Weed 101: What Are Terpenes and What Do They Have to Do With Marijuana

Talk to any wine connoisseur, and they will tell you all about the complexities of their passion. They may start throwing around terms like terroir, appellation, fruity, foxy, and full-bodied, reflecting the many intricate nuances of wine.

With marijuana experiencing greater acceptance in modern society, discussing the plant in ultra-refined, sophisticated terms has become increasingly normalized. Perhaps the most exciting component of weed, and that which draws much of the focus of this nuanced modern discourse is terpenes.

For the uninitiated, knowing the difference between the components in marijuana might not seem necessary. However, if you’re concerned about the quality, feel, and scent of your marijuana, you may find benefits to understanding as much as you can about all the compounds involved.

 

What Are Terpenes

Terpenes are common in many plants, but most people associate them specifically with marijuana. Terpenes are essentially the aromatic compounds responsible for giving cannabis strains their unique scents. If you are after a specific smell in your weed, you’ll need to know more about terpenes.

Marijuana contains higher concentrations of the compound than most plants. As such, terpenes offer intense and vibrant smells that many people love. They also form the basis of different alternative therapies, including aromatherapy and essential oils.

Different terpenes affect the body differently when smoked, and the effect depends on the compound’s type and concentration level. Inhaling the scent can affect your stress and mood level. Some people believe the compounds can enhance the high you get from using marijuana. Emerging research finds that terpenes contribute to the unique effects found among differing strains.

Cannabis contains over 100 terpenes, including Pinene, Terpinolene, Limonene, Myrcene, Humulene, Ocimene, Linalool, etc. They all have different effects ranging from mood enhancement and pain treatment to stress relief and stimulation.

 

How Are Terpenes Different From Cannabinoids?

It is worth noting that terpenes are just one of the many compounds present in marijuana. Some of the major chemical components of weed are cannabinoids. The most notable is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary chemical compound responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive effect. The other major cannabinoid present in marijuana is cannabidiol (CBD), famous for its medical properties.

Other examples of cannabinoids include:

• Cannabinol (CBN)
• Cannabicyclol (CBL)
• Cannabichromene (CBC)
• Cannabigerol (CBG)
• Cannabidiol (CBDL)
• Cannabielsoin (CBE)

Cannabinoids help activate the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), responsible for controlling memory, appetite, mood, and sleep. Your ECS is active in your body, whether you use cannabis or not. Cannabinoids mostly affect how cells communicate within this system.

While terpenes and cannabinoids are different, they work synergistically. They enhance cortical activity, boost blood circulation in the body, and kill respiratory pathogens. Some studies have revealed that cannabinoid-terpene interactions help amplify the health benefits of cannabis.

 

Terpenes and Popular Cannabis Strains

If you’re selective about cannabis strains, it helps to know the type of terpenes they contain.

Myrcene is the most common terpene present in commercial cannabis and can be found in the Blue Dream, OG Kush, Cherry Pie, and Granddaddy strains. You can try these strains if you are looking for a strain containing Myrcene.

Limonene is abundant in the Strawberry Banana strain, and it’s ideal for anxiety and stress relief. You’ll also find it in strains like White Fire OG, Do-Si-Dos, and Wedding Cake.

If you are after Terpinolene, you should opt for XJ-13, Ghost Train Haze, Chernobyl, or Jack Herer.

Pinene is the most ubiquitous terpene found in nature, and the Big Smooth strain contains a lot of it. Critical Mass and Snoop’s Dream are other strains that contain this pain-relieving compound.

Another great terpene is Humulene, beloved for its herbal aroma. The Gelato, Sherbert, and GSC strains contain an abundance of this terpene.

The strains above are some of the most popular options available for terpene lovers. It’s worth trying them to find a weed option containing terpenes that contribute to your desired effects. Knowing what you are after in terms of impact will make it easier for you to buy weed online from Get Kush, since you will be able to match your desired effects to a strain containing a corresponding terpene profile.

 

Know Your Preferred Terpene

People use marijuana for many reasons. The specific aroma of cannabis in and of itself is one key reason you may stick with a particular strain. If you’re a scent-obsessed person, it’s vital to take the time to understand the terpenes and how they contribute to different effects. While you may not ever be an expert on 100 terpenes, learning the most popular options is worth it and will help you maximize your cannabis experience!