Sativa Effects: What Sativa Does To The Brain & Body And How To Spot An Addiction To Sativa

You’ve probably heard of marijuana, but if you’ve talked with someone who uses marijuana products or heard someone talking about them, they probably used at least some terms you haven’t heard before.

 

Things like Sativa, Indica, and Kush all have specific meanings among cannabis users, but they can be less understandable to those around them.

 

You might also have heard Sativa as a way of hiding cannabis use by calling it something other than cannabis, marijuana, or weed.

 

If you or a loved one wants to know more about Sativa use, what Sativas do, and the differences between Sativa and other kinds of cannabis, you’re in the right place.

 

If you’re worried about yourself or a loved one and want to learn more about the side effects of Sativa and Indica use, how to spot addiction, and what you can do to mitigate and deal with the side effects, you’re in the right place.

 

Let’s take a closer look at what a Sativa is, how they work, and what you can do to avoid, mitigate, or manage an addiction if you think you have one.

What Is Sativa? What Is The Difference Between Sativa And Indica?

 

Suppose you haven’t heard of Sativa and Sativa effects before. In that case, it’s important to know a few basic things about cannabis and Sativa before we get into the other information you need.

 

To begin with, Sativa refers to a specific kind of cannabis. Most cannabis or marijuana strains are separated into two types, Sativa and Indica, with slightly different side effects and risks.

 

A few strains of cannabis are hybrid strains with some of the properties of both Sativa and Indica strains, and more are being developed. However, more and stronger strains of specialty Sativa and Indica strains are also being created, especially since some places are legalizing cannabis use, leading to more growing and more specialized plants.

 

The main reason people differentiate between Sativa and Indica is that they have different effects on the user.

 

Sativa effects are thought to be more stimulating. They’re better for creative use, introspection, and exploring your mind, and users may claim that they improve concentration and focus.

 

Indica strains, on the other hand, are thought to be more relaxing and better for reducing stress and relieving pain while improving appetite.

 

One of the reasons it’s important to understand the differences is because many people start using cannabis because of the supposed effects of the drugs, and they may choose a strain based on wanting Sativa effects or Indica effects.

 

Especially for medical use, the industry often emphasizes the differences between Sativas and Indicas.

 

Another core difference that users should know is that Sativa strains tend to have higher levels of THC, while Indicas tend to have higher levels of CBD. Both of those are cannabinoids that have various effects on your brain and body, but they work in different ways and on different systems.

 

The main cause of differences between different strains of cannabis and Sativas and Indicas isn’t well known. Some people think that the differences are largely driven by human intervention and intentional breeding of the plants. Others think that the differences primarily come from regional differences and long-term differences in growing conditions.

What Are The Side Effects Of Sativa And Indica?

 

When looking into the side effects of Sativa and Indica strains of cannabis, you need to remember a few things. For one thing, studies into cannabis as a whole are still a little scarce, and there is a lot of research and study that still needs to be done to understand these drugs fully, how they work in your body, and the short and long term side effects and risks of use.

 

That’s partly because it’s been very difficult to study cannabis until recently. Some studies need to be done to fully understand all the questions that still need to be answered about cannabis use.

 

It’s also important to know that studies and street knowledge of cannabis can often be contradictory because of the limited amount of information available about cannabis until recently.

 

There are still significant barriers to studying Sativa and Indica cannabis, and with as much research still needs to be done on cannabis, there’s even more research that needs to be done on the differences between these two important versions of cannabis plants.

 

That said, let’s talk about the side effects of Sativa and Indica. Some of these side effects are worse with one strain than the other, but most of them are shared, and everyone will react a little differently to each strain. Knowing whether a strain is a Sativa or an Indica can help you know what to expect in terms of whether it will be a relaxing high. Still, the side effects of cannabis exist no matter what kind of cannabis you’re using and what preparation you use.

 

As you’re looking at these side effects, it’s also important to remember that cannabis is the 3rd most commonly used addictive drug in the United States.

Cannabis Side Effects

 

• Dry mouth
• Irritated eyes
• Changes in blood pressure
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Lethargy/Fatigue
• Increased heart rate
• Increased appetite
• Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Impaired memory and cognition
• Increased risk of developing psychosis or schizophrenia
• Short-term hallucinations or delusions
• Smoking cannabis products can cause a wide range of respiratory side effects.

The Effects Of An Addiction To Sativa: How To Spot An Addiction To Sativa

 

Addiction can be difficult to spot, especially in places where cannabis use is legal or normal, and even more so in people with medical reasons for cannabis use.

 

However, just because something is legal or someone has a good reason for using the medication they do, that doesn’t mean they aren’t addicted or vulnerable to developing an addiction.

 

Dealing with addiction can be complicated and often take a lot of support, so it’s important to recognize when you or one of your loved ones are dealing with one.

 

There are a few ways to know when dealing with an addiction.

 

One of the first things that can let you know that you have an addiction is worrying that you might be dealing with addiction or that addiction might be the main reason you’re struggling with the medication or drug you’re taking.

 

Here are some additional symptoms that can help you identify when you or a loved one has an addiction:

 

• You don’t feel like you can function without taking Sativa
• You want to take Sativa even at inappropriate times, and especially in high-stakes situations
• You feel like you are your best self when you’re using Sativa
• Sativa’s side effects are getting worse, and that doesn’t make you stop or reduce how much you use.
• You have considered stealing or have stolen items to pay for Sativa cannabis.
• You don’t care how you ingest Sativa, as long as you have some.
• You feel tired all the time.
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain
• You’re starting to hallucinate or feel extremely paranoid while using Sativa, and those symptoms don’t make you stop
• You feel like you have to hide how much Sativa you’re using
• You feel guilty about using Sativa.

 

This isn’t a comprehensive list, and there may be other signs and symptoms of addiction, like all of your clothes smelling of cannabis even after you’ve washed them.

 

Remember, if you’re worried about having an addiction and aren’t able to stop taking the drug for at least a few days or weeks, you will likely have one.

 

If your loved ones are worried that you might have an addiction, that’s also a good reason to examine your behavior closely and see if addiction is possible or even likely.

Getting Help To Mitigate The Side-Effects Of An Addiction To Sativa

 

There are a lot of things you can do to mitigate your addiction to Sativa or get treatment for your addiction.

 

For one thing, the best way to avoid addiction to Sativa is to wait until you are at least 25 before using it for the first time. That’s because your brain isn’t fully developed until you’re 25, and cannabis may have more harmful effects and more likely to cause addiction when you’re younger.

 

The exception is for children and teens with epileptic disorders, who may still benefit from cannabis despite the risks.

 

Another good mitigation tactic is using as little cannabis as possible to get the desired Sativa effects and no more.

 

You should also try to space out when you’re using cannabis as much as possible. Everyday chronic use comes with much higher risks of addiction and dependence than occasional use.

 

Lastly, if you’re dealing with an addiction to cannabis in general, it’s okay and even recommended to reach out for help. Again, there are options, and you don’t have to deal with your addiction alone.

 

If you’re serious about overcoming an addiction to Sativa effects, contact Epiphany Wellness treatment center. We can help.

Sources:

1. Dresden D. Indica vs. sativa: What’s the difference? Published February 6, 2020. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/indica-vs-sativa
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Cannabis (Marijuana) DrugFacts. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Published December 24, 2019. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana
3. Drugs.com. Cannabis: Uses (Medical), Effects & Warnings. Drugs.com. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://www.drugs.com/illicit/cannabis.html