What's That Smell

Was that a skunk? No, just some run of the mill pot. Yes, cannabis has a very noticeable smell attributed to it. Though when you take a closer look, different strains actually give off different aromas. But why does this happen, and why does the funk of your flower even matter?

This is all due to a series of compounds we label as "Terpenes." These terpenes are present in many common plants which you already know. Over 100 of them can be found to develop naturally in cannabis, and have been one of the fastest growing areas of development in our understanding of it. As it turns out, they play a heavy role in the smell, taste, and the wide range of effects between different strains. Now let's take it a step further; you can find out the effects of your cannabis simply by smelling it.

For the sake of our introduction, we will be looking at 6 of the most dominant terpenes, and their individual effects:

1. Myrcene - This one is the most common terpene found in cannabis. It gives off a musky, herbal sent, with a bit of citrus. You can also find myrcene in plants such as thyme, lemongrass, and mangoes. This stuff provides some of the sedative or relaxing effects from most cannabis strains. Medically, it is beneficial as an antiseptic, and is good for treating inflammation.

2. Limonene - Probably the second most common terpene. Think "lemons;" this gives many strains their strong citrus aroma. Present in many fruits like lemons and oranges, limonene is quite effective as a mood elevator, and stress reliever. Strains high in this can be utilized for treating depression and anxiety.

3. Humulene - This one is for the beer lovers out there. Humulene is largely found in hops! It has a earthy and woody type of scent, and it can be helpful in suppressing ones appetite. As for medical applications, it can ease pain, inflammation, and is even an anti-fungal.

4. Pinene - Pretty literal in this translation, as pinene give pine needles their distinctive smell. If you're one looking towards cannabis for help with focus and a mental boost, piney strains are the ticket. It can help memory as well as attention, and as an added bonus it can help treat asthma.

5. Linalool - Fan of lavender? Linalool is prominent for that floral spice given off by those candles and bath bombs meant to relax you. Linalool acts as a sedative, an anti-convulsant, and reduces anxiety. This will be found in abundance when using many of the heavier indica strains.

6. Caryophyllene - A terpene found in spices such as pepper, cloves, basil, and more, this one carries the scent of wood and spice. This one is another pain reducer, an anti-oxident, and sedative.

There are many more terpenes involved in the cannabis plant, and maybe we will look further into those in the future. These few offer an idea to how much diversity we can find within the ever growing variety of strains. Some growers even analyze these profiles to create more medically specific strains through cross breeding. The last element I'd like to focus on is called the "entourage effect." This relates to the pool of cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis. THC is basically the enhancer for many of these effects, but it is the combination of all the parts which create the incredible impacts cannabis offers.

As always, thank you again for reading, and feel free to reach out with any questions you may have for your personal cannabis use.