One of the many reasons why people reach for a joint, edible or any other marijuana product is because of an overall high, but that’s not always the case. Helping reduce pain is a major reason behind consuming weed. And with Sativa being one of the most popular strains alongside Indica, plenty of users wonder, does Sativa help with pain?
In 2020 alone, it’s estimated that over 7.6 million Canadians suffer from chronic pain. Medicinal marijuana has become one of the largest answers for those suffering from pain. Back pain, neck pain, headaches – many people swear by the green stuff to relieve their chronic ailments. And with the legalization of marijuana in Canada, anyone and everyone can get their hands on it to try help with those aches.
While there isn’t a lot of research being done just yet, there have been studies on the effects of marijuana against pain. Sativa can help with some pain, but Indica seems to be more popular for pain relief. Due to its intense overall body high, Indica can help more than Sativa. Sativa is more of an uplifting, energizing strain that improves your mood. If you’ve made your mind up now and want to try out Sativa for an energy boost, get your hands on it now through our online shop.
For those who want to know more, let’s dive a little deeper.
What is Sativa?
Sativa is a strain of marijuana that comes from Eastern Asia. You’ll recognize it by its thin fan leaves and tall stature. This is different to Indica, which is thicker and denser, and grows closer together than Sativa. To the untrained eye, it’s easy to miss the differences, but you can really see the changes in size and shape once you know what to look out for.
Quick Sativa Summary:
- Gives more of a head-high that is uplifting, stimulating and energizing
- Helps you concentrate and focus on tasks at hand
- Boosts creativity
- Helps with social interactions
- Feelings of happiness and euphoria
- Best for daytime use to help you stay focused
- May help with symptoms of ADHD
According to Medical News Today, an online survey completed in 2014 found that participants reported a preference towards Indica for reducing pain.
These 95 participants reached for Indica strains when they were looking for pain relief and sedation. Sativa was preferred for an energy boost to help concentrate, rather than to help with aches. Specifically, these users reported significant effects when using Indica for headaches, spasticity and joint pain.
On the other hand, another study revealed that both strains work effectively for pain relief and managing other medical conditions. They reported that Indica was preferred for improving energy levels and appetite, while both strains helped reduce nausea.
At the end of the day, it really is all about personal preference here. All bodies are different, and therefore they will all react a different way.
Perhaps you’ll fall head-over-heels for Sativa strains when it comes to relieving your pain. Or maybe you’ll lean towards Indica for its full-body effects. We suggest trying both strains if you can. Monitor how you feel with each one, whether the pain takes a back seat, and go from there.
Best Sativa Strains for Pain
Growing your own Sativa strains is always a great option (our friends over at the Seed Pharm will help you out with that every step of the way), but it isn’t practical for everyone.
That’s why it’s important to know where you can get your hands on some Sativa products from reputable online sellers. And when it comes to the best Sativa strain for pain relief, we definitely can’t go past then Chocolope Strain.
This stuff is like gold when it comes to aches and pains. Also known as D-Line, it’s one of the most popular for pain. It’s made by crossing Chocolate Thai with Cannalope Haze, resulting in a yummy homage to the chocolate strains popular in the ‘80s.
Users report a strong, euphoric mental shift, which is what helps cope with aches, and even symptoms of depression and stress.
How Does Marijuana Help With Pain?
This goes deeper (literally) than just the species of plant. Pain relief comes from the cannabinoids within marijuana, rather than just the strain.
The two main cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the psychoactive part, while CBD gives no type of high. While you won’t get high from CBD, it does work with the pain receptors in your body to initiate some pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.
As we mentioned, research on this subject is limited. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t interesting to think about. A 2016 study concluded that those who used marijuana to reduce pains associated with cancer ended up with a 64% reduction in opioid use, as well as other pain medications.
Medical News Today also reported about two other important statistics:
- Out of 17,000 people suffering from cancer, 70% reportedly experienced improvements in pain and overall wellbeing after consuming marijuana.
- People who suffer from chronic migraines experienced a reduction in migraine episodes after consuming marijuana.
So, research is limited. But you can’t deny the studies that have been done. Just talk to real-life people who use marijuana for pain relief. It may not be for everyone, but it’s worth a try.
Buy Sativa for Pain
So, does Sativa help with pain, or not? Both Sativa and Indica can work for pain relief, so it all comes down to your own personal reaction to each strain. If you’ve tried both, which one do you notice relieves any pains you may have? Indica strains often offer a couch-locking high, which relaxes your whole body and therefore relaxes any aches. Sativa strains are like an explosion of energy, which can help distract you from the pain. If possible, try both strains out to see which works best for you.
