Cannabis is known for its ability to produce a body high that makes it difficult to get off the couch and increases dopamine, which creates a wave of tranquility. The strain is also known to reduce nausea, alleviate acute pain, reduce anxiety, fight seizures, and treat lupus and multiple sclerosis. One of the main distinctions between the “high” of Sativa and that of Indica is the way in which they affect neurotransmitters. While some studies suggest that cannabis use can cause anxiety symptoms, others indicate that cannabis can help treat anxiety if consumed correctly.
As marijuana legalization for medicinal and recreational purposes continues to expand, researchers are eager to learn more about how the drug affects the brain. Some studies show that “acute THC causes an increase in dopamine release and neural activity”, while long-term consumption is associated with a weakening of the dopaminergic system. All recreational drugs (legal or illegal) create pleasurable sensations, in part, through increased dopamine concentrations. Indica tends to have higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC, so it has more physical effects and less mental euphoria associated with cannabis use.
At the same time, since sativa has a strong relationship with increased mental relaxation, it is possible that the long-term benefits in terms of reducing stress address one of the main risk factors for hypertension. Some effects, such as increased hunger, can be expected with both strains, but there are some effects that are more strongly associated with one of the two types. This indicates that a high level of the beneficial elements in the sativa extract remain available for use in the body and that they circulate through the circulation quickly and without interruption. Many chemotherapy patients rely on indica strains to relieve the nausea they experience after treatments.
Since Indica is more effective for muscle pain, it may be useful for treating long-term conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS). In general, medical cannabis users benefit from a greater sense of mental and physical relaxation, increased appetite, reduced pain, and improved sleep. A new review provides more information on how long-term marijuana use could have a negative impact on mental health, after finding “substantial evidence that the drug alters the brain's reward system to increase negative emotions and decrease motivation.” Both Sativa and Indica are believed to have high levels of THC, but that THC is more active in Indica strains.
