Stop & Smell the Terpenes!

Post by: Emily Cervantes

Let’s talk terpenes, shall we? 

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are aromatic oils found in the natural world, such as plants and fruits, including cannabis. 

These oils are what make citrus taste tart, berries taste sweet, and in cannabis, create a blend of many flavor profiles. 

We have discovered hundreds of terpenes, but mainly refer to those found in higher concentrations. These are known as primary terpenes. 

 What do they do?

In cannabis, terpenes help create a special profile within each strain, offering a unique experience and wide range of benefits.

A theory known as the “entourage effect”, reasons that when terpenes are present with other cannabinoids, such as THC or CBD for example, the result is highly medicinal. It turns out those sweet smells and flavors from your favorite strains, are actually part of the magic behind the medicine. In each terp’ lies bountiful potential for healing.

Photo @devilslettuceph

 A few primary terpenes:

 Myrcene

Found in: Mango, Hops, Lemongrass

Benefit: anti-insomnia, muscle tension, anti-inflammatory, anxiety, nausea 

Smells like: citrus, musk, floral

Pinene 

Found in: Pine, Rosemary, Dill

Benefit: alertness, memory retention, antiseptic, bronchodilator, anti-anxiety, pain reliever. Can help alleviate intensity of THC high.

Smells like: pine, sharp, sweet 

Linalool

Found in: Lavender, Rosewood, Jasmine

Benefit: anti-anxiety, pain reliever, sedative, anti-epileptic, anti-depression 

Smells like: floral, citrus, spice

Limonene

Found in: Fruit rinds, Peppermint, Rosemary

Benefit: enhances mood, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-depressant 

Smells like: lemon, citrus

 Caryophyllene 

Found in: Black pepper, cloves, cinnamon

Benefit: anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, gastroprotective

Smells like: pepper, spice

Stay Tuned….

To keep us from getting too deep into the weeds (yes, pun ABSOLUTELY intended), simplicity is the best way to approach the science of cannabis. But if you keep checking in, you can expect a deeper dive into individual terpenes and how you can access them!

Terp Talk, OUT.