Fatty

Fatty Strain Guide

Indica-dominant | OG Kush × Heavy Indica | Expert-curated cannabis strain profile

Origin & Genetics

Fatty is an indica-dominant strain with OG Kush as its primary verified parent. The second parent is described broadly as an unknown heavy indica — a practice common in underground cannabis breeding where specific genetic stock is maintained without formal documentation. The lack of a publicized second parent has generated speculation, with the strain’s extremely heavy physical sedation pointing toward pure Afghan or Hindu Kush landrace genetics as the likely source of Fatty’s knockout body effects.

OG Kush requires little introduction. Originating in the early 1990s from Florida via San Fernando Valley California, OG Kush is arguably the most influential cannabis strain in Western cannabis culture. Its genetics have spawned hundreds of descendants, and its combination of cerebral euphoria, fuel-forward terpenes, and potent body effects established the template for what West Coast premium cannabis should look, smell, and feel like. For Fatty, OG Kush contributes the terpene backbone — that characteristic fuel-earth combination — and a baseline cerebral quality that the heavy indica parent then mutes considerably.

The unknown heavy indica parent is where Fatty’s defining character comes from. Heavy indica strains — typically descended from Afghan landrace genetics — are known for extreme physical sedation, dense compact structure, short flowering times, and hash-like aroma profiles. When crossed with OG Kush, these Afghan-type genetics amplify the body component of OG’s already substantial physical effects while adding the deep hash-earth terpene layering that gives Fatty its characteristic old-school cannabis smell. The result is a strain where OG Kush’s cerebral quality gets muted to a background warmth while the body sedation is maximized to an extreme degree.

Fatty is popular in markets where experienced consumers specifically seek out maximum body relaxation — dispensaries in states like Oregon and California often stock it for patients with severe insomnia or high-tolerance consumers looking for something that will actually break through. Its dense, fat bud structure (which inspired the name) and heavy trichome coverage make it visually impressive on the shelf. Browse our full strains directory for OG-family cultivars.

Cannabinoid & Terpene Profile

Fatty tests consistently in the 20–24% THC range, with CBD below 0.5% and negligible minor cannabinoids. The cannabinoid profile is pure THC-dominant, designed to deliver maximum potency through the primary psychoactive pathway. At these concentrations in a heavily indica-dominant strain, the physical effects are substantial and predictable: deep sedation, muscle relaxation, and sustained body heaviness.

Terpene	Typical % Range	Aroma/Flavor	Effect Association
Myrcene	0.60–1.00%	Earthy, musky, hash-like	Primary sedation amplifier, muscle relaxation
Caryophyllene	0.35–0.65%	Spicy pepper, dry woody	Anti-inflammatory CB2, stress reduction
Linalool	0.20–0.40%	Floral, sweet, mild lavender	Sedation support, anxiety reduction
Humulene	0.15–0.35%	Earthy, hoppy, woody	Anti-inflammatory, appetite suppression (rare in cannabis)

Fatty’s exceptionally high myrcene content is the primary driver of its legendary sedation. Myrcene is the most common terpene in cannabis and is directly associated with couch-lock effects in high concentrations. Research suggests myrcene may enhance THC’s blood-brain barrier permeability, effectively amplifying the potency of the THC dose. At concentrations of 0.6–1.0%, myrcene makes Fatty one of the highest-myrcene strains in the indica category — a terpene marker that experienced consumers use as a reliable predictor of how sedating a strain will be. For a complete explanation of myrcene’s role in cannabis effects, visit our myrcene terpene guide.

Effects

Fatty is a strain with one primary agenda: deliver the deepest possible body sedation. It succeeds comprehensively. See our effects directory and sleepy effects guide for more context on indica sedation profiles.

Onset & Timeline

Effects begin within 3–7 minutes of smoking or vaping. The initial onset includes a brief wave of warm euphoria — a gentle mental softening that signals the THC kicking in. Unlike more balanced hybrids, this cerebral phase is short-lived in Fatty. Within 10–15 minutes, the body effects begin asserting themselves, rapidly expanding from the chest outward. By the 30–45 minute mark, most users are deeply settled into heavy physical sedation that makes movement feel difficult and unnecessary. Peak effects typically last 90–120 minutes at full intensity; the total session including the gradual tapering runs 3–4 hours. Sleep is a common outcome, particularly for less-experienced users or those consuming in the evening.

Mental Effects

The mental experience of Fatty is present but secondary to the physical. An initial warmth and contentment settles the mind, quieting stress and worry effectively. At moderate doses, some euphoric quality persists through the plateau as a background happiness. However, cognitive function progressively dims as the indica body effects deepen: thoughts slow, motivation disappears, and the active, engaged mental state that hybrids and sativas provide is simply not what Fatty does. This is not a thinking strain, a creative strain, or a social strain. It’s a “turn everything off” strain. For consumers who want exactly that — a complete mental and physical shutdown from a difficult day — Fatty delivers precisely and reliably.

Physical Effects

The physical effects of Fatty are comprehensive and profound. The high-myrcene, high-THC combination creates body sedation that penetrates deeply into muscle tissue. Chronic tension patterns — the kind that builds in back, neck, and shoulders over weeks of stress or physical work — release in a way that other strains cannot match. The heaviness is real and substantial: limbs feel weighted, moving requires conscious effort, and the natural response is to find the most comfortable position available and commit to it. Pain signals from chronic conditions quiet noticeably. Appetite is reliably triggered. Eyes become heavy and dry. Sleep is frequently the outcome within 2 hours of consumption for most users.

"Fatty is what I reach for when nothing else works. After a 60-hour work week, two puffs of Fatty and my shoulders finally drop. I don’t care what’s on TV. I don’t care about email. I’m just... off. That’s worth everything."

Fatty — Video Overview

Watch a detailed strain review and indica comparison for Fatty:

Flavor & Aroma Profile

Fatty’s flavor profile reflects its heavy indica genetics — this is not a candy-sweet or fruity strain. It delivers a classic, old-school cannabis experience that resonates strongly with consumers who appreciate traditional hash-country terpene profiles.

Aroma: The primary aroma of Fatty is earthy and hash-like — the dense, rich, slightly musty earthiness associated with hand-pressed hashish from traditional producing regions. This character comes from the combined myrcene and humulene terpene expression of the heavy indica parent. Underneath the earthy baseline, OG Kush’s characteristic fuel note adds a sharpness that prevents the profile from being purely dull. A subtle sweetness — mild and understated compared to candy strains — softens the edges and makes the overall aroma inviting rather than off-putting. The scent is powerful and room-filling when flower is broken apart.

Flavor: On the inhale, earthy musk dominates alongside a mild, dry spice from caryophyllene. The midpoint of the smoke develops the hash-sweet character more fully, with a warming, resinous quality that coats the palate. The OG fuel note pushes through clearly on the exhale, leaving a lingering combination of earth, hash, and fuel that is unmistakably OG-family cannabis. The flavor is robust and satisfying for connoisseurs of the style, though those who prefer lighter, fruity terpene profiles may find it heavy.

Medical Uses & Therapeutic Potential

Fatty’s heavy indica profile makes it one of the more therapeutically specific strains available — it excels for conditions requiring maximum physical sedation, pain relief, and sleep support. It is not a versatile daytime wellness strain. Always consult a healthcare provider for medical cannabis guidance. Visit our medical cannabis section for condition-specific detail.

Severe Insomnia

Fatty is one of the most reliable cannabis options for severe, treatment-resistant insomnia. The extremely high myrcene content, potent THC level, and comprehensive physical sedation create the full set of conditions for sleep onset. Patients who report that lighter strains “don’t work anymore” due to high tolerance, or those dealing with sleep disorders that have resisted other interventions, frequently find Fatty effective where other options have failed. The progressive nature of the effect — which peaks well within the first hour — means using it 45–60 minutes before intended sleep is most effective.

Chronic & Severe Pain

The combination of high THC, dominant myrcene, caryophyllene’s CB2 anti-inflammatory activity, and the comprehensive muscle relaxation makes Fatty appropriate for serious pain management applications. Fibromyalgia, severe arthritis, neuropathic pain, post-surgical recovery, and conditions involving significant muscle spasticity (including multiple sclerosis) are commonly cited by medical patients who use Fatty specifically because milder strains do not provide adequate relief. The deep muscle relaxation effect is particularly noted by chronic pain patients as qualitatively different from what lighter strains provide.

PTSD & Severe Anxiety

The comprehensive mental quieting that Fatty produces can provide temporary but meaningful relief from severe anxiety and PTSD symptoms. By reducing the hypervigilance, muscle tension, and racing thought patterns associated with PTSD, Fatty creates a window of calm that many patients describe as genuinely therapeutic. The caveat for anxiety patients applies: high-THC indicas can worsen anxiety in sensitive individuals, particularly at higher doses. Fatty should be approached conservatively for anxiety management, with an established indica tolerance already in place.

Growing Fatty

Fatty grows with the compact, dense structure typical of heavy indica genetics. It is one of the more straightforward indica strains to cultivate, rewarding growers with impressive bud density and resin production without demanding highly technical growing conditions. Our growing guides cover all cultivation methods.

Indoor Growing

Indoor cultivation allows the tight environmental control that maximizes Fatty’s resin production and terpene expression. The strain’s compact indica structure stays manageable at 3–4 feet height indoors, requiring minimal training beyond some light LST to improve canopy airflow. Flowering time runs a relatively short 56–63 days (8–9 weeks) — a benefit of the Afghan indica genetics that tend toward faster flowering than hybrid or sativa strains. Indoor yields of 1–1.4 oz per square foot are consistently achievable with a quality feeding program. The dense bud structure means humidity management is critical during late flower to prevent botrytis; maintaining airflow and keeping relative humidity below 45% in the final 2 weeks is strongly recommended.

Outdoor Growing

Outdoor Fatty performs well in most climates that can provide a full growing season. The compact indica structure keeps plants manageable, and the relatively early harvest window (late September in the Northern Hemisphere) means it completes flowering before most autumn rains arrive in temperate growing regions. The dense bud structure does create mold vulnerability in humid autumn climates — growers in such areas should monitor closely in the final weeks. In dry, sunny climates (Mediterranean, Southern California, Colorado), Fatty can produce remarkably large, resinous plants with yields well above indoor equivalents.

Consumption Methods

Given Fatty’s extreme potency and sedating nature, consumption method and dose control are critically important. Our consumption guide covers all approaches.

Smoking

Traditional smoking is the most common consumption method for Fatty. Given the strain’s purpose (evening/nighttime heavy sedation), a one-hitter or small bowl allows precise dose control. Starting with one or two puffs and waiting 20–30 minutes before evaluating is strongly recommended, particularly for those new to heavy indicas. The earthy-hash flavor is most pronounced when smoked in a clean glass pipe or bong.

Vaporizing

Vaporizing Fatty at medium-to-high temperatures (185–210°C / 365–410°F) brings out the full depth of the myrcene and humulene earthiness while preserving the more subtle sweet and spice notes. Higher vaporization temperatures also tend to produce more pronounced sedative effects by more fully extracting the heavier terpenes responsible for couch-lock. Dose control is easier with a vaporizer than smoking for medical users who need precise titration.

Similar Strains

If Fatty’s profile appeals to you, these heavy indica and OG-family strains share overlapping characteristics. Browse our full strains directory.

Strain	Type	THC	Shared Quality	Key Difference
Fatty	Indica	20–24%	—	Hash-earth heavyweight flagship
OG Kush	Hybrid	19–24%	OG terpenes, potency	More cerebral, less sedating
Afghani	Indica	17–20%	Hash-earth aroma, heavy sedation	Lower THC, purer landrace character
9 Pound Hammer	Indica	18–23%	Heavy sedation, fruity undertone	More sweet-fruity, slightly less earthy
Granddaddy Purple	Indica	17–23%	Heavy body sedation, indica flagship	Grape-sweet flavor vs earthy-hash

Frequently Asked Questions