Aurora is a potent strain that can plunge its consumers into deep, soothing contemplation. This mostly indica bud was created by Nirvana Seeds, also the purveyors of Bubblicious and Papaya. Aurora is a cross between an Afghani landrace and Northern Lights (from which it derives its name, aurora being the scientific Latin name for the northern lights). What results is a fragrant and highly resinous flower that confers heavy, almost narcotic sedation. Aurora’s THC content has been measured at between 12% and 20%.

When properly trimmed, flowers of Aurora are usually medium to large in size. They have a distinctive conical shape, tapering from a broad base into a narrow, pointed tip. These fat nuggets have the density and compact structure typically associated with indicas. The tightly-curled leaves are a pale sea green and are twisted through with rich brown and red pistils. Finally, cloudy white trichomes cover the inner and outer nooks and crannies of Aurora’s flowers, making their light-colored leaves appear even paler.

Aurora’s flowers give off an earthy, spicy scent that makes the strain’s Afghani roots abundantly clear. On closer inspection, there’s also a fruity, berry-inflected aroma hanging out underneath. Grinding this strain’s flowers, meanwhile, releases woodsy notes of pine and sap. When burnt, Aurora gives off a smooth and easily palatable smoke. This smoke can leave behind a fruity, coffee-tinged flavor on the exhale.

Like many other pure indicas, Aurora can be a creeper, requiring several minutes after consumption to take effect. Initial signs that the bud is doing its job range from a tingle around the eyes and temples to a flushing in the cheeks. Some cognitive distortions may be present as well, such as a warping of depth perception (especially in poor lighting) and a powerful sense of time dilation. Most of all, though, Aurora makes itself known with a knockout physical high that may have consumers with a low THC tolerance diving for the closest comfortable couch. Waves of relaxation begin to spread down from the neck, rolling down through the spine and eventually outward through the core and limbs. Limbs can become heavy and unwieldy, while deep breathing may happen more deeply and easily. Under these conditions, it is typically difficult for those under Aurora’s influence to work on complicated analytical tasks -- as well as even basic duties like cleaning the house or running errands. Luckily, even if their bodies are impeded, smokers’ minds tend to remain active and unfettered by everyday inhibitions. This mindset can facilitate creativity, making Aurora a good strain for brainstorming and making lively conversation. As time wears on or as dosage is increased, though, all you may want to pursue is a long nap or an early bedtime. As such, this strain is recommended for nighttime and evening use.

Aurora can also have several applications for medical cannabis patients. It can be a temporary balm for the symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety. It can also dull physical pain, whether due to injury or chronic conditions like lupus or arthritis. As noted, this bud’s sedative power can also send smokers to sleep, serving as a solution to entrenched cases of insomnia. Because it is not especially cerebral and won’t stoke paranoid thinking, Aurora is a good choice for patients who are prone to panic or anxiety.

Fortunately for home growers, Nirvana has made seeds of Aurora available for sale online. It is considered a forgiving grow and can be especially user-friendly for newcomers to cultivation. Aurora can be grown indoors or outdoors in a semi-humid climate with daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Its flowering time is unusually long for an indica, at between 9 and 11 weeks when grown indoors; it is ready for harvest in mid-September when grown outdoors.  Once mature, Aurora offers growers a modest yield of about 28 to 37 grams (or 1.3 ounces) of flower per square foot of plant. Finally, Aurora can be a very pungent crop -- growers trying to maintain discretion should outfit their growing spaces with odor control measures like exhaust fans.

Somewhat difficult to come by, Aurora is a strain worth grabbing if spotted on dispensary shelves. If you bring this bud out in a social setting, be prepared for its appealing aroma to turn some heads.