Herbal alternatives

A lab notebook for my experiments in applied biochemistry. Which is to say, my experiences with different cannabis products. Take particular note of each product's mood effects, ideal activity/media pairings, and interactions with tic drive. Where possible, try to describe the relationship between dose and effect. A good goal would be constructing a prompt-based guide matrix (e.g., “I want to…sleep/watch TV/do chores”).

Remember, it isn't science unless it's written down.

One thing I have noticed across different product types and source strains is that certain effects, particularly on my tic drive, seem to be dependent upon body orientation. Moving from an upright to a supine position, for example, can amplify the tics and shift my mood (typically laterally or downward). It's an interesting tendency, but I don't yet feel it's predictive. It could just as easily be a matter of habit — that is, I feel X in Y position, so I'm primed to feel that way each new time.

The major advantage of (vaping) flower over consuming edibles is the near-immediate onset of effects. It's much easier to find a sweet spot and stay there when you know exactly how high the last hit took you. Plus, it's fun to try out a bunch of strains and compare their effects.

That said, it's harder to accurately gauge dosages than with other methods. Flower strain and amount, vaporization temperature, draw times, bioavailability, and more all affect the absorbed cannabinoid dose. I also suspect that packing the flower too densely obstructs airflow and thus reduces inhaled vapor. These factors complicate direct strain-to-strain comparisons.

As a start, I should determine how much material will fit into my vaporizer when properly packed. Then I can at least calculate the total cannabinoid content and make educated guesstimates about actual dosage.

• a cross of MAC and Blue Dream; apparently exclusive to Oregon Roots, who have surprisingly little to say about it; MAC is reported to be uplifting and relaxing, roughly centered on the calming-energizing scale; not sure what to expect from that lineage
• the smell is seriously strong
• super chill, comfy cognitive delay
• sense of time very much warped
• pair with loud, heavy mid-tempo music (e.g., Cloakroom, King Woman)
• effect on tics variable; couldn't stop picking nails the first time, clenched jaw the second time
• mood isn't lifted so much as flattened; still sometimes susceptible to smiles
• much like Blue Dream, comfy but not sleepy

• the smell of those buds I picked up the first time has stuck with me, so try it myself I shall
• top listed effects: relaxed, giggly, tingly
• relaxed and giggly indeed
• yummy, tastes like a warm pastry
• let's remove this pesky clothing

Leafly page

• flavor similar to Point Break (grassy, herbal); pre-ground aroma was not pleasant
• effects come on quickly: mellow high, largely centered on head & shoulders
• cold air felt wonderful on my face and arms, reminding me of my better nights in Covington
• had a laugh over my lungs not being quite recovered enough the first time I tried it
• effects are somewhere between Point Break and the Life Hack cart
• some euphoria
• wanted to just rest but was unusually compelled to keep taking notes; wondered whether this could be described as increased creativity; indeed, I felt the urge to “forge things”, if only in my imagination; not sure if it would be good for executing those ideas or just generating them
• guessed that the potency was ~26%; this was pretty accurate, as it turned out to be 25.5% (not bad!)
• would be well-suited for chill TV

Leafly page

Blue Dream feels to me like a daytime strain—which in my case works to its detriment. I don't generally like being high during the day, even on weekends. Maybe that would change were I getting high with friends. At any rate, Blue Dream is a good strain for relaxing and watching TV (or just some bushes in a light breeze). That relaxation comes with neither couch lock nor drowsiness, hence the characterization of a daytime strain. Absolutely a good time, but not really a go-to for me now. We'll see how I feel about it if I get to share some with a cuddle buddy during an Adventure Time binge.

Oh, I'm not really sure where else to put this, but one time while on Blue Dream, I really wanted some Chinese food. I have no idea whether those two facts are related.

I vaped some Blue Dream during a minor panic attack. I'm not certain whether it directly helped or if focusing on preparing and vaping it simply distracted me, but either is a win. Such episodes might be an ideal use case.

• Leafly has little information, but reviews say it's highly relaxing
• buds have a pretty, almost indigo hue to them; not sure how to describe the smell, but it's great
• picked this up on a whim based solely on the name
• first off, do not vape this indoors; I Snooped up a chunk of the house, and my room wasn't fully clear of the smell for a day and a half afterward (despite the window being open for much of that time)
• true to the handful of reviews, it was indeed a relaxing experience; not quite the same punch that Point Break has, but I would/will definitely keep it in regular rotation if available
• paired well with C Duncan's Midnight Sun, especially when track 4 hit
• before fully gone, I was informed that it was causing someone a headache; this news very nearly soured the experience, and I had to fight a bit to right the ship

Leafly page

• finally found some while out and about
• smells wonderful; tastes pretty good, too (sharply fruity/citrusy)
• focused indeed; played in VCV Rack for a couple hours, and a chill composition fell out
• not creativity-sparking in the same way that Black Cherry Soda is, but the focus counts for something; maybe that's a good thing, since BCS had my mind wandering in all directions
• high is all in the head but without sensation of pressure or dizziness

Leafly page

• top listed effects: creative, euphoric, uplifted; described as the “love child of cannabis's power couple, OG Kush and Sour Diesel”
• expect a headband sensation

Leafly page

• cross of Animal Mints and Bubba Kush
• gorgeous buds (very round), wonderful smell (not sure how to describe it other than “really good weed”)
• top listed effects: relaxed, euphoric, aroused
• flavor is in fact somewhat minty
• vapor is smooth & creamy
• I can totally see why the shop called this “top-shelf”
• hits hard with a head-shearing sensation
• best before bed, because you are not doing anything useful once started on this

Leafly page

• one parent of Sparkling Lime, so hopefully it's just as good (and it's easier to find)
• smells as fragrant as its child
• uplifting, very cerebral high
• pair with synthwave

• can't find info about this one online

Leafly page

This was the second flower strain I tried, and it was not as at all pleasant an experience as Point Break. Though soporific and relaxing, it could also convince me to dance a little—or whatever you call wiggling and squirming while lying in bed.

London Pound Cake had one huge drawback for me: it tended to make my mood unpleasantly malleable in a way that was difficult to tune. That's an effect I have no desire to court. I ended up handing over the remainder of mine to someone else.

Recommended as a similar option to Point Break.

• relaxing without a body high (which is my favorite part of Point Break)
• wanted to play chill but noisy music; one of those relaxing psychedelic space rock mixes would be ideal

Leafly page

• not sure what to expect from this one
• was actually drawn to it by both the name and the buds themselves

Leafly page

• actually wanted to do chores
• no euphoria
• some tuning required (dancey music works best for chores—Retro Grooves, Vol 2 works well)
• simultaneously distractable (will get dragged into a random thought or idea) and focused (can doggedly follow that idea for a while); e.g., was distracted from folding laundry into the challenge of obtaining a medical card for another state for a visit but followed through for some time
• kinda wanted to dig into an old JRPG maybe?

Useful for a boost during chores.

Leafly page

• a hybrid of Northern Lights and Trainwreck
• aroma is sweet, much like Space Candy's
• flavor is earthy, grassy
• giggly
• felt super cute/a little frisky
• pairs well with Tycho
• as usual, music feels like stacked layers rather than a congealed whole

Leafly page

This was the first flower I ever tried, and it is a huge favorite. It has a heavy body high that is wonderfully relaxing. With Point Break, any resting position is the comfiest possible position. Best of all, it seriously reduces my tic drive! Perfect for bedtime, especially on Friday evenings.

I look forward to comparing the flower's effects to those of a cartridge derived from Point Break.

Leafly page

This was recommended as a spacey strain, and it lived up to that expectation to a degree. My mind jumped from one idea to another without sticking on any single one. I had read that it hits first “between the eyes”, which I interpreted as a cerebral high. That description actually turned out to be pretty literal; the first sensations manifested as a pleasant tingling in my forehead.

I strongly dislike the flavor. Each and every hit yields a “blegh!” reaction from me. Unfortunately not my bag.

Leafly page

• top listed effects: creative, talkative, energetic
• several people report a drive to power through tedious tasks and a creativity boost
• tried this before rebuilding some phones for work; further testing of this application is required, especially with regard to
• aroma is fruity, flavor is spicy
• somewhat more talkative
• would be great for a camping trip; could have stood outside in the early afternoon sun all day

Leafly page

• top listed effects: energetic, talkative, creative; reviewers say it's uniquely cerebral, bordering on psychedelic, with no couch lock

Leafly page

• spaaaaaaaaaaaacey
• lives up nicely to its name
• great for stargazing
• relaxing without heavy limbs
• would be nice for cuddling
• a little giggly
• reduced drive to perform tics
• takes a little time to take effect
• smells very sweet

My local budtender suggested this strain when I requested something to spark some creativity. I can't say that it did, but I can say I discovered a new favorite. Sparkling Lime feels exactly like what its name suggests — a fizzy lime drink straight to the brain. It's absolutely amazing for stargazing from a hammock.

Unfortunately, information about Sparkling Lime is sparse online. Neither Leafly nor Weedmaps has an entry for it. The first batch I purchased was grown by Otis Garden, who describe it as a cross between Lime Skunk and White Nightmare bred by Sin City Seeds. That's all I've been able to find out.

Leafly page

• top listed effects: energetic, uplifted, talkative
• well, I'll be damned — it does smell like strawberries!

Leafly page

• cross of Skunk, Northern Lights, and Haze
• smells…meaty?
• guessed primary terpene was myrcene or caryophyllene; indeed, those are the two most prominent
• pretty clear-headed but exceedingly chill; uplifted?

Leafly page

There are plenty of strain names that don't make much sense to me (I'm looking at you, Cheetah Piss), but this is not one of them. This one, like its namesake, is ideal for sipping from a porch swing on a breezy summer day. When I first tried it, my earbuds died right as it was starting to ramp up. My disappointment as I removed them was immediately replaced by deep awe at extremely mundane details of my surroundings (e.g., how tiny hummingbirds' feet are). It was a wonderful experience.

Now, the reason I had chosen to try it that particular day was that Leafly described it as energizing, and I had some chores to do that day. That plan did not pan out as intended. I was not at all interested in emptying the dishwasher, but I did manage to bribe myself through it with the physical sensations of each dish. As soon as that was done, I went to find and pet the cat before sitting down to watch cartoons and play Minesweeper for several hours — honestly a typical afternoon for me, but it felt extra good. This would be an excellent strain to take camping or hiking.

The budtender who sold my first gram said it was an underrated strain, and they weren't at all wrong. Sweet Tea should be in regular rotation whenever available.

Leafly page

Leafly claims it's similar to Point Break. We'll see about that.

• super smooth flavor; probably this is first that I actively liked
• no Point Break body high

Some kind of four-way hybrid (each letter is from one of its parents). I can't find any information about it online, even from the breeder's page.

• felt heckin' adorable, extra cuddly
• “ghosts might be real, and they might be super friendly”
• aware of how silly I'd feel after coming down but relishing that feeling
• possibly more creative
• certainly not as powerful as Point Break or Sparkling Lime but still a good time

• Alien Sour Apple
• Bettie Page (energetic and creative)
• Birthday Cake (sat next to it being smoked for a month, figure it might be worth a try)
• Black Widow
• Blue Goo
• Blueberry French Toast
• Blueberry Headband
• Blueberry Muffin
• Boy Scout Cookies
• Bruce Banner (available in MS even!)
• Bubblegum Kush
• Cement Shoes
• Cereal Milk
• Cheetah Piss
• Chemdawg
• Chocolope
• Cinex
• Dirty Girl
• Dutch Treat (should increase focus)
• Full Moon
• GG4
• Girl Scout Cookies (supposedly good for some self-love)
• Granddaddy Purple
• Head Doctor
• Hippie Chicken
• Jack Herer (one parent of Narnia)
• Jealousy
• Kosher Kush
• Northern Lights
• Obama Kush (relaxed and euphoric with a solid body high and beautiful flowers)
• OG Kush (see what the hype is about, why not)
• Pink Lemonade
• Plushberry (sibling of Space Candy)
• Runtz
• Strawberry
• Strawberry Cough (nearly always available at Reefer Madness)
• Super Boof
• Trufula Tree
• Vanilla Frosting
• Violet Delight
• White Widow
• Zkittlez
• Zurple Punch (child of Purple Punch and Zkittlez)

Ah yes, because I didn't have enough variability to test. Now I can consider manufacturer, distillate type, draw time, draw voltage, and strain all at once. Science!

Remember to take care to select carts that are free of additives, especially vitamin E acetate.

I have quite enjoyed these carts. They are bodily relaxing and put my mind into free-association mode for the duration of the high, though if that thought stream isn't reigned in a bit, it can be a short ride straight to horny city. The taste is enjoyable, the vapor is smooth, and my tic drive is suppressed. The effects pair well with highly textured music like Mogwai, Slowdive, and “Tadow”.

There is, however, one major drawback: the carts have a tendency to clog. The first one didn't clog until it was nearly empty, but the second stopped working with around half a gram left. Unless I can figure out how to unclog them (or prevent them from clogging in the first place), that's a deal breaker for me.

Some time later, I mistook this one for the Cement Shoes and only realized because it wasn't getting me as high as quickly as I had expected. So these might not be as effective for me anymore.

Tasty! It's a little slow to take effect, but once it does, it's a chill ride. Like with Blue Dream, I could binge watch static (or a firepit). It has a dampening effect on my tic drive—though not quite fully attenuated, I found the desire to perform tics easier to ignore. This cartridge is only half a gram (compared to a more typical full gram), and it's good to see that that amount can stretch a decent way for me.

If I ever doubted that oil could have different flavors, this cart ended that. After a few hits, the vapor starts to taste a bit sulfuric. It's not an awful flavor, just weird. Otherwise, I have no complaints; the high is pleasantly stony with some giggles for good measure. All things considered, it's a perfectly serviceable, middle-of-the-road cartridge: I would definitely purchase another, but it's not my first choice.

An aptly named strain if ever there was one. As usual when trying a new strain, I ended up taking too much in the first session (don't worry, it was a good time. I was just really high). To be fair to me, the early stages of this one are subtle. I feel clear-headed and mostly functional…until I don't, at which point I'm completely glued to the bed. Bodily tingles and occasional rushes of euphoria are common, and after enough hits, it can make me feel like my body is dissolving into its surroundings.

It's a wonderful way to cap off a Friday night. I must emphasize the Friday night part of that, despite the fact that I blew through my first cartridge in record time. The next morning tends to feel more sluggish than usual, so it's best reserved for weekend usage. Add this to the list of items to try during a cuddle session (however many decades away the next one of those is for me). Leafly's #1 effect for this strain is arousal, but I never felt that way. Maybe that would change with another body nearby.

Finally, I have to mention its most striking features: its aroma and flavor. The oil smells like flowers (violets?), and the vapor tastes like blueberry pancakes. It's wild how real those comparisons feel. Even the most sensitive nose in the house agrees. I would love to try this strain in flower for comparison on all fronts.

• no obvious aroma from cold cart; woody/spicy with light citrus notes once vaped
• mentally chill, bodily tingly
• uhh, “spirituality sensed” lemon poppyseed cake
• too far gone to take another sip without significant delay
• some euphoria
• extra sensitive to touch—MUST TRY CUDDLING ON THIS
• as the high progresses, I feel like I'm carrying a cinder block of increasing weight on my head, squishing me flatter with each passing second (in a good way)

• top listed effects: energetic, creative, uplifted; reviews seem to confirm this; might try when I want to play music
• I used before bed, and holy cow does it hit hard—even more so than Cement Shoes
• calm, comfortable, heavy limbs
• flavor is minty at first
• when started while playing a game, wanted to switch to some other activity but not sleepy; just chill
• need calm music and trippy visuals; Tame Impala's "Breathe Deeper" sure was a time on this

• the first time I've been able to directly compare the effects of flower and oil
• cart smells fruity in a way the flower never has
• less heavy on the body than flower
• tastes almost like wet cardboard (not in a bad way)
• the container seems to be improperly marked: it claims 20 servings of 2 seconds each, but that is off by at least a factor of 10 (I've definitely taken more than 20 hits, and it's still mostly full)
• doesn't hit quite as hard as the flower I've tried, though maybe I haven't taken enough

• spacey, with occasional moments of “clarity”
• effects stayed mostly in the head rather than the body
• calm but not sleepy

• should be highly relaxing
• flavor is earthy, herbal, grassy
• extremely comfy and relaxing

• ohhh, this is therapy
• thoughts drift slowly from one to the next
• not sure how to describe taste, but it's good; sweet and earthy?
• content
• flirty, a bit horny
• some munchies; melons (cantaloupe, honeydew) are especially delicious
• complex sounds with inconsequential text ideal
• good, easy high; not too harsh
• good for watching TV
• relaxing but not necessarily sleep-inducing

• top listed effects: happy, focused, tingly
• not a huge fan of the XL cart it came in

• top listed effects: energetic, focused, creative
• perhaps focused and creative
• heightened emotionality — be careful what you pair it with

• emotionally flattening?

• yummy; herbal & grassy

• flavor is sweet-ish, like sour apples maybe?
• pair with synthwave
• slept straight through the night
• sits around the head & shoulders

I'm not yet ready to try these out. My Pax can handle “waxy or solid concentrates”, which I have yet to map to more specific product types. Shatter? Budder? Badder? I could also get a dab pen and make some rosin with all this kief.

Between their long activation times and the higher potency of their metabolites, properly dosing edibles has proven to be a challenge. It is way too easy to overdose, but it can be just as easy to underdose.

• relaxed, giggly
• mood malleable

Woo boy, I do not have a high enough tolerance for these. I've had one really nice ride and one really bad ride. That name is no joke.

My experiences with tinctures have been just as variable as with edibles. Sublingual administration should be faster and less potent than oral consumption, but I think I received most of the cannabinoids orally.

Everybody has these stories! You take a little bit of something, and then you're like, “ehh, I can take more of this.” And then it's bad. It's fucking bad.
https://youtu.be/X9nuwdP3j5g?t=800

If the above quote is true, then this is my mistake story. I was so high that I was seeing visions and “communing with the essence of humanity past, present, and future”. After a couple of twitchy hours, including a cathartic period of simultaneous weeping and laughing, an intense fear set in and wouldn't dissipate. I took the phone-a-friend option, which helped me calm down enough to fall back asleep.

Even in that terrified state, my stupid high brain thought it would be hilarious to use my ex for the calm-down call (at 4 AM her time). Luckily for her, I chose to call my mother instead (also at 4 AM her time).

I am quite pleased so far with Formline's aluminum jars. They feel quality-made and are aesthetically attractive. I would like to have one for each of my favorite strains and plan to affix to each a QR code including strain name, cannabinoid content, and dominant terpenes. For ease of reading, I may also include the strain name in English on the label.

All of my products, CBD oil included, are stored in a Vaultz lockable crate. It does a reasonable job of containing its contents' scents, and it has extra space for storing my associated tools. I'm not terribly impressed with its lock, but it is sufficient to keep underage hands out of my stash when I'm not around to watch it.

I keep my vaporizer and its accessories (sans cleaning supplies) in a cloth drawstring bag. I would not at all mind having a smell-proof bag for them instead. Again, Formline has some nice options.