Did you know that each cannabis flower can have more than 100 terpenes? Learn about the most common ones in this guide to the different types of terpenes.
These days, it seems that everyone is talking about marijuana. More specifically, cannabinoids. The most prominent cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
However, nobody really seems to talk that much about terpenes. Terpenes can influence the flavor, scent, and effects of marijuana.
And just like cannabinoids, there are also many different types of terpenes that are worth knowing about. Are you interested in learning more? If so, then keep on reading and we will walk you through everything that you’ll want to know about terpenes.
What Are Cannabis Terpenes?
Cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, are secreted in the same glands as terpenes. Terpenes are basically aromatic oils that color marijuana varieties with distinct flavors, including pine, mint, berry, and citrus.
A terpene might play an important part in differentiating the effects of various marijuana strains. Some terpenes might promote stress-relief and relaxation, while other terpenes might help with acuity and focus.
Not unlike other strong-smelling flowers and plants, the growth of terpenes in marijuana started for adaptive reasons. Mainly, to attract pollinators and ward off predators.
There are a lot of factors that are related to a plant’s development of terpenes. This includes soil type, fertilizers, maturation and age, weather, and climate. Even the time of day can have an effect.
There are more than one hundred terpenes that have been found in the marijuana plant. And every variety tends toward a distinct terpene composition and type.
To put it another way, a strain like Blueberry and its descendants will probably have a strong blueberry-like smell.
Terpenes might also play an important part in distinguishing the effects of different cannabis strains. This challenges commonly held ideas about Sativa and Indica strains. However, more research is going to need to be done in order to understand how and to what extend.
The Different Types of Terpenes
As we already mentioned, there are many different types of terpenes out there. Let’s go over some of the most popular ones below.
Myrcene
One of the most common cannabis derived terpenes is myrcene. This terpene has an earthy and musky smell, similar to cloves. It also has a red grape, fruity aroma.
Strains that contain 0.5 percent of myrcene are usually Indicas and have sedative effects. Myrcene can be helpful with relieving chronic pain and inflammation. This is why it is usually recommended for people who are undergoing chemotherapy.
Special Kush, White Widow, and Skunk XL are strains that are rich in myrcene. Mangos also contain a lot of myrcene. If you eat a mango before smoking marijuana, the effects will feel more powerful.
Limonene
Another common terpene in all marijuana strains is limonene. As the name suggests, limonene gives cannabis a citrusy smell that is reminiscent of lemons. So it would also make sense that all citrus fruits contain large amounts of limonene.
For medicinal uses, limonene is known to reduce stress and improve mood. Limonene also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It might even be able to reduce the size of tumors.
Varieties that have “sour” or “lemon” in their names tend to contain a lot of limonene. High concentrations of limonene can be found in varieties like Jack the Ripper, Jack Herer, Durban Poison, Super Lemon Haze, Sour Diesel, and OG Kush.
Linalool
This is a terpene that is the most responsible for the infamous cannabis smell. It has floral and spicy notes. Linalool can also be found in coriander, cinnamon, mint, and lavender.
What is so fascinating about linalool is that it has very strong relaxing and sedative properties, just like the aromatic herbs we mentioned.
People who are suffering from insomnia, seizures, depression, arthritis, and even cancer have all found comfort in this amazing terpene.
There are some well-known linalool strains, such as OG Shark, LA Confidential, Lavender, Special Kush, and Amnesia Haze.
Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene has a reputation for having peppery and spicy notes. It’s also found in cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper. You’ll also find caryophyllene in spices like rosemary, basil, and oregano.
Caryophyllene binds to CB2 receptors. This means that it works well in anti-inflammatory creams and topicals. Caryophyllene is the only known terpene that has the ability to bind to cannabinoid receptors.
Other than its anti-anxiety and analgesic properties, caryophyllene can also be helpful for recovering alcoholics. That’s because this terpene can help reduce a person’s desire for alcohol. It’s also recommended for treating people who are experiencing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Rock Star, Skywalker, and Super Silver Haze are all strains that have high concentrations of caryophyllene.
Eucalyptol
Eucalyptol is also known as cineole. It’s the main terpene of the eucalyptus tree. This terpene has cool and minty tones in its smell.
However, most marijuana strains don’t have high concentrations of this terpene. This terpene might have the ability to help treat Alzheimer’s disease.
You can find this terpene in Headband and Super Silver Haze.
The Importance of Knowing About Terpenes
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now have a better idea of what terpenes are. You should also have a good list of the different types of terpenes. This will help you determine which cannabis strains are going to be best for you.
Don’t be afraid to try different strains in order to get a sense of how terpenes differ from one another.
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