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Cannabis might just be the world’s most versatile plant.
Used in medicine, agriculture, cosmetics and more, it can have a profound effect on both body and mind.
Not only that, within its 500+ chemical compounds, some show signs of being antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-cancer agents.
While the uses and potential benefits of cannabis are near infinite, the plant itself comes in three clear sub-species.
Types of Cannabis Plant, and Their Chemical Composition
Cannabis sativa
Growing up to two metres tall, sativa plants boast long, thin leaves, and take longer to mature than other types of cannabis.
These plants thrive in their native environments, which are typically warm, tropical, and subtropical regions. The elongated structure of sativa plants is an adaptation to their environment, allowing them to compete for sunlight among other vegetation
In their native setting, sativa strains were higher in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than cannabidiol (CBD). The former is the main active ingredient in cannabis, which can cause a psychoactive ‘high’, with the latter the plant’s largest non-intoxicating compound.
That said, after decades of cannabis cross-breeding, landrace strains (that is, naturally occurring varieties, indigenous to certain locations) don’t really exist any more.
So, while ‘pure’ sativa strains may create an energising effect in users, the reality is more nuanced.
Cannabis indica
Cannabis indica plants are short and bushy with broad leaves, typically growing up to two metres. This compact structure adapts them to cooler, mountainous regions like the Hindu Kush. Indica plants were historically known for their high CBD, low THC content, compared to sativa.
In theory, such CBD dominance may provide a ‘body high’ capable of easing pain, promoting sleep and lowering inflammation. In practice, not all indica strains are high in CBD, and likewise sativa strains don’t have low CBD content by default.
Though it may seem like a muddle, hybrid strains (cross-bred varieties of the cannabis plant combining sativa and indica traits) are a medical marvel.
It means medical cannabis patients can get prescriptions tailored to their specific health needs. This means more reliable effects, long term, and moves beyond the blunt, outdated notions of “sativa by day, indica by night”, or “THC for mind, CBD for body.”
Cannabis ruderalis
Probably the most resilient cannabis sub-species (from seed to harvest in 30 days, able to grow in extreme climates), and definitely the least important – or at least from a medical point of view.
With only small amounts of THC, and not enough CBD to have much of an impact, ruderalis is something of a forgotten child in the cannabis family.
And yet, in the age of cross-breeding, ruderalis’ swift flowering speed and ability to withstand extreme weather has seen it used for hybrid strains. Not to mention heaps of potential within the industrial realm (see below).
Common Uses of the Cannabis Plant
Medical
Since its legalisation in 2018, medicinal cannabis has given UK patients desperately-needed support for a wide range of health issues.
Through the NHS, medical cannabis can be prescribed to treat a small set of conditions. These are:
- Children and adults with rare, treatment-resistant epilepsy
- Chemotherapy patients with post-chemotherapy nausea
- Multiple sclerosis patients with acute muscle pain and spasms
But that’s not the only way that people in the UK can access medical cannabis.
When prescribed by a General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register-accredited doctor, and bought from a UK-registered private clinic, like Alternaleaf, medical cannabis can help treat a much wider range of issues.
Such as:
- Anorexia
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Crohn’s
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Epilepsy
- Insomnia
- Multiple sclerosis
- PTSD
- Tourette syndrome
And many more conditions and symptoms.
Recreational
Recreational cannabis – i.e. the same plant, consumed for pleasure – has been a thing since Ancient Greece. Often, people who take cannabis for fun seek out the plant’s psychoactive benefits. As such, high percentage THC-dominant strains tend to prove popular.
Around the world, the past decade has seen a mass shift towards legalisation. Why? In part, because of the known benefits of cannabis in medical circumstances. But also the positive impact on public safety and national economies, by steering people away from the black market and towards tax-paying cannabis stores.
The UK is not one of these nations, however. Without a prescription, cannabis remains illegal to possess and consume. Even with a prescription, it is still illegal to grow (or sell) cannabis in the UK.
With cannabis a Class B substance, the threat of prison and a hefty fine remain in place for possession (with far greater sanctions for dealing).
Industrial
Hailed as a “highly promising multipurpose crop of the future”, industrial cannabis plant – aka hemp – is a natural, renewable, sustainable material with endless uses.
A tiny sample of these includes:
- Animal feed
- Biofuel
- Biodegradable plastic
- Building materials
- Clothing
- Food
- Insulation
- Paint
- Paper
- Rope
- Textiles
While the illegal status of cannabis and decades-long ‘War on Drugs’ has held hemp back (and caused stigma that still exists in society), experts expect the global hemp market to balloon in future.
Potential Risks of the Cannabis Plant
Alongside its many uses and benefits, cannabis can pose a small amount of short and long-term risks.
When used medically, patients can experience certain side effects – just like any other medicine . These can include brain fog, drowsiness, headaches, insomnia, mood swings, nausea, paranoia and an upset stomach.
Both studies called for further research, however, as evidence in this area still lags behind what’s known about the cognitive effects of alcohol and Class A drugs on the brain.
Other research has shown that smoking cannabis can lead to lung damage. For this very reason, UK doctors do not prescribe cannabis flower to be smoked, and instead advise safer methods – like vaporisers, oils and vape carts.
Summary
- Every cannabis plant features more than 500+ chemical compounds. The two main active ingredients, THC and CBD, impact the brain and body in very different ways.
- The three main sub-species of cannabis are Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis. While each offers a unique set of benefits in pure form, the amount of
- cross-breeding over recent decades has given rise to hybrid strains. Such hybrid strains can help target specific health issues.
- Over the past decade, cannabis has become a vital resource in the medical and industrial sectors. Meanwhile, a growing trend of legalisation has created a vast recreational market in several countries (but not the UK).
- As smoking medical cannabis is not advised, patients can consider a variety of options when finding the right prescription – from oils and vaporisers to vape cartridges.
For more information, or to discuss your own health needs, contact Alternaleaf today.