In this guide, we unveil the secret sauce behind your favorite cannabis strains: terpenes! These aromatic powerhouses aren’t just for show — they’re the flavorful keys to unlocking the perfect high. Understanding terpenes is essential for consumers seeking specific experiences or medicinal benefits from their cannabis products. Let’s dive into what terpenes are all about and why they’re key ingredients that make a big difference to your cannabis experience.
What are terpenes?
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds found throughout the plant kingdom, and they’re responsible for lending plants their distinctive flavors and scents. More than 20,000 terpenes have been identified in nature, but only about 200 of them appear in cannabis plants. These cannabis terpenes take on a pivotal role in defining each strain’s unique aroma and flavor profile. They can also influence your overall experience, working alongside cannabinoids like THC to change the way certain strains of cannabis make you feel.
What are the effects of terpenes?
Terpenes profoundly influence the effects of cannabis strains, contributing significantly to their therapeutic and sensory profiles. These aromatic compounds interact with cannabinoids in a process known as the entourage effect, where the combined effects enhance the overall impact on the body and mind. Understanding terpene profiles allows consumers to tailor their cannabis experience to their preferences, exploring strains that align with their desired effects.
For example, strains rich in myrcene tend to induce calming effects, making them ideal for relaxation and sleep. On the other hand, strains high in limonene often produce uplifting and mood-enhancing effects, promoting feelings of happiness and stress relief. Terpenes like pinene can enhance focus and memory retention. The various combinations these terpenes appear in can produce different effects too, so keeping track of which terpenes are present and the proportions in which they appear is an important part of choosing the right cannabis product.
Top terpenes overview
Explore the diverse world of cannabis terpenes, their unique aromas, and potential therapeutic benefits.
Myrcene
Myrcene is a prominent terpene found in cannabis, known for its musky, earthy aroma with hints of cloves. It is one of the most abundant terpenes in various strains, contributing significantly to their distinctive scent profiles. Myrcene is celebrated for its potential to provide soothing and relaxing properties. It is also believed to enhance the permeability of cell membranes, allowing for faster absorption of cannabinoids like THC. Strains high in myrcene are often associated with potent sedative effects, making them suitable for sleep and relaxation.
Some common strains with Myrcene include Bubba Fett and Fruit Pops.
Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene is often found in black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. What sets caryophyllene apart from other terpenes is its unique ability to interact directly with the body’s endocannabinoid system — specifically, CB2 receptors. This interaction provides potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it beneficial for managing pain or reducing inflammation. The spicy, peppery aroma also adds depth to the experience of caryophyllene.
Some common strains with caryophyllene include Gelato and Girl Scout Cookies.
Limonene
Limonene is a prominent and widely studied terpene in cannabis and citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and limes. Known for its bright, citrusy aroma, limonene adds a refreshing and uplifting quality to cannabis strains that contain it. It’s recognized for potential properties, including anxiety relief, improved mood, anti-inflammatory effects, and promoting well-being and relaxation.
Some common strains with high limonene content are Wedding Cake and Fumez.
Pinene
Pinene exists in two primary forms: alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. In addition to cannabis, both are found in coniferous trees, as well as basil, parsley, rosemary, and eucalyptus. The main difference between these two terpenes is that alpha-pinene has a fresh and earthy scent, while beta-pinene has a more fresh, woody, and spicy aromatic quality. Both types are valued for their anti-inflammatory properties and ability to sharpen focus and mental clarity.
Some common strains with Pinene include Blue Dream and Rodman #1.
Linalool
Linalool is a versatile terpene found in cannabis and lavender, mint, and cinnamon. It is known for its floral aroma with hints of spice, offering a smooth and calming scent reminiscent of lavender fields. Beyond its fragrance, linalool is recognized for its potential to promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety. Linalool also exhibits anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which are beneficial for managing pain and inflammation.
Some common strains with Linalool include OMG and Zack’s Cake #11.
Humulene
Humulene is found in cannabis, hops, sage, and ginseng. It is characterized by its earthy, woody aroma with spicy and herbal undertones. This terpene is also believed to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and appetite-suppressant effects, making it valuable in specific medical remedies.
Some common strains with Humulene include GMO and Butterstuff #6.
Terpinolene
Terpinolene is a lesser-known and fascinating terpene found in cannabis and other plants like lilacs, apples, and nutmeg. It’s characterized by a complex aroma blending floral, herbal, and citrus notes, giving it a refreshing and uplifting scent profile. In cannabis, terpinolene is often found in strains with a floral or piney aroma. It’s also believed to possess therapeutic potential, including antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Strains high in terpinolene are typically known for their calming and soothing effects.
Some common strains with high terpinolene content are Jack Herer and Ghost Train Haze.
Ocimene
Ocimene is a terpene found in hops, bergamot, basil and parsley. It is often characterized by its sweet, herbaceous, and woody aroma with citrus undertones. This terpene is less common in cannabis than many others but plays a significant role in the aromatic diversity of strains. Beyond scent, ocimene offers potential health benefits, including anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It may also contribute to the entourage effects by enhancing the effects of other cannabinoids and terpenes present in cannabis. Ocimene is also known to uplift and energize, making it suitable for daytime creative tasks.
Some common strains with Ocimene include Granddaddy Purple and Strawberry Cough.
Selecting the right terpene profile
Terpene profiles play a crucial role in the overall experience and effects of cannabis strains, influencing both their aroma and therapeutic properties. Each strain of cannabis typically contains a unique combination of terpenes, usually with one as the most dominant and exerting the most influence over flavor, aroma, and effects.
For example, if a strain is dominant in myrcene, it will likely have more soothing and relaxing effects, making it ideal for evening use to promote sleep. On the other hand, strains high in limonene may offer uplifting and mood-enhancing impact, suitable for daytime use or combatting stress and anxiety. However, it’s important to note that this isn’t always the case, as the effects of a strain largely depend on the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes present. There can always be exceptions, such as strains with dominant myrcene terpene profiles that still provide a burst of energy.
The interaction between different terpenes within a strain’s profile creates what is known as the entourage effect. This phenomenon suggests that terpenes and cannabinoids work synergistically, enhancing or modulating each other’s effects. For example, limonene may improve the absorption of cannabinoids like THC and CBD, potentially amplifying their benefits.
Choosing a strain based on its terpene profile allows consumers to tailor their experience to their needs and preferences. By exploring different combinations of terpenes at High Street, consumers can discover strains that provide the desired effects: relaxation, pain relief, mood enhancement, or creative stimulation.
What about terpenes in edibles?
Terpenes function like spices in edibles, influencing both their flavor and effects.
They can be reintroduced post-extraction to tailor the edible effects, promoting relaxation, boosting energy, or encouraging sleep. Some products incorporate terpene-rich extracts like live rosin to ensure a strain-specific experience. Packaging will typically disclose whether terpenes were added to the product and specify the types used so consumers can select edibles that align with their desired effects.
What about terpenes in concentrates?
Terpenes play a pivotal role in the diversity of concentrates, offering distinct flavors and potential therapeutic benefits. For instance, live resin stands out for its rich terpene content, crafted from freshly harvested or fresh frozen cannabis plants to preserve their terpenes at peak levels. This method ensures that the strain’s original terpene composition remains intact, unlike concentrates like distillate, which are often refined to remove terpenes entirely. In some cases, such as specific vape cartridges, terpenes are reintroduced to replicate a strain’s aroma and effects or simply make them more flavorful.
Discover your perfect terpene match with High Street
Terpenes can be thought of as a guiding star on your voyage to find the perfect cannabis product for your goals and preferences. Each strain offers a unique constellation of aromas and effects, and like any adventure, discovering the perfect match may take a few tries. Embrace exploring and know that with each experience, you gain valuable insight into what resonates best for you. Whether you’re pursuing relaxation, creativity, or something else, High Street is here to illuminate the path with a curated selection of strains and products.
