Post: Cannabis 101: What’s the Deal with Terpenes?

What they are

What they do

Do they make you high?

Vs. CBD and THC

List of terpenes

Maximizing benefits

Takeaway

Terpenes play an important role in the aroma and flavor of a cannabis strain, and they potentially work in synergy with cannabinoids and other cannabis plant compounds to produce psychoactive effects. But research continues to determine how beneficial terpenes are. Trinette Reed/Stocksy United In addition to common cannabis terms, like cannabinoid, indica , and sativa , you may have recently encountered a less commonly used word: terpenes. These are yet another compound found in cannabis.

But what are terpenes? And how important is it to know which types and concentrations are in cannabis before you buy a product?Read on to find out what researchers know so far. What are they, exactly? Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants and some animals. They’re responsible for the aromas, flavors, and even colors associated with various types of vegetation. In terms of cannabis, terpenes are what make certain strains smell or taste different from others.They can also be processed into produce products, like cleaning solvents, pesticides, and dyes. Some even have therapeutic properties.While nearly all plants contain terpenes, some of the more common sources people encounter them include: cannabis aromatic herbs, like sage and thyme citrus fruits What do they do? Terpenes are thought to protect plants from harsh weather and predators. As for what they do in humans, that’s still a bit of a mystery. But cannabis researchers and consumers alike are increasingly looking at terpenes as a way to classify cannabis products and predict their effects.The main hypothesis is that the terpene profile — the dominant terpenes — of a strain work in tandem with the cannabinoid content — the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and other cannabinoids — to produce the effects people associate with different strains.For example, they might explain why two different strains with the same level of THC produce such different experiences. Do they get you high? Terpenes won’t make you feel high […]

Cannabis 101: What’s the Deal with Terpenes?