Hindu Skunk is an indica-dominant hybrid that build on the power of its parent strains to deliver a mellow, therapeutic sedation. This strain’s parents are Skunk #1 and an indica Hindu Kush landrace. And while its aroma won’t win this strain any awards, its high might -- it offers a smooth, relaxing trip with some psychedelic effects early on. Hindu Skunk’s THC has been measured at between 11% and 23%.

Hindu Skunk is distinguished by solid, well-formed buds that hold an elongated, slightly tapered shape. The chunky flowers maintain a characteristically indica structure, with a dense and compact core. The leaves curl tightly inward toward their central stems and are usually a pale shade of yellowish green. These buds are also twisted through with yellow and rust-colored hairs -- which are actually pistils, botanical structures meant to catch pollen from fertilizing male plants. Finally, a coating of cloudy, amber-colored trichomes gives Hindu Skunk a very sticky texture and a slightly golden glow.

Despite its strong genetic backbone, Hindu Skunk’s flavor and aromatic profile are generally thought to be a bit lacking. The flowers mostly emit a dank, earthy scent of damp soil with some skunkiness. There are also some piney and woody accents lurking underneath. Grinding up these tight buds reveals the hashy, pungent odor often associated with its Hindu landrace parent. When burnt, Hindu Skunk gives off an acrid, cough-inducing smoke. On the exhale, this smoke tastes earthy, with a lightly sweet aftertaste on the exhale.

True to its indica character, Hindu Skunk is a creeper. Several minutes after users have toked, it begins to exert a pressure around the eyes and temples. Soon after, smokers may feel an odd new stimulation of their thoughts, characterized by surprising associations between seemingly unrelated concepts. The strain can also free up entrenched mental inhibitions, unlocking new pathways of creativity. As such, this bud can be a good way to facilitate work, whether it’s analytical and task-based or freewheeling and creative. At the same time that these cerebral properties take hold, Hindu Skunk can also exert some distortion on the senses; in particular, some smokers pick up on a warping of their depth perception or an uncanny feeling of time passing more slowly. Once settled into Hindu Skunk’s effects, though, many are able to relax in a mindless state of bliss. A pervasive body high seeps in after an hour or so, pulverizing any lingering muscular tension and likewise making any mental worries or preoccupations disappear. Although typically not strong enough to totally couchlock its consumers, Hindu Skunk can certainly take the wind out of a motivated smoker’s sails. If they’re so inclined though -- and have the right kind of company -- this hybrid is said to serve as a strong aphrodisiac, as it achieves an ideal dual stimulation of mind and body. In its latter stages, Hindu Skunk is a good way to unwind with a calming movie or some soothing music -- after all, within relatively little time, it has the seductive power to send susceptible consumers to sleep. Because of its gradual decrease in energy levels and motivation, Hindu Skunk is best reserved for enjoyment during the late afternoon or early evening.

Hindu Skunk can also have several applications for medical cannabis patients. The strain’s alert, focused properties can help those with attention deficit disorders to focus on a single task. Meanwhile, its mood-elevating effects may have a temporarily salutary effect on mild to moderate cases of stress, depression, and anxiety. The bud’s body high may soothe physical pain, whether it’s deep-seated and disease-related, like fibromyalgia, or simply an everyday irritation like a headache. This strain is not known to bring about crippling, paranoid states of mind, but nevertheless, patients who are prone to panic or who have a low tolerance for THC should moderate their dosage and consume with caution.

Unfortunately, seeds of Hindu Skunk are not available for sale online. Instead, prospective growers should obtain clippings of mature, healthy plants from a trusted source in order to grow genetically identical “clones.” The plants can be grown indoors or out, although success outdoors requires a semi-humid, Mediterranean-style climate with consistent daytime sunlight. The crops are easily accommodated indoors, where they tend to grow short and bushy with strong lateral branching. Hindu Skunk flowers within 8 to 9 weeks and offers patient growers a high yield of flowers.

Hindu Skunk is a good all-purpose smoke with a relaxing backend. Its trippy properties can be especially fun to enjoy with enhancements like atmospheric music or some aromatherapy.