Underdawg: The Heavyweight Sleeper
Underdawg: The Heavyweight Sleeper
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Hybrid (60% Indica / 40% Sativa)
Breeder: Loompa Farms (Loompa's Headband) / TH Seeds
Lineage: Sour Diesel x OG Kush (A specific phenotype of the Headband family)
Market Status: The "People's Champion"; Underdawg (often called Underdawg OG or Loompa's Underdawg) gets its name because, despite not having the flashy marketing of modern strains, it consistently knocks out the competition. Originating from the legendary Loompa Farms crew in California—the same crew that brought us the definitive Headband—Underdawg is a sister phenotype to Headband. While Headband became famous for the cerebral "halo" effect, Underdawg became famous for its brutal, body-numbing potency. It is the genetic mother of the cult-classic Grateful Dawg.
THC Content: High (22% – 26%)
Dominant Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Myrcene, Limonene, Pinene
Key Effects: Narcotic Sedation, Muscle Numbing, "Stuck" Relaxation, Stress Erasure
Underdawg is the quiet guy in the corner who can knock you out with one punch.
It doesn't rely on purple colors or fruity candy names. It relies on a terpene profile that smells like a chemical spill and a high that feels like wearing a lead vest. It is a favorite among old-school smokers who crave the raw, unfiltered power of the Sour Diesel and OG families.
History and Lineage: The Headband Sister
To understand Underdawg, you have to look at the "Headband" lineage.
The Family (Sour Diesel x OG Kush): This genetic combination is arguably the most successful in history. It produced strains like Sour OG, Headband, and Daywrecker.
The Selection: During the pheno-hunts that produced the famous Loompa's Headband, another phenotype stood out. It didn't have the same "sativa" rush as the Headband; instead, it leaned heavily into the Indica/Afghan side of the OG lineage.
The Result: They dubbed it Underdawg. While its sister (Headband) got the fame for being a "social" smoke, Underdawg earned a reputation in the medical community as the "nighttime" cut. It offers the same pungent Sour/OG flavor but with a significantly heavier body load.
Terpene Profile: Diesel and Damp Earth
The nose on Underdawg is aggressive. It lacks sweetness, opting instead for a savory, industrial profile.
Dominant Terpenes
Caryophyllene (The Fuel): The dominant terpene. It provides a sharp peppery, spicy diesel aroma that tickles the nose.
Myrcene (The Musk): Unlike the brighter Headband, Underdawg is packed with Myrcene, giving it a heavy damp soil and herbal smell. This is the "couch-lock" molecule.
Limonene (The Cleaner): Provides a background note of chemical lemon cleaner, typical of high-quality Sour Diesel crosses.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It smells like a garage. Notes of spilled gasoline, wet pine, and pungent skunk fill the room.
The Smoke: Thick and expansive. It tastes of earthy kush, sour diesel, and pine-sol on the inhale, with a spicy, hashy finish on the exhale.
Strain Effects: The Day Wrecker
If you have a To-Do list, do not smoke Underdawg.
The Experience
The Slump: Unlike the creeping high of some OGs, Underdawg hits fast. A wave of physical heaviness crashes over the body almost immediately.
The Fog: The mental effects are hazy and stony. It slows down thought processes and eliminates anxiety by simply making you too relaxed to care.
The Relief: It is a top-tier painkiller. Users with back pain or arthritis often swear by this strain for its numbing qualities.
The Sleep: As the high wears on, the sedation deepens. It is widely used as a sleep aid for treating insomnia.
Best For: Nighttime use, severe chronic pain, insomnia, muscle spasms, and post-workout recovery.
Growing Underdawg: The Frosty Lanker
Underdawg exhibits the classic growth traits of the Chem/Diesel families.
Growth Structure
The Structure: It grows Tall and Lanky. It has large internodal spacing and thin stems that struggle to support the weight of the buds.
The Support: Trellising is non-negotiable. You must net this plant to spread the canopy and support the colas.
The Yield: Moderate to High. The buds are not massive, but they are incredibly dense and frosty. It yields better than a pure OG Kush.
The Frost: The resin production is heavy. The buds look silver/white against the lime green leaves.
The Time: It finishes flowering in 8 to 9 weeks.
Grower’s Tip: This strain is prone to stretching in the first 3 weeks of flower. Be prepared to super-crop or train the plant to keep it from hitting your grow lights. It loves Calcium and Magnesium supplements during the transition to flower.
Final Verdict: The Heavyweight Sleeper
Underdawg is the strain for the smoker who thinks "Headband" isn't heavy enough. It takes that legendary Sour/OG flavor profile and strips away the sativa energy, leaving only the raw, narcotic Indica power. It is a savory, gassy, and devastatingly potent strain that has earned its place in the hall of fame. Don't bet against the Underdawg.
You should choose Underdawg if:
You love Sour Diesel/OG flavors.
You need Heavy Pain Relief.
You suffer from Insomnia.
You want a "Stony" non-functional high.
Score: 9.3/10 (The Narcotic Diesel)