Journeying Through the Northern Lights Cannabis Strain

Cannabis

Cannabis is a versatile plant that can propagate through various means—sometimes, male and female plants (which are distinct) cross to create a new child plant. In other cases, hermaphroditic plants shake up the process.

Thanks to creative minds engineering these pairings, enthusiasts can enjoy hundreds of potential varieties, each with their unique effects and flavors. The Northern Lights cannabis strain is just one of these possibilities and a bombshell at that.

Many people enjoy Northern Lights for its deep relaxation properties and smooth smoke. To get the most out of this strain, let’s explore where it came from and what it’s like to try it.

The Lineage and History of Northern Lights

Northern Lights is an Indica strain that descended from Afghani and Thai parents—both fairly high on the THC scale. As a result, Northern Lights can produce potent effects; however, it can be tough to find if your dispensary doesn’t have strong connections because its Thai parent requires a tropical climate.

Thankfully, Northern Lights itself is fairly simple as long as growers continue producing new seeds. Similar to many cannabis strains, Northern Lights has a fairly vague history.

Common assumptions place its origin in Washington state. Still, an equally vocal group alleges that the strain was imported to the US from Amsterdam by Sensi Seeds.

No matter where Northern Lights came from, what we know for sure is that it quickly became a highly valued strain in the late ‘80s and onward.

It won the best Indica award in ’88 and ’89, followed by a win in the 1990 High Times Cannabis Cup. NL has gone on to parent many famous strains, including Super Silver Haze and Shiva Skunk.

Flavor and Aroma Profile

Thanks to its exotically flavored parents, Northern Lights boasts a flavor and aroma that is sometimes citrusy, earthy, sweet, and even spicy. Some have even described the smell as herbal or similar to the sap of a pine tree.

These refreshing, crisp elements make it a favorable option for some edibles, and it avoids the skunk and diesel smoke clouds that many other strains contribute.

The Northern Lights Experience

Northern Lights is a reasonably consistent strain—the experience should be mostly the same regardless of which breeder produced the bud. Those who smoke NL report a smooth exhale and powerful effects that come on quickly.

The most common experience sees enthusiasts deep in a relaxed, almost zoned-out state that can make them sleepy or languid, with slower physical and mental reaction times as a result.

Northern Lights is highly popular as a medical marijuana strain thanks to its profoundly relaxing effect on the body, which can release tension from the muscles and alleviate pain.

Many people use it for chronic soreness as well as anxiety and stress, and those suffering from insomnia can latch onto Northern Lights as a helpful tool to lull them into deep sleep.

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

Northern Lights hits hard thanks to its Indica background and high THC content. Be prepared to stay in one place after consuming; tasks such as driving or even walking in public could pose a safety hazard.

Many users report feeling extremely hungry with the munchies once Northern Lights kicks in, so plan ahead for food delivery or stock up on snacks before you partake.

Those who have minimal experience with high THC strains or Indica-dominant experiences should start with a low dose to gauge their tolerance to Northern Lights.

Consuming too much, smoking too quickly, or jumping into a high THC strain without enough tolerance can lead to unwanted side effects that, while not typically dangerous, may be unpleasant.

Northern Lights can produce dizziness and anxious thoughts when consumed in a dose that is too high, and you may feel unusually thirsty. Some people say they feel dry, such as in their eyes, mouths, and skin, if they try too much NL at once.

You can always add more later but can’t undo a large dose once you’ve consumed it.

Try Northern Lights and More at Your Local Dispensary

If you’re trying to spice up your cannabis experience, or if you are looking for a strain that can melt you right into the couch, Northern Lights is a great option.

The experts at Pure Oasis can show you your NL options alongside dozens of other strains that may suit your goals. Stop by Pure Oasis’ dispensaries to check out our products and ask questions; we’re always here to help!