Don’t be a terp twerp. Read on to learn about the various terpene profiles found in cannabis that can impact their effects, from nuanced highs to acute medicinal benefits.
Terpeneis a blanket term used to categorize a variety of secondary chemical compounds produced by cannabis and most other plants. as a by-product to help support the production of its primary compoundswhich, in the case of cannabis, are the cannabinoids THC and CBD. Functioning differently to support the plant’s healthy growth, they affect a plant’s external and internal stimuli that might impact it, including bacteria, fungus, insects, cellular growth irregularities, and other sources of stress. They’re also responsible for a plant’s smell and flavor, which can help encourage animals to spread the seeds and pollen andreproduce better and act as repellants to others that might harm it.
“Terpenes play a larger role in user effect than many people may know,” says Billo head grower Dave Kulberg. “They often determine how the user will feel after consumption.” Adds extraction lab director Britt Murphy: “While cannabis terpenes themselves don’t induce a high, they do influence the aroma and flavor of the experience and often modulate the effects of cannabinoids such as CBD and THC. When combined with THC, certain terpenes often enhance the overall effect, which makes them an important element of the extraction process.”
While cannabinoids can influence users’ mental and physical states, terpenes’ effects are more nuanced. Known as the “Entourage Effect,” they interact with the nervous system’s cannabinoid receptors to induce different effectsthan those from either on their own. According to researchers, the main terpenes in cannabis include:
Myrcene: This terpene creates the signature “dank” musky, earth smell associated with cannabis, works as a sleep aid, and has anti-inflammatory effects (good for treating pain and muscle soreness).
Limonene: Also found in citrus fruit rinds, this terpene contributes to a plant’s bright citrus aromas and aids in mood-elevating/energy and digestive protection (i.e. preventing ulcers, reducing heartburn, etc.).
Linalool: The main component giving lavender oil its telltale scent, this floral-scented terpene is medically beneficial, used to help control everything from pain and depression symptoms to seizures and sleep disorders (making it a favorite among medical marijuana patients). Pinene: With the scent of Pacific Northwest pine forests, the terpene can improve airflow and deeper breathing and is often used to treat symptoms of asthma or other respiratory illnesses. It’s also mood elevating and can help reduce memory impairment.
