Cannabis Terpenes Breakdown: Sedative Terps
Hey folks! It’s time again for another thrillingly educational blog post from your one and only homegrown, locally owned cannabis retailer. For the last few posts we’ve been looking at some of the unsung heroes of the cannabis plant, the background players which help to make the lettuce electric: esters, flavonoids and terpenes. This week, we’re going to be zeroing in on terpenes, with a particular focus on those terpenes which can help create and amplify a sedative cannabis experience. So, sit back, relax and let’s get to it!
Myrcene
Ah Myrcene, the most dominant of all terpenes and for good reason. Growers and smokers alike love its heavy sedative effects coupled with its pain-relieving properties making it a mainstay of fully half of the flower on the regulated market. Myrcene is a terpene that shows up in lemongrass and mangos as well and has been used throughout history by several cultures as a medicine (for example: lemongrass tea is a staple remedy for pain and restlessness in Mexico). It’s a challenge to find a strain of ganja that doesn’t feature myrcene and it is one of the most common terpenes for growers to test for.
In terms of taste and aroma, myrcene brings a pleasing earthiness and sweetness to the table that has become synonymous with good weed. One whiff of a strain that’s packing an appreciable amount of myrcene will take you on trip down memory lane to all the best cannabis experiences you’ve had.
Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene, aka Beta-Caryophyllene, is another incredibly common terpene which you’ll find across the board in most indica, hybrid or sativa plants. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which combined with other terpenes are responsible for that loosey goosey feeling you get from a good session of quality ganja. This is probably pound for pound the best terpene to search for if looking for relief from chronic pain and shows up predominantly in strains bred and grown for that explicit purpose.
When it comes to the flavour and smell of Caryophyllene, it will often have an earthy and floral taste with a hint of spice. It can be found in various therapeutic oils around the world and throughout history like rosemary oil for example. It also appears in abundance in black pepper.
Fun side note about caryophyllene, it is the only terpene that interacts with our cannabinoid receptors. Thus, stimulating our endocannabinoid system and lending a larger contribution to our experience than most other terpenes. Good job caryophyllene!
Linalool
Finally, that brings us to linalool. This terpene is very popular for its sedative and relaxing effects, much like our friends myrcene and caryophyllene. Unlike those two terpenes, linalool is quite a bit rarer, often not showing up as one of the top three dominant terpenes in the flower available on the regulated market. Linalool is highly recommended for consumers seeking something to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and has been for centuries. It appears most prominently in lavender, which is where it gained a reputation as a great remedy for stress and a host of other issues.
You can expect that lavender smell to rear its head in strains that feature it as a dominant terpene, with notes of floral spiciness to round it out. It’s probably one of the most immediately recognizable terpene smells out of the batch.
And that rounds out our breakdown of some of the best sedative terpenes you’re likely to encounter during your cannabis experience journey. Remember that terpenes amount to much more than simply being a contributor to the aroma of cannabis, many of the effects that people are looking for in their weed comes from a specific terpene. Best advice is to try to keep track of the dominant terpenes in strains that you consume, that way you can smoke better and shop smarter!
Feeling the urge to explore terpenes firsthand? Check out our menu and experience the magic that terpenes have to offer!