If you’re new to the cannabis scene, then you may be wondering about which of the two main strains of cannabis is best for you, namely Cannabis indicaand Cannabis sativa. Do you go with one or the other exclusively? Or perhaps you should look into taking both, either in the form of a hybrid strain or one of the many quality blends available from reputable shops and dispensaries? For instance, you can check out the Flybuds cannabis blends from the California-based online shop Flybuds.

Before we can answer the questions above, however, we need to get a better understanding of what cannabis is, how it works, and the difference between its two major strains. By doing so, you will be able to make better and more informed choices about your cannabis consumption, especially when shopping for the best strain or blend for your needs.

What is cannabis, and what does it do?

Cannabis is a plant that contains chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. When these compounds are introduced into the human body, they trigger pain-relieving and relaxing effects that many consider being beneficial to the management of certain medical conditions, such as anxiety, chronic pain, depression, spasticity, and nausea due to chemotherapy. As a result, a total of 28 states in the US have legalized cannabis for medicaluse.Medical marijuana is also legal in other parts of the world, includingin Canada, Australia, Norway, the Netherlands, Bermuda, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Israel, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Thailand, and many others.

How does cannabis work?

As previously mentioned, when cannabis is consumed, the cannabinoid compounds within the plant stimulate the cells in your brain called neurons. Neurons are integral to many functions in your body and mind, from short-term memory to receiving information about the world from your five senses. As such, when your neurons are stimulated by these cannabinoids, it can result in you experiencing certain effects, such as the following:

• Visual and auditory hallucinations. This means seeing and hearing things that aren’t necessarily there.
• Heightening of senses. Colors may seem brighter and more vivid, anything you eat may taste better or even different, and so on.
• Impaired sense of time. Hours may feel as if they tick by like seconds, or vice-versa.
• Mental arousal. You may feel alert and stimulated.
• Relaxation and pain relief. Cannabis can also relax the body and the mind,as well ashelp relive anxiety, stress, and pain.

Does cannabis truly have healing effects, especially for diseases such as cancer?

Many cannabis supporters and lobbyists often proclaim how regularly consuming cannabis can help cure many chronic conditions and diseases, with the most serious being the different trypes of cancer.  However, the jury is still out on whether cannabis has a curative or healing effect on these conditions, with many research efforts and studies still ongoing. Therefore, such claims should be taken with a grain of salt.

That being said, cannabis has been verified to help in managing certain symptoms and treatment-related side-effects, particularlythose associatedwithHIV and cancer. It is also been proven to be invaluable in treating specific symptoms that can lead to more serious conditions. In fact, the legalization of cannabis was a direct effect of such benefits being proven with exhaustive research and testing. These verified uses of medical marijuana—particularly of cannabinoid-based drugs—are currently limited to the following:

• The treatment of nausea and vomiting due tochemotherapy
• The relief of eye pressure caused by glaucoma
• The management of pain and wasting syndrome caused by HIV/AIDS
• The treatment of spasticity, or chronic muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis

Now that we know the basics of cannabis, let’s look at its two main strains, namely sativa and indica.

What makes sativa and indica different from each other?

Many factors distinguish the sativa strain of cannabis from the indica strain, from how their leaves and plants look like to the types of climates that they usually grow in. That being said, the most significant difference between them is in the amountof specific cannabinoids they contain, namely CBD and THC. These cannabinoids are known to be mainly responsible for what kind of effect a specific strain of marijuana will have on its user.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. It incites feelings of euphoria or “being high” upon consumption. Meanwhile, CBD, or cannabidiol, is non-psychoactive and promotes a calming and relaxing effect on the user, which can help with anxiety attacks. It is also typically takento relieve pain, help withseizures, resolve migraines, and treat nausea.

Knowing these, the difference between sativa and indica can be discernedmore clearly. Sativa is known to have a higher concentration of THC and a lower amount of CBD. On the other hand, the reverse is true for indica, which is said to contain higher levels of CBD and a smaller amount of THC.

From here, we can deduce that sativa is the more psychoactive strain, and taking it will likely result in the user experiencing the “mind high” that is usually associated with marijuana use. As for indica, users can expect asedative effect due to its higher CBD content, and thus experience the pain- and anxiety-relieving effectsthat this specific cannabinoid is known for.

How should someone decide on which strain of cannabis is best for their needs?

With this information, someone new to cannabis will be able to easily decide on which strain of cannabis is perfect for them. By simply considering their symptoms, the health issues that they wish to address, or what they want to experience with the consumption of cannabis, they can then decide which of the two strains they need. For example, if you are someone who’s constantly plagued with anxiety or with chronic pain, then you may want to pick up an indica product or one that produces indica-like effects. If you want to enhance your creativity, stimulate your senses, or just want to take a psychedelic trip into your mind, then you may find a sativa product more useful.

But what about hybrids or blends? These are essentially “in-betweeners” that have a more balanced amount of THC and CBD, and as such, have a more even and mellow effect on the user. Therefore, blends and hybrids are perfect for those looking to start their cannabis journey slowly and more gently—or those who simply want to dose themselves without the risk of a bad trip.

The best cannabis strain is the strain that fits your needs exactly

Consuming cannabis can be quite a delight for the senses. However, if you’re not careful or discerning with which strain or product you purchase, you may end up with an experience that may be uncomfortable or awkward. As such, we always recommend consulting with a doctor or dispensary pharmacist before purchasing anything. This way, you can enjoy the therapeutic effects of cannabis safely and without any hassle.