Cannabis: CBD Sativa and Indica, how to tell the difference?
In 1753, Carl Von Linné, a Swedish naturalist, made a discovery that laid the foundations for the history of cannabis: psychoactive hemp plants. It was not until later, in 1785, that Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, a French biologist, in turn discovered the plant but noted different characteristics that seemed specific to Cannabis Sativa.
The plant originally began to be cultivated in India, west of the Himalayas. Sativa plants are recognizable by their large size and robustness. They could be mistaken for shrubs, but their elongated, hand-shaped leaves prevent any confusion.
From an olfactory and gustatory perspective, Sativa stands out for its spicy side due to its varied terpene profiles. Citrus flavors with earthy, even pungent notes give it its uniqueness.
Cannabis Indica, on the other hand, is more geographically widespread. Thus, it is found in Pakistan, Afghanistan, northern India, but also in the highlands of Nepal, Morocco, and Turkey.
The Indica cannabis plant differs from the Sativa variety by its less elongated shape (90 cm in height compared to 180 cm) and its wider and shorter leaves. The flavors are also specific to the variety and completely different from what the Sativa variety offers. Indicas are known for their fruity, generous, and woody character.
The difference between CBD Indica and Sativa lies in their impact
Another notable difference between the two varieties is the flowering time. It takes between 8 and 10 weeks for Indicas and twice as long for Sativas. It should also be noted that the CBD content of Indica cannabis is higher than that of Sativa cannabis.
CBD Sativa and Indica flowers therefore present multiple differences in terms of their aromas and appearance, in particular. But the real difference lies in their impact on the human body as well as in the composition of the plants themselves.
In terms of THC content (the psychoactive molecule present in cannabis), Sativa cannabis is richer than Indica, while the latter has higher concentrations of CBD. CBD, for its part, is also known for its soothing and anti-anxiety effects, while THC tends to be euphoric.
If one were to opt for a specific variety in a precise case, here are examples we could consider: due to its more stimulating action, Sativa cannabis could be taken during the day to act on cases of anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anorexia, or even depression. Indica would be more suitable for its sedative action in the evening, in order to relieve spasms and muscle pain, act against insomnia, and relieve nausea and chronic pain.
