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Made up of over 400 compounds, the cannabis plant is complex. More than 60 of those compounds are cannabinoids, two of which you might be familiar with, CBD and THC. But, the way people typically consume cannabis is often decided by subspecies, of which there are just two: indica and sativa. We’ve got lots of information on the differences between the two, but below we’re focusing on cannabis sativa strains.
It’s important to note before we dive in, that although sativa is known by many to be very energising, there’s a lot of research happening right now exploring if it really is this simple. It’s cannabinoids, along with terpenes, which are the part of any plant you can smell, and hundreds of other chemicals within cannabis that actually affect our bodies, and not the subspecies labelling of cannabis sativa alone.
What is Cannabis Sativa?
First classified by Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, ‘sativa’ comes from the Latin for ‘cultivated’. Sativa plants are tall, growing up to two metres, take longer to mature than other types of cannabis, and sport long, thin leaves. Native to East Asia, it can now be found in hot and dry climates across Africa, Central America and Asia.
Sativa, as a classification of cannabis plants, is often associated with landrace strains that have developed naturally in the regions listed above. Examples of sativa landrace strains include Thai, Colombian Gold, and Malawi. Historically, sativa strains tended to have less CBD and more THC content.
Today, however, many strains labelled as sativa are actually ‘hybrids,’ which are combinations of sativa and indica genetics. The differences in THC and CBD content between sativa and indica strains are less distinct than they once were, as pure landrace strains have become harder to find in both medical and recreational markets in recent years.
What Are Cannabis Sativa Benefits?
In theory, there can be a lot of great effects and benefits when consuming cannabis sativa strains. In the past, landrace, or ‘pure’, sativa strains are thought to have caused more energising effects, which can positively impact mood and creativity. And this is why people would often choose to consume sativa based strains or products in the daytime.
They have also been known to:
- Increase focus
- Boosts your mood
- Give you an uplifting feeling
- Help you feel at ease
Medical Uses of Cannabis Sativa
Studies suggest that certain sativa strains may help treat anxiety. Thanks to the uplifting effects, sativa can also be used to treat other emotional disorders such as depression. However, some patients tend to note that sativa strains can heighten their anxiety. Like all forms, strains and types of cannabis products or medication, there is rarely a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
But, it’s also important to consider the terpene content. Terpenes are the parts of a plant – any plant – you can smell. Recent research suggests that terpenes have a direct impact on strain effects. And it’s actually terpenes, along with cannabinoids and all the other chemicals found in the cannabis plant that actually change how it affects you. So, it’s a good idea to also look at this instead of just the subspecies to determine how a new strain may treat your condition, or even the side effects you may want to avoid. However, just because you’ve heard that a terpene or cannabinoid has worked for your condition or symptoms, it may not be the case for you. Our individual biology varies dramatically and what impacts one person in a certain way, will likely affect you differently. We still don’t understand exactly how cannabis’ different effects are determined, so trial and error is often the best approach. Your pharmacist or specialist doctor can help you with this.
Cannabis Sativa vs Cannabis Indica
So, we’ve covered cannabis sativa, but what about cannabis indica? Well, indigenous to the Hindu Kush mountains in Southern Asia, the indica plant adapted to the harsh, bone dry climate of its origin. Its leaves are wider, shorter and bushier than sativa, and it grows faster with more buds.
Compared to pure sativa varieties, historically, landrace and pure indica strains tended to have higher levels of CBD, the compound that can be behind a ‘body high’, helping to relieve pain and aid sleep. For this reason, many people believe it’s better to use in the evening because, unlike sativa, it may relax the body and muscles.
But remember, not all indica strains have high CBD levels, and not all sativa strains have low CBD levels. As we’ve mentioned, it’s far more complex than this, and effects are determined by what’s inside, rather than a very simplistic botanical category. When prescribed cannabis by Alternaleaf, your doctor will advise you on the total THC and CBD percentage in each strain, working with you to find something that works best for your symptoms and lifestyle.
If you want to find out more about the difference between the Indica and Sativa, we dive a bit deeper here.
Legal Status of Cannabis Sativa in UK
Cannabis sativa is one of the two main subspecies of the cannabis plant. And using cannabis when prescribed has been legal in the UK since 2018. But there are a few things to be aware of. You’ll need a diagnosis for a qualifying condition such as chronic pain or anxiety, and it’ll need to be prescribed by a specialist doctor. You can find out if you’re eligible by heading to the Alternaleaf website and filling out our questionnaire.
And just because it’s legal in the UK, doesn’t mean it’s legal everywhere. It is always a good idea to check if you’re travelling somewhere, what their rules and laws are around medical cannabis.
Cannabis Sativa Side Effects
Just like other forms of medication, there can be a number of potential side effects of cannabis sativa.
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth: staying hydrated might help if you experience this.
- Insomnia
- Anxiety: this is usually a result of overuse, which is why we always recommend starting low and slow.
As long as you’re taking medical cannabis as instructed by your doctor, you should be fine. But if any of these side effects continue to present themselves, or if you’re simply worried, speak to your prescriber. They might lower your dosage, or point out anything you should or shouldn’t be doing to prevent unwanted effects.
Summary
Research indicates that the effects of medical cannabis are determined not solely by whether or not it’s sativa, but by its chemical composition, including cannabinoids and terpenes. As Dr. Russo highlights, relying on simplistic categorisations can be misleading, especially concerning complex substances like cannabis.
So, what does this mean? Well, in the past if you were looking for something to help relieve pain, boost your mood and increase your energy and focus, cannabis sativa might have been a good fit. Today, however, hybrids are the new focus, combining traits from both sativa and indica strains to create tailored effects based on the overall genetics.
If you’re considering medical cannabis for the first time, it’s best to have a discussion with your pharmacist or specialist doctor about which strain and form would best suit you. There’s lots of help and information on the Alternaleaf website, and we’re always here to answer any questions you may have.