Ever smell a bag of weed so sweet or citrusy you wished you could live in it? How about a strain so earthy and gassy it gives the skunks a run for their money? Now you're talking terpenes!
Think of it this way...
Cannabinoids (THC & CBD) are like the car. Speed, handling, 2 or 4-wheel drive. These are factors that are all about what's under the hood. Without the whip you'll be going places, but not anywhere fast... right?
Enter the driver: terpenes.
Sure, a Ferrari might be nice, but what's the point if there's nobody behind the wheel? While THC may determine the "speed" at which you'll get there, terpenes can make up the difference between a straight-shot through the desert or a journey through the picturesque Italian countryside.
Terpenes (tur•peenz), also referred to as "terps", are a class of aromatic chemical compounds that emit a wide variety of different fragrances.
On their own, these scents have also been known to produce their own individual effects, ranging from sedation to stimulation. More than 80 naturally-occurring terpenes have been tested for and found living within the same glands of the cannabis plant as THC, CBD & it's other cannabinoids. This has lead theorists to believe that the terpenes found in Mary Jane are a leading determining factor in a strain's "sativa, indica, or hybrid" effects.
Believe it or not, cannabis isn't the only plant in the world the produces terpenes. In fact, many of the aromas you pick up on in fruits, vegetables, flowers and other plants throughout nature also come from terpenes! Here's a handful of the most commonly abundant terps found in cannabis, their aromas, flavors, and effects...
Myrcene (MUR•seen)
Found in hops, thyme and mangos, Myrcene is one of the common terpenes in modern cannabis
Potential Effects
Couch-lock in large amounts, with potential for pain and inflammation relief
Aroma & Flavor
Earthy, musky, peppery and spicy
Pinene (PY•neen)
Found in pines, basil, rosemary and other spices, Pinene is the most common terpene found in all of nature
Potential Effects
Anxiety and pain relief, anti-inflammation and bronchodilation... in other words, it opens the airways
Aroma & Flavor
As the name implies, Pinene tastes and smells almost exactly as you'd imagine: sweet and piney
Caryophyllene (carry•AW•fuh•leen)
Found in peppercorns, cloves, and cinnamon
Potential Effects
Unique among terpenes, Caryophyllene may also be considered a cannabinoid as it interacts with the ECS's CB2 receptors to offer additional benefits such as antioxidation and relief against anxiety
Aroma & Flavor
Primarily spicy, woody and peppery like the plants and foods it's found in
Limonene (lim•OH•neen)
Found in lemons, oranges, juniper and rosemary
Potential Effects
Elevated mood, stress relief and clarity
Aroma & Flavor
Limonene is noted as giving off a strong scent of citrus and fruitiness, which may be found in many lemony-smelling sativa strains
Linalool (LIN•uh•lool)
Found predominantly in lavender and more than 200 other flowers
Potential Effects
Relaxed mood, euphoria, and sedative when combined with other calming terpenes such as Myrcene and Humulene
Aroma & Flavor
Sweet, floral and slightly spicy
Terpinolene (ter-PIN-uh-leen)
Found in apples, cumin, lilacs & nutmeg
Potential Effects
While Terpinolene has been purported to have antifungal, antibacterial and anti-depressant properties, this could be construed by some as "medical advice" (which we'd never give you here), so let's just say it does a lot...
Aroma & Flavor
Can be described as a fresh mix of piney, floral, herbaceous & woodsy with a hint of citrus
For more about your favorite terpene, or to learn more about which terps might be right for you, check out the Prostoner Guide to Terpenes (coming soon)!