Maximum Yield Cannabis Canada March/April 2023 | Page 19

D SATIVA

Even though the terms indica and sativa refer to the genetic composition of each strain , there is some differentiation of effects these plants have when consumed . Many believe sativas pack more of a punch while indicas are more relaxing . Although more of a stereotype , this can be true to a degree , however , in today ’ s cannabis market , due to the extensive hybridization between the strains , it can often be hard to make a real distinction . What it comes down to ultimately is the ratio of tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ) and cannabidiol ( CBD ), which defines the effects you feel .
Levels of CBD and THC are not the only effect factors .
Not Quite Cut and Dried
Let ’ s be real for a moment : THC gets you high . The majority of the sensation you feel when consuming cannabis comes from the THC levels in the plant ’ s chemical makeup . CBD , on the other hand , does not . That ’ s not to say it has no sensational effect , only that CBD ’ s impact on the body is different . CBD is often used for minor pain relief , treating neurological disorders such as MS , and even the treatment of cancer along with countering the negative effects of chemotherapy . All in all , cannabis is packed full of chemicals that , as it turns out , have amazing healing properties .
“ Whether we call it an indica or a sativa , the reality is that in the modern era of cannabis they are all hybrids with their own characteristics and your decisions surrounding your own cannabis use should not hang on the labels we want to apply to them because for the most part they simply have no meaning .”
Analysis of sativas show that in general there is a much higher THC to CBD ratio meaning there is a lot more THC than CBD . This is part of the reason that the effects could be described as more intense or sharper than most indicas . CBD has shown to have somewhat of a blunting effect , reducing the edginess and paranoia some experience when consuming high-THC cannabis . Indicas typically are believed to have higher CBD levels , some approaching a nearly 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD . While this method of classification highlighting the CBD and THC ratios might seem cut and dried , it ’ s not . There are many other factors that affect the sensations you feel when consuming cannabis , and THC and CBD are only two of them . There are hundreds of cannabinoids that all interact in different ways with your body and each other .
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