Gak strain guide
Gak is a balanced hybrid that takes its name from its parents, G13 and AK-47. It comes from the breeder Massive Creations and is known for an old-school spicy, skunky smell with a sweet, fruity edge. It's a fairly obscure strain, so there's less written about it than about its famous parents.
Where does Gak come from?
Gak is a cross of G13 and AK-47, and the name is simply the two parents squeezed together: G plus AK. One strain database lists the breeder as Massive Creations, and Grow Diaries credits the cross to Shiloh Massive of that outfit. Both describe it as finely balanced between indica and sativa.
It was never sold as feminized seed, which helps explain why it stayed a bit of an insider strain. Gak has still been used in plenty of breeding since, and you'll see its name inside other strains like Grape GAK and Blue GAK. Those are separate plants, so don't mix them up with the original.
What does Gak smell and taste like?
Listings describe a spicy, skunky smell first, with earthy and kush notes underneath and some floral and fruity hints on top. The taste is usually described as sweeter than the smell: berry and fruit, a little sour, with a spicy finish. The breeder talks about it carrying the old-school terpene profile of its parents.
We couldn't find published terpene results for Gak, so we haven't listed any. If your product's label names its top terpenes, that's the best guide to what's in your batch.
Gak effects: what people report
There aren't many reviews of Gak, so take these with a grain of salt. The ones that exist describe it as calming but upbeat: relaxed and euphoric, with a sociable, outgoing mood rather than a heavy couch feel. One reviewer found it lighter and more daytime-friendly than they expected, with a clear, creative head.
These are experiences people report, not promises. How it feels depends on the product, how much you have and your own tolerance. Dry mouth is the usual complaint with strains like this.
How strong is Gak?
Gak is a high-THC strain. Published listings put it around 20% to 22% THC, while grow reports put typical lab results higher, around 25% to 27%. CBD is usually very low.
If you're new to it, start with a small amount and wait before having more. The THC on your product's label matters more than the strain's usual range. Our guide to reading cannabis labels walks through what each number means.
Buying Gak in Canada
Gak is a rare name, and several newer strains borrow it, like Gak Z, GAK Gas and Original Gak BX1. Check that the label says plain Gak, or names G13 and AK-47 as the parents, if you want the original cross.
If you do find it, it may be dried flower, pre-rolls or concentrates like live rosin. Check the THC and CBD numbers and the packaging date, since fresher flower keeps more of its smell.
Gak vs G13
G13 is one of Gak's parents and the more famous of the two names, mostly thanks to the legend that it came out of a US government growing program. G13 is usually described as an earthy, heavy indica, while Gak sits in the middle, with AK-47 adding a spicier, skunkier smell and a more upbeat, sociable side. If you want something mellow and earthy, G13 is the closer match. If you'd like a balanced hybrid with more spice and fruit, try Gak.
Strains like Gak
If you like Gak, these are the closest matches:
- G13: one parent, earthier and heavier, with the same old-school feel.
- AK-47: the other parent, known for a skunky, spicy smell and an upbeat, social reputation.
- Afghani: a classic earthy, hashy strain in the same old-school family tree.
- White Widow: another balanced classic with an earthy, spicy smell.
