Marijuana Strains for Psychedelic Effects

Cannabis is a complex plant to categorize. It has varied psychoactive compounds and effects, and although some strains are said to be psychedelic, this is mainly a marketing ploy aimed at ill-informed customers. The plant itself presents a multitude of cannabinoids that each react in different ways with our co-evolved endocannabinoid system (which we all possess and varies from individual to individual).

The psychoactive effects of cannabis are why a lot of studies and reviews refer to it as a psychoactive drug, a broad term describing any substance that alters our central nervous system. Typically, experts classify psychoactives into three main categories: stimulants (uppers), depressants (downers), and hallucinogens (psychedelics). Cannabis is hard to categorize because its chemical complexity means it can be an upper or a downer and can potentially produce mildly psychedelic effects.

Amnesia Haze

Amnesia Haze isn't just a potent strain that offers a mind-opening experience. It's also one of the psychedelic cannabis strains that forever changed the cannabis scene.

Amnesia Haze Feminized Seeds

This feminized plant is a sativa-dominant strain with a high THC level of 21%. Amnesia Haze plants can be grown indoors or outdoors but typically thrive best in sunny climates.

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Growers already loved the cannabis strain because it grew plants with a natural resistance to pests and diseases. On top of that, it offered high THC levels and a flavor profile that many have come to love. The combination made it popular in the 90s, and it's still loved today.

Despite its popularity, Amnesia Haze's history and origins are much like its name. Its origins are a forgotten mystery, and the multiple theories surrounding its creation don't help paint a clearer image. The only thing that's clear about Amnesia Haze is the psychedelic experience you'll have once you try it yourself.

Like trying to figure out its origins, you'll lose yourself in the sauce once you smoke Amnesia Haze, both with photoperiod and autoflower. With THC levels that go up to 22%, this sativa-hybrid delivers an intense cerebral high and leaves you with a sense of euphoria.

The flavor of Amnesia Haze captures the citrusy and tropical flavors that we typically associate with sativa strains. If you're a fan of sweet, lemony flavors, then you'll enjoy Amnesia Haze.

Amnesia Haze cultivar profile

Durban Poison

Speaking of cannabis strains that made history, there's Durban Poison. Unlike Amnesia Haze, this sativa landrace had a pretty clear origin story. It came into the hands of Edward Rosenthal when he visited a coffee shop in Holland that was not only managed by South Africans but also got its weed from South Africa. Even with this clear-cut story, some have misinterpreted it, thinking Edward himself took a trip to South Africa and discovered Durban Poison.

Durban Poison Feminized Seeds

Durban Poison is a pure sativa named after its city of origin: Durban, South Africa. Despite its name, it is a delightful strain that gives the user energy, joy, and creativity.

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Another thing to note is that Edward didn’t receive stabilized seeds from the coffee shop. Instead, he got heirlooms with various unwanted characteristics, such as producing hermaphroditic plants.

He gave some of the seeds of the heirloom strain to his roommate and fellow botanist James J. Goodwin (Mel Frank). James would then provide the seeds to David Watson (Sam "The Skunkman"), who stabilized the genetics of the heirloom before passing them to Nevil by the mid-90s. From there, Durban Poison became a popular heirloom. Many loved it for its robust, psychedelic-like head high, which will have you feeling energized and creative. At the same time, its euphoric effect keeps you topped up with bliss. Luckily for all growers, this strain is currently available in not just photoperiod but also in an autoflower variant.

Durban Poison cultivar profile

Cheese

Cheese is an indica-dominant strain originating from a pack of Skunk #1 seeds that David Watson brought to Holland since Skunk #1 had a large Dutch following. Growers loved it because of its high yields that were incomparable to the ones that they previously grew. Meanwhile, enthusiasts couldn't get enough of its intense, skunky, earthy flavors with sweet citrus notes.

Cheese Feminized Seeds

The Cheese strain is a feminized hybrid from the U.K. This indica-dominant Cannabis delivers consistent potency and a distinct, musky flavor. As a direct descendant of the hybrid Skunk #1, its aroma is quite pungent. 

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The only thing that held the strain back was its distinct smell, which attracted complaints about growers’ operations. It did not help that, at the time, it wasn't common practice to install carbon filters in indoor grow rooms to help reduce odor.

The selection of Skunk #1 seeds from which Cheese originated was unique because it solved the smell problem. David had crossed the variety, sweetened it, and significantly reduced its skunky odor for growers. It became a hit, with the selection quickly spreading and finding itself in the UK, where it would be renamed Cheese because of its sharp, sour aroma and taste.

Cannabis enthusiasts also enjoyed Cheese for its effects. Despite having average THC levels by today’s standards (14-18%), Cheese delivers a head-and-body high that not only leaves you feeling euphoric and creative but relaxed and uplifted. No wonder this strain became the favorite of the Exodus Collective, a group of party lovers in the 90s who knew how to throw a good rave. Currently however, growers have the option to grow this strain in both autoflower and photoperiod variant, suiting the needs of both new and seasoned growers alike!

Cheese cultivar profile

Do-si-dos

Do-si-dos is a captivating strain that delivers on flavor and effect. Being a direct offspring of Girl Scout Cookies, this indica-dominant strain carries much of its parent strain's potency and delicious cookie flavor, which explains its sweet-inspired name.

Do-si-dos Feminized Seeds

Do-si-dos is a newer strain, hitting the market around 2016. In a short time, though, the strain has built a large fanbase thanks to its high THC content, which can reach levels of 30%.

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With high THC levels of up to 20%, the high that this indica-hybrid offers is nothing short of intense. With just a few tokes, you'll find yourself feeling a relaxing buzz come over you while a psychedelic-like high fills you with bliss. All while you're stuck in place with an earthy cookie taste in your mouth.

Do-Si-Dos is an easy grow for both new and experienced growers and even the autoflower variant still packs a punch.

Do-si-dos cultivar profile

LSD

Although an obvious choice, LSD is the strain that many enthusiasts reach for to give them a psychedelic-like experience. Its THC levels go up to 24%, which offers LSD a potent euphoric buzz and a strong head high that earned it its name. It is available in both photoperiod as in autoflower versions.

LSD Feminized Seeds

The LSD marijuana strain delivers a light-minded, heavy-body high. Its smoke will move you to sit yourself down and intensely enjoy the feelings of euphoria that it brings.

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Yet what many seem to forget about LSD is its flavor profile. While it may not enhance the high it gives, the aroma and taste of a strain is an aspect that many cannabis connoisseurs also consider to be important. With LSD, it has a skunky and earthy taste that resembles its parent strain, Skunk #1. Beyond those two intense flavors, its smoke hints of sweetness and nuttiness.

So, if you’re an adventurous connoisseur who looks for both flavor and effect, LSD might just be the hybrid you’re looking for.

LSD cultivar profile

Moby Dick

To cap this list off, we have Moby Dick. This sativa-dominant strain delivers a potent buzz thanks to its THC levels, which range from 17% to 21%. It has both an photoperiod as an autoflower variant. It offers a robust and psychedelic-like head high that will have you feeling invigorated and relaxed. Moby Dick will also fill you with a sense of bliss, which, combined with its energizing high, will put you in the right headspace and stimulate feelings of creativity.

Moby Dick Feminized Seeds

Are you ready to catch your white whale? Moby Dick is a potent sativa dominant hybrid strain offering THC levels that range from 15 to 20%, with some growers reaching as high as 21%.

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On top of its effects, there's the flavor profile of Moby Dick, which combines the taste and aroma of eucalyptus leaves with creamy vanilla. So, suppose you've ever smoked enough that you wondered about the taste of a koala's only source of nutrients. Smoking this sativa-hybrid will give you the answer.

By far, the best quality about Moby Dick (as well as all the strains featured on this list) is that while they all have high THC levels that give you a psychedelic-like experience, the high won't be so intense that you'll end up paranoid and anxious when you come down from it, especially if you know how much to take.

Moby Dick cultivar profile

If you're interested in diving deeper into the world of psychedelic marijuana and exploring more about its intriguing effects, we invite you to subscribe below. By signing up, you'll gain access to a wealth of information and continuous updates on the latest developments in psychedelic cannabis strains.

Sources used in this article

• Wolinsky, D. et al. (2023) The psychedelic effects of cannabis: A review of the literature [PubMed]
• Fordjour, E. et al. (2023) Cannabis: a multifaceted plant with endless potentials [PubMed]