Cannabis Terpenes: Can’t You Smell That Smell?
While some people focus on the THC percentage as a way of choosing their preferred strain, those who truly understand the effects cannabis has on the human body may prefer to focus on the terpenes, the aromatic oils that colour cannabis varieties with distinctive flavours, as a way of selecting the differentiating effects of each unique cannabis strains.
Produced via the same glands that secrete THC and CBD, the more than 100 types of terpenes found in cannabis plants each promote a different effect on their consumer, including a greater ability to focus, reduced stress, increased appetite, heightened arousal or overwhelming relaxation — just to name a few.
Terpenes present in a particular strain are a result of how, when and where it was grown, with aspects like how long it was allowed to mature, which nutrients it was fed and the general environment that surrounded it during its production. As a result, unique strain types tend to pass discernible terpene profiles down to its descendants, even if the exact mix of terpenes varies within the strain family.
The diversity of smells and flavours within the cannabis plant family is truly incredible, providing the potential for many different cannabis experiences, but what’s even more incredible about terpenes is their ability to interact synergistically with other compounds in the plant, like cannabinoids, to create what is known as the entourage effect.
“The entourage effect is a proposed mechanism by which compounds present in cannabis which are largely non-psychoactive by themselves modulate the overall psychoactive effects of the plant these resulting principally from the action of the main psychoactive component of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).” – Wikipedia
While more time for research is required to fully understand each terpene’s effect when used in harmony with others, the more we learn, the more we are forced to stop viewing cannabis as a single product, and start to view it as a uniquely flexible and manipulatable plant capable of providing an endless plethora of focused and predictable experiences.
The differences may be subtle, but terpenes are recognized by current cannabis researchers as having the greatest potential to influence the horticultural art of cannabis and its future ability to offer additional medical value.
Understanding what you can using the research currently available is a good idea for anyone looking to refine their cannabis experience to deliver specific effects today, and to discover the possibilities to provide defined synergistic effects that can address both recreational and medical demands of the future.
To find out more about terpenes, cannabinoids, cannabis roots and more – check out these blogs:
EXPLORING THE HISTORIC AND POTENTIAL BENEFICIAL QUALITIES OF CANNABIS ROOTS.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THC AND CBD?
INTRO INTO THE MAJOR CANNABINOIDS IN CANNABIS.