Silverback Gorilla – Strain Information

Silverback Gorilla is an indica-dominant hybrid cannabis strain known for its potent sedative effects and high THC levels. It is often chosen by experienced users seeking strong body relaxation, pain relief, and deep sedation. This strain is particularly well-regarded for insomnia, stress, and chronic pain management.

Strain Classification

• Type: Indica-dominant hybrid (90% Indica / 10% Sativa)
• THC Content: 22-28% (sometimes exceeding 30% in certain phenotypes)
• CBD Content: 0.1-0.3%
• CBG Content: 1-2% (moderate levels in some phenotypes)
• Primary Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene
• Effects: Sedative, Euphoric, Relaxing, Sleep-Inducing
• Best Used For: Evening/Nighttime use

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Genetics and Lineage

Silverback Gorilla is a cross between Grape Ape and Super Silver Haze, two well-known strains that contribute to its powerful indica properties and intense euphoric effects.

Parental Strains:

1. Grape Ape (Indica-Dominant)
   • Genetics: Afghani x Skunk x Mendo Purps
   • Effects: Deep body relaxation, stress relief, sedation
   • Flavors: Sweet grape, earthy undertones
2. Super Silver Haze (Sativa-Dominant)
   • Genetics: Northern Lights #5 × Haze x Skunk #1
   • Effects: Euphoric, uplifting, cerebral stimulation
   • Flavors: Citrus, pine, spicy herbal notes

Influence of Parent Strains

• The Grape Ape genetics provide strong sedative properties, leading to muscle relaxation and sleep induction.
• Super Silver Haze contributes a slight energetic uplift in the initial high, but the indica dominance takes over quickly, resulting in full-body relaxation.

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Aroma, Flavor, and Appearance

Aroma Profile

• Earthy & Woody: A deep, musky aroma reminiscent of damp forests.
• Grape & Berry Notes: Subtle hints of sweet fruitiness, inherited from Grape Ape.
• Pungent Diesel Undertones: A sharp, fuel-like scent due to high terpene content.

Flavor Profile

• Sweet and Fruity: A grape-berry flavor on inhalation.
• Spicy & Herbal Exhale: With a touch of diesel.
• Smooth, Thick Smoke: Some users report a harsh smoke if combusted at high temperatures.

Appearance

• Dense, Dark Green Buds: Thick, tightly packed nugs.
• Deep Purple Hues: Due to anthocyanin pigments, especially when grown in cooler environments.
• Frosty White Trichomes: Heavy THC crystal production gives it a sticky, resinous feel.
• Fiery Orange Pistils: Providing contrast against the dark green/purple base.

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Cannabinoid and Terpene Profile

Cannabinoid Content

Cannabinoid	Percentage
THC	22-28%
CBD	0.1-0.3%
CBG	1-2%
CBN	0.1-0.5%

• High THC Levels: Responsible for Silverback Gorilla’s powerful psychoactive effects and sedation.
• Low CBD Content: Not ideal for users seeking a non-psychoactive medical option.
• Moderate CBG Levels: May contribute to anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.

Terpene Profile

Terpene	Aroma	Effects
Myrcene	Herbal, earthy, musky	Sedative, muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory
Caryophyllene	Spicy, peppery, woody	Pain relief, anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory
Limonene	Citrusy, sweet	Mood enhancement, stress relief

• Dominant Myrcene: Contributes to couch-lock, sedation, and relaxation.
• Caryophyllene: A unique terpene that interacts with CB2 receptors, giving anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Limonene: Provides a subtle euphoric lift, preventing the high from becoming overwhelmingly sedative.

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Effects and Usage

Onset and Duration

• Onset: 5-15 minutes after inhalation.
• Peak Effects: 30-60 minutes.
• Duration: 2-4 hours (longer for edibles).

Recreational Effects

1. Euphoria & Mental Calmness
   • Initial uplift from limonene and Super Silver Haze genetics.
   • Quickly transitions into a deep, relaxing body high.
2. Heavy Body Sedation
   • Myrcene and high THC levels induce full-body relaxation.
   • Users describe a weighted sensation and couch-lock.
3. Sleep Induction
   • Strongly recommended as a nighttime strain due to potent sedative effects.
4. Hunger Stimulation (“Munchies”)
   • Stimulates appetite, making it useful for individuals with eating disorders or nausea.

Medical Benefits

Medical Condition	Effectiveness
Chronic Pain	(Excellent)
Insomnia	(Excellent)
Stress & Anxiety	(Very Good)
Depression	(Moderate)
Appetite Loss	(Excellent)
Muscle Spasms	(Very Good)

• Best for Pain Management: Used for arthritis, migraines, and post-surgical pain.
• Effective for Insomnia: The strong sedative properties make it one of the best strains for sleep.
• Mood Enhancement: While not as uplifting as pure sativas, it reduces anxiety and stress.

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Scientific Insights

Pharmacology

• THC binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, causing euphoria, relaxation, and pain relief.
• Caryophyllene interacts with CB2 receptors, providing anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Myrcene increases cell permeability, allowing for quicker absorption of cannabinoids, which may explain the rapid sedative effects.

Neurochemical Impact

• Increases Dopamine Levels: Leading to temporary euphoria.
• Suppresses GABA Activity: Causing muscle relaxation and sedation.
• Reduces Cortisol Levels: Leading to stress and anxiety reduction.

Potential Side Effects

Side Effect	Likelihood
Dry Mouth	High
Dry Eyes	Moderate
Dizziness	Moderate
Paranoia/Anxiety	Low (in sensitive users)

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Cultivation Information

Ideal Growing Conditions

Factor	Requirement
Grow Difficulty	Intermediate
Climate	Warm & humid (70-80°F or 21-27°C)
Humidity Level	Vegetative: 50-60% RH; Flowering: 40-50% RH
Lighting Needs	600W – 1000W HPS or Full-Spectrum LED
Flowering Time	8-9 weeks
Indoor vs. Outdoor	Performs best indoors but can thrive outdoors in warm climates
Yield	Indoor: 1.5-2 oz/sq ft (Outdoor: 18-22 oz/plant)

Climate Considerations

• Indoor growing is preferred due to Silverback Gorilla’s dense bud structure, which makes it susceptible to bud rot and mold if humidity is too high.
• If growing Silverback Gorilla outdoors, a Mediterranean-style warm, semi-humid climate is ideal.
• Temperature control is crucial to prevent stress-induced hermaphroditism, which can cause plants to develop male flowers and reduce bud quality.

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Soil vs. Hydroponics for Silverback Gorilla

Soil Cultivation

• Best for flavor and terpene expression.
• A well-draining soil rich in organic matter (worm castings, compost, perlite) works best.
• pH Range: 6.0-6.5
• Recommended Soil Amendments:
  • Mycorrhizal fungi: Increases root absorption of nutrients.
  • Bat guano & kelp meal: Improves terpene production.
  • Perlite & vermiculite: Enhances soil aeration.

Hydroponic Cultivation

• Best for high THC yield and fast growth.
• Involves nutrient-rich water without soil, often using Deep Water Culture (DWC) or Ebb and Flow.
• pH Range: 5.5-6.0
• Advantages:
  • Faster growth (30-50% faster than soil).
  • Higher potency (THC can reach up to 30% under optimal hydroponic conditions).
• Challenges:
  • More susceptible to root rot if not maintained properly.
  • Requires precise EC (Electrical Conductivity) monitoring to ensure nutrient balance.

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Lighting Requirements

Indoor Grow Setup

• Vegging Stage (18/6 Light Cycle):
  • LED or MH (Metal Halide) lights at 400-600 PPFD.
  • Ideal spectrum: Blue (400-500 nm) for compact growth.
• Flowering Stage (12/12 Light Cycle):
  • HPS (High-Pressure Sodium) or Full-Spectrum LED at 700-900 PPFD.
  • Red Spectrum (620-700 nm) encourages bud production.
• Best Light Intensity (PPFD Levels):
  • Seedling: 300-400 PPFD
  • Vegetative: 400-600 PPFD
  • Flowering: 700-900 PPFD (avoid excess light to prevent light burn).

Outdoor Growing

• Silverback Gorilla needs six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
• Silverback Gorilla is best suited for Mediterranean-like climates with warm temperatures.
• Can be supplemented with greenhouse LED lighting to extend Silverback Gorilla growing seasons.

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Nutrient Requirements & Feeding Schedule

Essential Nutrients

Growth Stage	N (Nitrogen)	P (Phosphorus)	K (Potassium)	pH Level
Seedling	Low	Medium	Low	6.0-6.5 (Soil) / 5.5-6.0 (Hydro)
Vegetative	High	Medium	Medium	6.0-6.5 (Soil) / 5.5-6.0 (Hydro)
Flowering (Weeks 1-4)	Medium	High	High	6.0-6.5 (Soil) / 5.5-6.0 (Hydro)
Flowering (Weeks 5-9)	Low	High	Very High	6.0-6.5 (Soil) / 5.5-6.0 (Hydro)

Best Fertilizers

1. Vegetative Stage:
   • Nitrogen-rich nutrients (e.g., Fish Emulsion, Blood Meal).
   • Ideal N-P-K ratio: 4-2-3.
2. Flowering Stage:
   • Phosphorus & Potassium-heavy nutrients (e.g., Bone Meal, Bat Guano).
   • Ideal N-P-K ratio: 2-8-6.

Flushing Period (Last 1-2 Weeks)

• Use pure water with pH-balanced solutions to remove nutrient buildup on Silverback Gorilla.
• Improves flavor and smoothness by reducing excess salts.

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Advanced Techniques for Higher Yields

1. Low-Stress Training (LST)

• Involves bending branches of Silverback Gorilla without cutting to increase light exposure.
• Works well for Silverback Gorilla, as it prevents overcrowding.

2. High-Stress Training (HST)

• Topping (Cutting main cola) to encourage multiple bud sites.
• Supercropping (Gently damaging branches) to increase THC production.

3. Sea of Green (SOG) Method

• Entails cultivating numerous little plants of Silverback Gorilla in close proximity to one another.
• Encourages fast flowering of Silverback Gorilla and maximized yield per square foot.

4. Screen of Green (ScrOG) Method

• Uses a mesh screen to spread out Silverback Gorilla branches.
• Ensures even light distribution for larger colas.

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Pest and Disease Control

Common Pests

Pest	Prevention & Treatment
Spider Mites	Neem oil, predator insects (ladybugs)
Aphids	Insecticidal soap, garlic spray
Fungus Gnats	Yellow sticky traps, dry topsoil before watering

Common Diseases

Disease	Cause	Solution
Bud Rot (Botrytis)	High humidity	Maintain 40-50% RH, increase airflow
Powdery Mildew	Poor ventilation	Apply potassium bicarbonate spray

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Harvesting & Curing Process

1. Harvest Timing

• Trichome Color Check:
  • Milky Trichomes = Peak THC (Best for strong effects).
  • Amber Trichomes = More CBN (More sedative effects).
• Pistil Color:
  • 80% darkened = Optimal time to harvest.

2. Drying Process

• Hang buds upside down in a dark room at 60-70°F.
• Humidity Level: 45-55% for 7-10 days.

3. Curing Process

• Place buds in airtight glass jars.
• Open jars once a day for 15 minutes (burping) for 2-4 weeks.
• Longer curing = smoother smoke, enhanced terpene profile.

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Inhalation (Smoking and Vaping)

A. Smoking (Combustion)

• Method: Direct burning of Silverback Gorilla using joints, pipes, bongs, or blunts.
• Onset: 1-5 minutes, as cannabinoids of Silverback Gorilla enter the bloodstream rapidly through the lungs.
• Peak Effects: 20-30 minutes.
• Duration: 2-4 hours.
• Bioavailability: 25-30 percent, meaning a significant portion of THC is absorbed into circulation.
• Effects: Immediate euphoria, deep body relaxation, and potential couch-lock due to high myrcene and THC content.

Scientific Insights

• Combustion causes pyrolytic degradation, destroying up to 50 percent of cannabinoids in Silverback Gorilla before inhalation.
• Exposure to tar and carcinogens is higher than in other methods.
• High temperatures (>450°F) degrade terpenes, reducing entourage effects.

B. Vaping (Convection or Conduction)

• Method: Heating Silverback Gorilla or concentrate without combustion.
• Onset: 1-5 minutes.
• Peak Effects: 20-40 minutes.
• Duration: 2-4 hours.
• Bioavailability: 50-80 percent, higher than smoking due to minimal THC degradation.
• Effects: Cleaner and more intense high with enhanced terpene retention.

Scientific Insights

• Temperature-dependent cannabinoid activation:
  • 315°F (157°C) – THCa converts into THC.
  • 365-392°F (185-200°C) – Maximum terpene release.
  • Above 420°F (215°C) – Increased CBN production, enhancing sedative effects.
• Convection vaporizers (hot air heating) provide more even vaporization than conduction vaporizers (direct surface heating).

Comparison Between Smoking and Vaping

Factor	Smoking	Vaping
Onset	1-5 min	1-5 min
Peak Effects	20-30 min	20-40 min
Duration	2-4 hours	2-4 hours
Bioavailability	25-30%	50-80%
Terpene Retention	Low	High
Health Risks	Higher (combustion byproducts)	Lower (cleaner inhalation)

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Oral Ingestion (Edibles, Capsules, Beverages)

• Method: Cannabinoids in Silverback Gorilla are absorbed through the digestive tract and metabolized by the liver.
• Onset: 30-120 minutes due to delayed gastrointestinal absorption.
• Peak Effects: 2-4 hours.
• Duration: 6-8 hours, making it the longest-lasting method.
• Bioavailability: 4-12 percent due to first-pass metabolism, where THC is processed by the liver before reaching the bloodstream.
• Effects: Strong sedative and long-lasting body high, more intense psychoactive effects due to conversion of THC into 11-Hydroxy-THC.

Scientific Insights

• Liver metabolism transforms delta-9-THC into 11-Hydroxy-THC, which is four to five times more potent and has a longer half-life.
• Dietary fats enhance cannabinoid absorption because cannabinoids are fat-soluble.
• Individual metabolism, stomach contents, and body weight affect onset time and potency.
• Delayed onset makes dosing control difficult, leading to accidental overconsumption.

Comparison Between Inhalation and Edibles

Factor	Inhalation (Smoking/Vaping)	Edibles
Onset	1-5 min	30-120 min
Peak Effects	20-40 min	2-4 hours
Duration	2-4 hours	6-8 hours
Bioavailability	25-80%	4-12%
Metabolism	Direct bloodstream absorption	Liver metabolism (11-Hydroxy-THC)

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Sublingual and Buccal Absorption (Tinctures, Sprays, Strips)

• Method: Cannabinoids of Silverback Gorilla are absorbed through mucosal membranes under the tongue or in the cheek.
• Onset: 15-45 minutes, as absorption bypasses digestion.
• Peak Effects: 1-2 hours.
• Duration: 4-6 hours.
• Bioavailability: 30-50 percent due to direct absorption into the bloodstream without first-pass metabolism.
• Effects: Faster onset than edibles, but longer-lasting than inhalation.

Scientific Insights

• Ethanol-based tinctures absorb faster than oil-based ones due to higher solubility.
• Lipid-based tinctures (MCT oil) provide sustained release, enhancing long-term effects.
• Sublingual absorption is more bioavailable than oral ingestion, reducing variability in effects.

Comparison Between Sublingual and Other Methods

Factor	Sublingual (Tinctures)	Smoking/Vaping	Edibles
Onset	15-45 min	1-5 min	30-120 min
Peak Effects	1-2 hours	20-40 min	2-4 hours
Duration	4-6 hours	2-4 hours	6-8 hours
Bioavailability	30-50%	25-80%	4-12%
Metabolism	Mucosal absorption	Direct bloodstream	Liver metabolism

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Other Methods of Ingestion

A. Topical Application (Creams, Balms, Transdermal Patches)

• Method: Cannabinoids in Silverback Gorilla penetrate the skin to interact with localized CB2 receptors.
• Onset: 10-30 minutes.
• Duration: 4-8 hours.
• Bioavailability: Variable, depends on transdermal carrier.
• Effects: Non-psychoactive when applied as creams or balms, but transdermal patches allow systemic absorption.

Scientific Insights

• Lipid-based formulations enhance skin penetration.
• Transdermal patches with ethanol or carrier enhancers allow cannabinoids to enter the bloodstream, producing systemic effects.
• Best for localized pain relief without intoxicating effects.

B. Suppositories

• Method: Rectal or vaginal absorption of cannabinoids.
• Onset: 10-20 minutes.
• Duration: 4-6 hours.
• Bioavailability: High, up to 50-70% due to direct absorption through rectal mucosa.
• Effects: Avoids first-pass metabolism, reducing psychoactivity while retaining medicinal effects.

Scientific Insights

• More efficient absorption than oral ingestion.
• Used for severe pain, gastrointestinal disorders, and patients who cannot ingest orally.

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Comparison to Similar Strains

Strain	Similarities	Differences
Granddaddy Purple	Strong sedation, grape flavor	More euphoric, less potent THC
Northern Lights	Heavy indica effects	Less fruity, more earthy
Gorilla Glue #4	Relaxing, high THC	More balanced hybrid effects

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Conclusion

Silverback Gorilla is a powerful indica-dominant strain best suited for experienced users seeking deep relaxation, pain relief, and sleep aid. With high THC levels, strong sedative effects, and a complex terpene profile, it is one of the top choices for nighttime medical and recreational use.

For a complete directory of cultivars, visit our Cannabis Strain Reviews.