Learning Your Terpenes
Limonene. Myrcene. Linalool. Ocimene. Ganymede. No, these aren’t the moons of Jupiter (okay, that last one was); they’re terpenes, and they’re more important to your cannabis experience than you’d probably think.
If you’ve ever caught a whiff of the cannabis plant, you’re more familiar with terpenes than you realize: They’re the reason for the plant’s characteristic, pungent aroma and – pending proper care – its distinctive range of flavours.
Yet, these compounds may do much more than merely alert your neighbours that the late-night cartoons will be especially loud this evening.
What are terpenes?
Not exclusive to cannabis, terpenes are compounds that occur naturally in a wide range of plants, serving a variety of purposes depending on the plant they inhabit. But while the terpene profile of a coniferous tree might serve to defend its contents from certain animals, it’s been suggested that their presence and diversity within the cannabis plant can help bolster its effects, relative to the strain consumed.
Why do terpenes matter?
Aside from providing a more flavourful experience, terpenes are supposedly similar to cannabinoids in that they may bind to receptors in your brain to enhance different effects. In other plant life, one terpene may fight free radicals by acting as an antioxidant, while another may possess sedative effects that can help relieve insomnia or anxiety.
In tandem with cannabinoids – the most studied of which are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) – it’s been suggested that terpenes can be responsible for what’s been called the “entourage effect”: When these cannabinoids and terpenes combine with the full spectrum of cannabis’ compounds to create effects stronger than you’d get if THC and/or CBD were consumed by themselves. The proposed effect is a kind of synergy that should, in theory, help give consumers the full spectrum of benefits cannabis has to offer – making standalone THC or CBD products look paltry in comparison.
But, as is always true of cannabis in its newly-legal state, most of what we “know” about the suggested effect comes from a wealth of self-reported, anecdotal submissions that don’t meet the standards held by researchers and other academics, who’ve yet to study the effect formally. It’s worth noting that until it’s been analyzed through randomized clinical trials, the entourage effect’s loudest proponents continue to be cannabis industry insiders.
Nevertheless, the overwhelming user-based reports of strain variation and terpene importance suggest it’s worth getting familiar with these puzzling compounds.
Cannabis flavour wheel, with popular strains to match. (source: GreenHouse Seeds Co.)
The big players
While there are more than 200 known terpenes in the cannabis plant, here are the most prominent terpenes you’re likely to find in your cannabis.
Pinene
With a sweet and piney aroma, pinene can be found in coniferous plants, rosemary and, unsurprisingly, pine needles. Its sharp profile is believed by connoisseurs to increase feelings of mental alertness.
Myrcene
Myrcene can be found in citrus fruits, lemongrass, hops and mangoes; and can often smell musky and/or herbal. It’s held by the cannabis community to be the “relaxing” terpene, with a supposedly prominent sedative effect.
Limonene
You’ll find limonene in lemons, oranges, and in all manners of citrus-heavy foods; where it smells as citrusy as one would expect. It’s purported to help relieve stress and uplift mood.
Humulene
Similar to pinene, humulene offers the kind of woody scent that calls to mind… well, the woods. Found in large quantities in hops, ginseng and sage, it’s thought to be an appetite suppressant with anti-inflammatory qualities.
Linalool
Linalool is reportedly as sedating as its phonetics imply (go ahead, sound it out), and is found most notably in lavender, birch and jasmine.
Terpinolene
Apples, lilac, parsnips, nutmeg all carry amounts of terpinolene, which consumers have suggested provides a similar “uplifting” feel to limonene. Unlike other prominent terpenes in the cannabis plant, its aroma can vary depending on where you find it. It’s also a popular flavouring ingredient.
Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene is the “spicy” terpene, and you’ll find it almost anywhere spiciness is present: Cinnamon, black pepper and oregano have it to some degree. Its usefulness upon consumption isn’t immediately clear, but it’s been suggested that it may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Ocimene
Minty, earthy and generally smelling lovely, ocimene is found in bergamot, neroli and mint, and is used in perfumes. It’s been noted by the cannabis community for supposedly protective, anti-fungal capabilities. Ocimene has been shown to defend other plants against certain insects, which find its scent repellent.
This article was written by David Wilson. David Wilson is a freelance writer and journalist, living and working in Toronto. He writes about cannabis, culture, and the intersection at which they meet.
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This article was published November 12th, 2019.