When talking about cannabis, people usually focus on THC or THC-V… basically what gets you stoned.
In the last few years, there’s been a huge growth in CBD consumption, something that we’ve seen with our own eyes inside our weed club, The High Class, and you can easily find it in almost any city from Spain.
But there are also other aspects besides the THC that define the quality and effects of weed. One of the most important and which we will talk about in this article are the “terpenes”.
This word may be new to the vast majority of people who have just started using cannabis, although it could also be new for more experienced users.
WHAT ARE TERPENES?
Terpenes are the molecules responsible for determining the aroma and flavor of cannabis. Although recent studies revealed that cannabis could have more than 200 different terpenes.
Besides smell and taste, terpenes influence other aspects of plant life, carrying out a protective function against parasites, pathogenic organisms and predators.
However, the effects of terpenes on humans are not harmful. Even some varieties can be anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic.
HOW MANY TERPENES ARE IN CANNABIS?
Like we said before, cannabis could have more than 200 different terpenes and each one has different properties. Despite this, there are some terpenes more common and easier to find when consuming cannabis.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TERPENES IN MARIJUANA?
These are some of the most common terpenes found in weed: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene and Terpineol.
MYRCENE
If you notice a relaxing effect when consuming cannabis, it is the myrcene that is responsible for this. It is found in many varieties of cannabis and its composition promotes sleep. It can also be useful as a sedative and muscle relaxant. Its flavor is usually pungent.
CARYOPHYLLENE
If you want to give your day a spicy touch, the terpene you have to look for is Caryophyllene. It is a molecule present in different plants, such as black pepper and cinnamon, and gives cannabis a spicy flavor. It is an excellent analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
LIMONENE
One of the most versatile terpenes is Limonene, which, as its name suggests, is part of the citrus family. Apart from the fruity flavor, Limonene produces a large number of beneficial effects for the organism and for plants. In fact, it acts as an antibacterial and antidepressant. In addition, it has anti-carcinogenic properties. In some studies, it was also found to be a stimulant of the immune system and brain activity.
THE MOST USEFUL TERPENE FOR ANXIETY? TERPINOL
To finish, we will talk about the most useful terpene to combat anxiety: Terpineol. This terpene has a strong sedative action in humans and is famous for its sedative effects. It is present in other plants (such as sage and rosemary) and can smell like lilac flowers, with a smoky note. Apart from the sedative effect, it is a good antioxidant and antibacterial.
Continue reading. Legality regarding weed. If you’re wondering where cannabis is legal, find more information in our post: In which countries is cannabis legal? • The High Class