A Few Good Terms to Know - Terpenes
Whether you're new to the cannabis world or have been on the scene for a while and have been enjoying the medicinal (as well as fun) side of this amazing plant, I hope that you are beginning to feel a little more confident and comfortable with some of the terms that are being used in the industry.
Some of you may have heard about terpenes but aren't really sure what they are, or maybe you are wondering what effect- if any- do they have on your mind and body, and do they effect the kind of high you experience.
Well to start with, terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants (believe it or not...some animals too). The chemical compounds are responsible for the flavors, color and aromas of most plants. In regards to cannabis, terpenes are what gives those lovely little smells and deliciously different flavors to the many strains we all love.
You have been interacting with terpenes your whole life but perhaps never realized it!
For instance, if you like to walk in the woods-you may smell the scent of pine trees-you are smelling the pinene terpene. If when cooking you decide to use an aromatic herb such as sage, thyme or pepper you are going to be smelling their terpenes. When you peel an orange or put a slice of lemon into your tea or water....guess what? You are going to be smelling the terpenes of fresh and uplifting citrus!
As for what they do for the body... well, that is still a bit of a mystery that cannabis researchers are working on. In plants, however, it is thought that the terpenes help protect plants from severe weather and some predators with the smell factor. The main hypothesis on the terpenes in relations to humans is that the main or dominate terpenes in a strain work hand in hand with the cannabinoid content (THC & CBD) along with other cannabinoids-to produce the fascinating, relaxing and often uplifting effects one finds and associates with the many different strains of cannabis.
But do they get you high? To answer that-not in the traditional sense. However, while they themselves aren't intoxicating on their own, because some do effect the brain in a psychoactive way that could be considered being high.
Fun Fact: Did you know that there are over 100 plus terpenes that can be found in this one plant! Some research suggest that some terpenes could help with certain health conditions including but not limited to assistance with anxiety, bipolar disorders, eating disorders and even depression.
