Sativa vs. Indica. What's the Difference?

To some, this may be obvious, but what about those who aren't sure? Although this information isn't necessarily difficult to find, why do the research when I can do it for you? I will explain each plant's high, long-term effects, and medical benefits.

Upon first glance, we notice a difference in leaves and the plant's overall general shape. Cannabis Sativa's are distinguished by leaflets that appear to be narrow, as opposed to Cannabis Indica's, which are broader and often overlap one another. Noticing the difference between plants is pretty straightforward. A couple of things to keep in mind are:

• A Sativa plant is tall and lanky.
• The branches are wide-spread.
• The colors are a bright spring green.

An Indica grows like a bush; short and quite full. Very much the opposite.

• The branches are close together.
• Shorter and bushier, producing fuller, denser flowers.
• The coloration resembles an olive green.

Moving on to the highs themselves. From a chemical perspective, both Indica's and Sativa's are different in their configuration of cannabinoid materials, as well as in the stability of other biologically active compounds, including flavonoids and terpenes. Sativa strains typically show a high THC percentage and low CBD percentage, while Indica strains tend to have a smaller THC percentage and a slightly higher CBD percentage. Thanks to breeding, both Indica and Sativa strains can be found with different CBD: THC cannabinoid concentrations. In simple terms, a Sativa high is described as an elevating head high, whereas an Indica tends to produce a centered body high.

The effects include:

SATIVA—

• Anti-Anxiety
• Anti Depressant
• Increased Alertness
• Increased Energy
• Enhanced Creativity
• Activating
• Uplifting

INDICA—

• Sedating
• Relaxing
• Muscle Relaxant
• Treats Acute Pain
• Reduces Nausea
• Increases Appetite
• Increases Dopamine

As per recommendations, Sativa is the most ideal for daytime, and Indica is the most suitable for nighttime.

What are the benefits of Marijuana? This list will hopefully help clear the air of some common misconceptions.

MIGRAINES—Now that Marijuana is legalized in California, 300,000 reported cases state that doctors have been able to treat extreme headaches with Marijuana in place of traditional medicines that couldn't help.

SEIZURES—Marijuana is a muscle relaxant and has "antispasmodic" attributes that have proven to be a highly effective treatment for seizures. There are, indeed, endless amounts of cases where people suffering from seizures have been able to operate more efficiently through the use of marijuana.

CANCER—There is a lot of unsubstantiated rhetoric that claims smoking cannabis can lead to lung cancer because of the inhaling of smoke, kind of like cigarettes. This statement is just absurd. The tobacco in cigarettes is radiated. In comparison to Marijuana, these two substances do not have that in common. The American Association for Cancer Research has discovered that Marijuana works to delay the growth of tumors significantly within the brain, lungs, and breasts. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS—The effects Marijuana has on multiple sclerosis patients has been better documented since a former talk-show host, Montel Williams, began to use Cannabis in hopes to treat his MS. Cannabis works to eliminate the neurological effects and muscle spasms that come from this lethal disease.ALZHEIMER'S—Despite the misconception we hear involving Marijuana and its "negative effects on the brain," in 2006, the Scripps Institute demonstrated by evidence that the THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) found in Cannabis works to avert this disease by blocking the additional deposits within the brain. IBS and CROHN'S—Marijuana has been shown to help prevent symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. With all of that being said, what is your new perspective on Cannabis? Has it changed, or does it stay the same?