The two cannabis varieties, Cannabis Indica and Cannabis sativa differ in size, shape, aroma, and potency. Although these strains are different from each other, marijuana breeders often mix them to create hybrid varieties. Most often, they are simply referred to as “Indica” or “Sativa.”Although Sativa and Indica have different cannabinoid compositions and the main purpose of the Indica vs Sativa article is to examine these differences. , both are used worldwide for a variety of therapeutic and recreational purposes. Cannabis Indica strains tend to be calming and sedating, while cannabis Sativa strains tend to be invigorating and energetic. This is the main difference between Indica and Sativa strains.
The Indica vs Sativa is a scientific article that scientifically examines the differences between Indica and Sativa cannabis. This article is not intended to persuade or encourage the use of these cannabis strains, but merely to provide scientific information to increase the general knowledge of the public.
Medical use of Cannabinoids
In many societies, medical marijuana is a popular alternative to Western treatment. Due to recent legislative reforms in Europe and North America, some governments can now dispense medical cannabis to interested parties. Practitioners of medical marijuana claim that both types are used for a number of conditions.
In the United States, pain management is the most popular use of medical marijuana. Marijuana is excellent for treating chronic pain suffered by millions of Americans, especially as they age, although it is not strong enough to treat severe pain (such as after surgery or a broken bone).
One of the advantages of marijuana is that it is undoubtedly safer than opiates. Marijuana appears to be very effective in relieving nerve pain and the discomfort associated with multiple sclerosis. There aren’t many alternatives in this area, and available medications such as Neurontin, Lyrica, or opiates are highly sedating.
Indica
To better explain Indica vs Sativa, it is necessary to introduce each of these Plants individually and then compare them. Indica refers to Cannabis indica, a plant first categorized by French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1785. Lamarck coined the name to distinguish this cannabis variety from others. Indica plants appear bushier and usually do not grow quite as tall as Sativa plants.
The flower buds are large and dense, and the leaves are usually wider. Typically, an Indica bush has dark green, blue, or greenish-black foliage. These leaves have broad, short blades. Compared to Sativas, Indica varieties usually develop more side branches and thicker overall growth. Indica plants are therefore bushier and wider than Sativa plants.
Indicas have always been grown in cold, northern climes and often have a relaxing effect. Because of their environment, they are grown short and dense, and since their growing season is shorter, they can be harvested before the cold and rains come in the fall and winter. Because of the dense clusters surrounding the nodes of the female plant, Indica flowers often weigh more than Sativa flowers. Cannabis indica shrubs have a strong stem and thin bark. However, they are not very suitable for fiber production.
Sativa
As we mentioned before to better explain Indica vs Sativa, it is necessary to introduce each of these Plant individually and then compare them. Now it’s time to introduce Sativa. Another variety of the cannabis plant, called Sativa, is cannabis from Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia.
Cannabis varieties that are often grown for their stems and fibers rather than their flowers could be classified as Cannabis Sativa. This type of cannabis plant is larger and has a flowering time of 10 to 14 weeks. It is larger and has lighter green color. Sativa leaves are long and thin. Sativa cannabis plants produce female flowers that are larger and more “feathery” compared to Indica plants.
A Sativa plant has thinly spread foliage. Sativa plants were originally grown in warm, humid environments. They grew long and lanky so they could dry out and not absorb as much moisture. Since it does not get cold and rainy at the end of the growing season, their warm climate also means they take a long time to grow, flower, or form buds, which in humid tropical climates allows for better air circulation around and between the bushes and promotes healthier growth with less fungal damage.
CBD and THC
Until recently, scientists assumed that Indica cannabis strains had higher CBD concentrations, while Sativa strains had higher THC concentrations. For many years, this was believed to be true and was cited as the reason that Sativa cannabis produced a “high” and Indica cannabis produced a “stone. “However, recent studies have shown that the different effects are more influenced by the concentrations and mixtures of terpenes and terpenoids. This phenomenon is known as the “entourage effect”.
Comparison Table for Sativa vs Indica
| Point of difference | Sativa | Indica |
| Definition | The cannabis plant, known as Cannabis sativa, has a tall stem and thin leaves that are used for therapeutic and other purposes. | A type of cannabis plant commonly known as marijuana is used for therapeutic and other purposes. |
| Origin | Jamaica, Thailand, Mexico, and southern India. | Afghanistan, northern India, Nepal, and Pakistan are also important regions and Central Asia. |
| Plant structure | longer and slimmer | shorter and bushier |
| Leaf structure | The Sativa plant has long, slender leaves with lighter coloration. The thin leaves are scattered. | Dark green, blue or greenish-black, thin leaves with broad, closely spaced leaf blades. |
| Flowering time | 60 and 90 days | 45 to 60 days. |
| Weight and density | Usually, weigh less than Indica due to its lower density. | Stocky, dense, heavy |
| Common time of use | During the day | along the night |
| Medical uses | muscular relaxation, pain relief | energy, anxiety, and depression treatment |
Summary of Sativa vs Indica
In short, the expression “in-da-couch” illustrates the idea that Indica is a sedative while Sativa is a stimulant. You may have heard this expression before. However, as more and more studies are published on cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa, we are finding that there is little difference between the two types of plants.
In fact, researchers have found that there is only one type of cannabis: Cannabis sativa L. The obvious differences between these plants, as well as the effects we attribute to the two varieties, are actually the result of a number of other variables, such as environment, growing environment, terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids.
The main difference between Indica and Sativa is that Indica has the ability to act on the entire human body, relieving insomnia and deeply relaxing the consumer, while Sativa has the ability to energize the consumer, relieving anxiety or stress by increasing the consumer’s concentration and creativity. Even with plants of the same species, it is fascinating how different cannabis plants produce different results. This is mainly due to the chemical composition, terpenes, growing environment, of the plant, and cultivation methods.
