Trainwreck Weed Strain Information & Review

Trainwreck is not just perfectly named. It’s also a perfect example of a strain that’s a satisfying heavy hitter, despite THC content that averages “only” 17%.

What’s the secret? Trainwreck is an 80/20 sativa-dominant weed bred from pure landrace strains. Its high starts with an instantaneous sativa cerebral blast, hitting like a freight train carrying powerful mood-boosting euphoria. That’s followed by an indica body buzz that rounds out the experience.

Expect a loud and dank smell and flavor. It’s heavy on pine, earth, and citrus, with a bit of sweetness. Patients say Trainwreck is great for chronic pain and mental health issues. Recreational users say it’s great, period.

Effects and Side Effects

Trainwreck has been an extremely popular strain for years because it provides the complete “weed experience.”

The initial head high comes on so fast that it often takes users who are new to the strain by surprise. The euphoria makes quick work of negative thoughts, worries, and stress, replacing them with happiness and even bliss.

Some people find the head high psychedelic, while others simply enjoy a rush of clear-headed cerebral stimulation and focus that allows them to accomplish daytime tasks in a better mood. The difference often depends on how hard smokers hit the pipe.

This strain eventually delivers a second punch as the indica kicks in full-body relaxation. For new users or those who overindulge, it can lead to couch lock and sedation. For more experienced tokers it’s more likely to be enjoyable and calming, without being incapacitating. That allows them to smoke up during the daytime without any issues.

The complete Trainwreck high is a long-lasting one, 2-3 hours or sometimes even longer.

The power of this strain means there are potential side effects for occasional smokers or those who don’t know their limits. Dizziness, headaches, anxiety, and paranoia are known to be possible issues for those users, with increased anxiety a definite risk for patients already suffering from the issue. Those smokers should microdose or go very slowly, at least to start.

For other Trainwreck users, cottonmouth, dry eyes, and coughing are common side effects, along with the lethargy or sedation that may result from overconsumption.

Positive Effects:

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

Negative Effects:

• Paranoid: 2/5
• Dry Mouth: 4/5
• Dry Eyes: 4/5
• Lethargy: 3/5
• Cough: 4/5

Bottom Line: Trainwreck blasts its way into the user’s brain in a hurry, with euphoria that eliminates mental stress and can be energizing for some. It’s followed by a mellow body stone that grows in strength the more the user smokes.

Medical Conditions

The combination of mood-boosting happiness and full-body relaxation makes Trainwreck a very popular choice for medical marijuana patients.

Those with mental health issues love the uplifting head high that wipes away worries and cares, saying that it’s great at helping with stress (including serious problems like PTSD), clinical anxiety, and depression. (Of course, there are the possible side effects for anxiety patients to be aware of.) The increased focus experienced with smaller doses may also help with ADD/ADHD.

Chronic pain patients say they find the combined head and body buzz to be a good way to deal with the pain they suffer. Others use Trainwreck to help with migraines, inflammatory conditions, and temporary muscle aches and spasms. The strain also makes people hungry, so it may help those dealing with appetite issues.

Flavor and Aroma

Trainwreck is a very pungent weed (dank might be a better term for it), so it’s not the right choice if you’re trying to keep your smoking discreet. You may feel like you’re in the forest after a rainstorm, with pine and cedar scents mixed with lighter citrus and spicy undertones.

The flavor is earthy with an obvious woodsy influence, along with citrus, spice, and pepper notes. The aftertaste is pungent lemon-lime; that description may not sound tempting, but that’s the best way we can describe it — other than interesting and invigorating.

Flavor and Aroma Ratings:

• Earthy: 4/5
• Citrus: 4/5
• Fruity: 1/5
• Spice: 3/5
• Wood: 4/5

Cannabinoids and Terpenes

It would be natural to expect a strain called “Trainwreck” to have crazy-high THC content, but that’s not the case. Trainwreck averages 17%, which is quite potent but not overwhelming. Some batches, particularly those from accomplished growers, may come in above 20%. CBD content is usually no higher than 0.5%; CBG levels can be a bit higher.

Terpenes that are well-represented in this strain include caryophyllene, myrcene, terpinolene, limonene, linalool, and humulene.

Lineage

Trainwreck has been around since the late 1970s. It was reportedly created in Northern California when growers (said to be brothers) crossbred a landrace indica Afghan strain with Mexican and Thai landrace sativas. The pure landrace characteristics of the parents shine through clearly in the potent sativa and indica effects of Trainwreck’s bud.

There’s one interesting story about this strain that’s widely believed, although it’s never been proven. Reportedly, Trainwreck wasn’t named for the power of its high, but a local disaster. The original growers had their plants hidden in a field near train tracks; when there was a train accident nearby, they had to move their crop so it wouldn’t be discovered.

Similar Strains

Few strains can duplicate the complete Trainwreck experience, but a good alternative is one of the Trainwreck’s child strains, Purple Trainwreck (also known as Granddaddy Trainwreck, although it was bred with Mendocino Purps and not GDP). Other similar strains to try include Blueberry Haze, Purple Jamaican Skunk, and Mac 1.

Trainwreck Strain Review: FAQ

Q: Will smoking Trainwreck knock you out?
A: For most users, it depends on how much they smoke. The indica body stone will become apparent after the initial euphoria, and it slows most people down. Whether they become couch locked, sedated, or fall asleep usually is a function of whether they’ve only taken a few hits — or smoked the whole bowl.

Q: Can you grow Trainwreck at home?
A: It’s a lot easier than it used to be. For a long time, only clones of these plants were available. Needless to say, that made it difficult for most home growers to acquire them. In recent years, reputable seed banks like Royal Dutch Genetics and Humboldt Seeds have been able to duplicate the Trainwreck strain and make the seeds widely available.