Lava Cake Strain Information & Review
If the name Lava Cake tells you anything, it’s that we’re talking about a dessert strain. It’s deliciously sweet, which isn’t surprising when you learn that it’s the product of crossing Thin Mint GSC with Grape Pie, two other tasty weed strains.
There’s much more to Lava Cake than its flavor. Start with an average THC content in the low 20% range and add its 70/30 indica leanings, and you have a high that’s euphoric, creative, and extremely relaxing. It’s not likely to completely lock you to the couch, either; the experience is more blissful and introspective than sleepy.
Lava Cake seeds haven’t been released for commercial sale, and the strain isn’t easy to find. But some dispensaries do carry it, and it’s definitely worth searching out.
Effects and Side Effects
Some users try to use Lava Cake as a daytime strain because the initial head high is invigorating, focusing, creative and uplifting. What they find, however, is that the energetic effects don’t linger for very long. The happy, uplifting feelings remain but the high morphs into a more introspective, relaxing chill.
Meanwhile, the relaxation extends into the body, with muscle tension and stress melting away. Lava Cake is unlikely to lock you to the couch unless you overindulge, but you won’t feel like doing much that requires physical exertion. The good news: you’ll still be able to get up to hit the fridge when the munchies inevitably hit; full sedation is rare unless you keep hitting pipe after you’re high.
In short, don’t be fooled into thinking you can spend some time with Lava Cake and then get back to work. This is much more of an evening strain, ideal for chilling with good friends, good music, or good videos.
Dry eyes and mouth are the most common side effects of this strain, and tiredness is possible with heavy use. Lava Cake’s high THC content does make anxiety and paranoia potential problems, but only among those with existing anxiety issues or those who aren’t used to potent weed.
Positive Effects:
- Energy: 2/5
- Creative: 3/5
- Pain: 4/5
- Stress: 5/5
- Sleep: 4/5
- Mood: 5/5
Negative Effects:
- Paranoid: 2/5
- Dry Mouth: 4/5
- Dry Eyes: 4/5
- Lethargy: 4/5
- Cough: 3/5
Bottom Line: Lava Cake is a great choice for a chill evening, delivering a happy and relaxing high without overwhelming sedation; the experience may start energetic, but that effect quickly fades.
Medical Conditions
Mental relaxation and stress relief are the two effects that many medical marijuana patients count on when they’re dealing with anxiety, OCD, depression, or the many clinical forms of stress. So understandably, they love Lava Cake.
The physical relaxation provided by the strain may also help patients suffering from chronic pain, diseases, and conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia or migraines. It’s also likely to send those with eating disorders to the refrigerator or pantry, too.
Flavor and Aroma
You’ve probably been eagerly awaiting this section because Lava Cake is absolutely yummy, and it smells just as good.
The initial scent of this strain may make you feel like you’re in a bakery, as the weed smells a lot like freshly-baked pastry. There are hints of cookies, chocolate, mint, fruit, and nuts (along with a bit of earth) that can make your mouth water well before you spark up.
The smooth smoke doesn’t disappoint. The chocolate, mint, nut, and fruit flavors are all there, along with some sweet pine; mint and nuts linger in the aftertaste.
Flavor and Aroma Ratings:
- Earthy: 2/5
- Citrus: 2/5
- Fruity: 4/5
- Spice: 3/5
- Wood: 2/5
Cannabinoids and Terpenes
The THC content in any two samples of the same strain will rarely be the same. Cannabinoid content varies by batch, by producer, and by the techniques used to grow the plants.
With that said, Lava Cake averages a whopping 22% THC level, with much of the flower sold in dispensaries coming in at an even higher level. That’s in line with the most potent weed you’ll find available for sale. The other cannabinoids usually present in noticeable (but not exceptionally high) amounts are CBD, CBC, and CBG.
Some of the terpenes that make their presence known in this strain are caryophyllene (earthy and spicy), limonene (citrus), myrcene (fruity), and eucalyptol (mint). Each provides health benefits as well while working via the entourage effect to boost THC’s effectiveness.
Lineage
Lava Cake was created by well-known cannabis breeders Cannarado Genetics, which has specialized in producing many outstanding sweet dessert strains like Wedding Pie and Strawberry Shortcake.
They crossed Grape Pie with Thin Mint GSC to create Lava Cake; Grape Pie is fruity, sugary, and sweet, while sweet Thin Mint also brings — naturally — mint to the party. Each of the parent strains additionally contributes to high THC levels and the other effects that Lava Cake provides.
Similar Strains
If you can’t find Lava Cake where you live, some of the similar strains you might want to try to include Berry OG, Blueberry Pancakes (or Blueberry Muffin), Cookie Pie, or Alien Rock Candy. Melon Cake, a child strain of Lava Cake (bred with Watermelon OG), is another tasty and deeply relaxing alternative.
Lava Cake Strain Review: FAQ
Q: Lava Cake sounds delicious, but is it a strain suitable for someone who only smokes weed once in a while?
A: That’s an important question for all occasional users to ask about any high-THC strain. The answer is essentially the same for all strains with THC levels higher than 20%, including Lava Cake: it should be OK, as long as you take things slowly. Take one or two hits at most, then wait a while to see how it affects you. If it’s going to provoke anxiety or panic attacks, you’ll feel the signs pretty quickly, and you can stop before the high gets out of hand. One important note, though: if you have existing clinical anxiety issues, it’s best to avoid high-THC strains altogether.
Q: Can you grow Lava Cake at home?
A: Yes, if you can find the seeds. Cannarado Genetics hasn’t made the seeds available for sale, so until recently, it was virtually impossible for home growers to grow these plants. Some producers have now created their own versions of Lava Cake and put the seeds on sale; if you deal with a reliable seed bank, you’ll probably end up with plants whose characteristics are pretty close to the original strain.
