Terpenes - what is behind the smell of cannabis

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Terpenes - what is behind the smell of cannabis

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What does cannabis smell? The so-called terpenes are largely responsible for the very rich variety of flavors and flavors of var
  • Terpenes are a very important component of medical cannabis
  • Aromatic essential oils bring with them a whole range of medicinal effects
  • Each terpene has different properties
  • Medical cannabis contains up to 200 different terpenes



Medicinal potential

During the ripening phase, the flowers of medical cannabis secrete, along with the well-known THC and CBD, very important aromatic essential oils. The so-called terpenes are largely responsible for the very rich variety of aromas and flavours of different cannabis strains. What has attracted the attention of science in recent years, however, is the impact of terpenes on the final effect and on the medicinal effect of cannabis: each strain contains different ratios of certain types of terpenes and each terpene has different properties, which makes them very promising substances in the field of medicine.

Medical cannabis contains more than 200 different types of terpenes, but only 10 primary and 20 secondary terpenes are considered to occur in sufficiently significant amounts. Today we will describe the most significant ones to date and recommend strains that have the potential to secrete the following terpenes: limonene, pinene, myrcene, linalool, bisabolol, humulene and caryophyllene.

the terpene limonene in cannabis

Limonene

If you have ever wondered what gives strains such as Super Lemon Haze or Jack Herer such a citrus aroma, it is precisely limonene. This terpene already has its place in medicine, as it is known for its therapeutic properties. It is therefore no wonder that the limonene contained in cannabis brings these effects too. Those confirmed by studies include:

  • Improved mood
  • Stress relief
  • Antibacterial properties
  • Antifungal properties
  • Help with heartburn
  • Improves the absorption of other terpenes when substances are applied via the skin, mucous membranes or the digestive tract

Compared with, for example, THC (which on average makes up roughly 10-20% of the biomass of a cannabis flower), limonene occurs in trace amounts of somewhere between 0% and 2%. Some strains have a greater tendency to develop this terpene than others, but it depends above all on the growing conditions, the time of harvest and the method of storage. So you cannot expect a citrus aroma from every Jack Herer. However, if you are looking for a strain that contains limonene, you can rely on your nose.

The terpene known as pinene

Pinene

Pinene (or alpha-pinene) is another of the aromatic terpenes contained in cannabis, typical for its woodland scent of conifers, more specifically pine (hence the name pinene).

Like other terpenes, pinene gives a strain both its own character and unique medicinal effects:

  • Has an anti-inflammatory effect
  • Bronchodilatory effects (improved airflow into the lungs)
  • Helps with minor short-term memory impairments
  • Supports mental alertness

It should be mentioned that some of the effects of certain terpenes may be modified by the action of others contained in a given cannabis flower. For example, in the case of supporting mental alertness, pinene can be "overridden" by myrcene, a terpene which, by contrast, has a sedative effect.

If you are looking for strains rich in pinene in particular, you might consider, for example, Blue Dream, a cross between Blueberry and Haze, which is well known for its pleasant fruity-sour-earthy flavour, beautiful blue colour and mixed mind and body effect. Another example is Strawberry Cough, a strong strain known for its energetic, euphoric effect. Both of these varieties are available in our e-shop.

The terpene myrcene

Myrcene

Myrcene (or beta-myrcene) is a terpene found abundantly in, for example, mango, hops, bay leaves, thyme, basil and, last but not least, in the flowers of medical cannabis. Researchers from Steep Hill Lab estimate that it may be myrcene that lends some strains the effects typical of Indica cannabis, i.e. very sedative effects. (More in our articles Sativa Vs Indica and Sativa Vs Indica 2).

Interestingly, myrcene is also found in mango. Some cannabis users swear by eating a ripe mango to prolong the effect of cannabis, which could be explained precisely by the synergy of myrcene with THC.

The effects of myrcene include:

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Analgesic
  • Antibiotic
  • Sedative

If you are looking for strains rich in myrcene, we recommend, for example, the typically purple Purple Kush or the famous White Widow.

The fragrant terpene linalool

Linalool

Linalool is a terpene found in a whole range of flowers and spices, for example lavender and coriander. Its scent is very delicate yet complex, and the uses of this terpene cover a whole range of effects, the best known being its use as an antidepressant.

Since ancient times, people have inhaled the aroma of various flowers in order to treat stress, depression or even inflammation. Linalool has also become the subject of many studies. One interesting result, for example, is the fact that mice which were exposed to stress and were at the same time given linalool to inhale ultimately had significantly lower stress levels than mice not exposed to linalool.

Other effects of linalool are:

  • Anti-anxiety
  • Sedative
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-epileptic
  • Analgesic

Strains with great potential for secreting linalool include, for example, the now classic Amnezia Haze, whose seeds you can buy in our e-shop in the autoflower version from Royal Queen Seeds.

the floral terpene bisabolol

Bisabolol

Bisabolol, also known as levomenol, is, apart from cannabis, produced abundantly by, for example, chamomile flowers or the Candeia tree, which grows in Brazil.

Bisabolol is used mainly in the cosmetics industry, but thanks to cannabis it has recently also attracted the interest of medicine. Its main effects include:

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-irritant
  • Antioxidant
  • Antimicrobial
  • Analgesic

Strains rich in bisabolol include, for example, the elite hybrid Headband from Humboldt Seeds or the old-school classic Master Kush from Mr.Nice.

humulene, the terpene of hops

Humulene

In nature, humulene occurs mainly in cloves, basil, hops and in Cannabis sativa. Its aroma is very earthy and woody with occasional spicy notes that are easy to recognise. Although the effects of medical cannabis are commonly associated with stimulating the appetite, humulene acts in exactly the opposite way: it can successfully suppress the feeling of hunger. Its other properties are:

  • Antibacterial
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Acts against tumour formation

You can track down this terpene in, for example, the world-famous White Widow, the powerful Sour Diesel or the popular Skywalker. You will find all of these and many other strains in our e-shop.

caryophyllene, the peppery terpene

Caryophyllene

Caryophyllene is a very sharp, peppery terpene contained mainly in black pepper, but it also occurs in, for example, cinnamon, oregano, basil and rosemary. Caryophyllene interacts with peripheral CB2 receptors and has an anti-inflammatory effect - for this reason it is often found in preparations, especially ointments, against inflammation. Its other potential medicinal effects include:

Strains in which you can count on the secretion of caryophyllene are the classic OG Kush, the sweet Bubba Kush or the strongly aromatic Chemdawg.

Let us bear in mind that terpenes occur in very diverse combinations and influence one another in the resulting effect. Further, rigorous research is still needed to determine their medical potential more precisely.

"Future analysis of the terpene and cannabinoid profiles of individual strains is absolutely essential for fully mapping the metabolic fingerprint of cannabis. The differing proportions of these secondary metabolites and their resulting synergy need to be examined in greater depth, which will ultimately allow us to sort out individual chemotypes with medical potential and elucidate the entire phytocomplex of the cannabis plant."

And what about you, our readers? Which strain smells best to you? Share your views with us in the comments section!

Sources: sensiseeds.com wikipedia.org beyondthc.com inyolasvegas.com howtogrowmarijuana.com

medicaljane.co terpene.info mag.icmag.com esciencecentral.org pubchem.ncbi

annunakigenetics.com phytochemicals.info toxnet.nlm. leafly.com .ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

fundacion-canna sclabs.com

Images: theleafonline.com Merryjane.com /blog.robinsonfresh.com logoswish.com

vineveracosmetics.com globe-views.com

theleafonline.com dtvimg.com