Don't Get High….. Get Well

I educate my patients on the differences in the strains of cannabis they are using because there are two major different strains of Cannabis: Sativa strains and Indica Strains. What most people have been exposed to in the United States, other than during the Vietnam war, are the Indica strains.

These Indica strains produce the typical sedating/munchies/stony type “high” people now associate with, Cannabis or Pot. Because of the media and Cheech and Chong, we have all come to expect that all Cannabis products produce this “stoned” and “unfocused” state. With the Indica strains this is generally true, but let’s not forget, that these strains do help people with insomnia, severe pain and of course comfort in so many ways for the seriously ill cancer and HIV patients.

Then there are the Sativa strains. These were around for a while during the Vietnam war, but until marketed as a part of the California Medical Cannabis system, it was nearly impossible for anyone to find Sativa strains because they were commercially unavailable due to their taking longer to grow and beging much taller and visible. Now that they are available medically, patients are discovering that often, the Sativa strains can help address their symptoms, yet keep them alert, focused and content.

When you look at the list below comparing the effects of the Indica and Sativa strains, it will probably surprise you.

SATIVA STRAINS

Activating
Anti-Anxiety
INCREASED FOCUS!
Anti-Depressant
Increased Creativity
Treats Chronic Pain
Increased Levels of Serotonin

INDICA STRAINS

Sedating
Relaxing
DECREASED FOCUS!
Muscle Relaxant
Treats Acute Pain
Increased Appetite
Decreased Nausea
Increased Levels of Dopamine

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