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The Best Weed Strains for Gaming
As its name suggests, cannagaming fuses weed and video games into one exceptionally enjoyable experience. But not all strains place gamers into the same mental zone. Discover the 5 best varieties for the job and find out how to grow them to achieve the most fruitful harvest possible.
Cannagaming pairs weed with video games. Sounds like fun, right? Weed certainly helps some gamers play better, but it’s important to select the right strains for the job.Below, you’ll learn all about the world of cannagaming and discover the five best varieties to help you stay in the zone. Discover their effects, flavours, and exactly how to grow them.
Contents:
What Is a Cannagamer?
Many of us know the feeling; something about holding a video game controller while ample levels of THC traverse the bloodstream just works. The sounds are more crisp, the screen seems brighter and more defined, and you feel so immersed in the game that your reaction time may even feel enhanced. Well, it shouldn’t surprise you to know that millions of others have also figured out that cannabis and gaming go hand in hand.
Known as cannagamers, these people come from all walks of life, including amateur gamers who play purely for fun, streamers who make a living showcasing gameplay with commentary, and professional tournament gamers who are sometimes even subject to anti-doping policies that ban cannabis use during matches. Some players use weed for focus and stimulation, whereas others find its relaxing effect helps them further enjoy the overall gaming experience, from competitive first-person shooters to narrative-rich campaign modes.
Overall, cannagaming is an interesting cultural phenomenon that has seen a substantial rise in recent years. According to Cannabis Business Times, around 54% of gamers in the United States used weed[1] before or while playing video games during Q3 of 2020. So, what does your average cannagamer look like? Well, 54% were male, 26% had a graduate degree, 15% had an income of over $150,000, 50% were married, and 53% were parents.
But will weed actually make you a better gamer? Or does it have the potential to negatively impact your hard-earned stats? And which strains are the best when it comes to pairing cannabis and gaming? Find out the answers to all of these questions below.
Sativa or Indica for Gaming: Which Should You Choose?
When selecting which strain to use for a particular occasion, many cannabis users consider the indica/sativa dichotomy. Conventional cannabis culture wisdom states that indica strains will get you stoned and relaxed, whereas sativa varieties will stimulate the mind and energise the user. However, scientists have debunked this overly simplified view of cannabis’ effects.
You see, the terms “indica” and “sativa” simply refer to morphological differences between two subspecies of cannabis; indicas are bushy with broad leaflets, whereas sativas are tall and lanky with narrow leaflets. While most modern strains are hybrids that possess the genetics of both subspecies, these terms do little to describe the effects of a particular variety. Cannabis researchers now propose a model of classification called “chemovars” that instead places the expectation of effects on the chemical constituents of a strain.
Most modern strains feature high levels of THC, the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis that forms the core of the high. However, all varieties also possess varying levels of terpenes. As well as underpinning the unique aromas and flavours of each variety, terpenes synergise with THC and steer the direction of the high by way of the entourage effect.
So, you can scrap the idea of indica and sativa effects and instead focus on the THC content and terpene concentration in each strain. If you’re looking for something stoning and relaxing, find a variety high in THC with plenty of myrcene. If you prefer a cerebral high, find a strain with moderate levels of THC, a good amount of CBD, and plenty of limonene.
Ultimately, every gamer will find different strains that hit the sweet spot required to enter a flow state. Experiment with different varieties until you find what works for you. Some enjoy a stoning effect that relaxes them into their gaming chair, while others prefer cultivars that make them feel alert for some fast-paced first-person shooter action.
Top 5 Cannabis Strains for Gaming
Below, we’ve created a list of the best weed for gaming. You’ll find weed strains for focus, as well as varieties that appeal to the stoned gamer. Plus, as autoflowering strains, all of them are perfect for growing in tight spaces, such as a covert corner of your garden or high up on a balcony. So, without further ado, get to know the five best weed strains for gaming.
Apollo F1
As one of the best weed varieties for gaming, Apollo F1 maintains a tiny structure and grows rapidly, allowing you to grow this plant in your game room itself! Sow seeds directly into 11-litre pots and expect shoots to emerge within a couple of days. Your seedlings will stand at a height of up to 10cm by the end of the first week of veg, reaching just 20cm before transitioning into bloom.
Expect your plants to stretch to 55–75cm during flowering, depending on if any training is used. Flush during the last two weeks of her 50-day blooming phase and prepare to harvest big yields both indoors and outdoors.
Apollo F1 produces large and dense colas caked with resin. These flowers offer moreish flavours of citrus, herbs, lavender, pine, and vanilla. Harnessing high levels of THC, Apollo F1 exerts a motivating, creative, and physically relaxing high perfect for boosting focus when playing fast-paced video games.
Apollo F1
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Lemon x Black Domina x Sugar Magnolia |
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45 - 50 days |
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THC: Very high |
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Calming, Creative, Motivating , Physically Relaxing |
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75 - 80 days after sprouting |
Corkscrew Auto
If you’re looking for the best weed strain for focus as a cannagamer, you just found it! Corkscrew Auto provides an uplifting surge of energy that will plunge you into a flow state and send your stats skyward. Sow seeds directly into 11-litre pots and watch sprouts push through the soil 2–3 days later. Wait until your seedlings reach 5–10cm by the end of week one and move your pots outdoors into a sunny position when all risk of frost has passed. Feed with a fertiliser high in nitrogen and expect plants to peak at around 40cm by the end of veg.
Your plants will stretch to 70–100cm during early bloom. Defoliate lower leaves and any that are blocking light from hitting bud sites. During its flowering phase of 8–10 weeks, feed with a fertiliser high in potassium and phosphorus. Prepare to harvest 90–175g/plant after a total growing cycle of 12–13 weeks.
With a THC content of 19%, Corkscrew Auto will get you adequately elevated without tipping you over the edge and negatively impacting your cannagaming performance. Terpenes that offer tastes of candy, citrus, and pineapple push the high in a refreshing and stimulating direction.
Corkscrew Auto
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Cherry Pie Auto x Tangie |
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450 - 500 gr/m2 |
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70 - 100 cm |
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8 - 10 weeks |
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THC: 19% |
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Sativa 55% Indica 40% Ruderalis 5% |
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90 - 175 gr/plant |
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120 - 150 cm |
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12 - 13 after sprouting |
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Focus , Uplifting |
Purplematic CBD
The best weed strains for gaming don’t all get you stoned. Purplematic CBD offers a different approach. The strain provides a crystal-clear effect without any high. Sow seeds into 11-litre pots and move your seedlings outdoors once all risk of frost has passed. Layer mulch into your container in hot and arid regions, and irrigate well. Apply LST during the third week of veg to keep your plants compact and stealthy, preventing them from exceeding a height of 50cm.
During flowering, trained Purplematic CBD plants will stretch to 70–100cm and form a dense and bushy canopy. Defoliate well in humid areas to prevent the risk of mould. Flush during the last two weeks of bloom and watch your buds develop a striking purple appearance. Have enough stash jars to hand to cure 110–150g/plant of buds once the 8–9-week grow cycle comes to an end.
The progeny of Kush Rose Auto CBD and Afghan Rose Auto CBD, this cultivar possesses a CBD concentration of 17% alongside only trace levels of THC at 0.5%. Hit a joint or bowl of this variety, and you’ll experience flavours of candy and pineapple and a clear-headed high that will keep you razor-focused for long periods of cannagaming.
Purplematic CBD
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Kush Rose Auto CBD x Afghan Rose Auto CBD |
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375 - 450 gr/m2 |
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70 - 120 cm |
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7 - 8 weeks |
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THC: 0,5% |
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Sativa 5% Indica 90% Ruderalis 5% |
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110 - 150 gr/plant |
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100 - 140 cm |
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8 - 9 weeks after sprouting |
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Calming, Clear |
Do-Si-Dos Auto
Do-Si-Dos Auto has become a hit during the cannagaming trend. This powerful variety serves up high levels of THC and grows well just about anywhere. Directly sow seeds into 11-litre pots filled with a medium enriched with organic matter and bioinoculants such as mycorrhizal fungi for optimal root development. When gently trained, plants will grow to just 80cm during veg. Prune periodically to shape the canopy to your liking and keep it aerated. Expect your plants to transition into bloom after three weeks of veg.
Do-Si-Dos produces stunning purple-green colas during its 8-week flowering stage. Plants will stretch to 140cm and require shelter in a greenhouse or polytunnel during heavy rain to protect buds against mould. Trigger a flush with 1–2 weeks left before harvest and pull in up to 150g/plant.
Descending from parent strains Do-Si-Dos and Cookies Auto, this cultivar possesses a THC content of 20%, placing her among the more potent autos available. Her sweet and fruity terpenes synergise with the cannabinoid to produce a relaxing and mellow high ideal for slower-paced games and captivating campaign modes.
Do-Si-Dos Auto
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Do-Si-Dos x Cookies Auto |
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350 - 400 gr/m2 |
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80 - 120 cm |
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7 - 8 weeks |
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THC: 20% |
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Sativa 35% Indica 60% Ruderalis 5% |
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100 - 150 gr/plant |
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100 - 140 cm |
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9 - 10 weeks after sprouting |
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Calming |
Grape Ape Auto
Quick, compact, and reliable, Grape Ape Auto has risen to stardom in the cannagaming community. Keep things simple and sow seeds directly into 11-litre pots. Keep seedlings sheltered indoors until the last frost passes, then position the pots in a sunny spot under the open sky or in a greenhouse for faster growth. Apply regular liquid seaweed and fish emulsion root drenches and compost tea foliar sprays to keep plants in tip-top health during the vegetative phase. They’ll peak at 50cm when trained and 70cm if untrained before switching to flower.
It doesn’t take long for Grape Ape Auto plants to start emitting mouth-watering aromas of blueberry and herbs during the flowering stage. Plants stretch to 120cm and develop dense and tapered buds at the nodes. After 8 weeks of flowering (10–11-week total life cycle), cut plants at the base, hang them to dry, and prepare to trim and cure up to 165g/plant.
Born from a cross between Grape Ape and OG Kush Auto, Grape Ape Auto delivers a high that relaxes the body while helping the mind to focus. Perfect for long hours spent gaming, this strain will keep you engaged and energised.
Grape Ape Auto
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Grape Ape x OG Kush Auto |
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400 - 450 gr/m2 |
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70 - 100 cm |
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8 - 9 weeks |
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THC: 19% |
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Sativa 10% Indica 85% Ruderalis 5% |
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115 - 165 gr/plant |
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80 - 120 cm |
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10 – 11 weeks after sprouting |
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Calming, Focus , Physically Relaxing |
How to Use Cannabis While Gaming
Now you’re aware of the best weed strains to consume when playing video games, but how exactly should you use them for the best results? Check out some key tips below:
- Stay hands-free: You can’t game to the best of your ability with a joint in your hand. Instead, use a bong or vape to stay elevated in between games or when loading screens pop up. Make sure to preload your rig after taking a hit so it’s ready for the next opportunity. Likewise, perhaps fill up a Volcano bag before playing and take hits here and there when needed.
- Less is more: Try not to overdo things, especially if you intend on gaming for long hours. Take hits only when you start to feel the effect wear off to keep your mind sharp.
- Stay hydrated: Remember to keep water, juice, or other fluids close by to avoid getting cotton mouth. Staying hydrated will also help you stay focused and have a positive effect on your gaming performance.
Weed and Video Games: Does Being High Help or Hinder?
You’re aware of how to use cannabis while gaming, but will the herb push your ability to the next level or cause you to tumble down the leaderboards? Well, it depends on several factors. Some people find that any amount of THC will disrupt their flow, and therefore may have better results with a high-CBD strain. Others get on exceptionally well with even high levels of THC and find it helps them stay in the zone for long periods of time. It all boils down to the individual. Start out low and slow, testing the waters. Tweak your approach over time until you find what works best for you.
Cannagaming: Is Weed the Advantage Gamers Need?
The cannagaming trend is going nowhere soon. Hordes of gamers find that using cannabis makes the experience more enjoyable and even improves their performance. However, keep in mind that weed affects everybody differently. Start out playing low-stakes matches with low doses of weed, and adjust how much you smoke and the types of strains you use until you’re satisfied that you’ve found your ideal cannagaming approach.
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Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.
