LSD: The Psychedelic Indica
LSD: The Psychedelic Indica
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Hybrid (70% Indica / 30% Sativa)
Breeder: Barney’s Farm
Lineage: Mazar-i-Sharif x Skunk #1
Market Status: The "Trippy Indica"; LSD is a legend in the Dutch cannabis scene. Named by the breeders at Barney's Farm for its powerful, almost hallucinogenic cerebral effects, this strain defies the typical "Indica" categorization. While it grows short and stout like a classic Afghan, the high is soaring, visual, and deeply introspective. It won the High Times Cannabis Cup in 2008 and has remained a bestseller ever since for those seeking maximum potency.
THC Content: 24% – 25% (Very High)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Pinene, Humulene
Key Effects: Visual Distortions, Euphoric Space, Deep Body Stone, Creative "Trip"
Most Indicas put you to sleep. LSD puts you in a different dimension first.
This strain is a botanical paradox. Barney’s Farm took their most robust, bulletproof Indica (Mazar) and crossed it with the genetic backbone of Europe (Skunk #1). You would expect a sleepy, couch-lock strain. Instead, they unlocked a phenotype that produces a cerebral "head rush" so intense that users often report mild visual distortions and a distorted sense of time—hence the name. It is the perfect strain for psychonauts who want the safety of an Indica body stone but the adventure of a Sativa mind.
History and Lineage: The Tank and the Engine
LSD is the result of crossing two of the most stable landrace-derived strains in history.
The Mother (Mazar-i-Sharif): A legendary landrace from the Balkh province of Afghanistan. It is famous for being short, incredibly resinous, and nearly invincible against pests and mold. It provides the body stone and the toughness.
The Father (Skunk #1): The first stabilized hybrid. It brings the vigor, the branching, and the cerebral "lift" that interacts weirdly with the Mazar to create the psychedelic effect.
The Synthesis: The goal was to create a strain that could survive anything (Mazar trait) but hit harder than anything else. They succeeded. LSD is widely considered one of the easiest strains to grow that yields "Top Shelf" potency.
Terpene Profile: Chestnuts and Musk
The flavor of LSD is distinctively "Old World." It lacks the fruitiness of modern hybrids, leaning instead into warm, nutty, and earthy tones.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Musk): The dominant terpene. It provides a heavy, damp soil base that grounds the experience.
Caryophyllene (The Spice): Adds a sharp peppery kick that warms the throat.
Humulene (The Nut): This is the signature note. It gives LSD a unique sweet chestnut and woody aroma that is rare in cannabis.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is savory and sweet. It smells of roasted chestnuts, musky earth, vanilla, and skunk. It has a warm, inviting scent.
The Smoke: Smooth and rich. It tastes of sweet earth, nutty wood, and spice. It is a heavy smoke that feels substantial in the lungs.
Strain Effects: The Cerebral Stone
The LSD experience is often described as a "Mental Rollercoaster" inside a "Physical Bunker."
The Experience
The Trip: The onset is almost immediate. The world seems to sharpen. Colors may look brighter, and sounds may feel "wavy." A rush of creative, confused euphoria fills the head.
The Space: You don't feel anxious (like a Haze); you feel "spaced out." It is a daydreaming state where you can get lost in music or art for hours.
The Anchor: While your mind is in orbit, your body is firmly planted. The Mazar genetics ensure a deep muscle relaxation that keeps you seated.
The Fade: The cerebral effects eventually give way to a heavy, narcotic sleepiness, making it a great end-of-night strain.
Best For: Listening to complex music, watching sci-fi movies, creative brainstorming (in a chair), and managing severe stress or pain.
Growing LSD: The Indestructible Plant
If you have a "black thumb" (you kill every plant you touch), grow LSD. It is famous for being nearly unkillable.
Growth Structure
The Hardiness: This strain is a tank. It is highly resistant to spider mites, mold, and botrytis. The Mazar genetics make it tough enough for bad weather and neglect.
The Size: It grows Compact. It stays short (under 100cm) and bushy, making it ideal for stealth grows or small tents.
The Yield: Very High. Despite its size, it pumps out massive, dense colas.
The Time: It finishes flowering in 9 to 10 weeks (65–70 days). It takes a little longer than some Indicas to fully ripen the "psychedelic" trichomes.
The Training: It responds well to any abuse. You can top it, tie it down, or accidentally snap a branch, and it will likely recover and keep growing.
Grower’s Tip: To maximize the cerebral "LSD" effect, harvest when the trichomes are cloudy/milky. If you wait until they turn amber, the high degrades into a standard sedative Indica stone, and you lose the unique trippy edge.
Final Verdict: The Trippy Tank
LSD is a classic for a reason. It offers a unique value proposition: it is arguably the easiest "Connoisseur Potency" strain to grow. It offers the grower a hassle-free, pest-resistant garden, and offers the smoker a high that is genuinely different from the standard "happy/hungry/sleepy" cycle. If you want to explore the outer edges of what an Indica high can feel like, buy the ticket and take the ride.
You should choose LSD if:
You are a Beginner Grower (Pest/Mold Resistant).
You want "Psychedelic" effects.
You love Earthy/Nutty flavors.
You have a High Tolerance.
Score: 9.6/10 (The Resilient Tripper)