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The different aromas of different cannabis strains are caused by terpenes. Terpenes are highly aromatic compounds that determine the smell of many plants and herbs, such as rosemary and lavender. Cannabis buyers often use the product’s smell to help make their purchase, and the terpenes is what they are smelling for. The most common terpenes are myrcene, limonene, linalool, caryophyllene, and pinene.
Terpenes are a natural part of a plant’s genetic makeup and play a huge role in determining its taste, smell, and characteristics. With cannabis, terpenes not only affect the strain’s taste and smell but they also strongly impact the strain’s medicinal properties. Terpenes are quite potent and can affect mood and behavior when inhaled or absorbed in low concentrations. And, most importantly, they determine whether the cannabis strains are indica or sativa. As a result, certain terpenes may work better in supporting and helping specific medical conditions. There are over 100 terpenes in the cannabis plant, but only a few are found in significant concentration.
Learn about some of the terpenes found in the cannabis plant, including their aroma and how they may help.
