As you learn about cannabis and what it can do for you, the subject of terpenes is bound to come up. Terpenes are one of the factors you’ll see listed as you compare different products, browsing for the right fit for what floats your boat. But exactly what are terpenes, and how do they affect the results you get?
Well—that’s a great question—and we’ve got answers! Our friendly team here at Aunt Mary’s is ready to help you catch the vibes that different terpenes give you so you can find products that you’ll really enjoy indulging in. Keep reading to learn more about terpenes and how they influence your experience with cannabis.
What Are Terpenes?
Getting to know cannabis products and their effects is key—so you can land on the perfect match of benefits, desired high, how it kicks in for you, and the taste and smell as you ingest or smoke your dose. It’s helpful to understand what part terpenes play in your overall experience.
To put it simply, terpenes are one of the chemical compounds that naturally occur in the cannabis plant, and they create the scents and flavors that different types of cannabis are known for. When you look at cannabis product tastes and aromas, terpenes have a lot to do with what you’re getting to enjoy.
Terpenes in Weed: How They Impact Your Cannabis Experience
There are other chemical components in cannabis too, of course—known as cannabinoids (like THC and CBD), which tend to get a lot of attention since they are most responsible for the high you get when you take weed. Cannabinoids pretty much only occur in marijuana and a few other plants, and they affect your endocannabinoid system.
Terpenes function in a different way. They occur in lots of plants, but in cannabis, they have a unique role as a member of the “entourage effect”—the way that weed’s many chemical compounds combine to create the pain relief, high, and other benefits you’re looking for. Terpenes interact with receptors in your body, and even if they don’t directly give you a high, they play a part in your overall experience when taking weed.
In fact, when choosing your cannabis product, we recommend you take a closer look at terpenes because they have a strong impact on giving you the desired effects you want to feel.
Exploring Terpene Effects: From Relaxation to Energy Boosts
Once you realize that terpenes work in tandem with compounds like THC and CBD to produce great results, you can investigate their different effects and determine what you’re looking for in the products you experiment with.
When you think about how weed can help you get through your day, terpenes fall into a few main categories that are worth exploring:
- Stress relief — Some terpenes will ease your worries, soothe your anxiety, and deliver calm vibes.
- Mood enhancement — If this is your goal, check for terpenes that boost your emotions and increase euphoria.
- Pain relief — Terpenes of different types may help reduce inflammation and provide needed ease from pain.
- Focus — While weed is known for chilling you out, some terpene combos may make it easier to concentrate, stay alert, remember, and get creative.
If you’re new to exploring cannabis, check out our eye-opening Weed for Beginners guide to learn more about choosing a product that’s right for you, and how to stay safe as you get your high.
Understanding the Terpene Chart: Key Terpenes and Their Effects
To find the right terpenes for the results you’re after, there’s a visual chart you can use. This “terpene wheel” breaks down the different terpene types by color and effects, so you can easily scan it and get a picture of the terpene effects you want. The most common terpenes to choose from include:
Limonene
Lemon, orange, citrusy, with mood enhancing, energy boosting, anti-anxiety effects
Pinene
Pine and herbal aromas, aid in alertness and memory retention, and may be anti-inflammatory
Humulene
Earthy scent that provides pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects
Myrcene
Mango-citrus notes, create a relaxing, sedating effect and may ease pain
Linnalool
Citrus and floral tones, result in calm vibes that ease worries
Terpinolene
Sweet pin flavor, great as a calming sleep aid
Borneal
Minty and spicy, perfect for improving digestion and relieving stress
Valencene
Sweet citrus with hints of wood, may help boost mood and create euphoria
Eucalyptol
Strong cool mint taste, aids in relaxation
Caryophyllene
Peppery flavor, may help with pain relief—and this terpene also functions like a cannabinoid too!
Our knowledgeable representatives are happy to help you navigate the terpene chart and recommend products you might want to check out. Explore our menu of products to get started.
Cannabis-Derived Terpenes vs. Synthetic: What’s the Difference?
One final question we get asked a lot is this: Does it matter if you choose a cannabis-derived terpene (one that naturally occurs in the plant) or a synthetic terpene (one that’s manmade)? And that’s a logical thing to wonder about—because you undoubtedly want your weed to deliver!
Synthetic terpenes are made in a lab, and they’re more concentrated in a way, so they give you stronger aromas and tastes. But they don’t necessarily deliver the best results when you’re looking for effects such as anxiety relief, pain improvement, or focus. And they’re still new—which means we’re still learning about their effects. Like GMO products, they may be safe, or they may have health risks we just don’t know about yet, so proceed with caution.
Cannabis-derived terpenes are nature’s way of giving us what we need. They’re part of the plant, and they include all the compounds nature intended to be in them. That combination is hard for a manmade lab to duplicate. If you want the best results from your cannabis, natural terpenes are the better choice.
Find Cannabis Solutions Suited to Your Personalized Needs with Our Local Experts
Of course, what we’ve shared here is just touching the surface of what’s possible with your weed use. Cannabis in all its glory is something that our team can’t get enough of discussing as we guide you discreetly to products that will give you the combination of results you’re looking for.
As Jersey’s finest cannabis dispensary, Aunt Mary’s has a welcoming, attractive location in Flemington that offers curbside pickup, kiosk ordering, in-person walk-in assistance, and online ordering to make it easier for you to enjoy your cannabis in the way that suits you best. Contact us to get guidance and discover the joys of weed to meet your needs.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is based on personal opinions, research, and reports from other sources. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/cannabis-terpenes
https://leafwell.com/blog/difference-between-terpenes-and-cannabinoids
https://www.veriheal.com/blog/terpenes/synthetic-vs-botanical
https://www.medicinenet.com/what_do_terpenes_do_for_your_high/article.htm
