in pristine aquariums, animals are killed by stresses that in the wild would barely phase them. Don't overestimate genetic programming. Environmental concerns are big. If you raise a baby in a sterile environment, and one day open the doors, they will get all sorts of stress. Perhaps you raised them in an ideal situation, and their parents had amazing immune systems. They still can't handle the smallest health stresses as they had not become accustomed to any. I think in our little indoor situations we can't expect the plants to behave the same as outdoor ones. Genetics are lifes way of dealing with changes to previous generations environmental conditions and stresses. Presented with new conditions, those genes mutate. Comparing the cutting of an indoor plants energy factories to a deer munching on a branch is not a fair comparison IMO. Want better airflow in the bottom third, increase circulation and ventilation. Want to open up the canopy to more light, add side lighting or train the branches. Light not powerful enough to pentrate well, get bigger light or grow smaller plants. Hacking away at your plant only serves to set it back, and IMO, is a reaction to improper growing habits. Know your strain, understand it's needs and meet them.