Indica and sativa are the two main types of cannabis. Here's how to distinguish them.
Cannabis is one of the oldest crops known to mankind, with records of crop dating back thousands of years.
Today it is widely known that marijuana is present in two different species: Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa. The intersection of these two types led to a large variety of hybrid strains, with unique features.
Special mention should be made of Hemp, a nomenclature that indicates the male plant of cannabis sativa.
When referring to marijuana, however, we consider the inflorescences of the female plant.
The differences between marijuana indica and sativa remain a topic of huge and open discussion, especially among scientists studying the plant. However, most of them agree that it indica and sativa are two plants that differ in many ways.
Appearence
The most common way to distinguish them is from their appearance, or what scientists call morphology.
Sativa looks like a tall, vaguely branched plant with long narrow leaves. They are usually grown outdoors and can reach incredible heights (5 meters).
Indica plants are instead lower, densely branched and have broader leaves. These plants are best suited for indoor cultivation.
Effects
In addition to having different aspects, Marijuana Indica and Marijuana Sativa have different effects which mostly depends on the person assuming it, but generally have the following distinctions:
Sativa
Ā ā¢ Enanches Energy and Creativity
ā¢ Cerebral, spatial and sometimes hallucinogenic.
ā¢ More suitable for daytime consumption.
Indica
Ā ā¢ Relaxing and Calming
ā¢ Trembling or tingling of some parts of the body and extreme muscle relaxation.
ā¢ More suitable for night consumption.
However, no scientific study has confirmed these differences. In fact, history suggests a much simple difference between the two types of marijuana. The initial classification of marijuana Indica was made by French biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1785.
Lamarck noted that traditional cannabis crops in Europe did not have any alterations to the mind due to their use, compared to some varieties found in India and from which hashish was made from.
He then coined the term Cannabis Indica to distinguish Indian Marijuana from European Marijuana, currently known as Cannabis Sativa. Equally, Cannabis Indica was then recognized as therapeutic by western medicine during the 1800s.Ā
Genetic Differences
Scientists who studied the differences between indica and sativa have created a series of genetic-based theories.
A prevalent theory focuses on the genetic production of THC and CBD.
Plants that produce high levels of THC express genes that encode for the synthesis of the THCA enzyme.
This enzyme converts CBG into THCA, which, when heated, turns into THC
These plants are generally considered Sativa.
On the other hand, some plants express genes coding for the synthesis of CBDA enzyme. This enzyme converts CBG into CBDA, the forerunner of CBD.
These plants are generally considered Indica.
Based on this explanation, Sativa presents much more THC than CBD, while Indica marijuana has higher levels of CBD.
The problem is that today, many strains produce variable amounts of both enzymes. Some researchers believe this is due to hybridization.
An alternative theory based on geographic origin has also been proposed.
Recent attempts to distinguish Marijuana Sativa from Marijuana Indica were based on genetic and geographic theories. There are also some lesser known species, such as Cannabis Ruderalis, which is typical of the regions of Eastern Europe, Mongolia and Russia. The latter is widely used to create Indica and Sativa hybrids, exploiting Ruderalis's resistance.
Which kind do you prefere consuming?
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