Purple Kush
Modern
NLindica
Northern Lights
19.2%
THC
0.06%
CBD
0.07%
CBG
Top flavors
spicyearthy
CalmingEnergizing
Northern Lights has balanced effects.
Low THCHigh THC
Northern Lights potency is average.
Northern Lights
19.2%
THC
0.06%
CBD
0.07%
CBG
Top flavors
spicyearthy
CalmingEnergizing
Northern Lights has balanced effects.
Low THCHigh THC
Northern Lights potency is average.
Northern Lights is a classic indica strain developed from a genetic lineage encompassing Afghani, Thai, and Haze. According to lore, this strain is widely credited with establishing a benchmark for indoor cultivation during its emergence in the late 20th century. For growers, it is characterized by its high yield and ease of management within indoor environments.
The terpene profile of Northern Lights is led by caryophyllene and myrcene, followed by caryophyllene-oxide, linalool, and nerolidol. This complex composition continues with pinene, beta-pinene, limonene, camphene, ocimene, isopulegol, gamma-terpinene, terpinolene, and humulene. These compounds combine to create a distinct sensory experience that reflects the strain's THC-dominant cannabinoid profile, with 19.2% THC, 0.06% CBD, and 0.07% CBG, and its heritage.
Users typically report effects including relaxed, sleepy, and happy. These characteristics make Northern Lights a frequent choice for managing sleep, pain, and stress. The genetic legacy of this strain is extensive, as evidenced by its use in breeding offspring such as Big Island Dream, Ruderalis, Baby Boom, Crystal Monster, Midnight Kush, Malawi Terror Beast Auto, Northern Lights x Cinderella 99, Boo Boo Berry, Topanga Sour Kush, Sour 71, Killer Bees, and 747.
Terpene Profile
Synergies (+) and conflicts (−) are relative to each other within this profile.
caryophyllene ~60%myrcene ~28%caryophyllene-oxide ~12%
| Terpene | Share | Character | Likely role |
|---|---|---|---|
| caryophyllene | ~60% | spicy | relaxing · social |
| myrcene | ~28% | earthy | relaxing · solo |
| caryophyllene-oxide | ~12% | spicy | relaxing · sleep |
Research notes below describe isolated terpene mechanisms and early findings. They do not guarantee effects from this strain and are not medical advice.
~60%
spicy
●●○○
Russo 2011: only terpene that is a selective full CB2 agonist (100 nM); Gertsch et al. 2008: acts as dietary cannabinoid; unique anti-inflammatory and gastric cytoprotective properties.
Russo 2011: naloxone-sensitive analgesia, potentiates barbiturate sleep; dominant sedating terpenoid; blocks hepatic carcinogenesis by aflatoxin.
~12%
spicy
●○○○
Oxidized form of beta-caryophyllene. Woody, spicy aroma. The compound drug dogs detect in cannabis. CB2 receptor activity.
Effects
Reported effects — derived from terpene chemistry and cannabinoid profile.
◎
relaxed
eveningPrimary endpoint of myrcene+linalool sedating combinations; GABA modulation is the dominant mechanistic driver.
◑
sleepy
eveningMyrcene potentiates barbiturate sleep (Russo 2011); CBN 2024 RCT reduces nighttime awakenings at 20 mg; nerolidol+myrcene+linalool GABAergic compounded effect.
◉
happy
anytimeGenetic Profile
Pure Indica
■ Indica 100%■ Sativa 0%
Body-heavy, relaxing genetics. Short stature, dense buds, broad leaves.
THC-Dominant
High THC, trace CBD. Psychoactive. Full CB1 agonism — euphoria, appetite, analgesia.
Sensi Seeds classic bred from Afghani and Thai landraces; multiple NL phenotypes (#1, #2, #5) contributed to nearly every modern indica.
Genealogy
Parentage, ancestry, and genetic relatives of Northern Lights.
Ancestry
Grandparents
Colombian GoldLandrace
pinene· uplifted· energetic
Malawi GoldLandrace
terpinolene· energetic· uplifted
MexicanLandrace
terpinolene· uplifted· energetic
South Indian IndicaLandrace
myrcene· relaxed· sleepy
ThaiLandrace
myrcene· energetic· creative
Parents
▾
BlueberrymyrceneAK-47humuleneAmnesia HazeterpinoleneCBD 3DmyrceneG13myrceneGranddaddy PurplecaryophylleneMaster KushlimonenePurple KushmyrcenePapayamyrceneCritical MassmyrceneSkunk #1pineneA-TrainmyrceneAuto Love CheesemyrceneAuto OverdosemyrceneBarbara BudmyrceneBarnyard AnimalsmyrceneBerry BlissmyrceneBerry MelangecaryophylleneBlackout LemonaidmyrceneBlue AfghanimyrceneCherry BlossomlimoneneCream CheesemyrceneCream SmoothieterpinoleneDieselnerolidolDirty LimetarmyrceneDoorstepmyrceneDozermyrceneDread BreadmyrceneElusive GiraffemyrceneEndor Foddermyrcene
Offspring — 30 strains bred from Northern Lights
Granddaddy PurplecaryophylleneJack HererterpinoleneSilver Hazemyrcene18 Coffinscaryophyllene2 Fast 2 Vastcaryophyllene4 Best 4 Youcaryophyllene747limoneneAce Silver HazecaryophylleneAfghanistan LightscaryophylleneAnaconda AutocaryophylleneAuto GTIcaryophylleneAuto Northern CreamcaryophylleneAuto Northern Dragon FuelcaryophylleneAuto Northern HogcaryophylleneAuto Northern LightscaryophylleneAuto ScratchmyrceneBL4QKFY4N WeedcaryophylleneBaby BoommyrceneBabylon SisterlimoneneBella DonnacaryophylleneBerry LightscaryophylleneBig Island DreammyrceneBig Northern AutofloweringcaryophylleneBlack Domina Auto XXLcaryophylleneBlack LimecaryophylleneBlackoutcaryophylleneBlue LightscaryophylleneBlue MisticcaryophylleneBlueberry Breakfast!caryophylleneBoo Boo Berrycaryophyllene
Composite Traits
Where to buy Northern Lights
No verified dispensaries on file — find it on Leafly.
Dispensary Locator
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Community Reviews
★★★★★4.0 · 2 reviews
★★★★★sleep like a baby with Northern Lights
17 Apr 2026My go-to for insomnia. Just a bowl of this before bed and I'm out cold, no tossing and turning. The body high hits nice and soft, melts away all the day's stress.
★★★★★too much couch lock for my taste
13 Apr 2026Yeah, NL definitely works if you wanna chill, maybe too well. Hit it a bit hard one afternoon and just completely wasted the rest of the day glued to the couch. Good for pain, but kinda makes you useless.
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What would Northern Lights × ? produce?
Predict the terpene profile, effects, and growing traits of a cross. Our gene weaver engine votes on dominant traits from both parents.
Build a cross with Northern Lights →Similar strains
Same primary terpene with overlapping effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northern Lights indica or sativa?
Northern Lights is modeled here as a pure indica (body-heavy, relaxing genetics).
What terpene is dominant in Northern Lights?
Caryophyllene is shown as the dominant terpene at approximately ~60%. Myrcene follows as the secondary terpene.
Is Northern Lights good for daytime use?
Northern Lights is versatile and works across different times of day depending on dose and individual response.
How accurate is this data?
See the "Data confidence" card in the sidebar. Terpene profiles and effects are chemistry-informed estimates — individual responses depend on phenotype, source, and personal chemistry.