Loud

Although Loud is common slang for any particularly cerebral variety of cannabis, it also designates a specific sativa strain. Loud (also known as Loud Dream) is a back-cross of the F1 phenotype of Blue Dream with itself. The result is an amplification of Blue Dream’s already potent and dreamy mental effects. The strain’s THC has been measured at between 15% and 28%.

Loud shows off its bag appeal with strikingly large flowers. The buds adhere in a formation that ranges from chunky and almost spherical to more conical. Their structure is more sativa than indica, with piecey leaves that spiral outward rather than curl inward toward their central stems. These leaves themselves are a patchwork of olive green and lavender, the latter of which is the product of pigments called anthocyanins. Finally, vibrant orange pistils wind their way through these fluffy buds while glassy trichomes dot all their visible surfaces.

Loud’s aroma has predominantly citrus accents, with orange and pineapple notes. A closer inspection reveals a sweetly skunky odor. Grinding up the buds releases an herbal, eucalyptus-like scent that may ring a bell for fans of its grandparent strain Haze. When burnt, Loud gives off a very smooth and pleasant smoke that’s easily inhaled. On the exhale, this smoke carries an earthy and slightly tropical flavor.

Loud turns up the volume relatively quickly, sending smokers’ thoughts into a new orbit sometimes before they’ve even had the chance to exhale its flavorful smoke. At first, an increase in blood pressure may result in a slight throbbing around the temples as well as a slight flushing in the cheeks. Formerly obscure ideas or concepts may suddenly dominate the user’s attention often to the point of shutting out other external stimuli. In the wrong set and setting, this sense of mindrace can induce a sense of panic or paranoia; for consumers who are accustomed to a potent sativa, though, it can prove useful for getting through complicated analytical tasks. Loud may also spark a chain reaction of freely associative thinking, allowing for work on open-ended creative projects or brainstorms. Users who aren’t as interested in being productive can put Loud to work in social settings, as its thoughtful and chatty tendencies can be an effective conversation starter, even among strangers. The strain may have some physically relaxing effects but these typically aren’t intense enough to induce any kind of drowsiness or couchlock. In fact, Loud’s eventual combination of physical and mental stimulation makes it a great way to enhance activities that involve the whole body, including, but not limited to, exercise, gaming, dancing, and even sex. Some trippy sensory effects include a distortion of certain sights or sounds, as well as an uncanny sense of time passing more slowly. Because of its mostly energetic vibe, Loud is recommended for daytime and even wake-and-bake use.

Loud’s mostly upbeat properties give it a few applications for medical cannabis patients as well. Its initially cerebral effects can enable sustained focus for those with attention deficit disorders. Its mental illumination may also temporarily improve the symptoms of mild to moderate stress and depression. Loud can also numb physical discomfort, whether it’s a chronic, disease-related pain or an everyday inflammation like a headache. Because its recursive patterns of thinking can bring about paranoia under the wrong circumstances, Loud is not recommended for patients who are prone to panic or who have a low tolerance for THC.

Seeds of Loud are available from some digital retailers. It can be cultivated indoors or out, although success outdoors requires a humid, Mediterranean climate with consistent daytime sunlight and temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do choose to grow outdoors, rest easy in the fact that this strain’s plants are more bug-resistant than average. Growers looking to bring out Loud’s potential flashes of purple should briefly activate the anthocyanin in its genetics by exposing crops to nighttime temperatures between 10 to 15 degrees below average. Loud flowers within 9 to 10 weeks and offers a high yield of bud at harvest time.

Fans of its uber-popular parent strain Blue Dream should try out Loud if given the opportunity. It offers a deep head high with relatively little physical sedation.