Innovative breeders Alphakronik Genes have proven their genius with Stephen Hawking Kush.
This heavy indica was bred for high CBD content and is a cross between CBD-rich HarleTsu and the colorful Sin City Kush. Stephen Hawking Kush is one in a conceptual series of strains by Alphakronik, dubbed the “Great Minds.” With more CBD than THC in its genes, SHK is an ideal strain for relieving pain and tension while sustaining focus and productivity. SHK offers three distinct phenotypes, all bearing similar flavors and effects.
SHK’s flowers make it clear that this is one exception strain. The medium-sized buds are almost spherical in shape and display the loose, ragged bud structure often associated with pure sativas.
The fluffy leaves are a dusky olive green and are threaded through with corkscrewing orange and pink pistils. More often than not, leaves also display vibrant shades of dark blue and purple; these dramatic colors come about when pigments called anthocyanins are agitated by colder than average weather during the growing process. A blanket of glassy white trichomes covers these already-colorful bud, making them very sticky to the touch.
SHK has a standout aroma to match its eye-catching visuals. When properly cured, the flowers emit a bright and fruity tang. The smell of berries mixes with hints of grape and makes this strain smell more sweet than dank. On closer inspection, there are subtle musky and hashy notes, possibly due to the Afghani landrace roots of parent strain HarleTsu. When combusted, SHK burns with a remarkably smooth smoke that tastes herbal and citrus on the exhale. Notably, this strain’s grape flavor is entirely coincidental to its purple color; while a strain’s colors are determined by pigment, its flavor profile is dictated by compounds called terpenes.
SHK hits quickly for an indica, releasing waves of relaxation that roll down from the neck and through the core and limbs. These physical effects are accompanied by a progressively mounting sense of well-being, culminating in a subdued euphoria. In spite of the strain’s namesake astrophysicist, don’t count on Stephen Hawking Kush to boost your brainpower -- while this strain may trigger some free-associative thinking, its CBD to THC ratio isn’t likely to induce the kind of cerebral mindset suited to serious analytical work. Low THC levels also make this a great strain for going about your day with a clear head, while maintaining a refreshing sense of relief from stress or pain. In moderate doses, couch-lock is uncommon, making THC an enjoyable treat for daytime nighttime use. This strain’s combination of physical and subtle mental effects can also be a great way to enjoy activities that involve both the body and mind, like hiking, exercise, and even sex.
SHK may have several applications for medical cannabis patients as well. It can provide temporary relief from the distracting symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and can help those afflicted to spend their time more mindfully and deliberately. Its sedative effects can also soothe aches and pains, whether they’re temporary as due to injury or long-term as due to disease.
SHK has been known to stoke hunger and may have value as a meal supplement for those who lost their appetite to medications or treatments like chemotherapy. Finally, because its low psychoactivity allows consumers to maintain lucidity, SHK is a good choice for patients who are prone to panic or who have a low tolerance for THC.
Alphakronik Genes as mad seeds of this unique strain available for sale online. SHK’s different phenotypes each have distinct vegetative traits, ranging from tall, spindly plants to short and bushy ones. All strains can be grown indoors or out, although outdoor cultivation calls for semi-humid climate with consistent daytime temperatures in the 70 to 80 degree Fahrenheit range.
Those looking to bring out the strain’s purple hues should also expose the plants to cold (but not freezing) temperatures late in the vegetative stage. SHK flowers within 7 to 8 weeks when grown indoors.
With other strains in the Great Minds line inspired by figures like Nikola Tesla and Werner Heisenberg, Stephen Hawking Kush is in solid company. This gem of a strain is just the thing for achieving long-lasting pain relief or for giving yourself some serious R & R.