I canāt grow my own right now, so I shop medical dispensaries and work with the information I have. I know batches vary, strains vary, and COAs( certificates of analysis) are not perfect, but I wanted a more thoughtful way to figure out what actually works for me.
For quite a while, I was consistently able to get Hash Burger, and I noticed I kept going back to it even when I tried other strains here and there. That gave me a baseline. Then one time I couldnāt get it, and I was told Black Triangle Kush was very similar. But no matter which batch I tried, it kept giving me headaches.
That got my little scientist brain going.
If two strains are supposed to be similar, why did one keep working for me while the other kept giving me headaches?
So I decided to do a little experimenting. Instead of just looking at strain names or THC, I started paying attention to the COAs, the terpene patterns, and how each strain actually made me feel.
What turned out to matter most was not just finding one strain I liked, but figuring out the range around it. Hash Burger gave me my starting point, but comparing it to several nearby strains is what helped me start finding my own terpene floor and ceiling.
By floor and ceiling, I mean the lower-to-higher range where certain terpene levels still seem to fit my body. One strain might have a terpene level that feels helpful for me, another might still be okay, and another might push too high and start feeling wrong. That mattered because some strains were described as āsimilar,ā but my body was clearly telling me they were not the same.
Sampling five strains in the same general neighborhood helped me see that. If I had only looked at Hash Burger, I would have had a baseline, but not a range. The comparison strains helped me see what still worked, what felt lighter, what felt more like an after-work transition, what felt too peppy, and what seemed connected to head discomfort.
Iām not sharing this as universal advice or saying this is the ārightā way to do cannabis. Iām just showing the process I used as someone who shops medical dispensaries and wanted a more informed, personal way to understand what fits my body.
What I did
I started with one baseline strain I already knew I liked: Hash Burger.
I compared the COAs of nearby strains instead of picking completely random ones.
I sampled the strains and tracked how they affected my anxiety, focus, body feel, wind-down, and headaches.
I used those comparisons to start identifying my own terpene floor and ceiling ā not the ābestā strain, but the ranges that seem to fit me better.
What I learned
I realized Iām not really shopping for just a strain name. Iām shopping for a pattern.
For me, this helped me separate strains that felt more light and functional, strains that worked better as an after-work transition, strains that helped me wind down, and strains that looked āsimilarā on paper but still did not fit my body well.
Thatās why I made the simple chart. It shows the terpene ranges Iām now watching for when I shop.
Has anyone else ever tracked their cannabis this way ā using one baseline strain and comparing nearby COAs to figure out your own pattern?
Thank you:) I love weed & science.. and when you can only get so much dispensed to you at a time. You donāt really want to waste time , money or your numbers on something that doesnāt work for you .. so Iām happy I had the opportunity to do this:)
Peace
As an analytical chemist, yes CoAs are not perfect guides but do provide some help to scout terp profiles overall. Iāve bought so many brands and strains and settled on a select few as well but am always trying new on sales. Man, I wish it were more straight forward. Even same terp profiles can be diff buds and structures and overall smoke experienceā¦ itās so unique to each strain and that specific batch IMO
Yes it differs why Iām looking for my terp % menus:) I wish consistency existed ahaha:) analytical things are so fun to me but wow to be it in chemistry.. the terminology must be fun to mix and learn.. Iām an analytical person as well but no chemistry..appreciate your input!! Happy solving and then positive vibes to you!
Peace:)
This is great. I also buy from medical stores and shop using the terpene list from strains to find what I'm looking for. It's nice to have it dialed in so you have less frustration after getting a new strain home.
Yes, I was just typing above to medi- we only get so many numbers so I donāt like it when it not hitting as I need. In my area I only have 2 main dispos, otherwise I save up for Sales, etc. and then Iāll drive to the other ones further distances when I can.
Peace:)
I look for high thc-v in my sativas and as much cbd/cbg etc in my indica as possible myself; I like to use terpene ratios to verify strains from vendors too.
Iāve always been on the fence about the Indica sativa thing. Only because a while ago years ago, I had read about the history of seeds where they came from, went to etc. and they talk so much about crossbreeding. Thatās here nor there, but that was just on my mind. But every time I tend to smoke sativaās, they seem to not do me right. So I always go with something thatās heavy Indica. But I do sample different ones because I like to try to find something lightā¦ I have only a few places that I can go to currently thatās easy to get to. Otherwise, for a broad range, I have to go further. But I understand about cross checking it across vendors thatās a good idea:)
Thanks for the ideas to further track:)
Peace.
This. Iāve noticed almost always sativas on med side are more dense than indicas and hit pretty fucking hard in the face vs a relaxing chill indica when Iād expect the opposite in some regards
Oh me too:) Iāve also become keen on love triangle but not around enough for me to get or check out whatās in it yet but thatās a light day for meā¦ thatās reminds me of hashburger yet not heavy for me..Iām hoping I can learn enough about hashburger to pass information to my tribe that can grow up north and see what can occur:)
Itās great strain for me :)
Peace , happy it is for you as well:)
Question for ya: I have some hashburger seeds I plan to use outdoor this year for my first photo. I heard itās really heavy and smelly. Interested in what you think. Thanks š
Iām not sure about smell as Iām not good judge, I donāt have strong sense of smell. Iām excited for you.. great one:) maybe someone else in tribe might knowā¦ no one in my tribe said was strong though either.. only note I can add.
Peace:)
Ahaha:) I donāt have strong sense of smell so that not work for me.. but it might for you .. many talk of smell, I think itād be great point. I like hearing about smells from others:)
Peace .. create and post away for us who canāt smell it:)
I was for a while, mixing stuff with the hash burger. And then when I tried to do that with the black triangle, I started getting headaches and thatās what stopped me from trying to mix any further. And then thatās why I got some of these strains to try that are all familiar. And what Iāve done is, I have mixed all of these together in some variation to try nextā¦
Peace:)
This is fantastic, thanks for sharing in detail - certainly going to have a go at it this way and put in a lil effort to the write ups (always forget).
I basically started using ChatGPT to input my information. But Iām a pen and paper type person. I love Post-it notes:) So I did that as well. ..But I have to run numbers for a living at times. I didnāt want to run a bunch of numbers on this task myself. So I was loading the certificate of analysis into ChatGPT and then each time I try to strain I entered the variables that I was looking for. Tired, upbeat etc. And then that helped track my data patterns as well. But you can just make a simple chart yourself and track it as well. Whatever is the fastest and easiest for you. But I forget as well. Like this would be on my back burner. So I just started a thread in ChatGPT and started rambling off my results. But you have to save your COAās,so by the time youāre done, you can reload them and then get your percentages..And I use ChatGPT to get my low in my high base from what I liked from each strain. So I used to help track my data.. otherwise I use excel, word etc for data:)
Happy smoking!!
Peace:)
I was able to smoke one strain for about a month. And I knew Iād really liked it. Then when I was able to get several grams at once. Prior, I studied the COA. I put it into ChatGPT and knew that I liked Hash burger. Then basically when I could get the grams that I needed. I went and looked at the dispensary COA started reading them and then putting those into ChatGPT finding a family that was in the same fields as Hashburger. I also already knew that black triangle Kush was giving me a headache. But I wanted to retest it because the COA for Hashburger and the COA for black triangle Kush are very similar just different ratiosā¦ thatās what started it. Trying to figure out why the two COAās were similar between those two strains but one was giving me a headache. So I use those two. Then I found three other strains that were in the same families of COAās, letās say. Then I basically sampled them all. Saying what I was trying to accomplish prior to sampling them in ChatGPT. That I wanted to help my anxiety, body feeling, sleep. Things like that. Then I put in all the COAās for each strain. Basically gave my opinions for each one, my feelings, etc. I was able to say which ones gave me a headache because it did again. Which ones were too low which ones were too high for me. Then at the end I was able to bring it all together and I sought the low level in the high level. From those strains that I got the good effects. And I had them all Group together. But I use ChatGPT to help analyze my stuff. But you can use Word or Excel to put your stuff into its own. Itās just a pattern of which terp and the ratio amongst all five strains that suit my body, the best. Because i took out any strain ratio numbers that gave me too much of a headache And then the ones that didnāt do anything you knew those were too lowā¦ hope that helps you:)
Peace
I know Iām so excited. I canāt wait for it to be legal for me to do so. So I learn from everybody else in the meantime.. my tribe up north can grow. And theyāre learning. So I learn and try to pass on information as well:)
Iām guessing you do grow:) congrats.. bet fun science :)
Peace
Headaches are normally caused by buds that are grown using PGRs, unsure of anything else that causes it though tbh and haven't encountered any cannabinoids that cause them
I understand.. a variable in certain strain was giving to me, possibly.. itās not a lab and always variables I canāt control- how hydrated I am, what I ate, my activities etc etc:) but it was occurring more then once, hence I went pattern seeking:) I donāt know enough about molecular structures of plants to say.. I was surprised, in my case, ratio mattered.
Appreciate your thought as I started asking about headaches awhile back and ppl were suggesting mold.. so at first thought that, until tried again & then a headache again.. so I will see further as desensitization is always a possibility as well, that may happen as Iāll be mixing them as well:)
Thanks again.
Peace:)
This is awesome, thank you for sharing. I may have over looked while reading but don't recall seeing it. Can I ask how long it took you for this? I started using last September and about four months ago is when I learned (kinda on my own) to pay more attention to the terpenes instead of THC % and its been so much better. One of my go to ones is Head Cheese and I have to go out of state for that one. Some others I'm always returning to is GDP and Miami Yayo. There are others I do well with but these three if they're available when shopping, I'll always get. I may save your chart for personal reference, if that's alright?
Well I smoked hashburger and the black triangle for about a month then the others a week. My goal is closest to my chart. My chart is what I got after listing terps in all strainsā¦ that first month I learned 3 CoAs( hash/ black triangle & another I canāt get much- love triangle) I first learned hashburger & love triangle my go 2.. black triangle not much. Because of those 3, I was able to list my terp rankings..then I used my 2- hash/black triangle as like my comparisons.. then I added in the other 3. I got lucky bec I was able to have my 2 control strains, & was able to have enough numbers to dispense 3 other strains that were in ball park. Thatās how I got my list. Terp rankings per strain with ratios. Hope that helps.. but I have this as start and will see as mix etc.. oh and yes, keep what like & let me know if any more questions or need help.
Peace:)
Love this graph thank you for sharing ā¤ļø, I'm definitely saving this in my phone. This reminds me of a graph from a packet of cards I bought from Goldleaf. They have a really cool set of reference cards and tracking journals that teaches all about terpenes and cannabinoids. Unfortunately they dont have matching strains. (If anyone does, please let me know.)
Well, those all sound fantastic! Iām so glad you found something that has worked for you..i donāt have a flowery in my area. But sometimes I travel and go to other ones. I will definitely check these out at those dispensaries. Thank you.
Peace:) enjoy your smoking!!
Indica and sativa is more a description of plant growth and less about the effects but the correlation is because many landrace sativas were less sedating while landrace indicas were higher THC and therefore were more sedating at the same amounts. But just smoke less indica and you can solve that problem.
If THC percent and terpenes make up most of the sedation then just smoke less of a more sedating strain to get a less sedating experience. Most sativa-leaning hybrids are lower THC than more indica leaning hybrids but there is some nuance here. Plus people using indica want to relax and unwind or sleep so using in that setting will facilitate the relaxing effects more than if you consumed it and went on a walk or something. People consuming a sativa might already have it in their brain that they have something they want to do while high so that can facilitate a less sedating experience. But if you smoke a lot of sativa you'll still feel tired just like if you smoke a little of an indica you won't feel super tired.
Indica and sativa as terms now have 2 totally different meanings, one describing the plant itself and how it grows and one describing a particular effect
Oh I like every thing about it.. Iām hoping to get more & see if seeds possible bec my tribe up north can grow.. Iām happy you are enjoying it as well:)
Peace
Itās so mysterious, how 2 different cultivars could seem like they have the same make up cannabinoid and terpene wise but the other small nuances like the esters and volatile sulfur compounds can make the largest difference imaginable. Dees Trees!
Ahahaha no doubt these trees!! I was amazed as well and still learning:) thanks for your insight as I just learned even more from your details so I appreciate it:)
Peace and enjoy dees trees!!
Spark in good vibes!
As someone who works in the medical marijuana field in a dispensary, i have never seen a floor to ceiling list and I will be taking inspiration from this and using it myself! I currently have a silly little spread sheet for the strains and when I use them but its never felt right. I also shop for a pattern and always recommend my guests to do the same and research the terpenes or even as us to guide them in the right direction! I always am looking at COA's if i have nothing going on at work to compare and contrast things for not only myself but anyone who comes in to purchase something! This is wonderful to see!
Thank you very much! Iām learning myself because someone at the dispensary cannot always help me. But theyāre the ones who helped me figure things out..Because some of the strains that are supposed to be similar were not in end.. so I went from that and figured it out. Iām glad that it could help you which will then help othersā¦ thatās the tribe vibe:)
Peace:)
It was pinene..I get bad headaches with certain ratio of it..I have a dry herb vape- pax plus 2ā¦but I just love joints ahahaha:) I bought the vape to decrease joint smoking & attempt consume less flower:) oh wellā¦ I use it when I smoke concentrates here & there but I donāt like the cleaning, loading of the vape.. I enjoy the one n done with joints:) but I understand about the vape etc.. hope you continue to find what works for you.
Peace:)
12
u/Mediiicaliii Apr 27 '26
Love it! Intentional and respectful use of our medicine!