What’s the Difference Between Weed and Skunk?

Cannabis or marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant, which are used recreationally due to their mind-altering effects. Cannabis products come from the Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica plants, as well as many different hybrids of the two. Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in the UK, with 7.6% of the population (equal to around 2.5 million people) reporting having used it over the previous 12 months. Cannabis is also frequently referred to as weed.

There are different strains of cannabis with differing strengths and effects. It’s important to know the difference between different types of cannabis – including those known as skunk – and the effects they can have, especially if you or someone you know is using the drug.

What is Weed?

Weed is a catch-all or general term for dried cannabis in all its different forms. The main types of weed are Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. But over the years, hundreds of hybrid strains have been bred for different qualities and effects.

The main psychoactive ingredients of cannabis are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC acts on specific brain cell receptors to produce the ‘high’ that people generally associate with using weed. These can include:

• Altered senses (such as more vivid colours or increased focus)
• Time distortion
• Changes in mood
• Impaired body movement
• Difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
• Impaired memory
• Hallucinations (when taken in sufficiently high doses)

CBD does not cause a high in itself, but some studies have suggested it can help people relax and help with some things like anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain. It can, however, also produce side effects, including nausea, fatigue, and irritability. There are a number of legally available CBD products in the UK.

In general terms:

• Cannabis sativa has higher levels of THC and lower levels of CBD
• Cannabis indica has higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC

There are also many different hybrid strains that have different mixes of THC and CBD.

Other types of cannabis that are commonly used include cannabis resin. This is a compressed solid made from the resinous parts of the plant, and cannabis or hash oil.

What is Skunk?

Skunk is a name given to strains of cannabis with very high levels of THC. Strictly speaking, skunk refers to a specific strain of cannabis, originally known as Skunk #1 and its direct descendants. Skunk is believed to have been developed in California in the late 1970s before arriving in Amsterdam in the early 1980s.

Now, though, skunk is often used as a general term for any strain of cannabis with particularly high levels of THC. This means ones that produce a particularly potent high. The difference between weed and skunk is, therefore, the fact that skunk is a particularly strong type of weed. All skunk can be described as a type of weed, but not all weed is skunk.

Skunk is now believed to be the most common type of cannabis used in the UK, accounting for around 70% of the drug used throughout the country.

How Do Weed and Skunk Differ in Potency?

While weed can refer to any type of cannabis, many people will use the term to refer to ‘normal’ types and strengths of cannabis and skunk to refer to strains that are particularly high in THC. This is the main psychoactive ingredient and means that skunk is generally stronger than other types of weed, with a more intense and longer-lasting high.

This can also increase the risks involved with cannabis use.

What Are the Effects of Weed vs Skunk?

The differing effects of weed vs skunk are related to these differences in potency due to the levels of THC. This means you may experience some of the same effects but they may be much more intense or stronger with skunk compared to ‘regular’ weed.

These effects could include:

• Relaxation
• Euphoria
• Altered perception
• Feeling happy/giggly
• Lethargy
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Paranoia

Relatively strong strains of cannabis, such as skunk, may make the negative effects of usage, such as anxiety and paranoia, more likely or make the effects worse.

Weed vs Skunk: What Are the Risks?

Any kind of cannabis use carries risks. This is especially true if it is used frequently or in large amounts. It can affect your reactions, judgement and coordination, for example, increasing the risk of accidents. Smoking is the most common way to use weed, and this has its own health risks, including damage to the heart and an increased risk of lung cancer.

Many people see cannabis as relatively harmless compared to some other drugs. But it’s been linked with various mental health and behavioural issues, including:

• Mood swings
• Decrease in motivation
• Memory issues
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Paranoia
• Psychosis

When it comes to ‘regular’ weed vs skunk, the chances of experiencing negative effects, including serious mental health issues, are higher with more potent strains like skunk.

How Can You Identify Skunk Cannabis?

Skunk originally got its name from its uniquely strong and hard-to-get-away aroma, almost like the smell of a skunk. A strong, pungent, or even cheesy odour is still a likely sign that a particular consignment of weed is actually skunk.

It is otherwise quite difficult to tell skunk from other types of cannabis without using it. When used, it will generally result in a quicker and more intense high.

Treatment Options for Cannabis Dependence

Some people mistakenly believe that cannabis is not addictive. Cannabis use can certainly result in psychological dependence, however, and many people continue to use the drug despite negative social, psychological, and physical effects – one of the textbook definitions of addiction. Many find themselves unable to stop using cannabis without expert help.

At Asana Lodge, we can treat all the physical and psychological aspects of cannabis addiction through a comprehensive programme of detox and rehab. If you are worried about your own cannabis use or that of a loved one, get in touch today to find out how we can help.