Frequently Asked Questions
While cannabis (marijuana) has commonly been used in a recreational context for many years, these days it is also increasingly used as a way to treat a number of medical conditions. From anxiety to nausea to chronic pain, the proven applications of cannabis will only grow over time.
But no matter what you're using it for, whether you're a long-time smoker or someone new to marijuana, you've likely heard the term "sativa" and "indica" before. So what do those words mean exactly? Read on below for more info!
The sativa strain of cannabis is currently grown all over the world, but the plant is indigenous to eastern Asia. It can be identified by its long, thin leaves (typically of a lighter color) and sativa strains are the ones that supposedly provide users with a more energetic, creative kick.
The indica strains, on the other hand, are much shorter plants, and more densely branched. The leaves themselves are also shorter and wider, and an indica buzz is supposed to give users a more mellow and relaxed feeling.
If you're having trouble remembering which is which, there is an old memory trick you can use. It involves the familiar phrase "indica = in the couch," and it means that when you've chosen an indica, it's time to get ready to sit down and relax - you won't be going anywhere!
However, while this remains an amusing mnemonic device, it turns out that it may not actually be 100% accurate. According to some recent science, there is a lot more to be learned about these two popular strains and their effects, and we will likely continue to broaden the science as time goes on and cannabis becomes more mainstream.
In the world of cannabis, a "strain" is basically just another word for "breed" or "type."
Some of the most popular and well-known cannabis strains are known as indica, sativa, and blends of the two are called hybrids. However, some of the most recent evidence points to the fact that the difference between these two strains may be nothing more than a rhetorical invention. The two words may simply be a meaningless categorization, with the words "indica" and "sativa" mistakenly attributed to various strains by too much anecdotal evidence and not enough science.
According to a couple of Canadian agricultural geneticists, when they compared the genes (or plant DNA) of hundreds of cannabis types, they discovered that the supposed differences between the strains and their effects were not supported by the data. The existing horticultural classifications, it turned out, were most likely a result of the science of weed being underground for so long prior to legalization.
For example, not all seeds sold under the same name are genetically identical. In fact, they may not be related at all at the microscopic level. That's why consumers should always try to buy their cannabis from a trusted source. When purchasing from a quality organization such as My Supply Co., each strain and its effects will be consistent every time you use it.
With the recent emergence of cannabis into the mainstream, the opacity surrounding a strain's origins will probably clear up over time. With billions of dollars of profits on the line and a new industry in ascendance, you can be sure that the pharmaceutical giants that will dominate the strain game in the years to come will study the subject intensely and eventually bring a greater degree of clarity to the issue.
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