Cannabis Terpenes Breakdown: Energizing Terps
Hey folks! Welcome to another blog post by your one and only locally owned cannabis retailer. For the last little bit, we’ve been looking at the unsung heroes of the cannabis plant: the esters, flavonoids, and particularly the terpenes. Last time we touched on some of the best sedative terpenes you’ll encounter in your cannabis journey and this week, we’re gonna flip the script and look at some of the more energizing terpene’s cannabis brings to the table. So, without further ado, let’s get to know the terpenes that can help put a little extra pop into your step!
Limonene
First up, our citrus-y friend limonene. As the name implies, limonene is most commonly found in citrus fruit such as lemons, limes or oranges. It’s one of the most common terpenes out in the wide world of cannabis, with it showing up in sativa strains, indica strains and everything in between. This is because growers love its properties which include the ability to allow our systems to more effectively absorb other terpenes and cannabinoids.
In terms of how it directly affects our bodies, limonene has been found to act as a mood elevator as well as a stress reliever, making it ideal for people who are looking to drag themselves out of some seasonal depression.
Aroma wise, this one is pretty straightforward most of the time. If you smell citrus in your flower there’s a good chance it features limonene. That being said, certain combinations of other terpenes in conjunction with esters and flavonoids can also create a distinct citrus scent, so if you’re on the hunt for limonene it’s best to ask your budtender for some guidance.
Pinene
Next in line is the terpene known as pinene. Once again, the name of this terpene helps us to immediately identify the scent, in this case: Pine. If you’ve ever smelled a good batch of ganja and came away thinking “Tree”, this terpene is the reason why. While not the most common terpene in cannabis, it is the most common terpene worldwide when you consider the entire fruit and plant kingdom. Meaning it’s virtually impossible for you to have not encountered this terpene in your life, cannabis lover or not. It can be found in rosemary, where it’s often used for pain and anxiety relief in the form of oils and topicals.
One of the most exciting things about pinene from an effect perspective is that it acts as a bronchodilator, which depressingly is not a dinosaur but instead results in our airways opening up more fully. Which is perfect for people who want to consume cannabis but have conditions that may result in difficulty breathing (although as always, we here at Circa 1818 are not medical health professionals. When in doubt, ask your doctor!).
Terpinolene
Finally, we come to terpinolene, an aromatically dense and complicated terpene that (unlike may of its peers) has no single definitive smell but instead is a veritable cornucopia of scrumptious odors. One can find traces of pine, flower and citrus in the nose on this background terpene. It’s not terribly common, showing up far less than its other terpene brethren.
When it comes to effects, terpinolene grants calmness and pain relief without sedation due to its inherent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features. This is a great boon to people who need reprieve from chronic pain but don’t want to be strung out on the couch for the rest of the day.
That wraps up our breakdown of just a few of the energizing, uplifting terpenes that you are likely to come across during your cannabis journey. Terpenes are the unsung heroes of cannabis so if you’re wanting to get the most out of your weed, keep an eye on those terps!
Is all this talk of terpy goodness making you crave some ganja? Check out our menu and meet your new best “bud”. Thanks for shopping local!