Have you ever consumed a cannabis strain that gave you a giggly, talkative high, or maybe one that made it seem impossible to move off your couch? It may seem mysterious that different cannabis strains can have such different qualities, but for cannabis experts, the answer is simple: terpenes.
Learn how to read terpenes like a cannabis expert.
What Are Terpenes?
Terpenes are organic compounds produced by many plants and animals. Cannabis plants produce an extraordinary amount of terpenes. Modern cannabis cultivation can help create even richer amounts of these compounds.
Moreover, terpenes in cannabis plants are produced in the same glands responsible for cannabinoids, like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD). They give distinct flavors and aromas to cannabis as well as greatly affect your high through “the entourage effect.”
Specifically, the entourage effect is a theory that terpenes and cannabinoids work together to give cannabis strains their unique high.
Why Are Terpenes So Important?
Each terpene the plant produces will influence the way your body responds when consuming cannabis.
It’s important consumers learn about terpenes so they can have their desired experience when consuming cannabis.
How Do Terpenes Work?
Terpenes work similarly to cannabinoids, meaning they’re received by endocannabinoid receptor sites throughout your brain and body. When you consume cannabis products, the body and mind absorb with receptors these cannabinoids and terpenes, creating the effects we know and love.
Different terpenes have different effects, so reflect on what you need in your Remedy. Then, research terpenes that provide those effects.
How Do You Read Terpenes?
When looking at a cannabis label, it will have cannabinoid information like THC and CBD percentages, which indicates the amount of THC or CBD in the product, as well as the three most prevalent terpenes. How many milligrams typically represent the terpene found per gram of cannabis.
Strains with a high THC percentage and low CBD content will have more psychoactive effects, meaning it will be more intoxicating. Finding a strain with more CBD will produce a milder effect. Terpenes will also heavily influence how intoxicating a strain may feel.
For example, 5 mg or more of the terpene myrcene will commonly produce a sedative effect. This makes strains high in myrcene, like Remedy’s Bio-Jesus, perfect for people who suffer from insomnia or chronic pain.
Terpinolene, one of the more rare terpenes to be found in high concentrations in cannabis, is known to have uplifting effects. Durban Poison, another Remedy favorite, is a terpinolene-dominant strain that presents a sociable, high-energy effect when consumed.
How to Read Terpenes Like an Expert
Here is Remedy’s guide to finding a strain based on terpene content:
- Do your research. Before going into the dispensary, find what terpenes interest you the most. Here’s a great guide that shows common terpenes and their profiles.
- Know your ailment. If you’re concerned with sleeping or pain relief, we suggest you look for a myrcene-dominant strain. If you prefer a more uplifting, energized high, you can look for limonene, pinene or terpinolene.
- Ask your dispensary. Once you have an idea of the terpenes you are looking for, head to your dispensary. Some dispensaries will have terpene profiles on display. If you don’t see them, ask your budtender what they have available. If you are looking for a myrcene-dominant strain, for example, asking “What do you have high in myrcene?”
- Try and identify. After you have selected a strain to try, don’t forget to reflect on what you liked after consumption. The more strains you try, the better you will be able to identify what you like in the future!
Discover Your Remedy through Your Top Terpenes
Reading terpenes is fun and easy at the right dispensary. Since each strain has a unique terpene profile and each crop can vary within that profile, you’ll want to see what your recreational dispensaries offer and ask your budtender about the terpene profiles of the strains they have available.
Trying new strains with different combinations of terpenes is an exciting adventure.