Project Blue Book

Trigger warning: if you’re terrified of alien abductions, you may want to avoid this strain, named after an actual U.S. government program to study widespread reports of UFOs. Project Blue Book is more mellow than its name suggests, though, with stimulating sativa effects at first and a thorough indica relaxation on the backend. Project Blue Book is a cross between uber-popular hybrid Blue Dream and colorful 3C Majestic 12. This well-balanced strain’s THC content has been measured at between 14% and 22%.

Project Blue Book’s buds set themselves apart with medium to large flowers that adhere in irregular, chunky shapes. These solid flowers have a characteristically indica bud structure, tightly packed and dense at their core. The coiled leaves are a bright lime green and are wound through with curly brown hairs (which are actually pistils, botanical reproductive structures meant to catch pollen). Finally, translucent white trichomes coat these thick flowers, giving them a very sticky texture and making them hard to break up without the help of a grinder.

When they’re properly cured, a sweet, floral smell wafts up from buds of Project Blue Book. There’s also an orange-inflected scent lurking underneath. Meanwhile, grinding up the flowers yields a mellow, earthy musk. When burnt, Project Blue Book gives off a smooth and easily palatable smoke. This smoke has a hashy, spicy flavor on the exhale with some hints of fruit.

Like many other sativa-dominant strains, Project Blue Book has a fast-acting high that comes with a concerted head rush. What follows can range from an increase in salivation to a simple flush of the cheeks. Mentally, the buzz results in a kind of fast-paced thinking in which ideas and concepts may flow from one to the next in previously inconceivable associations. At this point, Project Blue Book can aid concentration, whether the user is working on complicated, problem-oriented tasks or open-ended creative projects. It may also inspire the energy needed to handle more mundane chores like running errands or cleaning the house. Under some conditions, the strain may also warp the senses, leading to phenomena like visual distortions or an uncanny feeling of time dilation. These psychedelic properties may be pushed even further with atmospheric enhancements like moody music or visually compelling movies. As Project Blue Book’s high wears on or as dosage is increased, its previously upbeat properties melt into a more relaxed, sedentary energy. While the mind remains active and acute, the body tends to be weighed down. Within short order, Project Blue Book’s physical high can be so strong as to be immobilizing, causing any outside stimuli to recede into the background. At these latter stages, the strain may make a nice accompaniment to extended binge-watching session or just simple, introspective daydreaming. Thanks to its two-stage high, Project Blue Book is best enjoyed later in the day or during the early evening.

Project Blue Book’s far-reaching effects can have several applications for medical cannabis patients as well. It may enable those with attention deficit disorders to stay focused on single tasks. Its slow burn of euphoria may also temporarily improve the symptoms of mild to moderate stress or depression. Project Blue Book may also alleviate physical pain, numbing deep-seated, chronic aches and pains as well as minor irritations like headaches and indigestion. Because its early cerebral properties can be overwhelming in the wrong conditions, Project Blue Book is not a good choice for patients who are prone to panic or who have a low THC tolerance.

Seeds of this hard-to-find strain are about as rare as UFOs, and those looking to grow it at home should obtain clippings of mature plants in order to foster genetically identical “clones.” While there’s little information available on best practices specific to cultivating this strain, we know that, like most hybrids, it can be grown indoors or outdoors in a hot and humid climate.

Project Blue Book’s versatile properties make it a great smoke for indica and sativa lovers alike. To fully immerse yourself in the lore of this strain’s extraterrestrial namesake program, toke on it while watching the classic sci-fi/horror series Twin Peaks, which explores a fictionalized version of Project Blue Book in its second season.