Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica are the two species or strains of the cannabis plant, which is used for making Marijuana. The other two not so popular strains are Cannabis ruderalis and Cannabis afghanica (or kafiristanica).
For a long time, sellers have sold sativa as a stimulator drug that is suitable for daytime use. Indica has been considered as a calming and sedative agent and hence, sold as a night-time drug. However, these differences have been described only in laymen's literature, and botanists do not agree with them. There is a lack of scientific evidence to prove the difference between sativa and indica in terms of their effects on the body as perceived earlier.
In an interview, the board-certified neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher, Dr. Ethan Russo said, “One cannot in any way currently guess the biochemical content of a given Cannabis plant based on its height, branching, or leaf morphology. The degree of interbreeding/hybridization is such that only a biochemical assay tells a potential consumer or scientist what is really in the plant.”
What are the major compounds in marijuana?
Cannabinoids are a group of major compounds found in the cannabis plant. They are over 100 in number, but the main ones are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
THC
Marijuana with high THC content helps people relieve their pain, acts as a sleeping aid, and helps people deal with their depression.
CBD
Through its calming effects, CBD can help in addressing anxiety. However, it can be used as a stimulant in small doses.
What are the medical uses of marijuana?
Some states in the US have legalized marijuana for recreational use while some others for medical use.
The FDA has approved two drugs made from marijuana:
- Dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros)
- Nabilone (Cesamet)
These drugs can be legally prescribed for the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
Dronabinol might also be used in people with AIDS, who suffer from loss of appetite that is (anorexia) associated with weight loss.
Medical marijuana is available in various forms:
- Pill
- Oil
- Nasal spray
- Vaporized liquid
- Dried leaves and buds
SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowWhat are the side effects of marijuana?
Medical marijuana use is generally considered safe. It is the high content of THC present in certain strains of marijuana that can cause symptoms such as:
What precautions to take while consuming marijuana?
If the use of marijuana is legal in your region, you still need to remember certain things before consuming it. These are:
- Use marijuana with caution if you have any mental illness. Marijuana use can cause problems in mental or cognitive functions and should be used with caution if you have a mental health condition.
- Don't drive or operate machinery if you are on marijuana. Drowsiness due to marijuana can lead to accidents.
- Avoid marijuana if you have high blood pressure or respiratory issues. Smoking marijuana can be bad for your heart because it increases your blood pressure. Long-term marijuana use can worsen respiratory conditions.
- Stay away from marijuana 2 weeks before planned surgery. Marijuana can enhance the effects of the anesthetic drug used during surgery and cause problems due to anesthesia.
You can ask your healthcare provider who can take down your medical history and recommend which strain will work best for you. Another way is to cautiously use a trial-and-error approach through which you can figure out the marijuana strain that works well for your needs.
Mayoclinic. Marijuana. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-marijuana/art-20364974
NIH. Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need To Know. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
Top Difference Between Sativa and Indica Related Articles
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Vaping: e-Cigarette and Marijuana Vape Risks
Vaping or e-cigarettes are smokable products that use refillable or replaceable cartridges or containers that contain a liquid composed of nicotine, chemical flavors, and other compounds. The cartridges used during vaping contains nicotine, therefore vaping is addictive.
In low doses vaping, can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In higher doses, vaping can cause more serious side effects like popcorn lung, seizures, coma, cancer, and death.
The FDA regulates the manufacturing, import, packaging, labeling, advertising, promotion, sale, and distribution of electronic delivery systems like e-cigarettes.
Marijuana (Cannabis)
Get the latest marijuana statistics and information. Learn its side effects and how this drug, also known as pot, affects the brain. Also, learn about medical marijuana for cancer patients and its indications.
Medical Marijuana (Medical Cannabis)
Medical marijuana (medical cannabis) is a medicine that is plant based. There are two species of medical marijuana; 1) Cannabis sativa, and 2) Cannabis indica. Medical marijuana is used to treat pain, nausea, anxiety, MS, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms. Medical cannabis is legal in a variety of states in the US. A card or licence is required to purchase medical marijuana in states where it is legal; however, medical cannabis is against Federal law. Medical marijuana comes in a variety of products, for example, gummy bears and other candy, muffins, cookies, drinks, salves, ointments, creams, oils, and wax.
What Is Pot? Medical Marijuana Laws, Uses, Safety
What is medical marijuana? Learn about THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids, learn about marijuana scheduling, state laws for medical marijuana, marijuana addiction, the use of medical marijuana in treatment of seizures in children, edibles, topicals, smoke, and vape, and more.
Marijuana Addiction and Abuse
Cannabis use disorder is when you're addicted to marijuana. Learn more about this condition and how to treat it.