Afghan Kush: Quick Overview
Among the king of pure indica strains, Afghan Kush is a 100% indica that grows naturally in the Hindu Kush mountain range. The Afghan Kush strain has an almost hash-like, earthy aroma with a Pinesol-like undertones. Consumed, the taste is similar to the smell, sweet and hashy.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Afghan Kush strain and about buying Afghan Kush feminized seeds, Afghan Kush auto-flowering seeds, and Afghan Kush regular seeds online.
| Type | Indica |
| THC Level | Up to 26%, 18% average |
| Effects | Relaxing, body effects, sleep, pain relief |
| Smell and Flavor Profile | Hashy, earthy, sweet |
| Grow Difficulty | Easy! |
Afghan Kush Cannabis Seeds
Afghan Strain Effects
Afghan Kush is probably the most famous example of a purely indica landrace strain, parent or ancestor to so many other strains that you’ve no doubt experienced Afghan Kush genetics in some form. Whether you call it Afghani, AfKush, or just Afghan, this is a deep indica everyone should experience on its own at least once.
Afghan Kush originated in the time and place of hash-making, and this is one of the best varieties of cannabis for that pursuit. Afghan Kush is known for creating amazing Afghani black hashish “charas” due to its status as one of the most resinous varieties of cannabis that exists.
The Afghan Kush strain has high THC levels of 14 to 21 percent, with CBD levels of up to 6 percent. This kind of higher balance between THC and CBD is typical of a pure indica landrace strain and allows this to be a very useful medical marijuana cultivar, offering notable pain relief and body relaxation and thanks to its suite of indica effects produced by its high resin content.
The high from Afghan Kush melts over the body at first hit. Instant waves of soothing calm wash over your muscles and bones, along with other pleasant sensations. This is almost entirely a package of indica effects, not the cerebral rush you might get from a sativa or even a more balanced hybrid.
Afghan Kush produces effects that linger almost totally within the body. Many users need to stop moving completely, if not sleep, although if you start low and go slow, you should not find this strain too overpowering.
You may find yourself in the kitchen, though! Afghan Kush can absolutely cause the munchies, not just couch-lock. Still, at the end of this high, just like with any seriously pure indica, it may be time for bed. If so, let that sweet sedation take over. Why bother remembering what was stressing you out in the first place?
Medical Benefits of Afghan Kush
Afghan Kush offers a great range of medical benefits, most of which you would expect from a typical indica strain. Its characteristic body effects offer many medical benefits.
For example, especially at higher doses, Afghan Kush strain is in fact sedating and can be used to treat insomnia. It works best just an hour or two before bedtime; it doesn’t knock you right out, but relaxes you and gets you there gradually and naturally.
Afghan Kush is also excellent for treating stress and anxiety. Although it is not particularly uplifting like a sativa might be, it offers serious relaxation for those plagued with stress. And because Afghan Kush stimulates appetite, it can help treat nausea, anorexia, appetite loss, and cachexia.
Many medical marijuana patients use Afghan Kush to treat chronic pain, in part because it has such a high CBD level. This is an effective strain for treating back pains, headaches including migraines, joint pain, menstrual cramps, muscle spasms, and other sources of pain.
Afghan Kush Taste and Smell
Afghan Kush has a smell and taste that’s all its own, but is a classic indica, all the same. It is hashy, earthy, and sweet, often with hints of Pinesol. This overall hash-like effect in aroma and flavor is reminiscent of almost any strain that grows wild as a landrace in the Hindu Kush region, and it is a unique, spicy treat.
As you smoke, vape, or otherwise consume Afghan Hash, you get even more of that hashish experience, with more spicy sweetness and dank aftertaste. Yet this is still absolutely cannabis—it’s a fabulous flower or concentrate.
Afghan Kush Cannabinoid/Terpene profile
Because the Afghan Kush strain is a landrace strain that grew in the wild on its own without any human help, it developed genetically based on evolution, not cultivation and crossbreeding. It was the natural environment itself that selected the blend of terpenes and cannabinoids you get in Afghan Kush. Many consumers say this creates a particular clean kind of high they seek out.
Either way, this is a high THC strain, and naturally high CBD strain as well. Most samples of Afghan Kush cannabis ring in around 20 to 21 percent THC and 5 to 6 percent CBD. The result is a natural medical marijuana strain with the CBD still there instead of being bred out, and fewer negative cannabis side effects.
In terms of terpenes, Afghan Kush is typically heaviest in Caryophyllene, with moderate amounts of myrcene, humulene, and limonene, depending on the sample. Smaller amounts of pinene, linalool, and terpineol also appear in Afghan Kush.
The caryophyllene is responsible for a lot of that hashy flavor, with pepper, basil, and clove tastes. Myrcene offers mango and herbal flavors, and is probably the origin of the Afghan Kush sweetness. Humulene lends hoppy, earthy notes, and limonene a hint of citrus.
In terms of undertones, expect pinene to lend pine and rosemary scent and flavor, and linalool to provide a lavender note to this strain. When present and detectable, terpineol offers more sweetness from a lilac essence.
In terms of effects, this terpene combination offers anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant benefits thanks to high levels of caryophyllene and myrcene. Myrcene adds additional sedative and pain relief benefits, as does humulene. In total, it’s a medical marijuana powerhouse.
History and Genetics
We trace Afghan Kush’s roots to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, which is formed naturally by the Hindu Kush mountain range. This growing region is the ultimate source for cannabis strains that produce high quality hash.
In fact, the Hindu Kush mountain range is probably the one location on Earth most associated with cannabis growth and production—and no wonder. With varying temperatures and elevations, most marijuana strains we know today trace their roots back to these mountains.
Afghan Kush itself originated on the border of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, in the Amu Darya River Valley. Some growers swear by Afghan Kush clones, but a Sensi Seeds partner from the Netherlands perfected these seeds, and now the Afghani Kush landrace strain is now available in seed form from Sensi Seeds in Amsterdam.
If You Love Afghan Kush, Try These Strains
If you like the tingly, sweet flavor of Grape Ape or Granddaddy Purple and the heavy body effects of Paris OG or Triangle Kush, you will think Afghan Kush is a great strain. If you love the pain relief and sedation of Northern Lights fan but would love some additional euphoria, Afghan Kush is your strain.
Afghan Kush is very similar in effects to Blackberry Kush or Purple Kush, but it is very high in caryophyllene and is therefore peppery, spicy, and hashy more than just fruity sweet.
Growing the Afghan Kush Strain
Like most cannabis plants, Afghan Kush likes a balmy, warm mediterranean temperatures, if you grow outdoors. Inside, Afghan Kush is easy to grow. It adapts well to any growing medium and resists common parasites, pests, and molds.
Flowering time for Afghan Kush is about 7 to 8 weeks indoors, and this marijuana plant yields around 16 ounces per square meter. Outside, expect even better—around 21 ounces per plant—around late September to early October.
In appearance, Afghan Kush plants display the familiar broad leaves of an indica and its buds develop into huge, resinous, blunt-topped nuggets. These massive, sticky, resinous dark green buds and shiny and appealing.
Afghan Kush grows quickly, and final yield improves with the use of high-quality nitrogen fertilizer, and basic trimming techniques.
Buy Afghan Kush Seeds
Afghan Kush will always be a popular choice among cannabis connoisseurs and growers. Known for classic, strong indica effects and a heavy resin content, Afghan Kush is a great choice for just about anyone. Afghan Kush is truly a piece of the cannabis culture.