What Are Terpenes and What Do They Do?

Do you know what terpenes are? Whenever you study cannabis compounds, you will notice that much attention is paid to compounds known as cannabinoids. You will find several different cannabinoid types listed in various articles. In addition to these compounds, there are several others you should be aware of. It is also possible for terpenes, which are naturally occurring compounds, to have a significant effect on your experience. You can learn everything you need to know about terpenes by checking out the following guide.

What are Terpenes?

Plants produce compounds called terpenes, the chemicals responsible for most of the strong smells you notice in the plants. There are different types of organic compounds called terpenes. You must have encountered terpenes before despite never having been around one before if you’ve ever smelt an orange, sniffed lavender oil, or enjoyed a particular strain of cannabis. A plant produces terpenes to help ward off hungry animals, contagious germs, and other forms of natural predators. Additionally, they can also help attract pollinators and regulate the temperature in some plants. Aside from conifer trees, hop plants, and cannabis, several other flowers and fruits produce terpenes at relatively high levels. Compounds found in plants are obtained as essential oils and distilled liquids. It is estimated that there are more than 100 terpene types in an average cannabis product.

Different Types of Terpenes

In nature, terpene compounds have various functions that you can find in different parts of the body. As a result, not all terpene categories have the same effects. More than 20,000 variants of terpenes are known to exist; scientists are not even sure what these substances do yet. The scent is one of the most important things to consider when choosing the right terpenes. It would help if you always considered scent profiles for terpene types. There are many types of terpenes; however, the most common types are sweet, sour, spicy, or bitter. Some people describe sweet terpene types as having fruity, flowery, or tropical scents. Additionally, sour terpenes can have a citrusy smell, while spicy terpenes can have a sharp or herbaceous aroma. If you are sniffing bitter terpene types, you will notice a nutty or vegetable scent.

Terpenes have more functions than just scent. Besides assisting plants in protecting themselves, they also aid plant growth. Terpenes may act as antimicrobial compounds. Plants produce limonene to defend against various fungal and bacterial infections that could harm the plant. In comparison, terpene compounds like myrcene can act as attractants. To help spread pollen, plants need bees and other pollinators. Pest-repelling terpenes are another type of plant terpene. To us, they might smell fantastic, but ants, beetles, and other critters hate the smell of linalool and pinene.

What Are The Terpenes in Cannabis?

You may be surprised to find out that cannabis plants contain over 100 terpene types. Strains differ in their terpene profiles. The following are some of the most common types of terpenes you’ll encounter.

• In addition to cannabis flowers, myrcene can be found in hops, thyme, and lemongrass.
• The terpene limonene has a citrusy smell that reminds us of lemons. It is believed to have antibacterial and stress-reducing properties.
• Cannabis’s signature spicy and floral scent is derived from linalool, a terpene.
• The terpene beta-caryophyllene binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, making it an unusual terpene.
• A terpene found in eucalyptus inhibits bacterial and fungal growth. The cool, minty-smelling terpene is primarily found in eucalyptus trees, but certain strains also contain it.
• You’ll find humulene in things like black pepper, sage, and cannabis.

What Impact Do Terpenes Have on Your Experience?

Given terpene’s presence in indica, sativa, and hybrid strains, you’re probably wondering if it will affect your experience. However, terpene compounds have not been proven to have any noticeable effects on mood or perception. To date, research suggests that most of them do not even bind to cannabinoid receptors and alter brain chemistry. Terpenes may not have any noticeable effects on their own. There is a very small chance you might feel a little weird if you breathe in super-concentrated amounts of straight terpene, but that’s about it.

However, you should note that this does not mean that terpenes will not influence your experience. It is unknown how much of an impact terpenes have when consumed, but researchers have noticed that some types of terpenes seem to enhance certain reactions. As a result, terpene compounds assist in the so-called “entourage effect.” This theory states that these chemicals can profoundly affect how your body metabolizes THC and CBD.

Cannabis Strains With The Highest Terpene Profiles

Cannabis strains can be distinguished from one another by their terpene profiles, one of the main things that distinguish them. As terpene profiles affect smells, cannabis has its distinct scent.

Due to the presence of myrcene, strains like White Widow and Special Kush have a fruity aroma. OG Kush, Super Lemon Haze, and Sour Diesel, which may seem a bit sour to you, are all scented with limonene. Caryophyllene is responsible for the spicy taste of some strains, such as Skywalker and Super Silver Haze. Consider strains like Headband, Pink Kush, and GSC if you’re looking for the woody, earthy scent of humulene.

Final Thoughts

The smells and flavours that characterize cannabis are essentially a result of terpene compounds. You can conveniently find cannabis flowers that match your flavours if you know what terpenes are. With us, you can learn more about the terpenes, so you can select ones you enjoy.

Knowing terpene types will make it easier for you to find cannabis strains you love. You can contact us for more information about weed.