Cannabis Terpenes: A Quick Guide
If you’ve ever caught a whiff of weed, you’ve met terpenes.
While some describe weed as a straight “skunk” smell, those with a keener nose can pick up on its many diverse notes.
Plus, these aromatic compounds aren’t unique to cannabis; they’re found in many plants and responsible for the earthy smell while walking through a forest, or the floral essence you pick up from a bouquet of flowers.
What Are Terpenes In Cannabis?
The blend and concentration of terpenes determine each cannabis strain’s scent, which can swing from citrusy and sweet to earthy and piney. Terpenes are volatile compounds that evaporate into the air easily, letting their scents be smelled.
While some describe weed as a straight “skunk” smell, those with a keener nose can pick up on its many diverse notes. Terpenes are made in the trichomes, or resin glands, of the cannabis plant, where cannabinoids like THC and CBD are also synthesized.
How Do Terpenes Work?
Enhancing the High:
Terpenes can elevate the kind of high you feel. They work alongside cannabinoids like THC and CBD, which also interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors. By latching onto these receptors, terpenes amplify the effects of cannabinoids. This synergy is known as the entourage effect, where the combined impact of terpenes and cannabinoids is greater than their individual effects.
Therapeutic Benefits
Terpene’s effects can also be therapeutic:
A 2020 review pointed out that terpenes help THC and CBD work better, especially when cannabis is used for treating symptoms of mood disorders like depression, anxiety, or bipolar. They highlighted that the mood-stabilizing effects of THC or CBD can actually be enhanced when combined with terpenes like myrcene (which induces relaxation and decreases anxiety) or limonene (which stimulates arousal and alertness).
Types Of Terpenes
Even the most seasoned users likely haven’t heard of or used all cannabis terpenes out there, considering there are over 200 different kinds.
Some of the most common terpenes present in cannabis plants include:
Caryophyllene – Spicy, peppery aroma, and the only terpene that acts as a cannabinoid
Humulene – Earthy, woody, appetite-suppressing and also found in hops.
Limonene – Citrusy with notes of lemon and orange; celebrated for its mood-lifting effects.
Myrcene – Earthy, musky, and the most abundant terpene, known to promote relaxation and calmness. products at your local dispensary.
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