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Terpenes are naturally occurring chemicals found in plants including cannabis.
Also known as terpenoids or isoprenoids, they are an aromatic class of compounds that are known for giving plants their unique aroma and flavor.
As the largest and the most diverse group of organic compounds, terpenes can be found in abundance in weed which in itself is quite abundant in nature (no pun intended).
Moving on, some terpenes found in weed can be commonly found in other plants too; whereas, some are only specific to marijuana.
Other rare forms of cannabis-specific terpenes might only exist in hybrid strains that are made with terpene-rich cultivars.
To help you get the right products, in this post, we will shed some light on the most popular weed strains known for their rich and specific terpene profiles.
Before we do that, let us quickly understand the role of terpenes and their supposed effects.
While being primarily responsible for giving plants their unique aroma, flavor, and color, experts believe that terpenes tend to do much more than just that, especially in cannabis as the medicinal herb that it is.
Also used for its psychoactive properties, cannabis has special psychotropic and therapeutic ingredients called THC and CBD respectively, which when combined with other compounds including terpenes, flavonoids, and other minor cannabinoids significantly enhance the efficacy of your weed in a process called “the entourage effect.”
Certain terpenes, on the other hand, can also inhibit the psychoactive effects of weed or THC to be specific to enhance its therapeutic benefits.
As such, different terpenes may have different roles to play. For instance, myrcene, one of the major terpenes found in weed which is known for its sedative and calming effects, can also reduce chronic pain and inflammation while enhancing the overall psychoactive effects.
Speaking of which, pain relief is one of the most promising effects of terpenes that we know of.
Another major monoterpene found in cannabis is called ‘pinene’ which is claimed to aid memory and minimize the cognitive dysfunction that is sometimes caused by THC intoxication in some individuals.
Similarly, Limonene, which is known for its strong citrusy aroma, is said to boost serotonin and dopamine levels and induce the anxiolytic, stress relieving, and sedative effects of CBD.
And then, there is Caryophyllene, another major terpene in cannabis famous for its spicy and peppery aroma. As one of the most prominent terpenes, it offers plenty of benefits due to its gastroprotective, analgesic, anticancerogenic, antifungal, antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antioxidant, anxiolytic, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties.
All-in-all, with a variety of psychological and therapeutic benefits, terpenes can potentially be used to target various conditions depending on their properties.
How to Identify Terpenes in Cannabis Strains
Being naturally aromatic, terpenes can be identified by smelling the plant or the particular strain in the case of weed if you have a nose for it.
For most casual, recreational, and medical users though, your quest to find out the terpenes present in your favorite flower might not be that easy. Unless, of course, you learn them and memorize them by heart.
For now, there are certain tricks and experiments that you can try to make an educated guess about the type of terpene in your cannabis strain.
Here’s how you can do it:
1. Check the lab test results on product label
Since most authentic products in the market are bound to display the lab test results on the label, it is the most accurate way to identify the terpene profile of a specific cannabis product or strain.
2. Smell the strain
Those with a sensitive nose for weed might simply use the scent of a given strain to figure out the dominant terpene in it if not the entire profile.
This is something that you can do with practice as you gain some experience with weed.
3. Search the Internet
There are many knowledge bases on the Internet including scientific, government-specific, and brand-based that you can use to get comprehensive information on your weed strain including its terpene profile.
4. Consult with a professional budtender
In case you’re having a hard time understanding the info, you can always approach an expert or a professional budtender found at cannabis dispensaries.
5. Be mindful of your experience
Last but not least, as you go about consuming weed for a while, you will automatically start to sense certain things about your flower including its taste, effects, and aroma which you shall be mindful of to understand the terpenes that work best for you.
That said, let us take a look at some of the most popular strains and the terpenes that are dominant in them.
Popular Cannabis Strains and Their Dominant Terpenes
While there are tens of hundreds of cannabis strains out there and thousands of further products based on them, some of the most common including their dominant terpenes are:
1. Blue Dream- Myrcene
Blue Dream is a Sativa-dominant hybrid known for its balanced effects of both THC and CBD.
With Myrcene as its most dominant terpene, it may also contain others such as Pinene and Caryophyllene to enhance its sedative and calming effects.
Blue Dream has a sweet berry-like and earthy aroma.
2. Sour Diesel- Caryophyllene
As a Sativa-dominant strain, Sour Diesel is known for its energizing and uplifting effects.
Named after its smell, it has a diesel-like pungent, and earthy aroma. Thanks to its dominant terpene Caryophyllene which is supported by Limonene and Myrcene.
3. OG Kush- Myrcene
OG Kush is an Indica-dominant hybrid famous for its strong relaxing and euphoric effects.
With piney, earthy, and woody tones of taste and aroma, OG Kush has a high Myrcene content and portions of Limonene and Caryophyllene.
4. Girl Scout Cookies (GSC)- Caryophyllene
Girl Scout Cookies is yet another Indica-dominant hybrid that offers strong euphoric and relaxing effects with a boost in creativity and mental health.
With rich concentrations of Caryophyllene, it also maintains a certain amount of Limonene and Linalool which together give it a sweet, earthy, and minty flavor.
5. Pineapple Express- Limonene
Loved for its tropical, fruity (citrus), and piney taste, Pineapple Express is a Sativa-dominant strain that offers superb mood-uplifting and energizing effects.
Known to have high Limonene content, it also has Myrcene and Pinene as secondary terpenes that further give it a wide range of anxiolytic properties such as relaxation and stress relief.
6. Granddaddy Purple (GDP)- Myrcene
GDP is a classic Indica strain that is known for its strong sedative effects.
With Myrcene as its primary terpene, it provides high relaxation and sleep which makes it a perfect remedy for insomnia and pain relief.
A combination of other terpenes, mainly Pinene and Caryophyllene, adds to its anti-inflammatory properties while defining its aroma as something of a grape, berry, and sweet.
7. Jack Herer- Terpinolene
A sativa-dominant strain, Jack Herer is a one-of-a-kind strain of cannabis due to its heavy concentrations of Terpinolene which is a relatively rare terpene found in the Cannabaceae plant family.
Smelling and tasting like citrus with piney and spices undertones, it delivers a clear-headed and energizing high while Pinene and Caryophyllene add focus and anti-inflammation to the overall effects.
8. Lemon Haze- Limonene
Rich in Limonene, as the name suggests, Lemon Haze is a famous Sativa-dominant strain that uplifts the mood and helps fight stress, anxiety, and depression.
With a citrusy/lemon and sweet taste, it also features Myrcene and Caryophyllene as its secondary terpenes.
9. Strawberry Cough- Limonene
Strawberry Cough is another Sativa-dominant strain that is known for its high quantity of Limonene.
Widely used for its sweet, fruity, and strawberry flavor, Strawberry Cough offers mood-enhancing properties like euphoria, energy, and relief from anxiety.
A few other terpenes in it include Myrcene and Pinene which further adds to its supposed effects.
10. Bubba Kush- Myrcene
Bubba Kush is a highly potent indica strain that offers heavy sedation, relaxation, and sleep.
Smelling/Tasting like coffee with an earthy and sweet undertone, Bubba Kush is dominant in Myrcene and partially in Limonene and Caryophyllene.
How to Find the Right Terpenes for Your Needs
As you can see, understanding the different types of terpenes and their concentrations in a strain can help you big time in finding your poison.
Apart from that, some of the factors that you should be wary of when choosing a strain that fits your terpene requirements include:
• Understanding your goals or desired effects whether they are solely physical, psychological, or a combination of both.
• Trying different strains that are dominant in the desired terpene to find the best option.
• Checking the lab results/product label and consulting with a professional budtender can help you find the right terpenes for your condition.
• Going for products such as concentrates and oils that are rich in the terpenes you seek.
With that, you might also want to be mindful of your personal experiences and the reactions you have to a particular terpene to find out the one that is the most beneficial.
Conclusion
Getting familiar with common terpenes and their supposed effects is of utmost importance if you are looking to gain some specific benefits or target a medical condition.
To give you a quick recap, some of the most dominant terpenes and their characteristics are:
• Myrcene- Known for its sedative and relaxing effects, it has an earthy, musky, and herbal aroma.
• Limonene- With a lemon or citrusy taste, Limonene provides mood elevation and stress relief.
• Pinene- Piney taste and potentially good for focus and alertness.
• Caryophyllene- Spicy and peppery smell with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Linalool- A floral and pleasant aroma like that of lavender. Offers calming and anxiolytic effects.
• Humulene- Woody and earthy undertones believed to inhibit appetite and boost anti-inflammation.
• Terpinolene- Citrusy, piney, and spicy in taste and aroma and delivers energizing and stress-relieving effects.
