Bubba Kush Weed Strain Information & Review
Bubba Kush first appeared in California in the mid-1990s and has been an extremely popular strain ever since. If you’ve heard references to Bubba OG Kush, BK, or simply Bubba, they’re all referring to the same strain.
On the other hand, the name “pre-98 Bubba Kush” is used by connoisseurs to refer to weed with the original, undiluted genetics of the original strain. It has similar characteristics but is much more difficult to find than today’s hybrid versions.
Bubba Kush is a well-known go-to for people who want to experience the deep relaxation and sedation it provides which is great for people with sleep disorders or insomnia. But it’s also known for producing happy feelings for most users and a serious euphoria that can be intensely psychedelic, dreamy, or surreal. It’s a favorite among patients as well.
Effects and Side Effects
This strain is a 70/30 indica hybrid, and even though it has a good amount of sativa parentage, it’s best known for its properties that lean heavily indica and its normally bountiful THC content.
And Bubba Kush can hit hard.
The experience begins with a happy, often euphoric head buzz that makes quick work of any stress or anxiety the user may be feeling. There usually isn’t extreme brain fog; it’s more of a hazy, dreamy contentment, somewhat unusual for a strong indica. The high will remain happy and perhaps even joyful, without intrusion from deep thoughts or introspection.
After a while, the body high sets in and becomes heavier. It may induce couch lock or simply an incredibly-relaxing body melt that makes it much more enjoyable to lie back and enjoy the waves of physical relief and pleasure that blend with the brain buzz.
Some users, though, find that their body functions more than well enough for mind-blowing sex while high on Bubba Kush. Active or not, count on the munchies making an appearance, too.
Sedation is the most common side effect of this strain (that is if you weren’t planning on experiencing it), and the usual weed cottonmouth and dry eyes are extremely common when using Bubba Kush. Anxiety and paranoia are possible, but they’re unusual and usually limited to users who are already likely to suffer from those issues.
Positive Effects:
- Energy: 2/5
- Creative: 1/5
- Pain: 5/5
- Stress: 4/5
- Sleep: 5/5
- Mood: 4/5
Negative Effects:
- Paranoid: 3/5
- Dry Mouth: 5/5
- Dry Eyes: 5/5
- Lethargy: 4/5
- Cough: 4/5
Bottom Line: Bubba Kush delivers a fun, relaxing, and often dreamy head high combined with a strong body stone that can lead to sedation and restful sleep.
Medical Conditions
The combination of Bubba Kush’s easy availability and medicinal power make it a very popular strain at medical dispensaries. Many patients grow it at home, too.
The full-body relaxation that Bubba Kush provides is why patients use it to ease chronic pain from muscle and joint issues to fibromyalgia, headaches, and even the serious side effects of cancer and HIV/AIDS.
This strain may also lift the mood of those suffering from pain and those dealing with depression, stress, and anxiety, as well as serious mental health issues like PTSD. And needless to say, it’s one of the top choices for treating insomnia and difficulties with healthy sleep.
Flavor and Aroma
The first thing you may notice when you pick up some Bubba Kush flower is the scent of coffee and chocolate with some fruity, earthy, and herbaceous undertones, giving it a sweet aroma but an intriguing pungent smell.
The creamy flavor of Bubba Kush smoke conveys many of those notes, along with spice, wood, and nuts. Those new to the strain may expect there to be grape or berry in the mix because of the bud’s splashes of purple color, but those aren’t to be found. The taste is slightly fruity, but it’s much better described as complex and delicious.
Flavor and Aroma Ratings:
- Earthy: 3/5
- Citrus: 3/5
- Fruity: 3/5
- Spice: 3/5
- Wood: 3/5
Cannabinoids and Terpenes
Bubba Kush isn’t the most potent strain you can find, but its average 17% THC content does the job much more than adequately — and of course, some samples will contain a good deal more THC depending on the producer and batch. Perhaps surprisingly (because of its effectiveness for medical patients), there’s virtually no CBD and only about 0.5% CBG in Bubba Kush.
The dominant terpenes in this strain include caryophyllene (contributing spice), humulene (earthiness), limonene (citrus), and myrcene (herbs).
Lineage
There’s no revered cultivator behind this legendary strain. It was simply a guy named Matt “Bubba” Berger, who was growing Northern Lights in his backyard when his plants were pollinated by a nearby Kush plant. (At least, that’s the story he tells.) Within six months, Bubba Kush was the hot strain; High Times reported it was selling for $8,000 a pound in the late 1990s.
These days, the strain is a replicated Northern Lights-Kush cross with properties similar to the original, as we’ve mentioned in our discussion of the distinction between pre-98 BK and Bubba Kush. Northern Lights’ Afghani heritage is believed responsible for the strain’s heavy indica body stone.
Similar Strains
There are quite a few similarities between Bubba Kush and other Kush strains like Master Kush and Blackberry Kush, all great for the sedating and pain-relieving effects BK is known for. Other strains like Slurricane, Platinum OG, Skywalker OG, and White Widow are also good comparisons.
Bubba Kush Strain: FAQ
Q: Is Bubba Kush one of those strains you can only find in California or the West Coast?
A: That’s where it first grew into a cultural phenomenon and made its name, but Bubba Kush is a staple strain you can find pretty easily anywhere that recreational or medical marijuana is legal. Plus, it’s a terrific first step to take when you’re ready to start a personal crop. Unfortunately, Bubba Kush won’t proliferate in many outdoor climates, but it does thrive indoors.
Q: Can you use Bubba Kush to supplement sleep medications?
A: There are differing opinions on that, but it’s probably not a good idea to get blasted and then take a pill. Meds like Ambien and Lunesta, as well as Xanax, Benadryl, and Valium, can all lower heart and breathing rates, so overdoing a sedating strain and coupling it with a sleeping pill could potentially cause serious issues. If you’re healthy and feel the need to try mixing the two, just a couple of tokes should be more than enough.
