When people start to shop for cannabis, the first thing they usually want to determine is the quantity of THCA in the product. Earlier customers were led to believe that greater concentrations of THCA meant better quality or stronger products.
But as evidence regarding the effects from cannabis continues to emerge, researchers and veterans have shown that cannabis has many other components other than just THCA alone.
Cannabis terpenes have proven to be one of the greatest contributors to your personal experience with different strains of cannabis. Cannabis terpenes are a group of organic compounds that provide both the scent and flavor to various strains of cannabis.
Let’s understand more about the topic;
Cannabis Terpenes Explained
Terpenes are naturally occurring aromatic substances in a variety of plants, fruits, herbs, and flowers and give off the scents of lavender, lemon, pine tree, black pepper, etc.
Terpenes are present in over 150 different forms in cannabis, and play a role in the odor, flavor and experience created when consuming cannabis. The number of terpenes in cannabis contribute to the effect of the cannabis compounds working better together than they do alone.
In short, the terpene structure of cannabis will have a major influence on the overall experience you have while consuming cannabis and will typically have an effect on whether the strain is uplifting, sedative, focused or calming.
Why Terpenes Matter More Than THC
While THC is the psychoactive component of cannabis; however, that alone does not create a full picture. Consider two cannabis strains that have similar concentrations of THC (e.g., 25% ).
One will provide you with energy and creativity while the other will provide you with relaxation and/or the ability to unwind. The difference between these two strains is frequently due to their respective terpene content rather than just their THC concentration.
As many consumers continue to shift towards emphasizing terpenes rather than only comparing based on the highest levels of THC, there is now a tremendous amount of interest in cannabis and its components (i.e., terpenes).
In other words, there has shown to be a trend towards wanting to understand cannabis and its terpenes better than just looking for the highest available THC content.
Myrcene is one of the most common cannabis terpenes. It has earthy, musky, and herbal notes and is often associated with relaxing and calming effects. You can also find myrcene in:
As the name suggests, limonene delivers a bright citrus aroma. Many users report feeling uplifted, energized, and more positive when consuming strains rich in limonene.
Natural sources include:
Pinene smells like fresh pine forests and is commonly linked to alertness and mental clarity.
It can also be found in:
Known for its spicy and peppery aroma, caryophyllene is unique because it can interact directly with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
It naturally occurs in:
Linalool offers floral and lavender-like aromas and is commonly associated with relaxation and stress relief.
You’ll also find it in:
The entourage effect refers to the synergistic effects of multiple cannabinoids and terpenes. Cannabinoids and terpenes do not necessarily provide effects independently; instead, they may interact with one another to produce an overall effect that depends on each of the chemicals present in the cannabis strain.
For instance, a strain with similar levels of THC and limonene may provide a completely different overall experience than a strain with similar levels of THC and myrcene.
Due to the interactions between cannabinoids and terpenes, many cannabis users have begun to pay more attention to the terpene profile of the product than ever before.
Cannabis brands and dispensaries have started indicating container labels with terpene information.
Before making a purchase, always look beyond cannabinoids and examine:
Being knowledgeable about the types of cannabis terpenes available can aid you in purchasing products that are a better fit for what you desire to achieve and enjoy from using cannabis.
Don’t ask “What is the highest THC strain”, ask:
Using this method will yield a much more personal experience with cannabis.
Final Thoughts
The cannabis industry has started to realise that higher levels of THC do not always translate to a better overall experience with the plant. THC does have a significant impact; however, it does not fully represent what a strain is all about. At the end of the day, strains are determined more by the complete chemical makeup than by any single molecule.
Understanding cannabis terpenes will allow the consumer to make more informed choices and purchase products that fit their individual preferences. From flavour and scent to the effect of the product consumed, terpenes have an impact on almost all levels of the cannabis consumption experience.
So when you make your next cannabis purchase at Gas and Grass dispensary, don’t only consider the percentage of THC; instead, take the time to look at the terpene profile and the compounds within each strain that provide the scent of the plant. You could be surprised at how large of an impact these compounds will have on your overall experience, in comparison to the amount of THC.
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