Cannabis, also known as racially charged term marijuana, is a green-grey mixture of dried out/fresh plant parts that are shredded into small pieces. This greeny plant material is usually smoked or vaporized to reach the bloodstream where it can bring its many effects to whoever inhales it. These effects are looking for getting high but also for medical reasons, such as pain relief and muscle relaxation.

What are Terpenes?

Now, you might wonder, what is this dark green stuff made out of? Well it’s a bunch of different substances that come together to give the substance its special color and smell. It also contains cannabinoids which provide the effects we’re looking for; however we must not forget about terpenes , which are what give cannabis its special smell . Terpenes are chemical substances that have an intense scent, giving the plant its unique aroma. They are also called terpenoids , being similar to terpenes but slightly different in structure. Sometimes people even use both terms to describe these molecules because they do not know the difference between them. Every different type of cannabis smells slightly different because the plant accumulates unique terpenes , which are produced in resin glands on the flowers and fruits of the hemp plant. Terpenes are what protects the plant by repelling insects and other herbivores, but they can also have effects similar to cannabinoids on people . There is an abundance of over 200 different types of terpenes in cannabis, each one having its own unique effect on whoever inhales it.

Cannabis Flavors

Some of the terpenes found in the hemp plant are: Myrcene , where this substance can be found in mangos and lemongrass . It gives off a strong earthy, clove aroma. Limonene , where this terpene creates a lemony scent, usually found in pine needles. Pinene , where this smell can be recognized as fresh cut grass or fir trees, used to make turpentine . Linalool , which smells sweet and flowery, being similar to lavender.  Eucalyptol , where its odor is identical to cooling menthol. Cannabis also has terpenes that smell like tea tree, black pepper and cinnamon , just to name a few. But keep in mind that cannabis does not contain all types of terpenes – there are still over 100 undiscovered types waiting to be discovered . However the above mentioned terpenes can be found everywhere around us, in different types of plants, even in some insects. So what is the point of having these molecules that smell like heaven and produce almost magical effects on our brains? Well they provide a huge advantage for the plant itself. Usually Cannabis growers try to breed their hemp to be high in one or two cannabinoid molecules while low in others because of how it will make the plant taste (which is why different strains of hemp smell different) and how it will make the person smoking/vaporizing feel . When growing cannabis, you can actually control what effects your plants will provide you with by choosing which terpenes to leave in. There are also many things that can alter these molecules in the plant, such as temperature, humidity and even light .

READ MORE: Knowing the Difference Between High Quality Cannabis

When cannabis is grown in the wild, it accumulates all types of terpenes that its environment has to offer. It will then also accumulate different cannabinoids depending on what type of soil it was grown in. So if your hemp smells like pine trees, you probably grew it somewhere with lots of pine trees nearby. You should also know that cannabinoids and terpenes can easily evaporate and lose their smell and abilities over time, which is why fresh cannabis has a stronger smell than old samples .

What do Terpenes do?

Terpenes attach themselves to the cannabinoid receptors in our brains , causing effects such as sedation, relaxation or sometimes even anxiety depending on its type. This is why cannabis can provide such drastic effects, and that’s because of the terpenes. They’re what gives each plant its own unique abilities; it won’t be exactly like another type of hemp. For example, take a look at Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa . Both types contain cannabinoids and terpenes but they can produce very different effects. For example, indica provides a sedative high that relaxes the muscles and calms your brain, while sativa produces more of an uplifting high that energizes the mind. This concludes our article from The Stone Dispensary on what terpenes are and you can now understand why they’re so important to our beloved hemp plant!

DID YOU KNOW?

Terpenes are fragrant oils secreted in the sticky resin of the Cannabis plant. Terpenes give each strain variety its unique smell and taste. They are not only found in marijuana but in many other aromatic plants as well including fruits, herbs, and spices.

Terpenes not only contribute to a cannabis’ flavor but may also alter the effects of THC and other cannabinoids. This is because terpenes interact with cannabinoid receptors, TRPV1 and TRPA1 ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors in the brain and body.

They even have anti-inflammatory properties on their own.

In some cases these terpenes may make you relax or perk you up, but never fear they are not drugs! Only reasonable medical doses have been proven to be safe for consumption.

There is no consensus on how terpenes interact with our bodies and brains, but one thing is certain: the more variety a person has in their intake of cannabis-related products, the better. The best way to get the most out of cannabis is to consume a wide range of cannabis products with different varieties and ratios of cannabinoids.

If you have a question, comment or just want to talk about terpenes our blog has forums for just that purpose!