Indica or Sativa?
Cannabis has been around since the beginning of time. In the 18th Century, the cannabis plant was classified into two groups. Group one was Indica which was a plant that produced THC, and group two was Sativa which was a hemp plant that contained CBD. Cannabinoids are the naturally occurring compounds found in Cannabis plants. CBD and THC are the most commonly known cannabinoids. THC makes the consumer feel high, hungry, and sleepy and helps with pain and nausea relief. CBD is non-intoxicating and known to alleviate anxiety, pain, and inflammation.
Now cannabis is broken into roughly four groups. The plant containing THC is now broken into Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid. Making the 4th group Hemp or the CBD plant.
Focusing on the plant that contains THC what is now the difference between Indica, Sativa, and hybrid?
Indica- well known as In-da-couch- provides a full-body effect when consumed. Full body highs benefit sleep, relaxation, and pain relief. Indica is often referred to as nighttime weed. The growing characteristics of the plant include a shorted flowering time, short, broad, and bushy leaves, as well as a higher yield.
Sativa plants provide a head high when consumed giving off a euphoric and uplifting feeling. People associate this head high with having “energy.” Sativa is commonly referred to as daytime weed. The growing characteristics of a Sativa plant include a longer flowering time and smaller yield and leaves tend to be long and thin.
Hybrids are cannabis strains grown from both Indica and Sativa descended plants. Given the long history of cannabis, it should be safe to say that all cannabis plants are now hybrid with Sativa or Indica qualities. Hybrids can be referred to as Sativa dominate, Indica dominate, or even 50/50 depending on the cannabis terpene and cannabinoid profiles.
Cannabis plants are now more commonly classified based on their cannabinoids and terpene profiles. Terpenes are aromatic compounds produced by fruits and plants. There are over 100 terpenes that determine the taste, smell, and effect of that particular cannabis plant. The most common terpenes are Myrcene, Caryophyllene limonene, and terpinolene.
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