An Overview of Cannabis Terpenes and Their Impact on Marijuana Strains

The cannabis plant is a very complex one. There are many different chemical compounds with long, confusing names. It can be hard to keep track of everything, especially when scientists are constantly making new discoveries.

One of the more recently discovered aspects of the cannabis plant are terpenes. These have a direct impact on the content of marijuana strains. Understanding terpenes can also help you choose the top cannabis strains for movie night, ensuring you get the perfect blend for relaxation and enjoyment.

This is an overview of what terpenes are, the different types of terpenes, and how they impact marijuana strains and your body.

Terpenes Defined

The first thing to know is that terpenes are not only found in cannabis.

Lots of plants produce terpenes. Terpenes are the foundation of essential oils.

This means that terpenes impact the aroma of cannabis and other plants. Terpenes are a common ingredient in perfumes and beauty products like lotions or soaps with intense aromas.

Another common name for terpenes is terpenoids.

Terpenoids or terpenes are responsible for the aromas of common plants like lemons and lavender and herbs like mint.

On the cannabis plant, terpenes grow naturally in the trichomes. Trichomes are microscopic compounds found on marijuana buds.

Terpenes are made of the elements hydrogen and carbon.

Types of Terpenes

As with most chemical compounds, there are many types of terpenes.

Here is an in-depth overview of what terpenes are, how they work, and the different types of terpenes. Terpenes are so complex a whole book could be written on them.

There are five main types of terpenes found in cannabis.

The first is myrcene. This terpene has a spicy and exotic smell and is also found in mangoes and lemongrass. It can be used to help aid sleep.

The next type of terpene is pinene. As the name suggests, it has a piney, woodsy scent found in things like pinecones. It’s nice if you want your home to smell like a nice log cabin.

Limonene is the third terpene. It, unsurprisingly, is also found in lemons and other citrus fruits and provides a fresh aroma.

Next comes linalool. Linalool is a terpene that’s found in lavender. It’s extremely relaxing and is a great ingredient for candles or room sprays.

Last but not least, there is humulene. This terpene is found in black peppers, cloves, spices, and herbs like sage. It has a very earthy scent.

Humulene is good for fighting inflammation.

Marijuana Strains

Marijuana is known for its smell. Some people love the smell, and others simply hate it. But not all marijuana strains smell the same. This is because they have different terpene contents.

Strains with a higher humulene content, for example, will taste and smell more earthy than those with a high limonene content. A strain with lots of limonene will seem more citrusy and tart.

Don’t forget that smell and taste are connected. If you smell something, you’re more likely to taste it. So, if you want to control the flavor of your weed, check out the different terpenes.

Other Chemicals

Terpenes are not the only important chemical in the marijuana plant. All plants are made up of a variety of chemicals and different elements. Even the body has many chemicals interacting inside of it.

At any given point, there could be thousands of chemicals in the human body.

So, you shouldn’t only look at terpenes when considering the marijuana strain you want to buy. You should also look at the THC and CBD content.

The levels of these contents will affect how strong or weak the terpenes are. They will also affect how your body reacts to the plant.

Your Body

Everyone’s body is extremely complex. In addition to thousands of chemicals, you have muscles and neurons, and hormones that are always interacting with each other.

Every day, your body destroys and creates hundreds of cells. So, at a molecular level, your body is constantly changing. It’s impossible to know how each body will react to something like cannabis.

Some people might prefer certain terpenes to others. Your preferences might change over time, too. That’s perfectly normal. Keep trying different things to see what you like.

There is a lot to be discovered when it comes to cannabis. Terpenes are just the beginning.