Your Terpene Questions, Answered
More and more, cannasuers are talking about… you guessed it… terpenes!
Retailers and budtenders alike are advertising the terpene content of strains when serving customers in the legal recreational market. However, if you are just stepping into the complex world of cannabis science, you might be wondering, “what the heck are terpenes”? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, I will walk you through the definition of terpenes, types of terpenes that are known to exist within cannabis, and how certain terpenes can correlate to a unique cannabis experience when ingested.
What is a Terpene?
Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced by a variety of plants, particularly conifers, and by some insects. In Cannabis sativa, they are produced in the same glandular hairs in which cannabinoids are produced. Terpenes provide the aroma and flavor of cannabis and hemp. They often have a strong odor and protect plants by deterring herbivores and by attracting the predators and parasites of herbivores.
But, lucky for us, terpenes also contribute to some of the most delicious food sources known to humankind. Terpenes are responsible for the flavors behind famous delicacies such as sea urchin and black truffles.
Terpenes and terpenoids are the primary constituents of the essential oils of many types of plants and flowers. Essential oils are used widely as fragrances in perfumery and traditional medicine such as aromatherapy. I now understand why having eucalyptus essential oil rubbed on my back is so soothing at the hair salon; the aroma of eucalyptus terpenes emanates the calming and purifying contents found within the eucalyptus plant. Ahhh, pure bliss!
Which Terpenes are Common to Cannabis?
While researchers have discovered more than 200 terpenes within the cannabis plant, the following terpenes are those most commonly found in the product sold in recreational shops:
Myrcene. Known to: Sedate, support digestion, comfort. Found in: Mangos, Musk, Parsley.
Caryophyllene. Known to: Relieve, ease, refresh. Found in: Echinacea (coneflower), Pepper, Hops.
Limonene. Known to: Refresh, stimulate, elevate. Found in: Lemon, Grapefruit, Orange.
Humulene. Known to: Calm, relieve, suppress appetite. Found in: Hops, Wood, Cilantro.
Pinene. Known to: Focus, energize, and support healthy respiration (breathing). Found in: Pine, Dill, Fir needles.
Linalool. Known to: Relax, soothe. Found in: Lavender, Mint, Spice.
Terpinolene. Known to: Focus, soothe. Found in: Fir, Black currant, Lilac.
Ocimene. Known to: Warm, calm, relieve. Found in: Celery, Mint, Basil.
You will never be in this moment, with this same terpene profile again. Enjoy it. Oohhhmmm.
Does the Terpene Profile of Cannabis Change Its Effect?
Yes. In fact, this is why terpenes are generating so much buzz within the cannabis industry right now. For years, users and cannabis sellers (in both the legal and illegal market) have utilized the basic “sativa” versus “indica” terminology to describe the perceived effects of a cannabis strain, but this framework unfortunately doesn’t adequately encapsulate the myriad of different “effects” that can be felt through cannabis.
A discussion of a strain’s terpene profile, however, allows for a more accurate portrayal of the type of experience the end-user will have after smoking or ingesting it. The reason terpenes provide the most accurate means of explaining their effects is because this gets down to the specific chemistry of the plant.
When you smoke cannabis, the felt experience depends on the composition of the constituents within it, including all of the cannabinoids and terpenes. Together, these constituents create the “entourage effect”. This refers to the unique experience that can be attributed to the specific combination of terpenes within that strain. The science of cannabis can get muddled, and since the recreational market has only been around since 2012, researchers and retailers are just starting to understand the resultant mental and physical effects that will come from certain combinations.
I think that individual consumers can play a role in this conversation, as well. Cannabis companies tend to pay a great deal of attention to the “voice of the customer”, and so consumer feedback about the “high” achieved from certain strains/terpene profiles can help companies accurately advertise the benefits that can be associated with each of their products.
And crowd-sourcing opinions on the effects of various strains matters, because unlike alcohol, everyone’s cannabis experience is unique. Everyone’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) is wired a little bit differently, based on both genetic DNA variation as well as environmental factors (nutrition, body weight, age).
Every strain on the market has its own unique terpene profile, so it can someones feel a little overwhelming when you’re considering the best strain and terpene profile for you. But don’t be overwhelmed by the choice paradox of so many terpene profile options. Once you select a strain to try, I recommend experiencing it mindfully. This will allow you to take stock of what you like, what you don’t like, and inform your future purchasing decisions.
When you smoke, pay attention to your present experience and determine how the cannabis is reacting with your mind and body. Consider: what flavors do I taste? How do I feel? Do I want to chase this particular experience again?
Also, what’s more mindful than realizing that hit of weed you just took is unlike any other? With every inhalation, you are experiencing a unique blend of aromas and flavor notes, created in nature, that are here to help you enjoy this moment to the fullest extent.
Terpenes to Enhance, Not Replace, Prior Weed Terminology
While terpenes and terpene profiles are the hot new focus in the cannabis industry, this terminology is not going to eradicate the language we used before to explain the variations between cannabis strains. For generations, cannabis users have distinguished between strains using the terms “sativa” and “indica”. These are still valuable terms, as they allude to the actual plant variations that are prevalent in cannabis. Cannabis is either derived from the cannabis sativa plant (tall stocks, skinny leaves) or the cannabis sativa indica plant (shorter stocks, thicker leaves).
For those of you who aren’t already acquainted with the basic feelings associated with cannabis sativa or cannabis indica, I have included some brief highlights below.
Sativa:
An energetic high. After imbibing with cannabis that induces the typical sativa effect, you may feel ready to take on the world! Or, well, engage in some baby steps that will ultimately result in world domination such as deep cleaning your house, writing, creating, or exercising. In fact, my typical exercise routine is this: I hop on my spin bike, vape sativa as I ride, and listen to dance music by the likes of Miley and Selena. It’s a good time.
Indica:
A lazy, laid-back high. “Couch-lock” or “body high” are terms for what is commonly associated with an “indica” effect, alluding to a heavy physical tranquility within the body that may result in low motivation, desire to remain inactive, and overall fatigue. Sherpa blanket, anyone?
However, the more we learn about terpenes, the clearer it becomes that the prior terminology of “sativa” and “indica” may be too limited. For example, an indica strain with high potency of terpenes that are attributed to a more energetic high, such as limonene, may have an overall effect on the user that would have normally been described as a “sativa” high. With this in mind, it’s going to be important that new users are educated on both sets of terms (plant-type as well as terpene profile).
For more on the language used to describe various cannabis strains, check out this article, “Finding the Right Strain for You”.
I hope this article has provided some clarity about what terpenes are all about! I anticipate that over time, cannabis users indulging in recreational cannabis will become more familiar with this terminology, and I can’t wait to see what sub-culture and slang terms develop around terpenes.