The Doctor

Here’s one doctor that makes nothing but house calls. The Doctor is a mostly indica hybrid that’s bred from Great White Shark, Super Skunk, and an undefined landrace from South Asia. It was created by Netherlands-based Green House Seed Company and is named for Valentino Rossi, an award-winning motorcycle racer who also goes by the moniker “doctor.” Appropriately enough, this potent bud provides medical-grade indica effects, with a long-lasting grounded feeling of relaxation. Its THC content has been measured at between 17% and 23%.

The Doctor sets itself apart with medium to large-sized flowers that adhere in an elongated, almost cylindrical formation. The buds have a notably indica structure, dense and deeply furrowed, with tightly-curled leaves. The leaves themselves are a dark shade of forest green and are wound through with curly, rust-colored pistils. Finally, cloudy, amber-colored trichomes coat the inner and outer nooks and crannies of these nuggets, accounting for their high psychoactivity.

When properly cured, the dominant aroma coming off of buds of The Doctor is musky citrus. There are also some powerfully sweet and skunky notes hanging out underneath. Grinding up these compact buds yields the pervasive scent of hash and incense. When burnt, The Doctor gives off a smooth and easily palatable smoke. This smoke tastes woodsy with some bright orange flavors on the exhale.

The Doctor takes a while to show up. It may be as many as 15 minutes after users have consumed this strain’s flavorful smoke before it begins to take effect. When it does arrive though, it hits smokers with serious force, increasing blood flow to the head and making cheeks flush or salivation increase. Along with these odd physical sensations, The Doctor expresses itself through sensory perception. Consumers may experience certain sounds or colors with greater dimension or intensity. Trippy phenomena like a flattening of visual depth or an uncanny feeling of time dilation are also often reported. Those who welcome these psychedelic effects can push them even further with some atmospheric movie or playlists. Other than these sensations, though, The Doctor doesn’t do much in the way of mental engagement; those who try to plow through complicated, detail-oriented tasks mya find themselves quickly frustrated. Instead, this bud’s tingly, numbing body high is best enjoyed kicked back on the couch in the company of some good like-minded friends. Smokers may feel their physical tensions begin to dissipate as they sink into their surroundings. Some may also notice an increased capacity for deep, restorative breathing. As the high wears on or as dosage is increased, The Doctor is likely to bring about near-paralysis in the form of couchlock. This bud’s high tends to last longer than average, even for more experienced cannabis consumers. Because of its predominantly sedative vibes, The Doctor is recommended for evening and nighttime use.

It should come as no shock that The Doctor offers help for medical cannabis patients as well. Its mellow, mood-altering effects can have a salutary effect on stress, depression, anxiety, and even PTSD. It may also soothe physical pain, whether it’s temporary, as due to injury, or chronic, as due to conditions like fibromyalgia. Anti-inflammatory properties, meanwhile, can take the edge off of mundane annoyances like headaches or cramps. In properly relaxed circumstances, The Doctor can even lull smokers into a deep, restful sleep. Because it is not known to bring about intensely cerebral effects, this strain is a good option for patients who are prone to panic or paranoia.

Seeds of The Doctor are available online. Once obtained, it can be grown indoors or out, although outdoor cultivation calls for a semi-humid climate with daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants tend to grow short and bushy with strong lateral branching and flower within 9 to 11 weeks when grown indoors; outdoor plants are typically ready for harvest in late September. If allowed to flower for an extra week or so, Green House Seeds claims that growers can expect a very high yield of about 74 grams (or 2.6 ounces) of flower per square foot of plant.

Although it’s named The Doctor, feel free to enjoy this strain whether you’re medicating or indulging in more recreational pursuits. Its orange-tinged flavor makes for a tasty treat at the end of a busy day.