Cookies and Cream Weed Strain Information & Review

A breeder who created the beloved strain Grease Monkey doesn’t have much left to prove. Exotic Genetix, though, has developed many other landmark weed strains, and Cookies and Cream (sometimes called Cookies ‘n’ Cream) is one of their best. It won the Cannabis Cup for best hybrid in 2014.

This is a nearly-balanced strain (60/40 indica) that delivers an outstanding experience. It starts with a euphoric and creative head high and evolves into a more relaxed body buzz that is perfect for chilling out without getting too sedated. The high THC content of Cookies and Cream provides most of its potency.

The aroma and flavor are delicious, but they stop short of delivering the cloying sweetness of some Cookies strains. There’s vanilla and butter, but also earth, nuts, flowers, and spice. Cookies and Cream is a nearly perfect hybrid.

Effects and Side Effects

Despite Cookies and Cream’s power, its effects come on slowly.

They start with lightheaded, uplifting euphoria which makes users happy, relaxed, and perhaps gleeful. There’s no sativa burst of energy, though, making the cerebral effects enjoyable without being motivating or overly creative. Mental stress and recursive thinking aren’t issues once the strain kicks in; it’s simply an enjoyable and relaxing head high that can become dreamy.

The indica body buzz follows and it’s equally calm. Deep relaxation spreads from the head down through the shoulders and into the muscles, calming and chilling out the user to the max. Most won’t be locked to the couch (unless they’ve sampled too much) or overly lethargic or sleepy. After a while, however, the buzz may lull the smoker into a nap or a full night’s sleep.

There are two prevailing opinions on the best time to use Cookies and Cream. Experienced users say it’s a good daytime strain because it provides an uplifting feeling without too much sedation, but casual smokers prefer evening use, saying the body high weighs them down too much to function properly. They use this weed as the ideal bud for vegging out after work.

Most high-THC strains carry a risk of dizziness and headaches, and heightened anxiety and paranoia, for those who are already prone to anxiety. Cookies and Cream fit that bill. Less-experienced users should also take things slow when trying the strain, perhaps microdosing until they get their bearings.

The more common side effects for regular users are the dry mouth and dry eyes likely to rear their heads with the most potent strains. Some people also report minor psychedelic effects.

Positive Effects:

• Energy: 2/5
• Creative: 2/5
• Pain: 3/5
• Stress: 4/5
• Sleep: 2/5
• Mood: 5/5

Negative Effects:

• Paranoid: 2/5
• Dry Mouth: 5/5
• Dry Eyes: 5/5
• Lethargy: 2/5
• Cough: 3/5

Bottom Line: Cookies and Cream delivers an excellent, balanced high starting with stress-relieving euphoria, and turning into calming, full-body relaxation that’s unlikely to cause couch-lock. In short, it gets you quite stoned but leaves you mostly functional.

Medical Conditions

Relief of stress, anxiety, and depression are the primary reasons that medical marijuana patients choose Cookies and Cream as their go-to strain. It’s important to remember, though, that even though the weed does eliminate most worries and mental stress, it may be problematic for those already suffering from anxiety issues.

It’s more of a mixed bag for patients dealing with chronic pain. When the pain isn’t too intense, users say the relaxation provided by Cookies and Cream is a good way to ease the hurt. However, the lack of a heavy body stone often leaves the strain lacking against more severe pain. Insomnia sufferers say that a high dose of this weed is a good way to get to sleep.

Flavor and Aroma

Vanilla is the first thing you notice when smelling and tasting Cookies and Cream, but don’t expect the strong vanilla bean taste you might get from ice cream sold with the same name.

The aroma is a more tempered version of vanilla, mixed with the scent of butter cookies, flowers, and earthy nuttiness. The flavor of the smooth, creamy smoke is quite similar, sweet with earthy and sour notes and a distinct nutty aftertaste.

Flavor and Aroma Ratings:

• Earthy: 3/5
• Citrus: 2/5
• Fruity: 2/5
• Spice: 2/5
• Wood: 3/5

Cannabinoids and Terpenes

Cookies and Cream is known for its high THC content. It averages around 20% in most lab tests, but you shouldn’t be surprised if the flower you buy at a dispensary comes in closer to 25%. Some experts say this strain is predisposed to produce bountiful amounts of THC, and growers do all they can to encourage it. CBD, CBG, and CBD content are low to moderate.

There are high levels of the terpenes caryophyllene, myrcene, carene, and pinene in Cookies and Cream, with bisabolol contributing additional sweetness.

Lineage

Exotic Genetix crossed Starfighter with a Girl Scout Cookies phenotype to create Cookies and Cream. Starfighter is an indica-leaning hybrid known for its uplifting cerebral high. GSC, of course, brings its Cookies flavor, legendary euphoria, and full relaxation to the table.

Grease Monkey is actually one of Cookies and Cream’s child strains, in a cross with GG #4. Oreoz is another terrific child strain, made from a cross with Secret Weapon.

Similar Strains

Vanilla Kush and Wedding Cake are two good alternatives to try if you’re looking to replicate the vanilla flavor of Cookies and Cream; Wedding Cake will come a little closer to delivering the same high. Others that might fit the bill are Key Lime Pie, Jungle Cake, and Miracle Alien Cookies.

Cookies and Cream Strain Review: FAQ

Q: Is Cookies and Cream considered a legendary, “must-try” strain?
A: If it isn’t, it’s close. It’s been almost ten years since it won the Cannabis Cup, and its combination of high THC, balanced sativa/indica effects, and yummy taste have made it one of the more popular weed strains of the last ten years. It’s also been used as a parent to create many other strains, another sign of how valued Cookies and Cream is in the cannabis community.

Q: Can you grow this strain at home?
A: Trying it isn’t recommended unless you’re an experienced grower. Clones are hard to find but the cultivator has made seeds available, so it’s not impossible. However, Cookies and Cream is known to be a difficult crop to grow. It needs warm temperatures and moderate humidity outdoors, and indoor plants must be constantly trained and topped in order to encourage growth. The good news: it flowers very quickly.