You’ve probably heard the word terpene before when you’re looking at medical cannabis, but what exactly is it? Terpenes are a huge part of the way cannabis is, and it’s how things taste and smell, especially if you have been around certain plants. They appear on plants, herbs, and fruits, and they are what give plants the potent scents that they have, the citrusy taste of lemon, and also the relaxing nature of say, lavender and the like. Terpenes also have oils that get secreted within your resin glands, responsible for the flavors, aromas, and the feeling that you get when you have them.

Currently, there are over 120 different terpenes that have been found within the cannabis plant. They have a distinct range, either having a very pleasant aroma, some smelling peppery, some smelling like flowers and fruit, and even those that smell like skunks. These terpenes also play a role in our bodies whenever we inhale them, and they’re responsible for the way medical and therapeutic uses of cannabis can be. When you’re choosing whether to have concentrate or flower, you can smell this beforehand to figure out what’s the ideal way to use this and make it work for you.

Terpenes in Each Type 

Terpenes have their own preference for the types of plants that are there. Sativa for example, is incredibly stimulating, and they have citrusy smells to it, and they smell pretty bright too. The citrus usually is from the terpene that’s called limonene, which actually creates that feeling of being uplifted that you find in strains that are very dominant in sativa. There are also some other benefits of limonene as well, as this can help to stimulate the immunity, and also help with the GI issues too.

Some terpenes that are within indica are usually beta and alpha pinene, which is what you find within the pine trees that you smell. Some people do believe that there are anti-inflammatory uses for this, and that’s why it can be a natural pain reliever. Another one that’s dominant within the indica strains is linalool, as this is one that’s usually good for sedation, relieving anxiety, and also relieving the pain.  This is usually a floral sort of scent and is usually found in other plants known for relaxation, including but not limited to lavender.

Another popular terpene is myrcene, which is found in a lot of indica types of strains, and usually, you find this in hops, lemongrass, and thyme, offering muscle relief, reducing inflammation, and is very soothing for you to deal with. 

There is also caryophyllene, which is found in cloves, black pepper, and also cotton, and has a bit of a peppery smell to it. This is one that’s responsible for offering a reduction of inflammation, and also is a natural gastroprotective piece.  Terpenes are a huge part of a cannabis plant, and if you’ve ever wondered how they react, you can always talk to a budtender to find out more about this as well. 

A lot of people who are interested in the press start to get familiar with the terpenes that are there and also can look to find the different terpenes that are there to be used. If you have a specific problem that you would like to address, finding a strain that contains the ideal terpene for the job is the way to go.

Terpenes play a major role in the effectiveness of a weed strain, which is why a lot of times, the cannabinoids matter, but so do the terpenes that come with this as well.