An Overview of Terpenes

If you’ve ever wondered why some cannabis strains smell like berries and other strains smell like earth and diesel, the answer is terpenes.

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in a wide variety of fruits, herbs, and other types of plants.

For example, the citrusy smell of oranges and lemons is caused by the terpene limonene.

On the other hand, when you walk into a pine forest, that piney smell comes from the aptly named terpene pinene.

Over 100 terpenes have been found in the cannabis plant, each one with its own unique properties.

The Health Benefits of Terpenes

Terpenes do more than just make strains like Strawberry Lemonade smell and taste like strawberry lemonade.

From a biological perspective, terpenes help plants attract pollinators and fend off predators.

But terpenes also help human beings treat a number of health conditions.

Terpenes work synergistically with cannabinoids to produce what is known as the entourage effect – the idea being that when cannabinoids and terpenes work together, they create a far more powerful effect than what you would experience if you were to consume these compounds in separate, isolated forms.

Terpenes give cannabis their flavor and aroma and responsible for the unique feeling associated with each strain!

Which Terpenes Are Best for You?

Terpenes are largely responsible for why sativas, indicas, and hybrids all have different effects.

If you want to know how a particular strain will affect you, take a look at its terpene profile.

How do you do that exactly?

When you purchase cannabis from Essence Cannabis Dispensary, we’ll also give you the strain’s cannabinoid and terpene profile.

Take note of the profile, especially if you’re trying out a new strain and find that you respond well to it.

With the terpene profile on hand, you’ll have a better sense of why the strain affects you the way that it does. It may also help you find strains that function in a similar manner.