Sativa
Sativa varieties of cannabis are known to provide feelings of well-being and ease, provide up-lifting thoughts, stimulate and energize, increase focus, increase creativity, and combat depression. Hence, Sativa strain types are known to produce an uplifting and cerebral high that is typically very energizing and stimulating. One way of understanding the distinction between Indicas and Sativas as medicine is by looking at the CBD-to-THC ratio. In general, Sativas have a lower CBD-to-THC ratio, whereas Indicas have a higher one.
Indica
This particular strain is typically associated with a feeling throughout the body, and generally is used to calm or induce feelings of sedation. Many people experience more therapeutic results after using indica and often feel sleepy or tired as a result. There are many benefits associated with indica outside of the overall sense of calm that it induces, many of which align with Sativa as well. Indica varieties of cannabis are known to relieve body pain, relax muscles, relieve spasms, reduce seizures, relieve headaches, and reduce anxiety or stress.
Hybrid
Because sativa and indica buds have very different medicinal benefits and effects, certain strains can be targeted to better treat specific illnesses. Combining Sativa genes with an Indica strain can aid mental clarity and decrease sedative effects, while adding Indica to Sativa strains can lower the tendency of pure Sativas to occasionally stimulate anxiety. Most professionally bred cannabis seed-strains contain both Indica and Sativa genes.