Indica vs. Sativa: Which Strain is Right for You?

For new users just dipping their toes into the cannabidiol (CBD) space, it can be easy to get lost. After all, there are a ton of different manufacturers selling a ton of different products that tout a ton of different benefits. Beyond that, there are the delivery mechanisms that feature labels like vape, dab, crystal, and cbd honey sticks, among others. As if this heaping helping of CBD word salad wasn’t already loaded enough, we’re going to throw two more terms your way: Indica and sativa.

While those words might ring a bell, allow us to provide a brief refresher in case they don’t. Indica and sativa are the two main strains (or types) of the cannabis plant. And the cannabis plant, you might remember, is where marijuana comes from — but it’s also where CBD is derived as one of its many cannabinoids. Given that it’s likely you’ll see Indica or sativa on product labels, we wanted to make sure you felt comfortable with each. Read on to find everything you could possibly want to know about these two strains in our comparison of Indica vs. sativa.

Indica vs. sativa: The physical properties

When comparing the physical properties of Indica and sativa, there’s a stark contrast between the two in appearance. Indica leaves are short, fat, and full. The reason for this is because they hail from parts of the world that are generally dry, like the Middle East, so their leaves must be broader to withstand the conditions. When it comes to color, Indica leaves are usually a darker green.

Conversely, sativa leaves are long, thin, and slender, and the plants can grow much taller than Indica plants. You’ll find sativa leaves in Southeast Asia and parts of Central and South America. They are lighter green in color than Indica leaves.

Indica vs. sativa: Qualities of the strain

Similar to the physical variances between the two strains, the qualities and benefits achieved from each will differ greatly as well. The best and easiest way to think of Indica vs. sativa is that sativa-rich strains are intended for daytime use, while Indica-rich strains are best for nighttime use.

In a word, sativa strains are stimulating. They can boost your energy, help to alleviate depression, spark creativity, and make you focus more intently. Some people might even refer to the sensations felt from a sativa-rich strain as uplifting or moving.

Indica strains, on the other hand, are perfect for winding down after a long day. The major qualities of an Indica strain include decreased nausea, a reduction in pain, improved sleep, and mental and physical relaxation.

Indica vs. sativa: Does it matter for CBD?

Since you’re probably here to learn more about CBD and not necessarily smoking marijuana, you might be confused about the use of the word “strains” in this piece. Indica plants tend to have a higher CBD content than sativa plans, but they also have a THC ratio that’s nearly 1:1. The good news is that any CBD product that is legal to purchase will likely have had the majority of the THC removed.

Parting words on Indica vs. sativa

Not only do Indica and sativa leaves look different, but they produce different effects inside our bodies. Sativa strains are great for daytime use as they provide the energy and alertness that we need to get through the day, while Indica strains help us relax and slip into recovery mode. Whatever direction you go in with your CBD products, take the time to do your homework on not only the delivery mechanism but what components are found within the product. Remedy Review has an assortment of CBD reviews to help you find everything from the best CBD oils to gummies to capsules and more.