What are Cannabis Terpenes?

What Are Terpenes?

Each strain of cannabis has its own unique, comforting scent and taste profile. This is caused by naturally occurring terpenes found in plants' essential oils. Knowing your terpenes will help you understand and appreciate your marijuana more than you already do. The terpenes in each strain may even provide as many benefits as the cannabinoid content of this medicinal plant.

What are Cannabis Terpenes?

Have you ever looked at a bud of your favourite strain and seen crystal-like resin? Those are the naturally occurring terpenes of the plant and they’re responsible for the different scents and flavour profiles you experience. At their base form, they are a combination of carbon and hydrogen that are produced in mushroom-shaped resin glands on the flowers. As with all strong-smelling plants and flowers, they adapted this over time to repel pests and lure pollinators.

There are over 100 different terpenes that have been identified in the cannabis plant and they do more than just create scents. Common terpenes found in the botanic world like soothing menthol and calming myrcene are medicinally beneficial.

What Do Terpenes Do?

Terpenes have been proven to have as many as cannabinoids in marijuana. These aroma compounds are therapeutic and with the cannabinoids create an “entourage effect”. This just means that they all work together to enhance the medicinal benefits of the plant. Terpenes are believed to enhance the high in positive ways.

The Terpene Chart

There are more than 20,000 different terpenes in nature. The cannabis plant has 100 of these terpenes, I’ll talk about the ones that are in high concentrations in this medicinal bud. 

Myrcene 

Myrcene is the main terpene found in the cannabis plant and can make up to 65% of the plant's total terpene profile. This terpene can also be responsible for deciding whether a strain is an indica or a sativa. Plants that have more than 0.5 percent myrcene are considered indica while anything with a higher percentage is seen as a sativa.

Myrcene gives cannabis its distinctive scent but it also has medicinal properties. It is a powerful antioxidant making it useful to fight against osteoporosis, strokes, and insomnia. It isn’t unique to the cannabis plant though, you can also find it in mangoes, lemongrass, hops, and thyme.

Limonene

Limonene smells exactly like you think it would: citrus fruit and peel. It is the second most common terpene found in the cannabis plant. It is what gives citrus its fresh scent and is commonly used in cleaning products.
This zesty terpene smells amazing and has a seemingly endless amount of medicinal benefits. It is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and can help cope with gastrointestinal issues. Not only that, it’s energizing and can help enhance mood.

Pinene

Pinene is most commonly found in the pine tree and is the smell we all crave around Christmas. It is also found in rosemary, dill, and parsley. This earthy scented terpene is an anti- inflammatory and is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an anti-cancer agent. It is also said to help lessen the effects of THC so stock up on pine candles before your next smoke.

Beta-caryophyllene

Beta-caryophyllene is the only terpene to interact directly with CB2 receptors. It is an anti- inflammatory as well and is shown to reduce body pain. This terpene exists in many beneficial herbs and vegetables like cloves, black pepper, cinnamon, and lavender.

Linalool

This calming terpene is most recognizable in lavender. It’s known for its anti-anxiety and relaxing effects. Lavender has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for sleep and stress disorders and linalool is the terpene responsible for these benefits. Linalool is also known to boost the immune system, can reduce lung inflammation, and can restore cognitive and emotional function. You don’t need lavender to find this relaxant though you can also find it in cinnamon, birch, and coriander.

Humulene

Humulene is most commonly found in hops but is also found in ginseng, sage, cloves, and basil. Like many other terpenes, it is an anti-inflammatory but has proven to be useful in treating many other ailments. This hoppy terpene can help treat asthma, can act as an appetite suppressant, and aids with weight loss.

Ocimene

This terpene has a woody, herbaceous scent that can also be citrusy. Ocimene repels pests and is thought to have been developed as part of the plant's defines mechanism. It is not only found in the cannabis plant but also in bergamot, basil, hops, and mangoes.

Terpinolene

Terpinolene’s largest use is in soaps and perfumes but is naturally found in sage, rosemary, and fir. It has a piney aroma threaded with herbal and floral scents. It smells amazing and is also a central nervous system depressant and is used to induce sleep and reduce anxiety. If this wasn’t amazing enough ut also is an antibiotic, antioxidant, and can help fight against malaria.

Phellandrene

Eucalyptus is the most common plant known for having high levels of phellandrene. You can probably imagine the fresh, almost pepperminty scent coming from a huge range of beauty products and in the spa. This terpene is the easiest to identify in a lab since it quickly grows large crystals when mixed with a solution of sodium nitrate and glacial acetic acid.! It helps with digestion and fungal infections.

Sabinene

The final terpene I will tell you about today is the holiday spiced sabinene. It is also found in black pepper, nutmeg, and basil. It is beneficial as a food supplement and an anti-inflammatory.

These are just a few of the most popular terpenes found in the cannabis plant. It’s always beneficial to get something with a large spectrum of terpenes and cannabinoids to harness the full healing effect of this green plant. Take this knowledge and find the perfect strain for you!