Indica or Sativa for Menstrual Cramps: The Strain for Women

There are countless studies on the effects of cannabis that circulates around PTSD and other forms of anxiety. However, women are becoming concerned about what is the best cannabis strain to use when one is experiencing period cramps. Is it indica strains or sativa strains for menstrual cramps?

Studies linking cannabis with period cramps are barely available. Probably the reason behind this is that the cannabis industry is almost always associated with brotherhood culture that involves male users. If you’re having the same confusion and want to know which cannabis strain works for period cramps, we’ll help you out.

Understanding the Effects of Indica and Sativa Strains

For us to better understand whether to use indica or sativa strains for period cramps, we should take a look first on the effects each strain gives.

Cannabis Indica

In general, cannabis indica plants are short, bushy and has wide leaves. They also grow faster with a higher yield than the sativa variety. The medicines produced by using cannabis indica plants have higher CBD and lower THC counts.

Here are some of the major qualities of the Indica medicinal strains:

• For nighttime use
• Increases dopamine (the neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure areas)
• Increased mental relaxation
• Increased appetite
• Good for muscle relaxation
• Decreases Nausea
• Decreases Acute pain

Cannabis Sativa

The cannabis sativa plants are the opposite of the indica strains. They grow tall with thin and narrow leaves. The sativa strains are also generally a lighter shade of green than the indica strains. They take a longer time to mature and they require more light. The medicines produced by using cannabis sativa plants have lower CBD and higher THC counts.

Some of the major qualities of sativa medicinal strains:

• For daytime use
• Increases serotonin (a neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of learning, mood, sleep, anxiety, and appetite)
• Anti-anxiety
• Anti-depressant
• Increases focus and creativity
• Treats chronic pain

Indica or Sativa for Menstrual Cramps: Which One to Use?

Now that we have laid down the general effects both the indica and the sativa strains give, we will look into the best cannabis strain that can be used for dealing with period cramps.

According to Medical News Today, the menstrual cramps are painful sensations that affect many women before and during a menstrual period. If we’re going to take it into the description’s context, period cramps are only present whenever a woman is on her period which means that it’s not chronic pain.

If we’ll look back at the effects mentioned above, we’ll take note that the sativa is more used for treating medical conditions associated with chronic pain. Chronic pain is ongoing and will usually last longer than 6 months.

So the best cannabis strain that you can use for treating menstrual cramps is the indica strains. Although it’s still not considered as an exact science, cannabis users experiencing pain have reported that the pain-relieving properties associated with the indica strain helped them in managing pain symptoms.

Not only does the indica strain helps in pain management but it also helps users when it comes to sleep and sedation. But we always have to consider individual differences as the body of one individual may react differently to a cannabis strain compared to another person.  

Some studies also show that cannabis with high CBD levels, (which indica strains are generally), has been found to exhibit enhancements in treating pain both when used on its own and when combined with THC. If used alone, CBD is best for treating inflammatory pain.

While cannabis with high THC levels is clinically used for the treatment of pain and in relieving central and neuropathic pain. This has shown effects in reducing pain in cancer, AIDS and fibromyalgia patients. In other words, cannabis with high THC levels is used for treating chronic pain associated with more serious conditions. 

Cannabis Strains for Relieving Menstrual Cramps

Now that you know whether to use indica or sativa strains for menstrual cramps, we give you the 5 best cannabis strains in helping you with your period cramps. Just like what we have mentioned above, it’s best to smoke indica-dominant strain for pain relief. 

• Obama Kush

This cannabis strain is a hybrid composed of both indica and sativa strains. The Obama Kish is known to effectively numbs the physical pain during menstruation and it puts the user into a good mood because of the sativa strain.

Whenever you are in your menstrual period or on your PMS, you might experience breast tenderness, cramps, acne, irritability and fatigue with added diarrhea and nausea. With all these things happening you will really become pissed off with the world as your progesterone levels rise. The Obama Kush will meet all your needs when it comes to pain relief while allowing to engage in a calmer state.

• Purple Urkle

This is a heavy-hitting indica and if you are in serious need of pain relief go for this cannabis strain. It’s not recommended for smoke the Purple Urkle if you have a lot of things planned out for the day. This is the perfect choice if you only have plans of winding down on your home and before going to bed.

The pain-relieving qualities of the Purple Urkle are unmatched so if you have a tolerance built up, go for it. The Purple Urkle is a great strain for cramps and insomnia.

• Black Cherry Cheesecake

This cannabis strain is a cross between Black Cherry Soda X Cherry Pie crossed with Cheese. You might consider this heavy indica strain as the ultimate pain reliever. You will notice that after smoking this cannabis your body will begin to relax as the high arrives and it will last for 2-3 hours.

This indica will quiet all the noise down and effectively dulls the pain whenever you go through physical pain caused by the spike of prostaglandins (triggers uterine cramps). This is great for smoking before bed or when you just want to spend a lazy night in. Highly recommended if you’re in need to swiftly get rid of the pain.

• Dutch Treat

The Dutch Treat will effectively calm your raging hormonal mood swings while providing solid pain relief. This is also a great pick-me-up if you’re watching too many dramatic pain while on your period. 

• Blue Dream

This is a great example of an effective indica-dominant hybrid. This is an ideal cannabis strain because it will effectively relieve your pain at the same time produce popular cerebral effects because of the sativa. 

Estrogen is responsible for the mood swings women will often endure during the PMS stage and the sativa strain within the Blue Dream will help in mellowing out. This is also a great go-to cannabis strain before you go to work because it will relieve cramps, settle your stomach and leave you with enough mental clarity to be able to do your job.

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