Gary Payton
Modern
SDhybrid-sativa
Sour Diesel
20.8%
THC
0.07%
CBD
0.11%
CBG
Top effects
Top flavors
citrusspicyearthy
Terpenes
CalmingEnergizing
Sour Diesel effects are mostly energizing.
Low THCHigh THC
Sour Diesel potency is average.
Sour Diesel
20.8%
THC
0.07%
CBD
0.11%
CBG
Top effects
Top flavors
citrusspicyearthy
Terpenes
CalmingEnergizing
Sour Diesel effects are mostly energizing.
Low THCHigh THC
Sour Diesel potency is average.
Sour Diesel is a classic hybrid-sativa cultivar bred from the crossing of Chemdawg and Super Skunk. The strain is widely credited to the East Coast cannabis scene of the 1990s, where it solidified its reputation for specific growth characteristics. Cultivation of this variety is categorized as difficult, requiring an indoor environment to reach its high yield potential over a 70-day flowering cycle.
The chemical profile of Sour Diesel is defined by a complex range of terpenes, led by limonene, caryophyllene, and myrcene, followed by linalool, humulene, beta-pinene, bisabolol, pinene, and terpinolene. This THC-dominant variety presents a distinct aromatic and sensory profile shaped by this nuanced terpene hierarchy, with lab results showing 20.8% THC, 0.07% CBD, and 0.11% CBG.
Users often report effects characterized by energetic, uplifted, creative, and happy sensations. These qualities make the strain a functional choice for those seeking to enhance creativity, focus, or address stress. Its influence on the genetic landscape is evidenced by its progeny, which include The Fuel Stop, Sunny D, Alpha Blue, Liams Dream, Shortbread, Cap Junky x Sour Diesel, Gorilla Glue #4, ECSD 1, Thorsberry, Palazzo, JarHead, and (OG X Sour Diesel) X Durban.
Terpene Profile
Synergies (+) and conflicts (−) are relative to each other within this profile.
limonene ~60%caryophyllene ~28%myrcene ~12%
| Terpene | Share | Character | Likely role |
|---|---|---|---|
| limonene | ~60% | citrus | social · creative |
| caryophyllene | ~28% | spicy | relaxing · social |
| myrcene | ~12% | earthy | relaxing · solo |
Research notes below describe isolated terpene mechanisms and early findings. They do not guarantee effects from this strain and are not medical advice.
Russo 2011: increases serotonin in prefrontal cortex + dopamine in hippocampus via 5-HT1A; Johns Hopkins 2024: significantly reduced anxiety vs THC alone.
~28%
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.
Effects
Reported effects — derived from terpene chemistry and cannabinoid profile.
⚡
energetic
morningAssociated with ocimene/terpinolene profiles; stimulating without sedation; largely emergent from absence of sedating compounds rather than a direct mechanism.
△
uplifted
morningLimonene anxiolytic/antidepressant via serotonin elevation in prefrontal cortex (Russo 2011); mood improvement without full euphoria; key for balanced-1-1 profiles.
◈
creative
morningAssociated with terpinolene/limonene profiles; dopaminergic and serotonergic modulation via limonene 5-HT1A supports divergent thinking.
◉
happy
anytimeGenetic Profile
Sativa-dominant
■ Indica 30%■ Sativa 70%
Primarily sativa with indica grounding. Uplifting with body relaxation.
THC-Dominant
High THC, trace CBD. Psychoactive. Full CB1 agonism — euphoria, appetite, analgesia.
New York underground classic from the early 1990s; Chemdawg 91 × Super Skunk, defining the pungent diesel terpene category.
Genealogy
Parentage, ancestry, and genetic relatives of Sour Diesel.
▾
Siblings
Share parents chemdawg / super skunk
CrescendomyrceneGary PaytoncaryophylleneAmherst Sour DieselmyrceneAtacazo KerosenemyrceneAzedo SupermyrceneMagic PowermyrceneNigerian PrincessmyrceneSuper Purple SkunkmyrceneOG KushlimoneneAuto Diesel SkunkomyrceneBig Skunk KoreanmyrceneChampagne PussymyrceneEarly QueenmyrceneEl NinomyrceneGuatemala PotcaryophylleneJack FlashmyrceneKiller Super BlueberrymyrceneMala CosacaryophylleneNOSmyrceneSecret SugarmyrceneSkunk StarmyrceneSuper ApecaryophylleneSuper Cream CookiescaryophylleneSuper Sour DosidosmyrceneThe ChurchmyrceneViragosmyrcene89 NL5myrceneBolsonero SkunkmyrceneEverest BudmyrceneGigantuanmyrcene
Offspring — 30 strains bred from Sour Diesel
Gorilla Glue #4limonene3 Kingscaryophyllene303 Dieselcaryophyllene303 Headbandcaryophyllene7/8 Sourcaryophyllene707 Headbandmyrcene813 Sour DieselcaryophylleneAMG SourcaryophylleneAbusive GrapelimoneneAcid CreamcaryophylleneAfgoodielimoneneAfrican Strawberry DiesellimoneneAjaclimoneneAlpha BluecaryophylleneAthenelimoneneAuto Sour CaramellimoneneAutoDaiquiri LimecaryophylleneBackwoods Chem AutocaryophylleneBanana DiesellimoneneBanana SourlimoneneBessterpinoleneBig YetilimoneneBlackberry DieselcaryophylleneBlue MartinilimoneneBrain MeltcaryophylleneBruce Banner ReduxlimoneneBurnout SkunkcaryophylleneCBD Chem DawglimoneneCali Sour DcaryophylleneCalifornia Sour Dieselcaryophyllene
Composite Traits
Where to buy Sour Diesel
No verified dispensaries on file — find it on Leafly.
Dispensary Locator
Find which dispensaries near you currently stock Sour Diesel.
or enter a city / postcode
Community Reviews
★★★★★4.0 · 2 reviews
★★★★★My go-to for creative work
26 Apr 2026Sour D has been a lifesaver for my creative blocks. I hit a bowl, get that head buzz, and suddenly I can churn out ideas like crazy.
★★★★★Great bud, but sometimes too much
7 Apr 2026The energetic high is awesome for daytime, but I get some dry eyes with it. Also, trying to find consistent batches can be a real pain.
⊕
What would Sour Diesel × ? 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 Sour Diesel →Similar strains
Same primary terpene with overlapping effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sour Diesel indica or sativa?
Sour Diesel is modeled here as a sativa-dominant (primarily sativa with indica grounding).
What terpene is dominant in Sour Diesel?
Limonene is shown as the dominant terpene at approximately ~60%. Caryophyllene follows as the secondary terpene.
Is Sour Diesel good for daytime use?
Sour Diesel 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.