There are two major cannabis strain classifications namely cannabis Sativa and cannabis Indica. Each one of these is believed to have a different effect and they make up the majority of all medical marijuana ‘strains’ that appear on dispensary menus.
In 2007, a scientific review published in Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience showed that despite the mild addiction to cannabis, the therapeutic value of cannabis is too high to be put aside. For years, cannabis has been used as medication and more research continues to crop up on the health benefits of the plant.
The marijuana plant has several cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) which are used as medical therapy to treat diseases or alleviate symptoms. The human body produces endocannabinoids, which react with the cannabinoids from the marijuana plant. Thus brings about effects such as pain relief and the suppression of stress. Cannabis sativa is more potent with THC which gives it the psychoactive effect associated with this particular cannabinoid.
Cannabis Sativa
Sativa strains are believed to thrive in warmer weather with an origin from the equatorial countries of Columbia, Mexico, Thailand, and South East Asia. The leaves of Sativa are narrow with a lighter shade of green. Sativa plants are tall stretching to 20 feet when grown outside, and have much longer vegetation periods of ten to sixteen weeks.
Sativa plants flavors range from sweet and fruity, to earthy with undertones of diesel fuel making it easy for one to detect what strain they are smocking based on scent once familiar with all the different terpenes. The most common sativa strains include: Haze, Trainwreck, K2, Kali Mist, White Russian and Kiwi Green.
Effects of Sativa
Sativa offers a cerebral high, more of a “head buzz”. This kind of high will get someone laughing hilariously and also enhance the audio and visual senses. It is most common among artists and musicians given its creative thinking effect. Given sativa strains’ euphoric and feelings of alertness and optimism effects, many patients prefer to medicate with this type of cannabis during the day.
Medical use of sativa
The medical uses of Cannabis sativa particularly fall in the line of its effectiveness in treating mental and behavioral issues such as stress, anxiety, depression and ADHD. THC the predominant cannabinoid in sativa is known for its medicinal contribution in muscle relaxant, anti-cancer, anti-epileptic, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, appetite stimulating, bronchio-dilating, hypotensive, anti-depressant and analgesic effects.
Sativa strains are more of a stimulant, and are therefore effective in appetite stimulation, relieving depression, migraines, chronic pain and nausea, relieving headaches and as an expectorant. Therefore, patients looking for the perfect morning medication or daytime relief could benefit from accompanying their breakfast or lunch with a vaporizer packed with Strawberry Diesel or Cherry AK. Both of these strains are known to give you a long lasting, clear-head (sometimes cerebral) that will leave you uplifted and energetic.
NOTE: Ask your doctor which medical marijuana strain is best for your medical condition in case you are not sure about what strain to use.
Conclusion:
Although still considered as a Schedule 1 drug in the United States, the move by almost all the states in the US to legalize cannabis for both medical and recreational use has enabled more breeding of cannabis sativa. Different kinds of research have proved that medical marijuana is a versatile medicine that can help with the side effects and symptoms of countless medical conditions including cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma and more. With more and more lessening of the strictness on the breeding of marijuana, in depth studies will surely help reveal more of its health benefits.
