Special Sauce Strain : Genetics, Terpenes, and Potential Benefits

small special sauce hemp plants in potting soil

Traversing the ever-growing cannabis and hemp industries, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed. With the immense catalog of cannabis- and hemp-derived options available, consumers must regularly consider specifics like cannabinoid content; sativa, indica, and hybrid classifications; terpene content; and strain as they search for products.

Experts have predicted there are more than 700 strains of cannabis, with producers regularly cross-breeding cannabis and hemp plants to develop new strains with specific characteristics.

While it’s impossible to keep tabs of every strain, having a bit of know-how surrounding some of the more common strains, or those you plan to consume, can go a long way in procuring your own personal wellness plan.

One such strain to take note of is the Special Sauce CBD strain. This hybrid typically contains little tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and a high amount of cannabidiol (CBD), making it a great strain for relaxing, de-stressing, and sleep.

Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of this iconic high-CBD strain!

Key Takeaways

  • Special Sauce is a non-psychoactive hybrid strain with high concentration of CBD and low amounts of THC.
  • A well-balanced hybrid with flexible application, the Special Sauce CBD strain is great to use during the day or at night.
  • The strain boasts a high terpene profile, including caryophyllene, pinene, limonene, and myrcene.
  • The terpenes in Special Sauce hold potential benefits to aid with pain, breathing, mental clarity.
  • Special Sauce CBD effects often include feelings of calm, clarity, and happiness.

    Special Sauce Strain Genetics

    Every strain has a history, and the Special Sauce hemp strain is no exception. The strain was first bred by Oregon CBD as their flagship line, crossing the original Special Sauce strain with Early Resin Berry, an ultra-high CBD hybrid, nearly eliminating the THC content and creating the multi-faceted, CBD-heavy Special Sauce.

    The strain is an evenly balanced hybrid strain, generally 50% indica and 50% sativa. Special Sauce CBD flower also routinely packs a hefty amount of CBD, upwards of 20%, with a minimal amount of THC, less than 1%. Between its middle-of-the-road hybrid status and its hefty amounts of CBD, Special Sauce is incredibly versatile, great for use at any time of the day, and is generally considered to be a highly medicinal strain.

    Due to the high amounts of CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, and low amounts of THC, the Special Sauce hemp strain won’t elicit a psychoactive high on its own. Instead, it offers a soothing feeling of calm without weighing the user down.

    Special Sauce hemp flower comes in the form of small, triangle-shaped, dark green buds, with traces of purple and pink, framed by thin orange hairs coating the purple-tinted white, crystal trichomes.

    Special Sauce CBD Aroma and Taste

    One thing you’ll immediately notice about Special Sauce is its incredible flavor and aroma, thanks to its robust terpene profile. Terpenes are compounds found in cannabis and other plants, primarily responsible for aroma and taste. These compounds have also been shown to carry their own potential benefits.

    Often carrying a sweet scent of berry, Special Sauce flower balances out with an earthy and woody undertone. The taste itself manifests more sweet and citrusy, with a hint of pine.

    Terpene Profile

    In the same way that cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBN, and more work well together, the same can be said for cannabis terpenes. This action is known as the entourage effect, which affirms that cannabis compounds work best in tandem with one another. That means the plentiful terpenes in a strain like Special Sauce can actually help to bring out and further enhance the high-CBD effects.

    Special Sauce generally contains caryophyllene, pinene, myrcene, and limonene, though it can also contain other terpenes like humulene and bisoprolol.

    Caryophyllene offers a peppery, spice-like flavor. This terpene appears in aromatic oils like rosemary and clove oil and is commonly found in hops, cloves, black pepper, oregano, and cinnamon. Research so far shows that this terpene could potentially hold pain-relieving properties, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and could help enhance mood.

    Pinene as the name suggests, offers a piney, earthy flavor. If you’ve ever taken in the distinct scent of a pine tree, you’re already familiar with this terpene. Research shows that pinene could be beneficial for inflammation, aiding the respiratory system, reducing stress, and neuroprotection.

    Myrcene is a fairly common terpene, offering a tropical-fruit-adjacent aroma, often found in lemongrass, mango, bay leaves, and thyme, among other plants, fruits, and herbs. Research on myrcene shows that the terpene could help with pain, carry antioxidant properties, and provide sedative and calming effects, which act to benefit both the body and mind.

    Limonene is responsible for the citrusy, tart flavor you may find in Special Sauce, along with other limonene-rich citrus fruits. Similar to the other terpenes in this strain, research has found that limonene may help to reduce inflammation, relieve stress, and ease pain-related symptoms.

    Potential Applications of Special Sauce 

    Consumers typically report that Special Sauce creates a sense of clarity and calmness, easing feelings of stress or paranoia without taking away focus or creativity. Many users also report a relaxing feeling in the body without feeling intoxicated or weighed down.

    Many consumers also routinely report using this strain before bed to help with sleep, though its 50/50 hybrid nature ensures it’s not too sedating. Daytime users still note feelings of calm and relaxation without sedation, along with the feeling of being slightly happier.

    All around, Special Sauce is ultimately an incredibly versatile strain, adapting nicely to the needs of any user.

    Conclusion

    Special Sauce is a one-of-a-kind, high-CBD strain you don’t want to miss. The balanced hybrid is not only packed with CBD but also offers an impressive terpene profile, making this a highly medicinal strain with no psychoactive effects but still plenty of potential benefits.

    Given the recent shifts in hemp and CBD legislation, high-CBD options like Special Sauce are legally available to consumers in many forms, from gummies to oils and even hemp flower. Of course, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed within this ever-changing industry, but it’s also a great time to take advantage of this new frontier for hemp-derived products and take control of your own wellness.

    Special Sauce is just one of many stellar high-CBD strains out there, but it’s definitely not one to ignore!

    References

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    Calleja, M. a. F., Vieites, J. a. C., Montero-Meterdez, T., Torres, M. J., Faus, M. J., Gil, A., & Suárez, A. (2013). The antioxidant effect of β-caryophyllene protects rat liver from carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation. British Journal of Nutrition, 109(3), 394–401. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114512001298

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