If you've begun a deep dive into cannabinoids, you might've heard the term "terpene." Good job! You're learning the hard facts about what you're putting in your body.
Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds in the cannabis plant and include THC and CBD. THC creates a "high," while CBD does not. The cannabis plant also contains terpenes, which are what affect the potent aroma of the plant and its buds. If you're wondering what that means for you and how it should influence your buying decisions, read on!
In this article, we will go over five facts you should know about terpenes. First, we will talk about where terpenes are located; secondly, we will cover the definition of terpenes. Thirdly, we will discuss the power of smell; next, we will go over other types of terpenes. After that, we will cover how terpenes interact with us.
1
Where Terpenes Are Located
When you hold cannabis under a lens, you can see little hairs. These aren't just for show. They give the plant an aroma that will tell your nose if you'll like it or not!
They also play a key role. They help in producing THC. Make sure to take a good look at the trichomes on a strand of cannabis before you buy.
2
The Definition Of Terpenes
According to Medical News Today, "These aromatic compounds create the characteristic scent of many plants, such as cannabis, pine, lavender, as well as fresh orange peel. The fragrance of most plants is due to a combination of terpenes. In nature, these terpenes protect the plants from animal grazing or infectious germs; however, terpenes may also offer some health benefits to the human body. As regulations surrounding cannabis become less strict, scientists are carrying out more research into these possible benefits."
Let's put this in simpler terms. Terpenes are responsible for the aroma and flavors of cannabis. They influence its effects by interacting with cannabinoids.
3
The Power Of Smell
It's a popular fact that taste and smell are related. If something smells good, it tastes good. If something smells bad, well, we don't have to tell you to avoid it. Terpenes are hard at work in all types of cannabis, regardless of whether you smoke, dab, or vaporize it. In states where cannabis sales are legal, the aromas of a particular strain are often a large selling point.
When buying cannabis, you should always go with your nose. If you prefer fruity smells, that strain of cannabis will probably react more favorably with your body. This is because your nose reacts with terpenes, and both use billions of years of evolution to see if they get along with each other. It all takes place before you've even bought the stuff! It's just biology.
4
The Other Terpenes
Terpenes are also present in essential oils. Essential oils are often used for medicinal purposes. More research is needed to know how vital oil terpenes are compared to cannabis terpenes.
Essential oils definitely don't get you high as cannabis does. This is because THC, not terpenes, gives us a psychosomatic effect. However, it has been shown that cannabis terpenes help support other cannabis molecules in a variety of ways.
5
How Terpenes Interact With Us
The first way terpenes interact with us has already been described. They interact with our noses for better or for worse. It's better in the end, though, because you don't have to waste time with a less suitable strain of cannabis.
There is another way that terpenes interact with us. This is by augmenting. They essentially suppress the effects of the cannabis plant.
In this article, we went over five things that you should know about terpenes. First, we talked about where terpenes are located; secondly, we covered the definition of terpenes. Thirdly, we discussed the power of smell. Next, we went over the other types of terpenes. After that, we covered how terpenes interact with us.
Terpenes are responsible not only for aromas but for how we perceive the effects of taking the plant. As mentioned earlier, the hairs on the surface of a cannabis plant are not only where we find terpenes but also where the key steps in THC production occur. In the end, that's what most of us are here for, so don't forget the power of the terpenes!
