King Harvest unwind indica tincture box in tree branches

Medical uses for Indica

By Published On: February 26, 2025

Medical uses for Indica

Medical uses for indica provide promising benefits. For many patients, cannabis indica has stood in as a fast-acting alternative to opioids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and other conventional medications. As a result, Indica may offer effective symptom relief and restorative properties with far fewer side effects than traditional pharmaceuticals.

Indica for Mental Health

Indica provides calming and sedative effects. This natural relief makes indica an effective solution to alleviate stress and anxiety without the use of traditional pharmaceuticals.

A 2016 study suggested that cannabis may treat symptoms associated with anxiety and help cognitive functioning. Additionally, the cannabinoids found in indica can help by increasing endorphins and regulating the body’s endocannabinoid system. With regular use, the mind and body begins to return to a state of homeostasis. As a result, patients are able to obtain better sleep and a general sense of well-being.

Preclinical evidence has shown that cannabis can help a number of illnesses. This includes generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder when administered acutely. 

Medical uses for Indica

Quick Links for More Info

All About Indica

Indica vs Sativa

Buy Indica Online

Indica for Anxiety

Regular doses of indica have been shown to minimize stress. This minimization occurs in the basolateral amygdala, where the brain receives the majority of its sensory information. Additionally, CBD also affects the area of the hippocampus where human emotions are stored. 

The combination of THC and CBD found in indica is very effective in managing anxiety.  A 2019 study showed that cannabis patients experienced a decrease in the symptoms of anxiety, agitation, irritability, and general stress in 95.51% of cannabis use sessions.

Does Cannabis Increase Anxiety?

You may have heard stories of cannabis exacerbating the symptoms of anxiety or even causing panic attacks. However, medical research has shown that this is not the case when the correct strain, dosage, and method of ingesting medical cannabis is used. For example, indica strains high in CBD are more tranquil and sedating in contrast to strains from the sativa plant which can be more stimulating and increase feelings of anxiety and panic.

How Does Indica Help Anxiety?

The two main cannabinoids that work together to help ease the symptoms of anxiety are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiol (CBD). Generally, the THC will begin quickly to relieve the most acute symptoms of anxiety. Meanwhile, CBD helps relieve inflammation and regulate the connections between the brain’s neurotransmitters and the body’s central nervous system. 

How Does CBD Help Anxiety?

CBD from indica binds directly to the 5HT1A serotonin receptor, which produces anxiolytic and antiemetic properties. CBD has also been shown to interact with various receptors that regulate fear and anxiety-related behaviors, such as the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) and the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) receptor. 

How Does THC Help Anxiety?

CBD is much more well-tolerated compared to THC and can work as an effective anxiolytic, or anxiety-reducing, alternative. Combining them in different formulations may help mitigate anxiety and other psychological symptoms even more.

Cannabis formulas containing both CBD and THC in various combinations can be very helpful in treating not only anxiety but also several other health conditions. 

Does Indica Help Social Anxiety?

In a 2010 study, CBD oil was found to improve anxiety symptoms in patients with social anxiety. As participants’ brains were scanned it was discovered that CBD oil caused alterations in blood flow to areas of the brain connected to anxiety.

Indica for PTSD

There is a relatively high prevalence of cannabis use among patients with post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. According to clinical studies, patients with PTSD may be able to manage their symptoms by consuming cannabis, 

Cannabinoids found in cannabis indica can offer a range of effects that can help treat PTSD. For example, cannabis can help prevent the effects of stress on emotional function and memory processes, facilitate the reduction of fear, and provide anti-anxiety effects. Furthermore, cannabinoids given soon after a traumatic experience have been proven to reduce the development of PTSD-like symptoms.

THC for PTSD

Following cannabis consumption, THC enters the bloodstream and travels swiftly throughout the body, including the brain. As a result, the effects begin almost instantaneously. THC activates brain cells, causing them to generate dopamine.

Indica Dosage for PTSD

Using natural remedies such as indica for PTSD can have significant positive results. However, the effectiveness of indica for PTSD largely depends on the dosage. Always talk to a dosing specialist and your doctor to ensure there are no health risks or interactions with other medications.

While indica is effective for short-term treatment of PTSD symptoms, it is not a cure for PTSD and should be used as part of a comprehensive, holistic treatment plan.

Cannabis for Depression

Cannabis is effective in treating depression due to the way it encourages the body to adjust its own chemical imbalance in a natural, non-invasive way. Researchers believe this is because cannabis affects chemicals in our brains known as endocannabinoids which control our moods, regulate our sensation of pain, stimulate appetites, and influence our central nervous system overall.

Indica for Depression

Patients often look to indica strains to stimulate appetites and improve sleep. As a result, Indica is a great nighttime treatment option for depression patients. For sleep, indica will help patients to relax, unwind, and treat their insomnia. CBD also plays a big part in helping those with depression to restore their body’s natural rhythm and sleep cycle.

In contrast, THC-rich sativa strains are preferred for daytime use to create lifting energy to fight symptoms of depression. In addition to treating the symptoms of depression cannabis has been shown to stimulate the body’s ability to self-regulate and heal itself holistically.

Indica Medical Uses for Sleep Disorders

Cannabis indica is widely recognized for its sedative effects and as a powerful natural sleep aid for those struggling with sleep disorders including insomnia, restless leg syndrome (RLS), Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Anxiety, and PTSD. While traditional pharmaceuticals may mask symptoms to provide temporary relief, many individuals are turning to indica for its potential ability to aid sleep

Anecdotal evidence suggests that patients sleep better and wake up feeling more rested using the holistic approach of organic, indica-dominate cannabis medicines.

How Does Indica Help Sleep Disorders?

Cannabis indica contains high levels of CBD and relaxing terpenes, such as myrcene and linalool, which contribute to muscle relaxation, pain relief, and a calming effect on the nervous system. 

Indica Medical Uses for Insomnia

Insomnia patients have found great success using indica strains. Users typically fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. They can also alleviate symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS) by reducing involuntary muscle movements and discomfort during the night. 

Research has shown that THC in indica helps patients to fall asleep faster and stay asleep during the night. A study published in 2013 found that THC “promotes sleep” and stated THC was, “significantly associated with shorter sleep latency, less difficulty falling asleep, and more daytime sleep the following day.” 

Studies have also shown that cannabis indica has also been shown to promote an increase in slow-wave sleep, which is the deepest stage of the sleep cycle. This can be especially helpful for patients dealing with pain, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, or any other conditions that get in the way of falling asleep and staying asleep.

Indica for OSA

For individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), indica’s anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxing properties may improve breathing and reduce nighttime disturbances

Indica for PTSD

People suffering from PTSD and anxiety often find relief with indica’s deeply relaxing effects. Indica helps to quiet racing thoughts and ease physical discomfort, ultimately leading to a more restful night’s sleep.

Indica Consumption Method for Sleep

Cannabis consumption methods can also play an important role in treating sleep disorders. Patients who ingest cannabis orally (either by eating or through sublingual application) generally experience delayed effects than those who inhale cannabis from a vaporizer or smoke. However, the effects of orally ingested cannabis will last for hours allowing a patient to sleep longer.

Indica for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a persistent and often debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While traditional pharmaceuticals may mask symptoms to provide temporary relief, many individuals are turning to indica for its potential to alleviate chronic pain without the harsh side effects and risk of addiction experienced with pharmaceuticals.

Cannabis’ ability to address both inflammation and pain makes it a versatile option for those suffering from chronic pain, helping to improve the quality of life for many individuals.

How Does Indica Treat Chronic Pain?

Medical uses for Indica have gained recognition as an effective treatment for chronic pain and a natural alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals. The cannabis plant contains cannabinoids, which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system plays a crucial role in regulating pain, mood, inflammation, and immune response.

Together, cannabinoids such as THC and CBD can offer significant relief from various types of chronic pain, including neuropathic pain and pain associated with conditions like multiple sclerosis and arthritis. By modulating the ECS, cannabis can interrupt pain signals, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation and sleep, thereby providing comprehensive pain management.

Which Indica Strains are Best for Treating Chronic Pain?

Indica strains, such as Northern Lights and Granddaddy Purple, are renowned for their strong sedative and potent pain-relieving properties. These strains are ideal for evening use and their ability to relax muscles, reduce inflammation and pain relief, and promote deep sleep. These strains tend to have higher levels of CBD, which contributes to their calming and analgesic effects, making them particularly effective for managing chronic pain conditions that are accompanied by muscle spasms, inflammation, and insomnia.

Choosing the right strain involves considering the specific type of pain, the desired effects, and the individual’s lifestyle and needs. Through our free consultations, our expert dosing specialists help patients tailor their cannabis use to manage chronic pain effectively throughout the day and night.

Explore our selection of high-quality cannabis products for chronic pain relief and find the right solution to help you regain control over your life.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

How To Buy THC Cannabis Online

Share this article

Like, Follow, Share

A quick overview of the topics covered in this article.

Latest articles