Nowadays, one of the most popular subjects in the mainstream media is cannabis. And for a good reason.
See, cannabis and its derivatives are emerging as solutions to many things, from alternative medicine to textile and even construction.
The herb seems to do it all.
How much we can expect from the plant is still unclear. Researchers believe it’s too early to tell but that the potential economic and health benefits are many.
Now, like anyone trying to understand cannabis, you’ve probably come across two names: sativa and indica.
They are two of the biggest species of the cannabis plant. However, botanists can’t agree on whether indica and sativa are separate species or just two varieties of the same species.
Either way, you may have heard of the differences that come with these flowering herbs. Depending on which species you go with, the effects are significant but also pretty distinct.
There’s a lot of discussion on cannabis sativa, but people often forget that cannabis indica is just as incredible as its sister plant.
Let’s take a look at these four facts that make indica strains amazing:
1. Body High
If you’re wondering what the main reason people use marijuana is, it’s because the drug has mind-altering effects commonly referred to as “getting high”.
Note that the term marijuana refers to any form of cannabis containing the element that alters people’s minds. That element is a cannabinoid called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
Cannabis indica is marijuana as it generally contains high levels of THC. If you’re going to use an Indica-dominant strain, you may experience the same mind-altering effects that sativa strains are known for. You might like the effects of critical purple autoflower, which gives you a heavenly high.
But here’s where the difference comes in.
Indica strains, in general, have huge amounts of a cannabinoid known as CBD (cannabidiol).
Often the CBD content is just as high as that of THC. This difference in chemical composition and strong CBD content results in a different type of high that seems to affect the body more than the mind.
The resulting “body high” is a unique feature present only in Indica-dominant strains, and it comes with its array of benefits that are different from the sativa “head high”.
2. Pain Management
Many people scratch their heads when choosing between indica and sativa, especially when it comes to pain management.
Here’s the thing.
Both species are known to treat chronic and acute pain. Actually, they treat many of the same health problems.
As we mentioned, Indica strains are rich in CBD, which is great for pain management. However, THC is also a good pain treatment, and it’s found in abundance in sativa strains.
Here’s why indica shines as a pain treatment.
CBD has shown analgesic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, which naturally act on the body to reduce pain and treat many other medical conditions.
So, unlike THC, CBD isn’t more about affecting your perception of pain. It mainly addresses the problem.
3. Great for Business
Marijuana is big business these days.
We are talking about a local market estimated to be over $41 Billion by 2026.
Now, if you’re thinking of becoming a grower and enjoying a piece of that fat pie, the question of which strain to cultivate becomes a crucial one.
The profit potential is huge regardless of the species you choose to grow. However, the laws surrounding the commercial cultivation of marijuana are super strict! Different states have different regulations.
With so many legal hoops to jump through before you can ground break your commercial growing, you want cannabis strains that’ll make things easier for you.
Indica and its hybrids, such as White Widow feminized, are popular among farmers because they are tough plants, and they flower quickly, which means high yields with fewer challenges.
4. Clinical Research
There was a time when more attention was paid to cannabis sativa and its dominant compound, THC.
Today, indica is also receiving scientific attention, and it’s being bred for CBD just as much as sativa was bred for THC.
Researchers are now putting their efforts into studying indica strains as they have shown great potential with serious medical conditions.
The other thing is that indica is better suited to helping with body ailments and not psychological disorders.
Some of the medical conditions fueling studies on Indica-dominant strains include:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Seizures
- Lupus
- Cancer
- Fibromyalgia
Final Thoughts
That sums up the amazing facts about indica strains you need to know, especially if you’re considering cannabis for medicinal purposes.
In any case, this doesn’t even cover everything.
We know that people who are early on their cannabis journey may find indica and sativa confusing, and that’s because there are tons of hybrids in there as well. It’s an in-depth topic but knowing more is better for your cannabis decisions.
If you want to learn more about indica, sativa, and hybrid cannabis strains, here’s a great source you can check out.
