Marijuana has become popular in recent years as more states and places made it legal for medical and recreational purposes. And as more people become interested in this plant, more curiosity rises about the different types of cannabis plants.
The two main species of cannabis plants are Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. Most people think that these two produce different effects. And while there may be some basis to these claims, some experts argue these can be misleading. So in this article, you will learn the differences between Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica.
Physical Appearance
It's easy to notice the physical differences between indica plants and sativa plants.
Indica plants typically have broader leaves, are compactly branched, and grow about two to four feet in length, which gives them a bushy appearance. On the other hand, sativa plants are larger and can grow between 5 to 18 feet, even more. Their leaves are also thinner and typically have fewer branches.
Composition
Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis plants that can affect the brain differently. And the two main ones experts focus on are Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Both of these compounds interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which maintains homeostasis – the balance of your body’s internal processes like immune process, mood, and temperature.
Sativa and Indica plants both have THC and CBD. But the content of the compounds will differ in various plants, with Indica plants typically providing more CBD than THC, while Sativa plants have more THC than CBD.
But some experts suggest that the terms Indica and Sativa should only indicate the species’ physical appearance, like height, leaf size, and branching. And not the amount of THC and CBD within the plant species.
How Do These Compounds Work?
The “high” that people get is typically produced by THC, with effects such as euphoria, sleepiness, and impaired movement and vision. Some studies suggest that it may help in decreasing pain.
It’s capable of producing such effects because it can bind to the following cannabinoid receptors below:
- CB1 Receptors: These receptors are the ones that produce the “high” effect. They are very abundant in your brain and can influence many factors like emotion, learning, memory, balance, and social behaviors.
- CB2 Receptors: These receptors are in your tissue. And are responsible for homeostasis, like regulating your immune and inflammatory response. THC can bind to CB2 receptors, but not as much as it does with CB1.
On the other hand, CBD is not yet fully understood. But it is typically known to prevent seizures, decrease inflammation and pain, and reduce anxiety and other symptoms of mental health disorders.
It produces these effects without the “high,” unlike THC because it cannot bind to cannabinoid receptors. Instead, experts believe it affects the way THC binds to said receptors.
Other compounds are in cannabis plants, like terpenes and cannabigerol (CBG). But more studies need to be done to determine what effects they produce in the body.
How They Compare To Cannabis ruderalis
Besides sativa and indica, there is also a third species of the cannabis plant called Cannabis ruderalis. It’s unbranched and will only grow over 2 feet tall. And unlike Sativa and Indica plants, which need 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness to flower. Ruderalis is auto-flowering, meaning it can flower in any type of light.
People will rarely grow ruderalis as their main crop. Cannabis enthusiasts will, instead, cross-breed them with other cannabis plants to produce a hybrid with auto-flowering capabilities.
Conclusion
People will typically grow two types of cannabis species – Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. But each plant may have different levels of compounds, which have different effects on the body. So if you want to buy weed products, be sure to get it from trusted sources, like https://www.dcweedmart.com/.
