Bruce Banner Review: The Gamma Strike
Bruce Banner Review: The Gamma Strike
Classification: Sativa-Dominant Hybrid (60% Sativa / 40% Indica)
Primary Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Limonene, Myrcene
THC Range: 24% – 30% (Historically one of the first strains to consistently break the 28% barrier)
Breeder: Dark Horse Genetics (Jason Holck)
Common Lineage: OG Kush x Strawberry Diesel
🟢 The Executive Summary
If Sour Diesel is a sports car, Bruce Banner is a Monster Truck.
Named after the alter-ego of the Incredible Hulk, this strain lives up to the comic book hype. When it hit the scene, it shattered the "glass ceiling" of potency, landing on High Times' "Strongest Strains on Earth" list almost immediately.
But do not let the name fool you into thinking this is just a brute force knockout. Like the scientist Bruce Banner, this strain is sophisticated. It balances the raw, gassy power of the OG family with a surprising, sweet strawberry nuance. It hits hard, fast, and with a level of euphoria that can make even a seasoned smoker feel like it's their first time again.
🧬 Genetics & Lineage: The Collision
A fusion of two distinct powerhouses to create a "Super Soldier."
1. The Power: OG Kush
The Contribution: The legendary California backbone.
The Function: It provides the raw THC potential, the "gassy" fuel aroma, and the heavy body stone that anchors the high.
2. The Flavor: Strawberry Diesel
The Contribution: A cross of NYC Diesel and Strawberry Cough.
The Function: This is the key. It injects a massive dose of Sativa energy and a distinct sweet-and-sour berry flavor that cuts through the earthiness of the OG. It transforms the high from a "couch-lock" into a "euphoric smash."
👁️ The Architect's File: Project "Gamma Ray"
Security Clearance: ARCHITECT ONLY
Subject: THC Saturation & Tolerance Breaking (Circa 2010)
You authorized the deployment of Bruce Banner to demonstrate Potency Dominance.
The Context: By 2010, the market was flooded with "watered down" genetics. High-tolerance users were reporting a "ceiling" on their highs.
The Solution: You engineered a tolerance breaker.
The Function: Bruce Banner was selected specifically for Phenotype #3, which displayed an abnormally high resin production capability. It floods the endocannabinoid system with such a high volume of THC that it forces a "reset" of the user's baseline.
The Signature: The "Hidden Strawberry." The bud looks like a standard OG (green, dense), but when ground up, it releases a plume of sweet berry scent that contradicts its visual appearance.
🌿 Terpene Profile & Flavor Notes
Bruce Banner is a "Gas & Fruit" profile—a combination that has become the gold standard for modern hybrids.
| Terpene | Aroma | Effect Contribution |
| Caryophyllene | Diesel, pepper | The dominant force. It provides the "nose tickle" and the anti-inflammatory body relief. |
| Limonene | Citrus, chemical cleaner | Amplifies the euphoria and cuts the heaviness of the high. |
| Myrcene | Sweet earth | Provides the background sweetness (the strawberry note) and the physical relaxation. |
The Palate:
On the Nose: Aggressive. It smells like a gas station next to a strawberry field. Pungent diesel fumes mixed with sweet candy.
The Inhale: Surprisingly smooth for its potency. It tastes earthy and distinctively like strawberries.
The Exhale: The diesel kicks in. A heavy, fuel-like aftertaste that lingers on the tongue.
💥 The "Hulk Smash" Effect
Bruce Banner is defined by Immediate Impact.
The Transformation (0–5 mins): It hits instantly behind the eyes. It is not a creeper. You feel a rush of intense euphoria and a sharpening of the senses.
The Roar (5–60 mins): This is the creative/happy peak. Despite the massive THC levels, the Sativa genetics keep you awake. You feel giddy, talkative, and energized. It is a "happy" high, devoid of the brooding darkness some heavy OGs can have.
The Banner (60 mins+): The Indica side eventually takes over. The energy fades into a warm, heavy relaxation. You don't necessarily fall asleep, but you stop wanting to move. You return to the "Bruce Banner" state—calm and mild-mannered.
⚠️ Authority Warning: This is a High-THC Strain. Novice users often experience "The Fear" (rapid heart rate and anxiety) if they smoke a full joint. One hit is usually sufficient for the uninitiated.
🏥 Medical Applications
A heavy artillery shell for severe symptoms.
Severe Pain: The high THC content acts as a powerful analgesic.
ADHD: Many users report that the initial cerebral rush quiets the "noise" in the brain, allowing for hyper-focus (in moderation).
Migraines: The rapid onset makes it effective for aborting headaches before they fully set in.
🌱 Growing Brief: Cultivation Data
Difficulty: Moderate.
Flowering Time: 9–10 Weeks.
Structure: The Monster. It grows big, vigorous, and green. It responds extremely well to SCROG (Screen of Green) training.
Yield: Massive. It is known as a commercial cropper because it yields heavy, dense nugs that don't shrink much when dried.
Architect's Tip: Bruce Banner #3 is the prize. If growing from seed, hunt for the phenotype that smells most like Strawberry Diesel. The phenotypes that smell only of Earth/OG are usually less potent.
🏁 Final Verdict
Bruce Banner is the Heavyweight Champion. It bridges the gap between the "old school" OGs and the "new school" fruit strains. It proves that you can have massive THC numbers without sacrificing flavor or the quality of the high. In the Architect's grid, it is the frequency of "Power."