If you’re looking for the perfect CBD flower strain for you, we’re here to help! This article will go over the difference between Sativa vs Indica vs hybrid CBD strains, what they do for you, and which strains are the most popular in each category.
You may have seen some terms thrown out when reading about cannabis plants and their various CBD flower strains. Indica vs. Sativa vs. hybrid…where to start? If you’re looking for the perfect CBD flower strain for you, we’re here to help! It seems like a lot, but really, there’s nothing overly complicated about it! Once you learn the differences between Indica and Sativa cannabis plants, the rest becomes easy! So what are these strains, and what do they do? Read on to learn more!
What Types of CBD Strains Are There?
There are a few main cannabis strains, but the primary ones are those from the Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa plants — Indica and Sativa, respectively. Each caters to different needs due to differences in their chemical compositions.
Indica-dominant strains tend to have higher amounts of CBD than Sativa -dominant strains do. While THC levels can be higher in Sativa-dominant strains, none of our CBD contains more than 0.3% Delta 9 THC. This ensures that none of our CBD strains get you intoxicated or “high.” This was especially true when the Farm Bill made it legal in 2018.
Hybrid plants are the offspring of two or more cannabis plants whose CBD strains will present various traits. These combinations create a limitless amount of possible hybrids to generate! The best of two plants are combined into one, and the qualities of the hybrid offspring depend on the parent plants and their genetic mixing.
What is an Indica CBD Strain?
Indica CBD flower strains are derived from the hemp plant Cannabis Indica that prefers dramatically fluctuating climates found primarily in the Middle East. Because the weather conditions in this part of the world can go from extremely hot to extremely cold very quickly, the plant has adapted to its environment by blooming before the freezing temperatures of winter arrive.
The plant is thicker and denser than other cannabis plants, giving it a bushier and darker appearance. Leaves of the Indica plant are a deep green that sometimes fades into gradients of purple or black. The leaves also have short, fat blades with thick stems. The overall look of the plant is conical and short.
The flowers of the Indica plant grow in compact clusters bundled at the node and tend to weigh more than Sativa flowers because of their density. The flowers contain all the CBD we extract to make our products!
Indica flowers appear broad and are described as having earthy or musty smells. Indica dominant strains tend to have higher contents of CBD than Sativa dominant strains, which contribute to its effect on the body.
What Are the Benefits of Indica Strains?
Indica strains are recommended for nighttime use due to their calming influences on the body. The high concentration of CBD in the strain is thought to affect the receptors for dopamine (aka a “happy hormone”), which impacts alertness, motivation, and appetite.
What Are the Effects of Indica Strains?
Have you ever heard the phrase “Indica keeps you in-da-couch” to refer to the effects of Indica strains? This helps many people remember how Indica can make you feel. Indica can cause drowsiness and invites you to enter a calm state of peace.
Unlike other strains, Indica produces a “whole-body effect,” meaning that it has a centralized influence over the body rather than “in the head;” the effects are felt physically more than mentally.
Why People Choose Indica CBD Strains
Indica CBD strains are popular with people who are looking to feel relaxed and comforted. Indica CBD strains will make you feel like you’re wrapped up in a warm blanket with your childhood stuffed animal, watching classic movies or reading a favorite book. Discomfort and negative thoughts will drift away, leaving you clear-headed and happy.
What is a Sativa CBD Strain?
Sativa dominant CBD strains come from the Cannabis Sativa plant. The Sativa plant prefers hotter, humid climates with lots of sunlight. These plants are common in Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia. Their bloom cycles are slower, and the plant takes much longer to flower because of these hotter temperatures.
Sativa plants grow taller and are thinner than Indica plants and can sometimes grow close to 20 feet tall, appearing gangly. They have sparse branches with leaves that are much more narrow and lighter than the Indica plant. Cannabis Sativa produces less compacted, loose flowers that smell “grassy.”
What Are the Benefits of Sativa Strains?
For creative or active types, Sativa strains are perfect: the effects of Sativa CBD stimulate rather than sedate and have energetic and mentally invigorating effects. It is the best strain for those not looking to feel drowsy during the day or for those that need a little bit of an energy boost.
What Are the Effects of Sativa Strains?
If you use Sativa-dominant strains, you may feel productive and creative versus relaxed and lethargic. You might also find the energy you need to perform tasks or become inspired.
Think of Sativa strains as the opposite of Indica strains. From the polarity of the environments in which they thrive, Sativa and Indica are night and day in every way. Where Indica strains put the body at ease, Sativa stimulates the mind.
Why People Choose Sativa CBD Strains
Sativa-dominant strains are best experienced during the day when you can benefit from their effects. The top benefits from Sativa are:
- Energy
- Creativity
- Productivity
- Inspiration
- More focus
- More clarity
- Mood boost
What Are Hybrid CBD Strains?
You’ll notice “Indica-dominant” and “Sativa-dominant” have been used throughout this article. The reason is that most CBD strains are a hybrid mix of the two strains, with either Sativa or Indica having more than the other. Some strains offer 50/50 Sativa and Indica. Some hybrids can even be a crossover of three or more different kinds of strains!
Hybrids are specially cultivated to enhance the qualities of strains to target certain effects. They are typically grown and bred in greenhouses and farms where farmers crossbreed cannabis plants to create these new strains.
What Are the Benefits of Hybrid Strains?
Hybrids let you pick and choose the best of multiple strains of CBD. There are many reasons why you may want to choose a hybrid: maybe you prefer to feel an overall relaxed body feel instead, or maybe you want to feel stronger effects.
Sometimes the benefit of a strain is that you get the relaxation of an Indica strain without the drowsy daytime effect, making it perfect for calming you down without knocking you out. For example, you may prefer Sativa-dominant strains if you’re fond of Sativa’s effects.
What Are the Effects of Hybrid Strains?
Hybrids bred from Sativa and Indica cause effects that land anywhere on a spectrum between the two. Hybrids have a wide range of effects and trying new strains to find one that you like best is an exploratory process.
Most Sativa-dominant strains will encourage creativity and activity, while Indica-dominant flowers produce more calming effects. Depending on your preference, you may like one dominant hybrid strain over the other.
Why People Choose Hybrid CBD Strains
Hybrid strains are desired for having important attributes of both kinds of cannabis plants. It is a tailor-made CBD product to help you reach your wellness goals. If you want more variety and choice in your CBD options, hybrids are the way to go.
What Are the Differences Between Sativa Vs Indica Vs Hybrid?
In short, Sativa is for productivity, Indica is for relaxation, and hybrids can help you find a comfortable medium between the two. Choosing the right CBD strain depends on your preference. No two strains will be the same, and any hybrid can have dramatically different effects.
Where Can I Find the Best CBD Strains?
Dispensaries will often carry a variety of the best CBD strains made from high-quality cannabis. As a carrier of high-quality cannabis, Hollyweed brings you the best CBD strains on the market.
Sativa-Dominant
Sour Space Candy is a highly popular strain of CBD with a tart sourness of lemon candy. The citrusy aroma will wake you up and relieve the tension of a hard day so you can take on new challenges with a refreshed attitude.
Durban Diesel has the sweet and sour flavor to bump up your mood and keep your engine running all day long. Ideal for any time of day, it is a mood lifter that clears the mind to relieve you of worry and racing thoughts.
Indica-Dominant
For a nighttime trip into the clouds of dreamland, Northern Lights wipes worry away from a stressed-out mind and floats you into a zone of sweet sedation. This strain is well-liked for its ability to help users fall into a deep and peaceful sleep.
For the serious worriers who need extra help getting rid of overwhelming thoughts and feelings, Zkittles is a fruity explosion into mind-centric calmness. Hollyweed’s Delta-8 version of the strain brings an added quality that ups the potency for maximum relaxing effects.
50-50 Hybrids
With a classic dank odor sprinkled with spicy sugar, Cherry Wine is a hybrid strain made for the middle-grounders. Combining the productiveness of Sativa with the relaxation of India, Cherry Wine sparks positive feelings that leave you feeling focused and fresh.
Lifter has a citrusy aroma that is combined with the freshness of a dark green pine tree forest. This strain brings the alertness and clarity of meditating outdoors, relieving fatigue and clearing the mind to help you focus.
How to Choose the Right Strain for You
When browsing for a CBD product, here are the things you should keep in mind:
- Desired effects: What you want to feel and the intended benefits should help narrow down a strain. Do you want to improve your sleep quality, or are you looking for more clarity while working? This is the main consideration for which strain to pick.
- Tolerance: Do you know how cannabis affects you? Lower potency strains are recommended for anyone starting with CBD, and the strength of the CBD (especially for hybrids) may be too strong for someone with a lower tolerance level.
- Dosage amount: Knowing the right amount to take goes hand in hand with tolerance. While one dose may work for someone else, your weight, age, and tolerance are different. It is best to start with a lower dosage of CBD and work your way up to find the amount that works for you.
- Medical history: Asking your doctor about possible interactions with prescribed medication or side effect possibilities that may occur when you have certain medical conditions must be considered before trying CBD.
- Consumption method: The method by which you take CBD alters its effects. Ingesting CBD takes longer than smoking will, but its effects will be stronger and last longer. Would you prefer to be inconspicuous about your CBD consumption? Do you have muscle aches you want to focus on? Your answer to these questions changes the best route for taking your CBD.
Final Thoughts – Sativa Vs Indica Vs Hybrid
There’s a world of CBD out there to explore and try that is as broad and wide as the ocean. Catering to the needs and desires of every user and their purpose for using CBD, Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid strains can help you remain focused, happy, or calm no matter what life throws at you.
Sativa helps with mood and productivity, Indica encourages ease and relaxation, and hybrids can help you find a happy medium between alertness and restfulness. You will never need to choose one or the other with so many tailored strains grown to meet the needs of everyone! Consider your needs before tying out a strain, and don’t be afraid to explore — there is a strain out there just for you!
