Cannabis Terpenes: Everything You Need to Know
By now, you’ve probably heard the words, ‘cannabis terpenes’, tossed around in conversation; How they smell, what they do, their various effects and so on. In this cannabis terpenes guide, we’ll touch on all the basics you should know for you to become a terpene master; So next time you’re talking weed with your friends, you can drop some knowledge about these dope little compounds.
What are cannabis terpenes?
That’s a great place to start! Cannabis terpenes deliver the unique, strong, intense aroma of cannabis that is fairly easy to recognize. Most of us can catch its scent before we spot it, and some who’ve never smoked marijuana before pick up on its skunky smell. Terpenes are in fact, the aromatic substances responsible for the smell of various plants, aside from marijuana, and give cannabis its unique smell and flavors.
The cannabis plant contains more than 150 types of terpenes. Although most terpenes are present in small percentages, the more dominant terpenes partner together to give cannabis strains their signature scents. For example, Sour Diesel is known for its pungent, gassy character, while Cherry Pie emits the aromas of sweet and sour cherry pie. Pretty cool, right?
Other than terpenes providing cannabis strains with different scents, terpenes also hold a variety of functions in the plant and can produce a range of effects when smoked.
Where do terpenes come from?
Terpenes are naturally-occurring compounds that come from the trichomes of female cannabis plants (aka the plant that gets you high) and other plants as well. Trichomes are the sticky, translucent glands that look like microscopic mushrooms that cover predominantly the surface of marijuana buds. Trichomes are the part of the plant that contain resin glands that produce the variety of terpenes.
Terpenes play a vital role in a cannabis plant’s growth and survival. Aside from producing various aromas, terpenes also influence color of leaves and buds and make cannabis even taste better. In addition to aromas and growth, terpenes can help attract creatures and protect it from others.
For example, some terpenes keep insects and herbivores away from eating the cannabis plant, while other terpenes can attract insects and other small critters that help with pollination. These compounds also help the plant’s immune system by translating information about its surroundings, defending it against stress and diseases, and triggering immune responses.
How do cannabis terpenes affect the human body?
Humans have been using terpenes for a long time to create essential oils for things like aromatherapy. For example, if you’ve ever applied lavender oil, which contains linalool (a type of terpene), to your wrists or behind your ears, you may have felt more relaxed.
Until recently, most of the attention has been on the properties of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. However, as we learn more about terpenes, it’s becoming clear that these compounds also carry other properties aside from getting you high.
Some of the ways terpenes affect humans are similar to what they do in cannabis and other plants, like helping to protect against harmful microbes and pathogens.
See? This goes way beyond just elevating vibes.
How do terpenes influence cannabis effects?
Some evidence suggests that all the compounds in cannabis work together in a special way called the ‘entourage effect’. This means, when you have all the compounds in marijuana working together, they create something stronger than each part of the plant can do on its own. Essentially this means, when you consume cannabinoids and terpenes together, they work better than when you consume them individually.
Here’s what we mean: terpenes seem to have a role in how THC and CBD affect the human body. Some research as discovered that full-spectrum CBD extract was 4x stronger than a CBD isolate. This means cannabis consumers could take a much smaller dose of CBD extract than they thought due to the CBD cannabinoids and other compounds, like terpenes, working better together than CBD could if it was consumed solely as an isolate.
Top Three Cannabis Terpenes:
POT QUIZ: What are the top three most common cannabis terpenes?
To reiterate, there are over 150 different types of terpenes that can be found in marijuana. While many terpenes come in small amounts, there are a few that have a more dominant presence like: Myrcene, Caryophyllene and Limonene.
Myrcene
Myrcene is a terpene that’s also found in hops and lemongrass. People describe its scent as being herbal, earthy and musky. Myrcene adds a slightly sweet taste to cannabis, and is also found in mangoes.
Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene gives some cannabis strains a spicy, peppery kick. You can also find caryophyllene in cloves, rosemary, oregano, and black pepper. If you notice these scents when smelling a cannabis strain, it’s probably because it has caryophyllene as its dominant terpene.
Caryophyllene is the only terpene known to be in cannabis that can attach to the CB2 receptor in the human body’s immune system, called the endocannabinoid system.
Limonene
When you think of limonene, think of lemon! This cannabis terpene emits those clean, fresh, and cheerful citrus-like smells we know and love. Its name already hints at the scents it’s known for. You can find limonene in the peels of citrus fruits and ginger. It’s also the dominant terpene in many cannabis strains that emit a fruity and fresh aroma.
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