It's easy to say cannabis: that of marijuana is a varied world, ranging from genetics with a high THC content to the so-called light cannabis , and requires experience and skills that are not exactly mainstream. You certainly don't need to be an expert in cannabis to smoke a joint in company from time to time, but if you choose to use marijuana to exploit its active ingredient and beneficial qualities you certainly need to have an idea of what you have on your hands.
Choosing the best cannabis strains undoubtedly allows you to limit the risks and enjoy the effect of good weed after smoking, but high quality is not always enough to obtain the desired results.
To choose a marijuana strain suited to your needs, you must first know what you are looking for: not all weed is the same and knowing what we want from our buds will help us make thoughtful choices. In fact, cannabis is divided into two varieties, two large families of which every cannabis plant is part: the sativa variety, invigorating and energizing, and the indica variety, which has deeply sedative effects. The two varieties are also very different in appearance and growth rates, much more intense for the sativa which can reach considerable dimensions.
Classification of cannabis
Cannabis was classified for the first time around 1750 by Carl Linnaeus , a Swedish botanist who worked with many specimens of hemp, which were widely cultivated throughout Europe at the time. Linnaeus believed that the genus was monotypic , meaning that it contained only one species – and named it “Cannabis sativa L.”
In 1785, the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck published the description of a new species of cannabis, collected in India and very different from that discovered by Linnaeus. Lamarck christened the new plant “Cannabis indica Lam.” and noticed that it was low in fiber, but that on the other hand it had very intense effects on both a physical and mental level.
In the 20th century, Russian botanist DE Janichevsky identified a landrace of cannabis, which we know today as Cannabis ruderalis . Indica, Sativa and Ruderalis are the three large families of cannabis and scientists believe that the differences between the varieties are sufficient to justify the division into three distinct species. Ruderalis cannabis, however, produces very poor yields due to its small size and is usually used to hybridize Indica and Sativa varieties to give them greater resistance to cold climates.
Regardless of scientific classifications, distinguishing Indica from Sativa is child's play. The two varieties are also very different in appearance, because they have evolved in different ways depending on the geographical area of origin and its climate. Indica plants are short and branched and are more suitable for indoor cultivation. They are characterized by nodes placed at regular intervals along the stems, from which leaves, branches and flowers form which tend to grow in close clusters. Sativa plants, on the other hand, are tall and much less dense and are usually grown outdoors because they can reach significant heights.
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Sativa buds tend to grow larger than Indica buds, as they spread across the entire length of the branch instead of clustering around the nodes. Speaking of buds, flowering is another deciding factor between Indica and Sativa. The Indica has a slow vegetative phase and very fast flowering, vice versa the Sativa has slow flowering times but rapid vegetative growth. The average harvest times are almost the same and, in particular, we are talking about about 6-12 weeks for the Indica and 8-16 weeks for the Sativa.
Indica and sativa: what are the effects?
What used to be a clear division between Indica and Sativa varieties no longer exists today, except in nature. Telling you about the differences between Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa will not allow you to recognize in a second the weed you are smoking: despite the fact that seed banks are able to guarantee a perfect genetic background up to the eighth grade.
Most new generation cannabis cultivation is the result of gradual hybridization usually motivated by commercial or therapeutic reasons.
There is a tendency to mix the two main genetics to make some very powerful varieties lighter or to give a more physical effect to herbs that only act on the mind. In any case, it is clear that the two main strains generate different effects on the body and mind, useful in the treatment of various diseases, even very specific ones.
All regular cannabis consumers know that the great rule is to smoke Sativa in the morning and Indica in the evening , to make sure you get the best from the energizing effect of the former and the relaxing effect of the latter: the consumption of the sativa variety is in fact suitable for stimulating creativity and concentration , while the Indica variety acts particularly on the body and is perfect for evenings at home and to help you fall asleep.
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The difference between Indica and Sativa has led English speakers to even coin two words to define the high given by the two varieties: the state induced by the Indica is defined as stoned and the state induced by the Sativa is defined as high.
Treat yourself with Indica and Sativa
The diversity between the two main genetics of Cannabis also affects their therapeutic and pharmacological application . Medical cannabis can be used to treat a wide variety of common pathological conditions. Also in this case, a distinction is made between the two genetics: drugs produced from Indica plants have a higher concentration of CBD and lower THC levels , while drugs produced from Sativa plants have a low rate of CBD and large quantities of THC.
What are Indica medicines used for?
- muscle relaxation
- mental relaxation
- decrease in nausea
- decrease in acute pain
- increased appetite
- increase in dopamine and consequent increase in the perception of pleasure
- sleep induction
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What are Sativa-based medicines used for?
- reduction of anxiety
- improvement of depression
- treatment of chronic pain
- increase in attention and creativity
- increase in serotonin and consequent improvement in learning and general mood
- decrease in fatigue
Its herb for every need
Below you will find a selection of physical and mental conditions that are not necessarily pathological, but are widespread in the world population.
To understand what type of weed you need to use to meet your needs, you need to start with what you expect to get from the active ingredients of cannabis.
Finding the right strain for anxiety can be a real challenge. Some users claim that high-THC strains actually make symptoms worse, while others use their potent effects to calm the mind and body. To find what best suits your needs, start slowly , regardless of which strain you choose. There are no guarantees with the medicinal properties of cannabis, but that doesn't mean you can't look for the most effective strain for you. In general you must prefer cannabis varieties that generate a profound calm on a physical level , preferably if responsible for a stimulating "high" like Northern Light.
Choosing a variety of cannabis to combat depression is as challenging as finding one to reduce anxiety: both conditions depend almost entirely on the psycho-physical state of the user and you will need to tread slowly so as not to make things worse. In general it is best to opt for a sativa or a sativa-dominant hybrid such as Amnesia Haze , which has an incredibly strong and euphoric high and manages to chase away even the most stubborn thoughts. Refreshing citrus fragrances complement the stimulating effects, making you feel even more mentally clear.
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that severely impacts the quality of life. Cannabis has the ability to relieve constant aches and pains and calm muscle pain, especially if it is of the Indica variety and if it is rich in THC. To obtain this calming effect, you need to opt for cannabis strains to grow indoors, such as White Widow , which helps eliminate any pain, from head to toe. Northern Lights also has important pain-relieving properties capable of warding off chronic pain.
Getting a good night's sleep is essential for repairing and recharging your body. Luckily, cannabis can help you relax and drift off into dreams, without feeling lethargic the next morning. Also in this case it will be better to choose an Indica or an Indica-dominant hybrid, very rich in THC.
Up to now we have offered you cannabis strains that could bring you sensations of physical and mental relaxation, calm and serenity... But what if, instead, we were looking for a cannabis strain perfect for promoting concentration? In that case you will need to choose highly stimulating, energetic and cerebral herbs that induce a "cognitive high" that improves creativity and concentration. These genetics are a panacea for tackling long sessions of computer work, writing, music production and even for tackling physical exercise in the best possible way .
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