Uncovering The Mystery Of Cannabis Terpenes
Many people’s first experiences with cannabis are pretty straightforward – you find a dealer, purchase some flower, and smoke it. Bonus points if you smoked it out of a homemade device like an aluminum can, apple, or gravity bong. But as cannabis has found increasing acceptance and legality worldwide, people are diving further into the specifics of the plant.
As you journeyed into cannabis use, you likely learned about strains next. All cannabis strains fall into one of three categories: hybrid, Indica, and Sativa. Indica is known as the sleepy, body-high type, while Sativa offers a more energizing head high. Hybrid strains, on the other hand, fall somewhere in the middle. Within those categories are thousands of different strains, developed by bigger companies and individual home growers all over the world.
Stray further down the weed path, and you begin to hear about cannabinoids. The two most well-known and loved are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the primary cannabinoid found in weed and is associated with the psychoactive “high” effects, while CBD is non-psychoactive and commonly used for anti-anxiety and wellness purposes. Other newly-discovered cannabinoids include CBG, CBN, and THCv.
Use enough cannabis, and you start to figure out which strains you prefer and what kind of cannabinoid content you want. But did you know that the cannabis plant has even more secrets to unlock? Cue terpenes.
If you’re ready to take your cannabis-use game to the next level, or use weed to treat specific conditions, learning about these compounds is the answer.
What Are Terpenes and How Do They Work?
If you’ve ever smelled the lovely scents of lavender flowers, citrus fruits, or pine needles, then you’ve smelled terpenes. In a nutshell, terpenes are compounds found in all plants (not just Cannabis sativa) that give them characteristics like aroma and taste.
These essential building blocks don’t just affect our senses, however – they also influence how the plant affects our body and mind.
For example, lavender possesses terpenes known for helping people relax and sleep as well as soothe muscles with antiepileptic and anticonvulsant properties. Peppery terpenes like caryophyllene can tackle depression or inflammation.
Cannabis plants contain more than 200 varieties of terpenes, and each strain has primary and secondary “terps.” The exact terpene content present in the final buds is impacted by growing factors like soil quality, nutrition, light, genetics, and the temperature of the plant’s environment.
If you buy cannabis from a dispensary or licensed grower, you can often find the terpene content listed on the packaging. Although you may be able to smell the primary terps, it isn’t an exact science. To find out specifics, commercial growers use lab testing like chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to scan around 50 varieties of terpenes and determine the type and amount present. As a result, you can shop for weed products that have just what you want without a problem.
The Top 5 Cannabis Terpenes
Although the sheer volume of terpenes found in cannabis plants can seem overwhelming at first, they are often in very low concentrations. You’ll typically see the same 5-10 listed options as primary terpenes.
Myrcene
Myrcene is one of the most prolific terpenes found in cannabis and is known for its earthy, musky, and spicy smell. It’s a popular part of Indica-dominant strains with complementary, relaxing, sedative effects.This terpene is thought to potentially increase the body’s ability to absorb cannabinoids like THC, which may enhance the "couch-lock" effect some people experience. Outside of cannabis, myrcene can be found in hops, mangoes, lemongrass, and bay leaves.
If you are interested in using cannabis to treat anxiety, inflammation, muscle tension, or stress, strains with high myrcene content may be the key.
Limonene
Limonene is a citrus-scented terpene, often recognized for a bright, uplifting aroma similar to that of lemons and oranges. It is abundant in many Sativa-dominant strains.Early research has found limonene to have potential in treating depression and anxiety due to its mood-boosting abilities. It also has antifungal properties, and studies suggest it may even offer some protection against cancer and diabetes. Beyond cannabis, limonene is present in citrus, rosemary, juniper, and peppermint plants, and you’ve likely smelled it before in cleaning products or aromatherapy candles and oils.
As you shop for cannabis products, it’s important to note that limonene’s odor is strong enough to mask other terpenes, even if they have a higher percentage than limonene in a particular strain. Be sure to check the terp content when purchasing!
Pinene
Pinene has a fresh, piney (as the name implies) aroma that evokes forests and conifer trees. It exists in two forms: alpha-pinene, which is more common in cannabis, and beta-pinene. Both of these are also found in rosemary, basil, and pine needles, among other plants, making it the most abundant terpene on the planet.As for its effects on humans, pinene may help open airways and improve respiratory function, so it’s potentially useful for those with asthma or other breathing issues. It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and neuroprotective properties. Some research even suggests that it could balance out any memory issues from THC by boosting energy, alertness, and cognitive abilities – so you can say goodbye to those fuzzy feelings that often linger after smoking.
People who suffer from brain damage, difficulty focusing, anxiety, chronic pain, or digestive problems may benefit from cannabis strains containing pinene.
Beta-caryophyllene
Beta-caryophyllene is a fairly unique, non-psychoactive terpene with an interesting ability to interact directly with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS).Unlike most terpenes, beta-caryophyllene binds to CB2 receptors. These are associated with inflammation and immune response, making this terp potentially beneficial for pain, anxiety, and swelling. A few preliminary studies are even researching its ability to help with diabetes and obesity.
This particular terpene can be found in plants like black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and hops. In cannabis, beta-caryophyllene can calm the body and mind without leading to sleepiness, making it a popular choice for people who want relief from certain conditions without feeling overly high.
Linalool
Linalool is a floral-scented terpene that is present in plants such as lavender, basil, and eucalyptus. This sweet-smelling compound, popular for its benefits in aromatherapy, has anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties. As a result, it’s commonly found in cannabis strains that help with relaxation and stress relief.If you’ve ever used lavender oils to help with sleep or tried burning a lavender candle for a calmer environment, then you’ve directly experienced the power of this terpene. It’s great for tackling stress, providing a boost to the immune system, or even reducing the severity of seizures.
Other Common Cannabis Terpenes
There are many other primary and secondary terpenes you might see pop up in your cannabis products. As you experiment and find out what works best for you, the different combinations will gradually reveal their different effects.
Some of the terpenes you may spot include:
- Humulene: Earthy and woodsy-scented terp good for tackling inflammation and bacteria. Also effective as an appetite suppressant.
- Phytol: Floral terpene with anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties.
- Eucalyptol: This terpene has a minty, crisp scent and is known for helping with bacteria and inflammation.
- Terpinolene: With an aroma containing hints of citrus, herbs, and flowers, terpinolene is mood-boosting and energizing.
- Borneol: Minty and unusually metallic, borneol is neuroprotective and pain-relieving.
- Ocimene: Ocimene evokes the outdoors with a woody, sweet smell. It has anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammation properties, and may help with congestion.
How to Find the Right Terpenes for Your Needs
By making an effort to learn about terpenes, you’ve already begun on your journey to more effectively using and benefiting from cannabis.
While learning about their different properties is an excellent start, it’s important to remember that everybody is different. As a result, your body will react in unique ways to each of these compounds. What treats anxiety for one person may cause it in another.
Fortunately, many licensed growers and cannabis retailers do thorough lab testing to understand the terpene contents of their strains and products. As you shop, you can either ask the budtender questions or research the terpenes on your own to see what may help. If you want to treat muscle tension, try an Indica strain with myrcene and humulene. For chronic stress and anxiety, turn to a combination of linalool and terpinolene.
Most cannabis strains only have about 1-3% of terpenes in their makeup, so these effects can be subtle – but they are often still quite noticeable.
Each time you purchase a new variety of cannabis, particularly if you’re buying flower, spend a minute smelling it. Over time, you’ll begin to pick out the various individual terpenes through scent alone, and you may find that you are drawn to some more strongly. Finding your favorite scents can be a great indicator of which strains may work best for your body’s needs!
Finally, don’t rely entirely on strain names as an indicator of what terpenes are present. These are sometimes accurate, such as with Lavender Kush and linalool, but strain names can also be misleading and arbitrary. However, if you are buying cannabis without a listed terpene content, knowing the strain name and searching it online can give you an idea of which terps are present.
At the end of the day, terpenes are just one small part of the puzzle that makes up cannabis. While finding the right terpenes for you feels like unlocking a cool secret, it’s also not the end-all be-all of THC, so don’t stress too much if you feel like you haven’t figured it out yet. If you’re buying cannabis in a state or country where it’s still illegal, you likely don’t know the terpene content of your weed, and that’s okay. They all have unique benefits and properties, and you can rest easy knowing you’re still receiving those benefits, no matter how you choose to indulge.
Emily is one of our community bloggers here at Chemical Collective. If you’re interested in joining our blogging team and getting paid to write about subjects you’re passionate about, please reach out to Sam via email at [email protected]