Now that you’ve mastered the differences between indica vs sativa, we still have one more entry to add to our list of the types of cannabis: the hybrid strain.
As the name implies, hybrid marijuana combines the effects of both indica and sativa strains, which means patients will experience both a mind and body high simultaneously.
The appearance of hybrid plants is much more difficult to predict, as their look is mainly influenced by the specific combination of the other strains used to create them.
You can choose hybrid strains that are indica dominant or sativa dominant, depending on the specific condition you’re looking to treat as well as your personal preferences.
Talk to a medical marijuana professional that will help you to find the right hybrid strain that will target your unique needs.
Remember, no matter which type of marijuana you choose, you should look into the different ways to consume cannabis.
In addition to experimenting with strains, also play around with edibles, vapes, and more to find which method works best for you.
Indica vs. Sativa: You Know the Difference, Now You’re Ready to Experience It
We hope that this post has helped you to understand the differences between indica vs. sativa clearly.
Remember, if you want to experience the effects of both types of marijuana, we suggest that you give a hybrid strain a try.
Of course, to be able to experience the positive effects of any medical marijuana, you’ll need to apply and get approved for a medical marijuana card.
At Presto Doctor, we make the process much easier than you might expect.
You can set up a virtual appointment with one of our licensed and experienced doctors. You’ll chat about your symptoms as well as how medical marijuana may be able to help you manage your condition.
Then, if you qualify, we’ll be able to get you approved for a medical marijuana card as soon as possible.
Click here to get started on your application today.
Relief is just around the corner.
