07/19/2022
Beginners' guide to terpenes.
What are terpenes? Do they really affect the quality of cannabis? As the legal cannabis industry grows and more people learn, previously under-discussed topics have a chance to come to light through more research and open discussion around cannabis. Included in this are minor Cannabinoids like CBG or CBN and, the star of today's show, terpenes. So what are terpenes?
Terpenes are fragrant oils that are not only found in cannabis but in other plants as well! These oils help produce a strain's specific flavour, smell, and effect. Myrcene is the most common terpene found in cannabis and gives it the herbal, musky smell it’s known for. It’s known for possibly aiding in the relaxation and the “couch-lock” effect some strains have. Some popular Myrcene dominant strains at Royal Leafs are the BC organic blue dream, Gelato 33, and indica bud. The next most common terpene is Caryophyllene. Lending a peppery, spicy flavour to both black pepper and cannabis, caryophyllene is also known for being relaxing, although it’s known for more of an emotional calm rather than physical. Caryophyllene dominant strains include Animal mints, pink kush, and wedding cake. The last terpene we will talk about today is Limonene. Also found in citrus fruits, Limonene is known to be more energetic and creative than Myrcene or Caryophyllene. Some strains that are high in Limonene are black cherry punch, gmo cookies, and MacSlurry.
So now that you know the common terpenes you might be thinking, what’s the big deal? Well, that’s where we get into the entourage effect. There is growing evidence that terpenes have an effect on the high you get from each strain. This means the terpenes within a strain (there are usually multiple) will interact with each other and the THC, CBD, and minor cannabinoids to create an experience that is unique to each strain. This is why it’s important to experiment and not write off a strain just because it’s an indica and you want a Sativa because each strain has something unique to offer! Let’s say you want to try a specific terpene dominant strain, how do you find it? Websites like royalleafs.ca are the go-to places for you!