Michelle

Know your Terpenes - (4 of 7) Seven Elements of Cannabis

Updated: Feb 14, 2022

The sweet aroma you smell from cannabis comes from terpenes. There are many distinctive smells from citrus, piney, fruity even hoppy. Over 100 different terpenes have been identified in the cannabis plant. Every strain leans towards a unique terpene type and composition.

How do terpenes affect how you consume and buy cannabis?

Terpenes are organic compounds that provide aroma and flavor in cannabis and plants. Terpenes influence its effects by interacting with cannabinoids.

Terpenes produce amazing aromas, and learning the smells of your favorite strains is the first step to helping you deepen your knowledge and have a greater appreciation for cannabis.

Terpenes, when combined with cannabinoids, can affect the feeling you will have from using cannabis.

When I started using cannabis, I had no clue about terpenes. But what I have learned is that terpenes have been established in the essential oil world for therapeutic reasons. We thought the cannabinoids were what made the cannabis plant therapeutic, but we are at the beginning of understanding how the same terpenes found in essential oils are the same as cannabis.

We are learning how terpenes and cannabinoids together produce the Entourage Effect. And more research is needed.

Essential oils can be great in your overall holistic approach to self-care, like cannabis. :-) I use essentials oils for allergies, sinuses, pain relief, and even candle making. Let’s check out the popular terpenes in cannabis.

Terpene’s List

This list will include some strains, but it’s best to do your research, and it’s best to start your research on what is available to you. I have done some searches on these strains, and I can’t get a lot of them where I live in Colorado.

Leafly has an excellent Cannabis Guide that you can search by strain and get the cannabinoids and terpenes profile.

But remember the only way to know what is in your strain truly - is to have it tested. Guides are just that, guides - pay attention to your body, and if you don’t like a smell - you probably won’t like the effects.

Learning the smell of your favorite strains can help you pick new strains - there is a good chance you will like it. Follow your nose, it knows.

I have listed 8 of the more popular terpenes and again, I focus on the areas that I feel comfortable to speak about and help others with so this is NOT a full and comprehensive list. I always promote self-

research, we all can't know everything.

Myrcene

Pronunciation - MUR-seen

Aroma - earthy, spice, clove, mild citrusy

Used for - anti-inflammatory, relaxing, anti-depressant (excellent for pain and sleep)

Possible feeling - sedating, couch lock

Sources from Essentials oils - Lemongrass, Thyme, Bay Leaf, Eucalyptus

Sources from Cannabis - Jack Herer, White Widow, Warlock CBD

Limonene

Pronunciation - LIM-o-neen

Aroma - Citrusy

Used For - Depression, anxiety, heartburn, Inflammatory diseases, appetite, suppression & breast cancer

Possible feeling - Uplifting, mood elevation, and euphoria

Sources from Essentials oils - Grapefruit, Tangerine, Orange, Mandarin, Lemon, Bergamot, Frankincense, Spearmint (to name a few :-))

Sources from Cannabis - Super Lemon Haze, Jack the Ripper, Lemon Skunk

Pinene

Pronunciation - pahy-neen

Aroma - piney, basil, parsley

Used for - Inflammation, aids in memory, sleep aid

Possible feeling - alertness and focus

Sources from Essentials oils - Cumin, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Sage, Helichrysum

Sources from Cannabis - Trainwreck, Strawberry Cough, Chemdawg

Linalool

Pronunciation - LINN-uh-lool

Aroma - Citrus, lavender

Used For - Inflammatory diseases, pain relief, anxiety, breast cancer

Possible feeling - unknown

Sources from Essentials oils - Clary Sage, Cilantro, Oregano

Sources from Cannabis - Chemdawg, Superbud, Diamond girl

Caryophyllene

Pronunciation - car·y·o·phyl·lene

Aroma - Black Pepper

Used For - Anti-inflammatory, pain, anxiety

Possible feeling - unknown

Sources from Essentials oils - depression, inflammatory bowel disease

Sources from Cannabis - Sour Diesel, Skywalker OG, OG Kush

Ocimene

Pronunciation - OH-sih-meen

Aroma - sweet, earthy, citrusy

Used For - Anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral

Possible feeling - uplifting

Sources from Essentials oils - Black Pepper

Sources from Cannabis - Dutch Treat, Amnesia, Green Crack

Humulene

Pronunciation - hu·mu·lene

Aroma - Earthy, woody, spicey, hoppy

Used For - Anti-inflammatory, weight loss, pain relief

Possible feeling - unknown

Sources from Essentials oils - Hops, Pine, Orange, Ginger, Clove

Sources from Cannabis - Girl Scout Cookies, Headband, Sour Diesel

Terpinolene

Pronunciation - ter·pin·o·lene

Aroma - piney, woody with hints of citrus and herbal spice

Used For - Anxiety, cancer-fighting properties

Possible feeling - mildly sedative effect, uplifting effects

Sources from Cannabis - Dutch Treat, XJ-13, Golden Pineapple

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many terpenes, and not all strains will have all of these. When it comes to learning terpenes - start with your favorite strains and go backward and then expand. And remember - always trust your nose.

I want to hear from you!

Send me an email with your questions, comments, or stories at Dear MariJane.

Or leave a comment below.

Sign up for my monthly newsletter - the 7 Elements of Cannabis to learn more about cannabis and the cannabis-friendly lifestyle. Receive a FREE DOWNLOAD of the 7 Elements of Cannabis - Getting Started.

Check out my Pinterest page for more about the 7 Elements of Cannabis while also learning more about the cannabis-friendly lifestyle.

Join the MariJane Simplicity private community and a safe place for us to share any and all things cannabis-related! From growing to consuming, to how it helps, recipes, questions, and a place for us to share what living a cannabis-friendly lifestyle mean to you.

Shop at MJS Candles

Check out my sustainable, natural air purifier and cleaner burn beeswax candle with a hemp wick. A simple candle using two sustainable products that we should learn more about and try to incorporate into our daily lives.

Interested in a cannabis course?

I’m in the beginning stages of creating a course based on the 7 Elements of Cannabis. I have created a short questionnaire to understand your needs and what you want to learn more about so I can better help you on your cannabis journey.