Banana MAC is a unique Indica-dominant hybrid because it leans more towards the familiar Sativa high but with all the usual Indica benefits. This marijuana strain is a cross between the Limonene-dominant Miracle Alien Cookies (MAC) and the Banana Kush strain. The dominant terpene in Banana MAC is Linalool which is believed to promote a calming effect.
In this article, I review the Banana MAC weed strain from Gifted Curators, my favorite local DC weed dispensary. I’ll talk about the effects I felt, who this strain is recommended for, when is the best time to smoke it and take a closer look at the total entourage effect of Banana Miracle Alien Cookies.
Key takeaways for Banana Mac weed strain:
- Banana MAC strain delivers a well-balanced body high to wash away pain, while also delivering energy, focus, and a sense of calm and well-being.
- The primary terpene found in Banana MAC is Linalool which is believed to promote a calming effect.
- I recommend Banana MAC for anyone looking for a fluid Indica-dominant strain that allows you to relax and sleep or focus and be productive whenever you need.
What does the Banana MAC strain feel like?
Banana MAC from Gifted DC
Banana MAC is easy on the lungs and on the initial hit sweeps over the body dissolving any pain and aches with a tingling sensation. The body high felt almost euphoric, and slowly washes into the head. You’ll feel energized and positive and best of all you won’t lose any energy while still feeling deeply relaxed.
While most Indica dominant strains leave you feeling sluggish, the Banana MAC strain had me very focused on my tasks without any overstimulation. At the same time if you lay back you can get completely lost in your thoughts and drift into blissful sleep. Banana MAC is a strain that can stimulate creativity, and overall it’s a very well-balanced and functional high.
Who this strain is for: If you are looking for amazing physiological relief then Banana MAC is perfect for pain management and sleep. At the same time, this strain is very fluid, whether you want to focus on the productive task or fall deep into your head and relax you can. So if you need a flexible hybrid strain, I recommend Banana MAC. For more MAC strains I recommend the MAC Daddy and MAC 1 strains.
What are Banana Mac’s primary terpenes?
Banana MAC’s primary terpenes are Linalool, Limonene, Caryophyllene, and Valencene. In this section, we go over the potential effects of these terpenes. The interaction between all the compounds within the Banana MAC strain, such as terpenes, flavonoids, and phytocannabinoids, works together to enhance the overall effects of this strain.
Disclaimer: The terpene profile may vary depending on what medical dispensary you purchased your Banana MAC strain from. This section is meant to help you understand how the terpenes influence the effects of this strain, but more research is needed to understand fully how terpenes affect the body from consuming cannabis.
Banana MAC terpene profile:
Pinene: 0.05%
Myrcene: 0.04%
Humulene: 0.09%
Limonene: 0.21%
Linalool: 0.23%
Bisabolol: 0.07%
Valencene: 0.12%
Terpinolene: 0.01%
Phellandrene: 0.04%
Caryophyllene: 0.13%
Why Banana MAC is great for feeling calm and focused
Banana MAC is the perfect strain for calming and relaxing yourself while not sacrificing your energy and focus. The primary terpenes found in Banana MAC are Linalool and Limonene, and in this section, we take a closer look at the potential effects of these terpenes.
Linalool is the most dominant terpene found in Banana MAC. Early research suggests that Linalool, THC, and CBN, work synergistically together to create a sedative effect. In a study from the National Institute of Health, Linalool was found to decrease aggressive behavior in mice bringing them to a much more relaxed and calm state. While more research is needed to understand just how much cannabis terpenes such as Linalool have on our experience, in my personal opinion the Banana MAC strain left me deeply relaxed and calm.
The second most dominant terpene found in Banana MAC is Limonene. These genetics are passed along from the parent strain: Miracle Alien Cookies. Limonene is believed to relieve stress, improve mood, and increase energy and focus. What I loved about smoking Banana MAC was that while I felt deeply relaxed I also felt I had the energy to not just stay stuck on the couch.
When is the best time to smoke the Banana MAC strain?
Banana MAC is a very fluid strain that gives you an overall sense of calm and relaxation, yet you will also feel energized and focused. You can smoke this strain during the day but I recommend Banana MAC for evening or night smoking to take advantage of the sleep benefits of this strain. In this section, we take a closer look at the third and fourth most abundant terpenes found in Banana MAC that help increase focus, energy, and mood.
Caryophyllene is the third most dominant terpene found in the Banana MAC strain. Caryophyllene is FDA-recognized as “Safe” to consume in large doses and is believed to promote enhanced focus and mood. Early research also suggests that Caryophyllene helps with mood and pain as well.
The fourth most abundant terpene found in Banana MAC is Valencene. Valencene is believed to elevate moods, produce euphoria, and also increase cognitive functions and alertness. With both Caryophyllene and Valecene having potential mood and focus benefits, this makes the Banana MAC strain perfect for feeling deeply relaxed yet focused. While you can smoke this strain during the day, I recommend smoking it closer in the evening to take advantage of the sleep aid this strain provides.
What are the dominant cannabinoids found in Banana Mac?
The dominant cannabinoids found in Banana MAC are THC, CBD, and THC-B. Strains with higher concentrations of CBD help to counter the psychoactive effects of THC. This gave Banana MAC a smoother and well-balanced experience without any overstimulating or negative effects.
THC-B is similar in strength to THC-P, but it provides different effects leaning more toward relaxation and calmness. THC-B is also believed to stimulate the appetite and reduce stress.
Disclaimer: The cannabinoids in your Banana MAC strain can vary depending on what medical dispensary you purchased your strain from. This section was meant to help you understand the effects of the cannabinoids in your strain.
THC: 22 - 26%
CBD: 0.93 - 1.07%
CBC: 0.37 - 0.48%
CBG: 0 - 0.06%
CBN: 0.07 - 0.08%
THCB: 0.35 - 0.51%
How do Banana Mac nugs smell and taste?
Banana MAC has a creamy citrus flavor from the two dominant terpenes Limonene and Linalool. The Caryophyllene terpene brings out the spicy and earthy notes in the aroma, that is dominated by the smell of ripe bananas. Overall this is a very sweet-smelling and tasting strain with hints of spiciness.
Pinene: (bitter, earthy, piney)
Myrcene: (sweet, spicy, peppery)
Humulene: (bitter, spicy, herbal)
Limonene: (citrus, sweet, tangy)
Linalool: (floral, sweet, citrus)
Bisabolol: (sweet, flowery, herbal)
Valencene: (sour, sweet, citrus)
Terpinolene: (floral, citrus, pine)
Phellandrene: (woody minty, mild)
Caryophyllene: (spicy, peppery, cinnamon)
What do Banana Mac nugs look like?
Banana MAC is an Indica dominant so the nugs will be wide, dense, and bulky usually rounder in shape. The buds will have a nice mixture of mint and olive greens, loaded with intertwining orange pistils (see photo above of Banana MAC from Gifted Curators DC dispensary). This strain is rich in chunky trichomes and can have purple foliage but it’s not a must.
Final Thoughts
Here at Gentlemanotker, our team is passionate about finding the best strains from medical and recreational dispensaries across the United States. Our team has traveled and reviewed some of the best marijuana from Hawaii, New Jersey, and Oklahoma. In this article, I review the ultra-calming Banana MAC strain from Gifted Curators, a Washington DC dispensary.
The Banana MAC strain is perfect for those who want the usual benefits of an Indica-dominant strain such as pain and sleep aid, but also want a nice dose of energy and focus as well. What I loved about this strain was how fluid it was when I needed it to be. If you want to relax you can and if you need to engage in productive activities this strain lets you do it. Banana MAC can be smoked anytime in the day but I recommend it more for nighttime smoking as it can wash away pain, elevate moods, and help you drift into a deep and blissful slumber.