A core reason people enjoy cannabis is its various effects on the body. That’s why cannabis users are quite particular about the components that go into their ganja. You might hear terms thrown about like cannabinoid, indica, and sativa among employees and clientele at a cannabis store. They all speak about how these certain components can affect their bodies for whatever benefit they hope to seek from them.
Yet, there is a component in cannabis that’s less talked about – terpenes.
If you’re mystified about what terpenes are, this is the perfect article to understand this compound and how it can affect your body.
What Are Terpenes?
Imagine this familiar scenario: you’re at a cannabis store, and you’re scoping out what would be your next strain to try. An unfamiliar strain catches your eye, and an employee comes to your side to assist. They open up a jar of the strain for you to check out. Yet, what is the first that you do when the jar opens? You get a big whiff of its scent! That smell is what terpenes are – in a sense.
Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants and some animals. You can find them secreted from the cannabis flower’s sticky resin gland, which gives it that shiny, crystalline look to the bud.
What terpenes do is help make certain strains smell or taste different from one another. Yet, the aroma and flavour of terpenes vary depending on timing, harvesting method, and other potential miscellaneous factors.
How do Terpenes Affect the Body?
So, what’s the big deal about terpenes? What can it do, and how does it affect your body? Terpenes’ properties are beneficial medicinally – both physically and mentally for the most part. Yet, despite its physical and mental effects being debated, many can attest along with research to back up both claims. With terpenes, depending on the terpene type, you can expect to have a unique effect from each one of them.
Here are a few of the most common terpenes:
Beta-Caryophyllene
Since this terpene can act as a cannabinoid, binding to your brain receptors helps promote it as an antioxidant. As a result, its properties can be anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and even help with depression and anxiety. This terpene can be recognized through its spicy, peppery aroma and is typically compiled from cloves, rosemary and hops.
Pinene
Pinene has a distinct piney aroma, yet it’s found in many plants like coniferous tree resin, citrus fruits, basil, and parsley. Like Beta-Caryophyllene, it has anti-inflammatory properties and helps with anxiety, but it also can be antiseptic and antimicrobial.
Humulene
Humulene has long been known for its energising effects. In addition to having anti-inflammatory properties like most terpenes, humulene is also antibacterial and an appetite suppressor. You can recognize this particular terpene since its herbal is behind the hoppy aroma of beer, coriander, and basil.
Limonene
Out of all the terpenes, this one is the most popular for its citrus notes. Beyond that, it’s an ideal terpene since it is said to help elevate moods. Its more physical benefits are how its properties are anti-cancer, antibacterial, and antifungal.
Linalool
There is nothing more relaxing than the smell of lavender, and this terpene is that! In which case, you can expect this terpene to alleviate stress and can act as a sedative. Plus, it can be great terpene for relieving any pain you might have.
Myrcene
Myrcene is a terpene that’s found not only in mangos but more prominently in indica strains. In which case, this terpene can have heavy sedating effects. Yet, like most terpenes, it does provide more medicinal uses by having anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antioxidant properties.
What’s the Best Way to Enjoy It?
Before you jump at the chance to enjoy terpenes, you need to consider the best method for reaping the benefits. You need to factor in the type of aroma and flavouring agents of terpenes as well as the right temperature. Getting the right temperature is incredibly important with terpenes since you can lose their beneficial properties when heated past their boiling point.
Consequently, it’s why terpenes must be heated under low heat. In this case, cannabis vape pens have been considered the best way to enjoy terpenes since you can easily adjust their temperature. Depending on what type of aromas and flavours, they will all need to be at different temperatures to get full effects.
In the world of cannabis, there is so much to learn about this plant and all it can do. In understanding terpenes a bit better, hopefully, you can find a strain that best suits your wants and needs!
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