Flowery. Fruity. Spicy. Earthy. These are aromas that you can experience when consuming cannabis because of substances called terpenes.
But what are terpenes exactly?
Terpenes are yet another crucial natural substance in cannabis plants that give the thousands of strains their different smells and flavours.
Terpenes are in all kinds of plants, such as mangos, basil, lavender, and black pepper. But these aroma substances are often associated with cannabis because of their high concentration in cannabis.
Do Terpenes Make You High?
Terpenes won’t get you high in the way that THC does. However, because terpenes act on the endocannabinoid system, they affect the brain like some cannabinoids.
Some believe that terpenes enhance the high effect of THC, which is a cumulative effect called the entourage effect.
What’s the Difference between Terpenes and Terpenoids?
You may have heard of the term terpenoid, thinking it means the same thing as, terpene. Although terpene and terpenoid are closely related, these substances are not exactly the same. Terpenes exist throughout the plant. On the other hand, terpenoids happen when terpenes oxidize when cannabis is cured and dried.
What are the Common Terpenes? And How do they Affect your Body?
There are over 400 terpenes in cannabis plants! However, only a handful are well-known and better understood than others.
Limonene
Limonene is one of the most common terpenes. And as the name suggests, it’s found in citrus plants like lemons, oranges, and grapefruit. In addition, it’s found in other plants like peppermint. It may help relieve anxiety and depression, give you more energy, and may have anti-cancer effects.
Pinene
Just like the name suggests, pinene has a distinctive pine smell found in pine needles, rosemary, and orange peel. It may help improve your memory and make you feel more alert.
Linalool
This is a sweet-smelling terpene also found in lavender. It can help alleviate your stress, depression, and anxiety.
Myrcene
This terpene has an earthy, sweet smell. It’s found in mangos, cloves, lemongrass, thyme, and citrus. It helps relieve pain and inflammation and works as a sedative.
Caryophyllene
This terpene has a spicy smell. It’s found in basil, cloves, hops, and gives black pepper its distinctive smell. Like myrcene, caryophyllene has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Humulene
This terpene is found in ginseng and is known for its energizing effects.
The Bottom Line
Cannabis plants are more than the CBD and THC cannabinoids that people often talk about and scientists often study.
Terpenes–chemical compounds that give the thousands of cannabis strains their unique aromas–are important components that have health benefits. Terpenes enhance the effects of cannabinoids on your body, and so, have important health benefits.
So if you’re looking for marijuana with a specific aroma or impact on the body but you’re not sure which strain to get, contact us to speak with one of our cannabis experts. +1.226.568.2711; comforttreehealing@gmail.com