Cannabis Indica Medicinal Uses, How it Works & Side Effects

Cannabis Indica is one of the two most prominent species of marijuana plant in cultivation today.

In botany, Cannabis is a genus in the family Cannabaceae. There are an uncountable number of strains of Cannabis being cultivated worldwide – including sativas, indicas and numerous hybrid strains that combine the botanical traits of both.

This plant has been used in traditional medicine to promote a sense of well-being, sedation, restful sleep and pain relief. The Indica species has a higher concentration of cannabinoids than the Sativa species, which results in more tranquilizing effects.

Cannabis indica plants are generally shorter, stockier and bushier than Cannabis sativa plants. The flower clusters (buds) of indica strains are thick and dense whereas C. sativa buds are generally longer and skinnier.

This species also has higher levels of chlorophyll compared to sativa, which means that the plant grows faster and reaches maturity in a shorter amount of time. After flowering, the plant becomes mature in 6-8 weeks.

Cannabis Indica vs. Cannabis Sativa

Cannabis indica is formally known by the scientific name Cannabis sativa forma indica.

Indica and sativa are the two major classifications of the genus. There are some general differences in their physical traits that enable easy identification of a specific plant.

In general, C. Indica differs from C. sativa in the following ways:

• Generally known for their sedative, relaxing effects while C. sativa is known for mental stimulation and increased energy.
• Short, broad leaves compared to long, skinny leaves.
• Produce smaller per-plant flower (bud) yields but reaches maturity faster.

It is important to understand that most strains of Cannabis grown today are hybrid plants. That means they are genetically crossed between one sativa and one indica parent.

One popular strain of medical marijuana is called Tangerine Haze. It is a 60/40 sativa-dominant hybrid. May users prefer hybrids like this because they induce both stimulating and relaxing effects simultaneously.

Cannabis Indica Properties

Modern marijuana breeders are constantly developing and researching new strains of Cannabis. Some producers are interested in affecting the taste and smell of the hybrid plant while others target specific therapeutic effects.

According to the University of Washington’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI), Cannabis contains more than 400 different chemical compounds. Of those, dozens are cannabinoids. The two cannabinoids that most people have heard of are THC and CBD. [1]

According to the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre in Australia, THC ((delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) (delta9-THC)) is the compound in Cannabis that likely causes the psychoactive effects[2]

ADAI states that CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid; contributing up to 40% of a plant’s total cannabinoid content. Unlike THC, CBD does not induce psychoactive effects. There is some evidence that suggests CBD lessens the psychoactive effects of THC.

Like opiate compounds, cannabinoids are thought to affect the user by activating certain types of receptors in various areas of the central nervous system.

Health Benefits

The use of Cannabis is humans is thought to date back more than 12,000 years. C. indica and C. sativa have been used worldwide to deepen spirituality, enhance health, treat health ailments and to promote relaxation and pro-social behavior.

Although there are many medicinal uses for Cannabis today, most of them have yet to be validated in human-based clinical trials. Research continues to determine if and how this plant can improve or otherwise affect human health.

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Cannabis indica and sativa are both used for a variety of conditions. NMCD states that people use it for:

• Improve symptoms of Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis));
• Producing immunosuppression after kidney transplants;
• Anorexia associated with weight loss in AIDS patients;
• Reducing negative symptoms of schizophrenia;
• Chronic neuropathic pain;

People also use this herbal extract for urinary tract infections, mucous membrane inflammation, asthma, cough and fever. Cannabis is also used for various other conditions. [3]

Research is investigating the effects of Cannabis usage for inhibiting and reversing cognitive decline, helping to manage obesity, combating cancer and more.

According to 2015 research from the Headache Center at the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute, “The literature suggests that the medicinal use of cannabis may have a therapeutic role for a multitude of diseases, particularly chronic pain disorders including headache.” [4]

Oil Extracts

The use of Cannabis indica oil extracts is growing more popular. These oils are concentrated with CBD, and have very little to no THC. This means they do not induce psychoactive effects, but do promote sedative effects.

Cannabis indica oil is of particular interest to patients with a condition called Dravet syndrome. This condition is marked by multiple seizure events, sometimes as many as forty per day. Use of the oil in this and other conditions is purported to provide near-instant relief without causing any adverse side effects.

According to a 2016 research study from Israel, “The results of this multicenter study on CBD treatment for intractable epilepsy in a population of children and adolescents are highly promising. Further prospective, well-designed clinical trials using enriched CBD medical cannabis are warranted.” [5]

Interactions and Side Effects

You should speak with your doctor about the safety of Cannabis usage if you are taking any type of prescription drugs.

The chemical compounds in Cannabis indica may interact with certain medications including:

• Antiplatelet/Anticoagulant drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac;
• P-glycoprotein substrates, including certain chemotherapeutic agents;
• Barbiturates like Luminal, Seconal and Nembutal;
• Cytochrome P450 2E1 and 3A4 substrates;

This list is not complete. Seek medical advice about combining marijuana usage with prescription medications, OTC drugs and/or herbal supplements.

The most common side effects associated with Cannabis indica use is increased appetite (“munchies”), dry mouth, enhanced mood and general euphoria.

Other side effects are possible in sensitive people. Discuss marijuana side effects in detail with your doctor before beginning to use it.

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