Weed Strains Explained: Types, Uses, And Side Effects

The growing cannabis legalization in the United States has allowed the cannabis industry to flourish and produce various strains. These are the breeds of cannabis used in their purest form or combined with others to create new and unique genetic variants of cannabis.

While there are hundreds of different weed strains, each is classified into three main subcategories: sativa, indica, and hybrid. Sativa strains are known for their energizing effects, while indica has relaxing qualities, and the hybrids produce a mixture of both sensations. Each can be better understood by looking at popular product strains and what they’re used for.

Here are some types of weed strains with their uses and side effects.

Blue Dream 

The California classic Blue Dream is a hybrid strain because it’s created using Blueberry indica with Haze sativa but remains sativa dominant. Thus, it’s known for producing feelings of relaxation and calmness, while the cerebral stimulating effects can cause increased focus, energy, motivation, and creativity. It gets its name from the sweet taste and aroma of blueberry.

What makes Blue Dream favored among cannabis users is that it’s one of the easily accessible exotic weed strains known for being potent and creating a slow-releasing high sensation. Medical patients and recreational consumers use it to help treat symptoms of depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue syndrome. It’s also reportedly beneficial in alleviating chronic pain.

However, some side effects experienced by Blue Dream users are dry mouth and eyes.

Northern Lights

As one of the most widely used almost pure indica marijuana strains, the Northern Lights has full-body sedative and numbing effects, perfect for inducing sleep, relaxation, and blissful coziness for a night in. Users describe it as having a sweet, earthy, and spicy flavor profile that can help reduce depression, stress, and insomnia.

It’s also known to stimulate appetite, as one of its effects is inducing hunger. Furthermore, many patients with progressive and terminal illnesses rely on Northern Lights for chronic pain relief.

It’s unclear how this strain got its name. However, the cannabis community believes Northern Lights originated in Seattle, Washington, and was bred in the Netherlands.

As for side effects, some users commonly report dry mouth and dry eyes. Rare adverse effects include headaches and dizziness.

Sour Diesel 

Sour Diesel first obtained its legendary status in the 1990s in New York as a highly potent sativa-dominant hybrid strain. It gets its reputation from delivering a powerful cerebral effect that works fast, boosts energy, and produces an acute euphoric high that could be overwhelming for new or casual users.

The name is derived from its flavor profile, described as a chemical-like smell reminiscent of gasoline. Medical users choose this strain to reduce stress, pain, and depression. It can also stimulate creativity and make users feel more talkative and productive.

However, due to the intense cerebral reactions that could cause paranoia, Sour Diesel is mainly preferred by veteran users who have become accustomed to the high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content and can choose the correct dosage.

Sour Diesel users may experience dry mouth and eyes, as in the case of Blue Dream and Northern Lights.

Purple Kush 

As one of the many types of Kush strains of cannabis, Purple Kush is an established favorite. This highly potent indica is derived from the Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani breeds. It’s named after the purple color of its leaves and its origins in the Hindu Kush mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

It’s a soothing, body-relaxing, sleep-assisting strain with an earthy, understated berry and grape-tasting flavor that makes users feel at ease and giggly. Its medical uses include headache pain, stress, and insomnia relief. Side effects reported by consumers are getting the munchies with increased hunger and drowsiness, which is why it’s often taken in the evenings.

Super Silver Haze 

Super Silver Haze, known as SSH in cannabis communities, is a multiple award-winning California-bred sativa strain created by crossing Northern Lights, Skunk, and Haze. Its energizing and body-uplifting properties make it a top choice among users engaging in daytime physical activities.

The aroma and taste are described as sticky and spicy with hints of citrus flavors. Many consumers use this strain to combat afternoon fatigue and get relief from pain and stress for a more productive workday. It’s also used to manage mood disorders for medical patients.

However, adverse effects may include dry eyes and mouth and, in some cases, paranoia.

Conclusion

Many weed strains can be classified into the sativa, indica, and hybrid categories. The sativa plants are energizing while hybrid strains are for relaxation, and hybrids combine the best of both effects. This is caused by the high levels of THC contained in each of the breeds.

Furthermore, many of these popular strains are used for medical purposes that range from managing stress, depression, and anxiety to alleviating insomnia and chronic pain. Recreational uses include increasing energy, creativity, and productivity during the day and allowing the body to calm down and unwind during restful hours at night.

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