What is couch-lock?
Couch-lock (literally, being "locked" to the couch) is a feeling of bodily heaviness and deep relaxation that some cannabis strains produce, so intense that all you feel like doing is staying on the sofa without moving. It's a very physical feeling, the opposite of the active, stimulating effect of other strains.
Think of how you feel after a big Sunday lunch: your body feels heavy, it's hard to get up and all you want is to lie down. Couch-lock is a lot like that.
For some people it's exactly what they are looking for at the end of the day, to unwind at home. Others prefer to avoid it, because they want to stay active, go out or get things done.
Which strains are linked to couch-lock?
- Indicas or indica-dominant varieties: this is the feeling most associated with them. Those of Afghan origin and many Kush strains have that reputation.
- Strains with lots of THC: the more potent a strain is, the more intense the heaviness tends to be.
- Sativas, on the other hand, are associated with a more mental, active effect, and rarely cause couch-lock.
These are tendencies, not rules: each person feels it differently, and the amount also plays a part. What is more, many varieties today are hybrids and mix both kinds of feeling.
How to use it to choose seeds
- If you're looking for that deep relaxation, go for potent indicas and product pages that talk about a "relaxing", "body" or "heavy" effect.
- If you would rather avoid it, look at sativas, sativa-dominant hybrids or strains with moderate THC, with descriptions like "uplifting", "mental" or "active".
On each product page you'll see how the seed bank describes the effect of that strain.
Related terms
Before you grow, check the laws in your country: growing cannabis is not allowed everywhere.
