One of the very first truly new-school "super strains", GG#4 hit shelves all the way back in 2013. Quickly gaining cult-like status first throughout the continental United States, with the rest of the pot-smoking world catching up in no time at all, GG#4 is one of the must-try cultivars for any and all self-respecting cannabis enthusiast.
Hailing from the heartland of the Pacific North weed brilliance that is Nevada, Gorilla Glue is the result of decades of combined cannabis breeding knowledge and experience from two of the American breeding scene mainstays, Joesy Whales and Lone Watty of GG Genetics. And to say that Gorilla Glue #4 has scooped up the awards is just a slight understatement. This strain is like Micheal Phelps and Simone Biles combined - it has won just about everything there is to win, in most cases more than once.
A combination of three award-winning strains in their own right - Chem’s Sister x Chocolate Diesel x Sour Dubb - it was almost destined to be a home run from the moment it hit the soil. And while it has many of the classic effects associated with Indica-dominant hybrids, Gorilla Glue is also known for the balanced brilliance that so many seasoned tokers love and appreciate.
The THC content of GG4 is high to say the least, measuring in at an average of around 27-32%. CBD is low, but the entourage effect is in full swing here with the dominant terpenes being….
| Beta Caryophyllene | 0.8% |
| Limonene | 0.4% |
| Alpha Humulene | 0.3% |
| Beta Myrcene | 0.25% |
So,
- Why have so many breeders changed the name to GG4?
- What makes this strain so highly sought after?
- If there's a GG#4, how many other variants are around, and which one is the best?
- Is it hard to grow?
Let's find out!
Are Gorilla Glue and GG#4 the same strain?
They sure are. This strain was marketed under the ‘Gorilla Glue’ name for a good few years when it first bombed onto the scene, and for good reason. For any of you out there who have had the pleasure of trimming a freshly harvested crop (pleasure might be pushing it a little, depending on the number of buds that need manicuring), you will know just how quickly your trimming scissors can become all 'glued' up when dealing with a heavy trichome producer.
Try just handling a bunch of freshly harvested Gorilla Glue and you will quickly understand how and why the breeders landed on the name. Get that bottle of isopropyl ready and waiting, because you gonna be needing it more regularly than ever before when trimming GG#4.
The GG Strains’ co-founder Ross Johnson remembers his phone literally sticking to his hand during the first harvest of GG#4 and is quoted as saying “This stuff stuck like Gorilla Glue", and so did the name. But there's a twist to this particular story.
You see, the global leader in the glue game – ‘Gorilla Glue Co.’ - had something to say about this new strain dominating the cannabis market.
So, what do think they did?
Well, they of course sat back, enjoyed the free marketing, and rode the Gorilla Glue strain wave to boost their market position even further.
Actually, scrap that. They did the exact opposite.
What they did do was send a very strongly worded letter demanding that GG Genetics ceased the use of the copyright-protected trademark. The letter came with a list of other demands, including the forfeiture of any and all profits relating to the strain. This obviously comes as a bit of a rude shock to the breeders, especially with so many other strains borrowing names from household products.
When the lawsuit was filed in March 2017, GG genetics vowed to fight the legal battle, and they made good on that promise for a good number of months. But we all know just how expensive long, drawn-out court battles can be - especially when your opponent is a market dominating force - so later that year an out-of-court settlement was reached and both parties walked away happy.
And that's where the moniker GG4 comes into the frame. No longer able to use the original name, the breeders settled on a title that accurately reflected its heritage, without breaking any copyright laws. It is also sometimes referred to as Original Glue, but that name seems to have died out for the most part.
How many Gorilla Glue strains are there?
A quick browse of any seed bank will show a huge number of strains with the word gorilla or glue as part of the name makeup, and that's mostly thanks to the fact that GG#4 has become one of the most popular breeding options of the last decade.
But, in terms of the OG Gorilla Glue Variants, there are five. Each is either a different phenotype from the batch that gave us GG4, or a descendant of GG4 - so let's take a quick look at them all.
Gorilla Glue 1
Also known as Sister Glue, GG#1 is more of an indica leaning pheno that is a slightly less potent strain with heavy aromas of pine and flavors or lemon and flowers. Despite it being less potent than the more famous GG #4, Gorilla Glue #1 is still likely to be one of the strongest strains you are likely to smoke coming in at around 20-25% THC.
Gorilla Glue 2
Coming in with a slightly more uplifting high than is usually expected from an indica dominant strain, GG#2 is also more on the earthy side of the aroma than her more famous kin. With THC levels hovering arounf the 20 - 25% mark GG #2 provides a pleasant euphoric and deeply relaxing high that is great for evening smoking. Many users also claim that is a great strain to help combat depression and chronic pain.
Gorilla Glue 3
Very similar in most ways to GG4, but with a slightly lower THC count of around 25 - 27%. Gorilla Glue 3 grows slightly more indica leaning than GG #4 with highly dense foliage. Once in flowering the instantly recognisable earthy, diesel and sweet aromas of the Gorilla Glue family start to fill the grow room. Users report GG #3 providing a fast acting head high which is perfect for aiding chronic pain, depression or anxiety.
Gorilla Glue 4
Not much to say on this one other than it was the clear winner of the bunch. GG #4 as its name is now known is the most potent of the family with THC levels reaching over 30%. Most of you are only likely have the privilege of growing Gorilla Glue 4 seeds because its siblings (GG#1, GG#2, GG#3 and GG#5) are all notoriously rare and difficult to get hold of.
Gorilla Glue 5
A cross of GG4 and Sister Glue (GG1), GG5 is essentially a slightly lankier and more Indica-dominant variant of GG4. This one has an 80/20 split of Indica and Sativa, resulting in a slightly heavier initial hit with less of the cerebral headiness of GG4. It's just as hard-hitting as GG4, with a 26% to 28% THC.
Gorilla Glue Autoflower
With a 50/50 Indica-Sativa ratio, this strain exhibits a balanced high. It packs a punch with a THC level of 24%, offering uplifting and relaxing effects. When it comes to growing, Gorilla Glue Autoflower is a standout. The flowering time is less than 8 weeks, and you can expect yields of up to 600g. It’s an eye-catcher, too, with dense, resinous buds that hint at the stickiness of its namesake. The flavor profile is a blend of earthy undertones with hints of chocolate and coffee. The aroma complements the taste with piney freshness. To achieve the best results, keep it in a warm environment and provide adequate nutrients. This ensures healthy growth and rich, flavorful buds. Whether you’re a novice or seasoned grower, Gorilla Glue Autoflower is a great strain to grow.
Which Gorilla Glue strain is the strongest?
It's a tied race between GG4 and GG5. If you want to grow the strongest variant of Gorilla Glue, get yourself a quality hydroponic setup, feed her heavy from the second or third week of vegetative growth, and get those lights cranking.
So, that's the story of Gorilla Glue cannabis strains. Five different variations on the same theme, each with its own unique personality, flavor, aroma, and effect.
Gorilla Glue #4 grow tips
While GG#4 is considered to be a pretty easy strain to grow, there are a few considerations worth noting before throwing those seeds down into any old soil.
This strain became a hit with growers as quickly as it did with consumers, thanks the ease of cultivation and how well it takes to both indoor and outdoor cultivation settings. But, if you are wanting to get the very best results possible, we recommend -
- Keep your mind on the rootball - A heavy trichome producer like GG#4 needs to have an extremely well-developed and robust rootball BEFORE you switch to flower. We like to veg this strain for a minimum of 4 weeks, but a little longer is better.
- The strain responds well to HST - You are going to want to get those pruning sheers out, and be ready to lollipop the living sh** out of her. Topping is also recommended, as is throwing her under a SCroG net.
- GG4 is a heavy feeder and can handle all the light you are able to throw her way - Crank that LED panel to full power as soon as the third node has developed, and leave it there until its time to harvest.
Growing Gorilla Glue weed
If you're growing outdoors, it's best to the seeds in the ground in early spring. In the northern hemisphere, this should be around March to April, and in the southern hemisphere, September to October. The plant will grow rapidly once that root ball gets going, but keep in mind that this strain likes a pretty heavy dose of nutes.
We mention a couple of training techniques above, but in all honesty, this strain can take a beating. If you have been looking for a cultivar to do some experimentation with in terms of stress training methods, GG4 is a great option. It takes super well to mainlining, schwazzing, monster cropping - pretty much anything you feel like throwing her way.
GG4 also does super well in all substrates, but if you are just starting out then we recommend grabbing a cannabis-specific soil or coco-coir blend and staying away from complicated hydro setups - at least, for your first few grows.
Coco-coir is perfect for novice cultivators, as it offers a range of benefits associated with both soil-based and hydroponic cultivation styles. This substrate offers far better drainage and aeration than soil, while still holding onto the perfect amount of moisture to promote healthy and robust growth. It is an inherently inert medium, which allows for much finer control over the nutrient schedule and pH levels of the root zone, and works great with both organic or synthetic nutrient options. If you decide to go down the synthetic route, make sure to only use coco-coir-specific blends, but with organic ones, you can pretty much use whatever you like.
We also suggest grabbing either some fabric smart pots or air pots to enhance the oxygenation of the root zone even further. The larger and healthier the roots, the faster the growth will be, and the more of those juicy, glue-covered nuggets you will get come harvest time.
Is Gorilla Glue strain a sativa or indica?
GG4 is a pretty evenly balanced hybrid, with a 60/40 genetic split leaning towards the Indica side of the cannabis family tree.
Is Gorilla Glue a good strain for beginners?
Definitely. No matter your level of expertise, this strain is a relatively easy one to grow and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor growing. The plant usually flowers in around 8-9 weeks and will benefit from a slightly longer than usual vegetative growth period.
So, to answer the question - yes, Gorilla Glue is absolutely a great strain for beginners, intermediate, and advanced growers alike.
If you are a first time grower you may also want to consider growing Gorilla Glue Autoflower instead. Autos flower according to age and not their light cycle, so instead of messing around changing light cycles you can keep them on a simple 20/4 light cycle from start to finish. Autos are also great for any indoor growers with limited space and can easily fit inside a closet, small grow tent or cupboard.
What Is It Like To Smoke Gorilla Glue?
What's it like to smoke GG4? It's potent, let's start there.
This is a strain that will pick you up, lay you down, cover you with a nice warm quilt, and sing you a lullaby. This is a strain that will have your entire body buzzing with a delightful tingle, while you experience some serious couch locking. This is the type of weed that 70s stoners could only dream of, and then some.
It can feel like a nice warm hug from Mom, or it can be more like wrestling the Liver King, depending on your individual tolerance. This strain is known for its strong euphoric effects and heavy body stone and offers some pretty fantastic medicinal benefits.
From inflammation relief to the reduction of chronic pain, to help with insomnia, Gorilla Glue 4 is as much of a cult here in the medical scene as it is in the recreational arena. It's often recommended for those who suffer from depressive issues thanks to its euphoria-inducing effects, and for those who struggle with anxiety or chronic stress.
If you are new to cannabis and want something that will knock your socks off, so take her easy, to begin with, that's for sure.
The flavor of the smoke is sweet and piney, with hints of sandalwood and spice overlayed with a refreshing berry twist. The aroma matches for the most part but does offer a soft diesel in the background.
Does Gorilla Glue Strain Make You Laugh?
Yes indeed. This strain makes you giggle, chuckle, bend over clutching your sides, and sometimes even snort like a little piggy with laughter. Gorilla Glue is notorious for its mood-boosting effects, so if you’re looking for a strain to help you relax and laugh, this is the one.
Does Gorilla Glue Strain Make You Hungry?
Like you've never been before, especially in edible form. Eating Gorilla Glue will bring on an intense, insatiable hunger that is hard to ignore. For those who struggle with appetite issues - especially those on prescription meds that dull hunger - this strain can be a godsend.
It’s important to remember that when consuming cannabis in any form, you should do so responsibly, as with anything else. Try to stay within your tolerance level and remember that consuming too much cannabis can be overwhelming, especially with a strain like GG4.
The Wrap Up
So, there you have it. Pretty much everything there is to know about GG#4. One of the most awarded strains of all time, it is a delicious and potent Indica-dominant hybrid that has become a staple for cannabis connoisseurs from California to Amsterdam and everywhere in between.
Whether you are new to the growing game or a grizzled veteran, Gorilla Glue 4 is an easy strain to cultivate and will reward you with a kings sized bounty of sticky, trichome-covered nugs come harvest time. It’s also known for its strong mood-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving effects, making it beloved by medical marijuana patients everywhere.
The bottom line - if you’ve never tried Gorilla Glue 4 before, what have you been doing for the last decade? Roll that stuff up, get a little animalistic, and get toking my friend.
