When most folks think of cannabis, they likely think of commonly-known cannabinoids like THC and CBD or the cultural touch-stone icons it’s often associated with like Snoop Dogg, Willie Nelson, Bob Marley, and Cheech and Chong. But what about that iconic thick, skunky odor often associated with cannabis flower.
If you’ve ever sparked up or even been around folks who have, you’ll likely know what we mean. As it turns out, however, there is more to the standard cannabis bud and that iconic odor than you’d think.
What if we told you that depending on how your cannabis flower smelled, it could actually impact both the taste of the smoke itself and even the effects you feel? Pretty mind-blowing, right? Well, that’s exactly what terpenes are when it comes to cannabis!
Never heard of them? Or maybe you’ve heard a thing or two about them but aren’t actually sure how they work? Well, you’re far from alone if either of those two questions applied to you. That’s why were here at FadeMD wanted to highlight exactly what terpenes are and how they work, giving our readers a bigger picture look at what terpenes do for your cannabis, the impacts they could have on you as a patient, and even highly the medical benefits of those terpenes themselves.
After all, we’re more than just a trusted resource that bridges the gap between patients and their doctors here at FadeMD. We’re all about arming our patients with the information and resources they need to care for their health, from getting your card in the first place to picking up a strain from the dispensary with the perfect terpene profile, we’ve got your back!
So with that in mind, let’s get right into it!
What Exactly Are Terpenes and How Do They Work?
If you’ve ever smelled a freshly bloomed summer flower, the rich piney scents of an evergreen tree, or the dank odor of some top-notch medical cannabis flower, then you’ve likely encountered some terpenes!
These chemicals are pretty much universal throughout mother nature, giving plants, citrusy fruits, and cannabis the scents associated with them. But while terpenes might not be exclusive to medical cannabis, that certainly doesn’t mean they’re just there for your nose alone.
These hydrocarbon-based compounds change how they act and what they do once they’re ingested, creating an astounding effect on the user. These compounds add to the cannabinoid profile of the cannabis you’re using, adding effects anywhere between sensations of sleepiness to enhancing feelings of euphoria and pleasure. No matter what sensation you’re looking to feel, whether it’s an alert, awakened state or a relaxing, anxiety-free sleepy feeling, you’ll be able to find a cannabis strain with the appropriate terpene profile to make it happen.
To put it as simply as possible, terpene work in tandem with the cannabinoid profile of the medical product you’re using to get you the desired effects. Think of them like the Robin to a cannabinoid-powered Batman, important sidekicks that are vital to helping get the job done! For those who aren’t comic book nerds, it comes down to teamwork making the dream work at its core.
Common Terpenes Found in Cannabis
Now that we’ve broken down what exactly terpenes are and how they work, the logical next step is to try some for yourself, right? We agree with you completely! Especially for medical patients, getting the most bang for your buck is essential. The best way to do that is to pick up strains and products that have the complete terpene and cannabinoid profiles to treat the most symptoms possible as well as possible.
So in the spirit of making your life that much easier, we wanted to isolate and highly some of the most common and helpful terpenes for medical patients. Let’s get right into it!
1. Limonene
As it’s name would suggest, this terpene is primarily responsible for cannabis strains and products with fruity, citrusy after effects. Often found in fruit rinds, peppermint, and rosemary, this terpene is a common one when it comes to adding some flavor and mood-elevating effects to sativa or hybrid cannabis strains. Typically, limonene-rich cannabis products leave users with an elevated mood and alleviate stress levels.
2. Myrcene
When it comes to terpenes, there are few more benefits to the user than myrcene. Highly regarded in the cannabis community for its powerful antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant effects, it’s a perfect pairing for high-THC Indica cannabis strains for that sleepy sensation. Found most often in hops, mango, lemongrass, and thyme, this is a terpene that’s well-loved by the medical patients for good reason!
3. Linalool
Commonly associated with incredibly popular and well-known scents like lavender and jasmine, this terpene is about as fragrant as it gets. Often compared to the smell of an air freshener, Linalool is a great terpene for helping those patients out there dealing with chronic pain and insomnia. Along with it’s ability as an anticonvulsant and antidepressant, where this terpene really shines is collaborating with cannabinoids and other terpenes. Often paired with THC and CBD to enhance their effects and mycene for a 1-2 punch of relaxation, this versatile and fragrant terpene should be at the top of your list to get your hands on!
The Bottom Line
While we highlighted a few of the most helpful and commonly-known terpenes in the world of cannabis, there are more than 100 other options to learn about and explore. Do some research on the effects and different options out there, then feel free to enjoy!
Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this article is for informational purposes only. No material from this article is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
