Strain: Sweet Diesel
Dispensary: The Reserve OC; 2911 S Tech Center Dr., Santa Ana, Ca 92705
Price: $30 per eighth
Everybody has problems. Some people battle depression and anxiety, while others battle weight. My ongoing battle has always been concentration. When I was 15, my religion teacher at Santa Margarita Catholic High School was so pissed off by my poor conduct in class that he called my parents and told them I needed to get tested for ADHD because he was sure I had it.
What's amazing about our era is that specific strains of cannabis are now being tested to see whether or not they can help improve attention disorders. Yes, you read that correctly: Cannabis is being tested to see if specific properties of the plant can help improve concentration. How can this be, you might ask? There's a relationship between dopamine levels in the brain and those with ADD/ADHD. Cannabis fills the brain with dopamine, helping enhance concentration. And because I actually have been “diagnosed with ADD” I figured testing this theory would be the right thing to do. Morally, of course.
When I visited the Reserve OC last week, I asked my budtender to help me find the best option to help me focus. He immediately led me to Sweet Diesel, a sativa dominant hybrid strain that's a cross between Sour Diesel and OG Kush. Upon inspection, the crystalline tricomes on the boyant, fluffy nugs were borderline blinding. The aroma of the flower was subtle yet Earthy, and the color of the flower was deep green with flecks of orange sprinkled throughout. Sweet Diesel is tested as being 20.45 percent THC, .18 percent CBD and .17 percent CBG— which is the component in cannabis that has antibacterial and anti-tumor properties, as well as aids with insomnia.
I rolled a joint as soon as I arrived home and decided to test out how well the focus-inducing sativa strain worked. I decided to go on a quick walk with my doobie and call an Uber to take me to the Newport Beach Library to pick out books and read (I mean, what better way to test out your concentration than in a library?). By the time I got to the library I was very stoned. Although, it wasn't a downer high nor was it a spacey, confused-by-everything type of high either. My heart didn't feel like it was about to explode out of my chest and the anxiety that often accompanies sativas didn't rear its head, which was nice. I was able to hold conversation with the librarian at the front desk without feeling like an alien either.
I wandered the isles of books and wound up with Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch by Henry Miller. I zoomed through the first 25 pages and found myself wiping tears from my eyes due to Millers incredible descriptions and imagery. But after speed reading, the munchies had arrived. Had I prepared better and brought food with me, I would've read another 20 pages— at least.
Sweet Diesel definitely helped with my concentration. Although it made me a tad emotional, I recommend it if you're looking to have a less dreamy, more focused high. Just beware and plan ahead for an attack of the munchies.
