You may not be familiar with the word terpenes, but if you’ve ever smoked cannabis you’re familiar with what they do.

Terpenes are organic, aromatic compounds produced by plants. Basically, they make plants smell good or bad to us. They’re present in a lot of plants, but they’re super important when it comes to weed.

Let’s break down what they are, what they do in marijuana, and why you need to pay attention to them the next time you’re buying bud.

WHAT ARE TERPENES?

Terpenes give plants their distinct aroma and taste, so you’ve probably come across a lot of different terpenes before and not even known it. Herbs like basil and rosemary have terpenes, and so do pine trees.

Their purpose differs from plant to plant, but they usually are trying to attract pollinators like bees or keep animals from eating them.

In marijuana, terpenes are found in the trichomes — the sticky icky little resinous crystals covering a bud. The more trichomes that are present, the more terpenes and stronger aromas on the flower.

WHAT DO THEY DO IN MARIJUANA?

When you take a deep whiff of weed and you smell citrus, lavender, earthy aromas, and more, what you smell is terpenes. There are a lot of terpenes in a healthy cannabis plant, which is what gives it such a strong odor.

Each variety of cannabis has its own distinct terpene aroma and taste profile. There are a few different types of terpenes present in cannabis, which have different smells and effects.

Studies are still being conducted about the way terpenes affect the human body, so there’s much to learn about these compounds. There are somewhere between 80 and 100 different types of terpenes in cannabis, so let’s take a look at some of the more common ones.

Myrcene: This type of terpene has an earthy and musky aroma. It’s one of the most common terpenes found in cannabis, but it’s also found in mangoes and hops. Early research suggests that it has a calming, sedative effect.

Limonene: Limonene, as the name suggests, has a citrusy aroma — not unlike lemons. It should be no surprise, then, that it’s also found in the rinds of lemons and oranges. It’s thought to provide stress relief and elevate a person’s mood.

Caryophyllene: This type of terpene gives off a spicy, woody, and peppery aroma. It can also be found in cloves, hops, and black pepper. It’s believed to act as an anti-inflammatory, providing a pain relieving effect.

Terpinolene: Terpinolene smells piney, woody, floral, and herbal. They’re also found in nutmeg, apples, conifers, and lilacs. They’re thought to provide an uplifting, mood-enhancing effect.

Pinene: It shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but pinene smells like pine trees. This terpene is the most common, naturally occurring terpene around. In nature, it’s found in pine needles and herbs like basil, dill, and rosemary. Pinene provides alertness and is believed to offer memory retention benefits.

Humulene: This terpene has an earthy and woody aroma, similar to the smell of hops. It’s predominantly found in hops, but it’s also found in cloves, sage, and ginseng. Like many of the terpenes on this list, humulene is thought to act as an anti-inflammatory.

Linalool: Linalool has a strong floral aroma. It’s most abundantly found in lavender, but it’s also found in bergamot, rose, and jasmine. It’s thought to have a stress-relieving effect and to boost mood.

WHY SHOULD I CARE?

Terpenes are present in the trichomes on a bud, and that’s also where you can find the THC content of weed. A lot of crystals and a strong smell from terpenes means there’s quality THC in the bud.

But beyond that, the different smells from terpenes can help you determine the effect the strain will have on you.

In general terms, if you like the smell of the weed, you’re going to like the taste of the weed. Everyone’s smell and taste preferences are different, so it can help you hone in on what you’ll enjoy. If you like the smell and taste, you’re very likely to like the effects.

It’s different for everyone. Some people like sativas more than indicas, and some people prefer weed with limonene over humulene.

Wanna smell for yourself? Visit us at Prosper and talk with our knowledgeable cannsultants to learn more about terpenes. Take a whiff of different strains of cannabis and discover which aromas appeal to you!