American Beauty

American Beauty is a well-balanced hybrid that builds on the fruity and potent genetics of TGA Subcool’s famous Plushberry. Created by breeder Dr. Underground, this strain has initially buzzy effects that melt into slow-moving relaxation. An extremely tasty variety, American Beauty has THC levels measured at between 15% and 24%.

Like those of the prized rose cultivar of the same name, flowers of American Beauty are visually stunning. The buds are medium to large in size and have a chunky, roughly tapered shape. They display an indica-leaning internal structure, with small, wide leaves that curl tightly inward. These leaves themselves are a vibrant mix of mossy green and deep purple; the latter colors are the result of high concentrations of the pigment anthocyanin, which can be activated by cold weather during the growing process. Finally, a high volume of trichomes makes American Beauty’s flowers very sticky to the touch.

American Beauty’s buds are notable for their uniformly fruity aroma. The cured flowers give off a distinct scent of citrus, with shades of pineapple and mango. A deeper whiff may pick up on notes of stonefruit as well. When broken apart or ground up, meanwhile, American Beauty gives off a vaguely fermented, sour odor. Burning the flowers gives off a smooth and very palatable smoke; this smoke leaves behind a bevy of tropical fruit flavors on the exhale.

The high from this potent strain comes on soon after ingestion, hitting smokers with head-focused effects like flushing in the cheeks or a stimulation of the salivary glands; a constricted, “headband”-like feeling around temples is also commonly reported. As these tics before more familiar, users are privy to strange new mindset in which their thoughts may seem louder or more intense. American Beauty’s cerebral high can lead to bouts of deep thinking or work-based productivity, whether you’re working on analytical tasks or have a more loosely-defined creative goal. If the strain is shared in social situations, its tendency to amplify internal monologues can lead to vibrant conversation, even among new acquaintances.

After about an hour, though, American Beauty’s physical effects start to become more pronounced. Consumers’ limbs and eyelids may begin to feel weighty at the same time that they find themselves able to breathe more deeply. Although this body high isn’t enough to incapacitate smokers at first, more time (or increased consumption) may spiral into total couchlock. Luckily, those who want to remain productive may find that American Beauty’s earlier mental stimulation remains intact. Users who’d rather just enjoy the ride, though, can kick back and settle into this sumptuous strain’s body high. Because of its eventually drowsy effects, American Beauty is recommended for afternoon through nighttime consumption.

American Beauty’s versatility translates into several applications for medical cannabis patients. Its plugged-in ways of thinking can facilitate concentration on single tasks for those with attention deficit disorders. Its general improvement in mood, meanwhile, may temporarily lift the fog that comes from mild to moderate stress or depression. Physical benefits include a relief from all kinds of aches and pains, whether due to minor inflammation as in the case of headaches, or due to chronic conditions like lupus. This bud’s tendency to stoke the munchies can even make it a good appetite stimulant for those struggling with digestive difficulties or with treatments like chemotherapy. Because it can induce an obsessive, paranoid mindset in the wrong set and setting, though, American Beauty is not recommended for patients who have a low THC tolerance.

Fortunately for at-home growers, Dr. Underground has made seeds of this strain available for sale online. Once obtained, plants can be grown indoors or out, although outdoor cultivation depends on a humid climate with daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Judging by American Beauty’s solid flowers, its crops have a short and bushy stature. Gardeners who want to bring out this variety’s full purple potential should briefly expose their plants to nighttime temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees below average, just before flowering begins. Per Dr. Underground, American Beauty flowers within 8 to 9 weeks when grown indoors and offers a relatively high yield of buds.

A well-rounded hybrid with something for everyone, American Beauty is worth sampling if spotted on dispensary shelves. Its universally appealing aroma and flavor may be worth the price of purchase alone.