A lot of people don’t really notice a difference in the feeling between sativa and indica, and there is some evidence out there that cannabis has been so interbred and hybridized that indicas arent really indicas and sativas aren’t really sativas in that there isn’t purity any more. Every Indica is some % sativa and so forth.

As we know, there are many benefits of consuming cannabinoids. People are consuming CBD for different types of epilepsy, easing anxiety, reducing pain from arthritis or joint pain, and even just to wind down at the end of the day.

As CBD becomes more popular, it’s important to understand the effects it has on our bodies, and what types of CBD are available on the market. There are many varieties of cannabis, and the best known varieties are Cannabis sativa and Cannabis Indica.

These two are different from each other in terms of their chemical composition, physiological effects, and their use in medical products – all of which we’ll explain in this article!

So, what is the difference between Sativa and Indica is a question we get quite a lot- particularly from previous customers of the CBD brothers/ The Original Alternative or those who smoke cannabis recreationally.

For those of you who don’t know,  that there are three main strains: Sativa, Indica, and a Hybrid of the two. These types of Cannabis strains are deeply routed in Cannabis culture and usually, if you are into smoking you will be asking which is your preference.

While the battle between Sativa and Indica is fairly obvious in the cannabis community, it is much less obvious when you are looking into CBD oils or CBD paste. All CBD oils in the UK (including ours) are produced (or should be according to the FSA and CTA) using a Hemp extract (from leaves and/ or flower), from a strain called Sativa L. – which is a part of the Cannabis family but isn’t known for being smoked down to the fact that there is a very high level of CBD, and low levels of THC (why people smoke Cannabis in the first place).

• .Indica: is known for being chill and is often taken before bed or to relax after a long day (strains like Northern Lights & Blue Cheese). The Indica strains are known to ‘lock you’ to the couch.
• Sativa: is commonly associated with an ‘uplifting, exciting and cerebral’ effect which is said to be better for creative projects, exercise or at social gatherings (strains like Amnesia or Sour Diesel)

The physical differences between the strain are:

• Indica: Short in stature, broad leaves, shorter flowering cycles and are better suited to cooler climates.
• Sativa: Tall in stature, narrow leaves, long flowering cycles and (you guessed it) like the warm sunshine.

The different environments and structures will certainly have an impact on the chemical profile of the plants.

These differences, however, are generalisations and do not truly represent the qualities of either strain; by a long way, the most important factor in this is the Cannabinoid and Terpene profile of the plant. So it is much more important to understand the chemical structure of the plant (eg- CBD ratio to THC etc..) rather than the strain. For instance, a strain that is a Sativa with a high CBD content will feel much more like an Indica for example- there is no real telling the difference.

This is important for those who know a lot about Cannabis and are looking for a CBD oil. It would make sense that you would look for an Indica based oil as most people who buy a CBD oil are not looking for it to get them ‘hyped’. So when faced with an overwhelming array of oils that are made with a Sativa, it may be confusing. Some companies make a big deal of which strain they use but at the end of the day, does it really make too much of a difference.

Sativa CBD Strains

CBD Disposable Vape Pen – MediHaze (Sativa)

Sativa strains are typically skinny and tall with light green leaves, and are grown in abundance in Central America, South America, and Southeast Asia.. Botanists use its physical appearance to differentiate it from Indica.

Consuming Sativa CBD strains is known for increasing energy levels and creativity, mainly because of the terpenes found in them. Pinene and limonene are two terpenes most commonly found in sativas. For example, pinene is a terpene that smells like evergreen trees, whose reported effects include alertness, memory retention, and general euphoria. Sativa CBD is useful for people diagnosed with depression, loss of appetite, and people suffering from headaches. Too much consumption of marijuana sativas containing high THC levels as well can lead to anxiety, so be careful of that!

THC, which is found in marijuana but not hemp (from which most CBD is extracted), is known to ease pain, asthma, and can increase appetite. Studies show that some sativa strains can have more THC than CBD. As a reminder, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol induces a psychoactive high to its users, whereas CBD does not. THC can also cause anxiety, and CBD offsets this negative effect of THC, which which is why many consumers choose strains with high CBD.

Indica CBD Strains

The Remedy (Indica) CBD Vape Oil Cartridge – Full Gram

Cannabis of the Indica variety is typically identified as being shorter and bushier, with fatter leaves. It originated from and is grown heavily in the Middle East. Indica is famous for helping people wind down, getting sleep, or even causing couch lock – great for binging Netflix, not so great if you need to write a paper or work through a deadline. Indica is also known for helping to relieve pain.

If you are looking to relax and experience a calm night with your friends, indica strains are more suitable and typically don’t trigger anxiety – muscle relaxation is is one of the most commonly cited benefits of Indica strains.

If you feel stressed from work or your anxiety is acting up because of upcoming deadlines, Indica can help you slow down and relax. Just remember that it’s best to consume it when you can truly take the time to chill, since you might get drowsy, which will decrease your productivity.

Indica plants are shorter than Sativa. Its leaves are broader, and it is suitable for colder temperatures. Over time, growers mixed the genetics of indica and sativa plants to create hybrids, which have characteristics of both, with an ideal harmony of relaxation and energy. Truthfully, there are very few PURE indicas or sativas anymore due to so much cross-breeding over time. One popular pure indica for example is the Northern Lights strain, but they are increasingly rare!

The legality of the plant still depends on the country you are living in. Some states allow medicinal and recreational use, but some countries are legalizing it.

As Sativa gives you energy, you should consume it during the day. Indica is best when taken during nighttime after a day’s work, and you want a good night’s sleep.

Indica CBD Oil or Sativa CBD Oil?

In the context of recreational cannabis, the different strains and CBD/THC ratios make some kind of sense. As there is a large amount of THC being consumed, the effects of the cannabinoids and other phytochemicals can be instantly felt. In the UK, the only strain that CBD oils should be produced with is the Sativa L but it seems that this doesn’t make too much of a difference to the finished article.

The production of most CBD oils seems to make the strain somewhat irrelevant. Hemp is used in the production of CBD oils due to its high concentration of CBD, and generally, most of the other important chemicals are stripped out or reduced significantly- for legal reasons: According to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (MoDR) 2001 regulation 2, the legal level of THC is 1mg per closed container, irrespective of size. 0.2% THC is the maximum content which is for growers and refers to raw extract.

CBD oils are manufactured (in most cases) to remove THC (and often terpenes too) so the nuances between the strains are almost completely lost. There are some oils that are thick and dark (like our full spectrum 10% CBD Oils) and others do not contain THC at all (like our 2000mgs/20% oil) – each hold a very different experience (in regards to taste, general well-being), but often the same outcome in terms of the way they feel. Some oils are manufactured to contain a carefully constructed profile of Cannabinoids specifically to target particular effects. All of our own oils contain natural plant terpenes so they are getting to work without you even knowing it.

There are lots of Indica CBD oils on the market at the moment, but according to some regulators, these may not be strictly legal. Most notably, Indica CBD oils can be purchased online alongside Sativa CBD oils. The main difference between the two will certainly be their terpene profiles. We currently only sell Sativa CBD oils as we wish to be on the safe side of the coming regulation and enforcement.

 Terpenes

Terpenes are a set of aromatics that can have a huge impact on the way the body uses cannabinoids, and have their own array of health and well-being benefits. generally, Terpenes are used during aromatherapy to relax or invigorate your mind and body and are produced by plants and fruits. They are very easily found in lavender, oranges, pepper, hops and in cannabis. Do you like the smell of cannabis, and notice that different strains smell differently? Well, that is all down to the terpene profiles? Some smell citrusy, like pine, berries or fuel. The Terpenes that are most commonly found in cannabis are Mycene, Caryophyllene, Limonene and Terpinolene.

The presence of certain terpenes in your CBD oil can have a huge impact on your experience. Some are very soothing, and others may make you feel stimulated or anxious!

The Terpene profiles found in both Sativa and Indica are largely very similar – the main difference between a Sativa CBD oil and an Indica CBD oil is really down to a high level of Terpinolene in certain Sativa strains. Terpinolene can be found in Nutmeg, Teatree Lilacs, Apples and Cumin.

Although there is plenty of research into terpinolene ongoing: the terpene has been found to contribute to a plethora of well-being outcomes.

What Is Sensimilla?

While Cannabis Indica & Sativa are the most commonly talked about forms of Cannabis, there is another sub-sector of cannabis plants called Sensimilla. Question: is Sensimilla Sativa or Indica? Sensimilla plants can be both! A Sensimilla is simply a female cannabis plant that has been grown without male cannabis plants.

In biology, all plants have a male and female part which are essential for the reproduction of plants. For cannabis, the male plants produce pollen which fertilizes the females- the females produce seeds that drop and germinate to produce new plants. These new plants, however, are of random strains and cannot be controlled.

When cannabis growers want to control the strain, cannabinoid levels and yield of the plants, they tend to remove the male plants from the and keep the ‘pure’ females which are seedless and have higher levels of THC. The Sensimilla plants contain more THC (or CBD depending on the strain), have a greater flower yield and there are no seeds that are produced. This process revolutionized the cannabis industry and the quality of smokable flowers.