Mendo Breath Cannabis Strain Information & Review

The name of this strain comes from its birthplace, California’s Mendocino County. It might sound a bit less intimidating, though, if the cultivators had decided to appropriately name it “Candy Breath.” Its predominant aromas and flavors are a delicious mix of caramel and vanilla.

They also could have named it “knock-out breath” if they wanted to focus on the weed’s effects. Mendo Breath is a potent 70/30 indica hybrid whose indica effects deliver a wallop of total-body relief after an initially strong tingly cerebral high. Expect to be locked to the couch at the least, and quite possibly put down for a rejuvenating sleep.

This is a rare strain, but it’s an ideal nighttime weed — if you’re able to find it.

Effects and Side Effects

Northern California’s Mendocino County is known for its beautiful scenery, its wine and farm-to-table cuisine, and a laid-back atmosphere that was first created by a mid-60s “hippie migration” to the area. That’s one reason why some cannabis aficionados think “Mendo Breath” is the perfect description: It brings on a mental state similar to the one experienced during meditation.

The initial euphoria arrives quickly. It’s uplifting and happy, but not as light or carefree as the high you get from many sativa-dominant strains. Expect a calm buzz to eliminate a good amount of stress and mental tension, and some people find they can take advantage of the head high to get stuff done for a little while.

The real experience starts, though, when the indica body stone hits.

Mendo Breath delivers a strong punch of full-body relaxation that’s likely to leave users on the couch until the full experience is over. That’s when the cerebral effects become more meditative or unfocused, and the sedative effects of the strain take over completely. Full sedation and sleep don’t always accompany the high, but they’re certainly possible.

More likely, Mendo Breath will leave you totally relaxed and free of earthly cares, perfectly content to binge-watch Netflix, listen to music, or simply think weed thoughts.

The high THC content and strong effects of this strain can make it somewhat troublesome for inexperienced users or those who keep going beyond their body’s limits. Dizziness, disorientation, anxiety, and even paranoia are remote possibilities. Most users will simply experience dry mouth, dry eyes, possible dehydration, and definite munchies.

Positive Effects:

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

Negative Effects:

• Paranoid: 2/5
• Dry Mouth: 4/5
• Dry Eyes: 4/5
• Lethargy: 4/5
• Cough: 4/5

Bottom Line: Mendo Breath is a terrific nighttime strain for use after a full day; it starts the user with temporary euphoria, but hits hardest with a deep body buzz, couch lock, and very often, sedation.

Medical Conditions

Some patients say they like to use Mendo Breath to help them deal with stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues because of the mind-clearing cerebral effects it provides.

Those suffering from insomnia say the sedative effects provide welcome relief, and Mendo Breath’s appetite-enhancing abilities may be welcomed by patients with eating disorders. It’s also said to help ease inflammation and inflammatory conditions.

However, most medical users seek out this strain (if they can find it) because they find it’s particularly helpful for pain. The euphoria that spreads quickly may act somewhat like an analgesic, and the complete body relaxation is said to relieve muscle and body aches and chronic pain, and may even obscure more serious pain issues until the user is sedated and asleep.

Flavor and Aroma

Mendo Breath is one of the sweetest-smelling marijuana strains you can find. The scent is dominated by caramel and vanilla, with hints of mint, berry, and chocolate often noticeable when you break the buds apart. Underlying it all is a decent amount of earthiness, making the aroma just a bit less sweet and more weed-like.

That’s pretty much what you’ll taste when you spark up, too. Many smokers liken the flavor to sweet candy, but with enough savory, spicy and earthy notes to make them taste a little more interesting.

Flavor and Aroma Ratings:

• Earthy: 3/5
• Citrus: 2/5
• Fruity: 4/5
• Spice: 2/5
• Wood: 2/5

Cannabinoids and Terpenes

19% average THC content is nothing to sneeze at. This is a potent bud that may come in even a bit higher. And while you can find flower with higher THC levels, the power of Mendo Breath’s indica blast more than compensates for that extra 3-5% THC content you might find in another strain. CBD levels can reach 1%, adding to the overall sedating and medical benefits.

Caryophyllene, limonene and myrcene are among the terpenes in Mendo Breath that contribute to the strain’s relaxing and sedative power. Valencene adds much of the weed’s sweetness, while camphene and sabinene add some of the more earthy undertones.

Lineage

Mendocino’s Green Gage Genetics deserves thanks for introducing this strain to the world. They initially bred Mendo Breath from OG Kush Breath (OGKB) and their own Mendo Montage; that version was known as Mendo Breath F1 and was only used internally. An improved Mendo Breath F2 is the one that was released to the public, and there’s also an easier-to-grow F3.

The strain’s heavily relaxing and sedative effects can be largely traced to indica-dominant OGKB, thought in turn to be a product of Girl Scout Cookies. But don’t rule out Mendo Montage’s heritage, which is not only tranquilizing but provides delicious candy flavor as well.

Similar Strains

Cream Caramel might be the best alternative strain if you can’t find Mendo Breath since it has much of the same caramel taste and its sedating effects hit even harder. Child strains like Garlic Breath and Cactus Breath are worth trying, too.

You might also want to look into Platinum OG, Slurricane, and Face Mints.

Mendo Breath Strain Review: FAQ

Q: Is there any real hope that I can find this strain?
A: We wish we had better news. It is out there, but it’s extremely difficult to find. A better approach might be to look for feminized Mendo Breath seeds (which the cultivator has made available from time to time) at a reputable seed bank, or if you get lucky, to find a clone. Don’t make the decision to grow this strain lightly, though. The plants are quite sensitive and often fall victim to pests or diseases, especially during the seedling and vegetative stages.

Q: Can Mendo Breath be used as a daytime strain?
A: We wouldn’t advise it. Some experienced smokers may be able to fight through the body stone for a while, but even if they aren’t put flat on their back by the indica effects, they’ll slow down noticeably and won’t be able to accomplish much until the high wears off.