“New and Improved!”
That’s a go-to claim used by companies trying to re-launch a product or regain the market share they’ve lost to a competitor. Sometimes it’s simply used to juice sales.
In many cases, nothing noteworthy has actually been changed or added to the product. It’s just a well-known fact – at least among marketing gurus – that customer interest is piqued when a product is labeled “new and improved!”
But many products really don’t need any new ingredients, and improving them may not even be possible. Some original products or formulas are already terrific, and it may be impossible to make them any better.
That’s a nearly-perfect description of Hindu Kush.
This pure Indica strain has been around a lot longer than any of us, harvested for millennia in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan. In fact, it was even widely available in America before most of us were born. Think of any stereotypical mid-20th century stoner movie with characters who are so blazed they can’t get off the couch – and there’s a good chance that the Hindu Kush was the inspiration.
It’s also been used by breeders for decades to create outstanding new strains; even such venerable old-school favorites as OG Kush and Master Kush trace their origins to the Hindu Kush.
In many peoples’ minds, though, the original is still the best.
Hindu Kush: The Quick Summary
Euphoria, complete relaxation, happiness, couch lock, the giggles, and the munchies – before passing out with a smile. The Hindu Kush is a strain that delivers the completely-stoned experience that many users are looking for when they settle in to get blazed. The THC content is high, and its psychoactive effects and Indica properties make the Hindu Kush one of the best possible choices for medical marijuana patients.
| Genetics: 100% Indica | THC Content: 17-32% |
| Effects: Happy, Relaxing, Sedating | Medical Uses: Pain, Stress, Insomnia, Nausea |
Hindu Kush: The Background
We don’t have enough space or time to dig deeply into the history of Hindu Kush; it’s been harvested in the mountainous area on the Pakistan-Afghan border, where it grows naturally, for thousands of years.
This is a landrace strain, meaning it’s a pure strain that’s grown in its natural habitat without being cultivated or cross-bred. It was only brought to the Western Hemisphere in the 1960s and 70s by travelers who had been on what was known as the “hippie trail” through Asia. In other words, they’d gone in search of love, truth, and potent pot – and the Hindu Kush was one of the strains they loved and brought home.
What made the Hindu Kush such a revelation is that it was a pure Indica, largely unknown in the Western world until it was brought here in the mid-20th century. Now that it’s more than half a century later, this strain may no longer literally be 100% Indica; since it was native to the Afghani mountains, it had to be crossbred to a certain degree with other Kush strains so it would be stable enough to grow and proliferate in Western climates. Even so, it remains almost 100% Indica, perhaps the closest to a pure Indica you’ll find without traveling to Asia.
Its THC content can vary widely. You’ll find it averaging around 20% or so, but some samples have tested as high as 30-32%. CBD content is minimal.
The Hindu Kush has won a number of awards over the years, but victories at the Cannabis Cub aren’t needed to validate its amazing properties. You’ll now find dozens of crosses between the Hindu Kush and other strains, leading to well-known descendants like Hindu Glue, Hindu Skunk, K2, and Lady Purple. But none of them can really compare to the original.
Hindu Kush: The Effects
Couch lock is a term often used to describe one of the pot’s signature effects, and if the Hindu Kush wasn’t the first strain to produce the feeling, it certainly perfected it. The trademark heavy body stone and brain fog don’t come on in a flash; it starts with physical and mental relaxation, progresses to a euphoric and satisfying mental state – and then transforms into a heavier buzz that almost inevitably ends with you curled up in front of the TV, craving some Doritos.
Some users do find that they want to more than veg out once the Hindu Kush hits, but they probably won’t be cleaning the kitchen or getting homework done. They’ll be more likely to come up with a cool idea for an invention (which may not seem so cool once they’re sober) or solve the world’s great problems, from the comfort of their couch. The heavy dose of THC can lead to psychedelic experiences as well, but most people usually experience a positive and happy high rather than a scary one.
The Doritos we mentioned isn’t an exaggeration, since the Hindu Kush is one of the strains most likely to bring on the munchies. It also delivers a long-lasting high that can linger for hours and hours, if it doesn’t put you to sleep before then. If you haven’t drawn this conclusion by now, we’ll make it clear: this is definitely weed to enjoy in the evening or at night and not during the day unless you have some time off from work.
Hindu Kush: The Taste and Aroma
This is pungent bud. It produces somewhat-harsh smoke with a flavor that’s a combination of skunky and sweet, with notes of fruit, herbs, and pine. The smell is similar, with a strong earthy and musky flavor that’s slightly tempered by whiffs of sandalwood, spice, flowers, and the musty forest.
Hindu Kush: Possible Medical Effects
The Hindu Kush is extremely popular among medical marijuana patients because of the many benefits it can provide.
The strain’s strong body stone and numbing effects are ideal for those dealing with severe and chronic pain and can help with aching muscles and joints as well. The Hindu Kush has also been used by patients to ease menstrual cramps, multiple sclerosis, and the painful symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases, while the mental and physical relaxation it produces can help patients who are suffering from stress or mood disorders.
This is an excellent strain for those suffering from nausea or appetite problems, which are often triggered by chemotherapy but may also have other causes. Finally, Hindu Kush is a good choice for those who battle insomnia.
Hindu Kush: Possible Side Effects
The high THC content of this Indica strain might be expected to increase existing anxiety or create a higher risk of paranoia. The good news is that neither of those risks is particularly high for users of Hindu Kush. Even so, caution is a very good idea when smoking or ingesting a potent strain like this one, especially for those who are new to weed or those with anxiety issues. Caution is also good because of the psychedelic effects that the Hindu Kush can trigger.
The majority of experienced users, though, will only have to deal with the possibilities of dry eyes and cottonmouth – and of course, the weight gain that can come with repeated use of a strain well-known to bring on the munchies.
Hindu Kush: The Plant
Even though the Hindu Kush strains which have made it to the Western Hemisphere don’t necessarily require conditions similar to the mountainous regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, they still thrive best in a warm and dry climate. Thankfully for those who live in cooler or wetter areas, Hindu Kush can also grow well indoors.
The plants don’t grow very high. They average about four to five feet in height, with an appearance that’s been compared to a small Christmas tree. That means, as you’d probably expect, that they spread out quite a bit – so they need proper spacing in order to produce bountiful harvests of their sticky, heart-shaped, bright green nugs. The plants bush out nicely to create enormous colas.
When the Hindu Kush is grown outdoors, it’s ready for harvest around the beginning of October, with the plants taking between seven and ten weeks to fully flower. This can be a productive crop, with optimal yields around 400 grams per square meter.