Walk into any dispensary and you will be hit with a wall of options. Sativa. Indica. Hybrid. OG Kush. Charlotte’s Web. ACDC. It can feel like you need a science degree just to figure out what to buy. It may not seem like it right now but there is some good news. Once you understand the basics, the whole thing starts to make a lot more sense. Let us break it down.
What Is The Difference In Medical Cannabis
Medical cannabis refers to using the cannabis plant or its compounds for health purposes. The two most talked about compounds are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the part that makes people feel “high.” CBD does not cause that effect but it has its own set of potential benefits.
According to Premier Neurology and Wellness Center, the cannabis plant contains over 100 different cannabinoids and each one can interact with your body in different ways. That is part of what makes choosing the right product both exciting and a little overwhelming.
The Big Three Types With A Bonus
Think of cannabis types like coffee orders. Some people want something that wakes them up while others want something that helps them wind down. What you can’t forget are the ones who want a little of both. Here are the types to consider during your next choosing session.
Sativa plants are tall with narrow leaves and are often linked to more energizing effects. People tend to use them during the day when they need to stay alert and focused.
Indica plants are shorter and bushier. They are known for their calming and relaxing effects, which makes them popular for evening use or for helping with sleep and muscle tension.
Hybrid strains are grown from both Sativa and Indica plants. Growers breed hybrids to create specific effects and they can lean more toward one side or the other depending on the mix.
There is also a third type called Ruderalis, which is low in THC and rarely used for medical or recreational purposes. You will not see it much in dispensaries.
You can learn more about how these plant types differ at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
This Is Why The Strain Matters
Within each plant type, there are thousands of individual strains. A strain is basically a specific variety of cannabis that has been carefully bred to bring out certain qualities. Think of it like dog breeds. All dogs are dogs but a Chihuahua and a Great Dane are very different animals. Strains get their unique effects from two main things: cannabinoids and terpenes. Terpenes are the natural compounds that give cannabis its smell and flavor and they also play a role in how a strain affects your body and mind.
Some of the most well known strains used for medical purposes include the following:
Charlotte’s Web is a high CBD, low THC strain that became famous for its potential to reduce seizures in children with rare forms of epilepsy like Dravet syndrome. It is named after a young girl whose life was changed by this strain. Read more about its story here.
Harlequin offers a balanced ratio of CBD to THC and is often used by people dealing with pain, muscle stiffness and inflammation. It is popular among patients with multiple sclerosis.
Cannatonic is another high CBD strain with low THC that may help with tremors and muscle rigidity. Some Parkinson’s disease patients have found it helpful for managing motor symptoms.
ACDC is known for being almost entirely CBD with very little THC. It may offer pain relief without causing much of a psychoactive effect, which makes it a popular choice for people who want the benefits of cannabis without feeling impaired.
OG Kush is an Indica strain known for its relaxing and euphoric qualities. Some migraine sufferers report that it helps reduce the stress and tension that can trigger an attack.
Harvested cannabis buds
Linking Cannabis and Neurological Conditions
Cannabis research in the area of neurology is growing fast. Conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and chronic pain are all areas where doctors are exploring how cannabis might help. The FDA has officially approved one CBD medication called Epidiolex for treating severe seizure disorders. That approval was a major milestone because it showed the medical community that cannabinoids can be taken seriously as legitimate treatments.
Research published through the National Institutes of Health suggests that cannabis may also hold promise for reducing inflammation and nerve pain. From the research and patients that have been observed, both conditions of which are common in neurological diseases seemed to be managed when there was cannabis use.
How Do You Choose
This is where things get personal. Every person’s body responds differently to cannabis. What works great for one person might not do much for another. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
First, always talk to a doctor before trying medical cannabis. A neurologist or cannabis trained physician can help you figure out if it is a good fit for your specific condition.
Second, think about what symptoms you are trying to manage. Pain, anxiety, sleep problems and muscle spasms might each call for a different kind of strain.
Third, start with a low dose and go slowly. This is especially important if you are new to cannabis.
A great resource for researching specific strains is Leafly, which breaks down the effects, flavors and potential medical uses of hundreds of different varieties.
The Bottom Line
Cannabis is not a one size fits all solution. Having the right information and some guidance from a healthcare professional, its use can be a powerful tool for people dealing with a wide range of conditions. The world of strains and varieties might seem confusing at first but once you know what you are looking at, it opens up a whole new world of options.
So next time you are staring at that dispensary menu and feeling a little lost, just remember: You are not just picking a product.
What you are doing is picking a plant that has been carefully grown to do something specific. Hopefully it helps you.
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