The world of CBD is vast, nuanced, and often overwhelming for those just beginning to explore it. From tinctures and gummies to terms like "full-spectrum" and "entourage effect," the terminology alone can feel like a foreign language.
In our content CBD Oil: The Ultimate Guide, we broke down the fundamentals—what cannabinoids are, how they interact with your endocannabinoid system, and why quality matters. Now, it’s time to go deeper into one of the most important, yet least understood, aspects of CBD: its strains.
In this guide, we’ll first explore a broad master list of notable CBD hemp strains and their key effects, followed by a closer look at four signature full-spectrum cultivars—Frosted Kush, Sour Suver Haze, Forbidden V, and Painted Lady. Each of these strains is part of our strains library, carefully cultivated at Acknowledge and crafted into single-strain tinctures and gummies to preserve their unique phytochemical profiles. Understanding these profiles can help demystify the CBD experience and help you make more intentional, personalized wellness choices.
What Are CBD Strains?
CBD strains are not simply different flavors or aesthetic choices. Each strain is a distinct genetic variety of the hemp plant, selectively cultivated to produce a specific balance of cannabinoids (like CBD and THC) and terpenes (the aromatic oils that contribute to a plant’s scent and effect profile). Together, these compounds create what’s known as the entourage effect, a synergistic phenomenon where the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes enhances the overall therapeutic potential of the plant for specific wellness outcomes, such as relaxation, focus, mood support, or recovery.
Learn more about the entourage effect and why it is beneficial →
Why It’s Important to Understand CBD Strain Differences
Understanding strain profiles isn’t just for experts; it’s genuinely beneficial. Some CBD strains promote calm and relaxation, while others foster mental clarity, focus, or even physical recovery. Each strain carries a distinct profile of cannabinoids and terpenes; these compounds directly influence how your body and mind respond.
CBD is not one-size-fits-all. A strain high in alpha-pinene may be more suited to focus, whereas one dominant in myrcene might support deep rest. Knowing what each strain offers enables you to choose the right one for your goals—whether that’s easing into sleep, powering through the workday, supporting recovery after exercise, or managing everyday stress.
Being aware of how different strains affect you improves your ability to make informed purchases and helps you track what works best over time. Instead of guessing, you can make choices that feel more intentional and effective.
Learn more about how strain composition impacts effects in this peer-reviewed study →
Master List of CBD Strains
While Acknowledge focuses on select full-spectrum strains, the world of CBD hemp offers a diverse array of cultivars, each with its own unique cannabinoid and terpene composition. Below is a curated list of additional strains worth exploring. For each, you’ll find a brief highlight of their key effects.
| Strain |
Key Effects |
| Abacus | Grounding calm and encourages physical relaxation |
| AC Diesel | Promotes light energy and mild relief |
| AC/DC | Reduces stress and anxiety symptoms; supports focus |
| Acid Rock | Mood-lifting with gentle relaxation |
| Berry Blossom | Soothes nervous energy; mild mood support |
| Berry Exotic | Smooth calm with subtle uplifting vibes |
| Blue Dream | Inspires creativity and mental clarity |
| Bleugenius | Relaxes tension; may aid physical comfort |
| Boax | Balances mood; helps with minor aches |
| Boax Bubblegum | Eases stress; lightly sweet and calming |
| Bubblegum | Promotes ease and comfort; gentle calm |
| Cannatonic | Deep tranquility; may relieve physical tension |
| Cascades | Calms nerves; encourages relaxation |
| Casino Cookies | Balances mood and subtle motivation |
| CBG OG | Sharpens alertness and mild energy |
| Chardonnay | Eases tension and promotes chill |
| Charlotte’s Cherries | Helps unwind; gentle mood improvement |
| Charlotte’s Web | Pacifies the mind; supports overall wellness |
| Cherry 5 | Uplifts mood with gentle relaxation |
| Cherry Cherry | Mild physical comfort; cheerful energy |
| Cherry Sweet | Comforting calm with a sweet aroma |
| Cherry Wine | Promotes serene mood and body balance |
| Critical Mass | Invites physical relief; soothes muscles |
| Euphoria | Encourages cheerfulness and balance |
| Fiona | Relaxes body and mind; subtle clarity |
| Frosted Lime | Invigorates focus, slight citrus lift |
| God strain | Deep tranquility; grounded mood support |
| Green Gum | Calms nerves; light relaxation |
| Harlequin | Balances clarity, mild energy, and stress relief |
| Hawaiian Haze | Uplifts and invigorates; tropical mood boost |
| Healthy Heart | Soothing calm; may support overall wellness |
| Honolulu Haze | Bright energy, inspires relaxation |
| Jupiter | Eases tension, supports creative flow |
| K.O. | Deeply relaxing; may aid restful sleep |
| Kush | Relieves discomfort; classic calming effects |
| Lemon Drop | Refreshes mood, slight energy burst |
| Lifter | Motivates and focuses; uplifting clarity |
| Magic Bullet | Calms nerves and relaxes muscles |
| OG Kush | Eases stress; smooth comfort |
| Oregon OG | Grounding, relaxing, mild physical relief |
| Otto 2 | Balances mind; gentle relaxation |
| Pineberry | Supports serenity; mild body comfort |
| Pink Panther | Uplifted clarity; promotes cheerful mood |
| Purple Boax | Calming, mild mood support |
| Remedy | Targets anxiety; gentle comfort |
| Royal Highness | Motivates alertness and mild energy |
| Sapphire CBD | Encourages calm and mental focus |
| Shark Shock | Eases nerves and supports body relief |
| Solomatic | Clear focus, minimal intoxication |
*Please note this may not be an entire list of CBD strains as new strains continue to be developed and come to market.
The Four Main Acknowledge CBD Strains
Acknowledge carefully cultivates and selects its four primary CBD strains to deliver a range of wellness experiences, each distinguished by its unique blend of cannabinoids and terpenes. These strains support personalized goals, including focus, relaxation, recovery, and emotional balance. Below is an overview of these full-spectrum strains, each offering a distinct experience based on its phytochemical profile.
1. Frosted Kush
Type: Indica-leaning
Cannabinoids: Precise dose of CBD, CBG, and THC
Key Terpenes: Alpha-pinene, Humulene, and Trans-Caryophyllene
Best for: Mental fog, low motivation, or emotional fatigue
Key effects: Enhances mental clarity, uplifts mood, and supports calm energy throughout the day
Frosted Kush strain is designed for uplifting energy and a focused state of mind. It supports the kind of calm that doesn’t slow you down. It’s ideal for creative tasks, workdays, or social settings.
Benefits:
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Enhances mental alertness and mood
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Supports sustained daytime focus
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Eases mild anxiety and tension
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Non-drowsy and non-sedating
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Uplifting boost for focus and creativity
Formats you can try at Acknowledge: Focus Tincture and Focus Support Gummies
2. Sour Suver Haze
Type: Sativa-dominant
Cannabinoids: Low-dose blend of CBD, CBN, and THC
Key Terpenes: Terpinolene, Myrcene, and Caryophyllene
Best for: Difficulty sleeping, chronic stress, and daily tension
Key effects: Promotes relaxation, eases the mind, and may support more restful sleep without heavy sedation at lower doses
This Sour Suver Haze strain is known for its relaxing properties. Myrcene contributes to its calming and anti-inflammatory potential, making this a helpful option for evening routines, managing stress, or supporting sleep.
Benefits:
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Promotes restful sleep and eases insomnia
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Calms anxiety and nervous energy
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Offers subtle focus in lower doses
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Eases inflammation and mild chronic pain
Formats you can try at Acknowledge: Sleep Tincture and Sleep Support Gummies
3. Forbidden V
Type: Sativa-dominant
Cannabinoids: Rare blend of CBD and CBDV, trace THC
Key Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, and Ocimene
Best for: Physical recovery, lack of energy, or cognitive sluggishness
Key effects: Supports mental sharpness, physical stamina, and inflammation recovery
What sets Forbidden V apart is its rare combination of CBD and CBDV, a cannabinoid that’s gaining attention for its role in neurological clarity and physical recovery. With a bright, invigorating terpene profile, this strain may assist with cognitive performance and relieve post-exercise inflammation. It’s a go-to for those who want to stay mentally sharp and physically resilient.
Benefits:
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Promotes alertness and cognitive clarity
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Reduces muscle soreness and inflammation
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Regulates energy metabolism for endurance
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Aids in recovery and stress reduction
Formats you can try at Acknowledge: Energy Tincture and Performance Support Gummies
4. Painted Lady
Type: Sativa-leaning
Cannabinoids: Low-dose blend of CBD, CBC, and THC
Key Terpenes: Caryophyllene, bisabolol, humulene, and guaiol
Best for: Emotional imbalance, stress reactivity, or low creative focus
Key effects: Encourages emotional steadiness, gentle uplift, and clear engagement without overstimulation
Painted Lady blends mood-lifting energy with calm clarity, making it an ideal daytime companion for those navigating stress, emotional burnout, or low motivation. Its key terpenes add an element of emotional ease, while supporting mental sharpness and positivity. Ideal for those seeking a mood boost without losing focus or overstimulation.
Benefits:
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Supports emotional equilibrium and mood regulation
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Boosts focus and cognitive sharpness
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Alleviates stress without drowsiness
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Encourages creativity and engagement
Formats you can try at Acknowledge: Unwind Tincture
The format you choose can influence how quickly and effectively a strain works for you.
Learn more in this clinical review of CBD delivery methods →
What Determines a Strain’s Effects?
Understanding why different CBD strains affect people differently comes down to the plant’s chemical makeup—primarily its cannabinoid and terpene content.
1. Cannabinoids
These are the active compounds that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. While CBD is the most well-known, others like CBDV, CBG, and THC (in legal trace amounts) also play important roles. Each cannabinoid engages receptors in different ways, some helping with pain, others with mood or cognitive support.
Learn more about Cannabinoids on Harvard Health Publishing →
2. Terpenes
Terpenes are aromatic molecules found in hemp (and other plants) that contribute to scent, flavor, and therapeutic effects. For example:
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Myrcene is often linked to sedation and muscle relaxation.
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Limonene may help ease inflammation and stress, and support an elevated mood.
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Pinene is also associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
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Caryophyllene is known for helping to soothe and relax.
These compounds—cannabinoids and terpenes—don’t act in isolation. Instead, they interact in ways that can influence and enhance each other’s effects, creating a more nuanced and targeted experience than CBD alone.
Learn more about terpenes in this Medical News Today guide →
3. Strain-Specific Chemistry
Each hemp strain is bred to emphasize certain cannabinoids and terpenes. For instance, one strain might naturally express high levels of pinene and CBDV—great for energy and focus—while another might lean into myrcene and linalool, better suited for winding down.
This means that the same amount of CBD can feel very different depending on the strain it comes from. That’s why learning to read strain profiles and lab-tested product information is key to choosing the right option for your wellness needs.
FAQ
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How do CBD strains differ from standard CBD products?
Most general CBD products don’t specify their source strain. Strain-specific products, however, are crafted from a single cultivar of hemp, each with its own balance of cannabinoids and terpenes. These differences can influence how the product affects your mood, energy, focus, or sleep.
Learn more about the difference between hemp and cannabis CBD in this Medical News Today guide →
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Can I use different strains for different times of day?
Yes, but always in accordance with your medical practitioner's recommendations. Many people use an energizing strain like Sour Suver Haze or Forbidden V during the day, and a more calming strain like Frosted Kush in the evening. Think of it as building a wellness toolkit based on your body’s rhythm and needs.
Learn more about how to take CBD during the day with Medical News Today →
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Do all CBD strains contain THC?
Strains in full-spectrum hemp extracts may contain trace amounts of THC (no more than 0.3% as legally required), but not enough to cause intoxication. Always check a product’s Certificate of Analysis (COA) to confirm cannabinoid levels.
Learn more about THC in CBD products in this WebMD breakdown →
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Are strain-specific products stronger or more effective?
Not necessarily stronger, but often more targeted. Because they preserve the unique chemical fingerprint of the hemp cultivar, strain-specific products may offer a more consistent and personalized effect than generic blends.
Learn how different strains can produce targeted effects in this peer-reviewed study →
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Where can I find the terpene and cannabinoid profile of a strain?
Reputable brands provide lab-tested COAs for each product batch. These reports list cannabinoid and terpene concentrations, giving you insight into the product’s potential effects. At Acknowledge, we ensure quality and transparency in every batch, tracked by a third-party lab-tested CBD, guaranteeing our clients know what they are consuming.
For more answers, visit our FAQ & Blog.