Cannabis smells the way it does because of terpenes, which are organic compounds whose names tend to end in “ol” or “ne,” or begin with “methyl.” These are chemicals that are produced in nature that contribute smells (and thereby tastes) to a wide variety of plants and animals. If it has a smell, it is likely because of a terpene.

You may have seen such compounds listed on your weed packaging at Fire & Frost Cannabis in Vancouver WA, such as pinene, myrcene, linalool, or methyl mercaptan (to name a few – these compounds occur in things that smell like pine, citrus, lavender, and cheese, respectively). Not only do these terpenes determine what your herb smells like, they also determine the effect they will likely have on you. Because everyone’s physiology is different, these are typical effects – your own experimentation will determine what terpene have the effects that suit your needs.

● Pinene1

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Bronchiodilator
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotic

■ Strains containing pinene would be a good choice for people with conditions that produce swelling, respiratory issues, and to support a healthy immune system

● Myrcene

  • Analgesic
  • Sedative
  • Muscle relaxant
  • Anticarcinogenic

■ Strains containing myrcene would be a good choice for people experiencing chronic pain, muscle strains, or need a sleep-aid

● Has been demonstrated in one study to prevent liver cancer due to exposure of cancer-causing fungus

● Linalool

  • Sedative
  • Antiseptic
  • Anesthetic

● Strains containing linalool would be a good choice for people with anxiety, people with chronic pain, and to support overall health

● Has been shown to help diminish pain and scarring in burn victims

● Terpineol2

  • Antibiotic
  • Anticonvulsant3
  • Anticarcinogenic4
  • Insect repellent5

■ Strains containing terpineol would be a good choice for people concerned with bad breath and gum disease, those with seizure disorders, and those contending with lung cancer.

■ In a study comparing terpenes in repelling insects, terpineol was found found to be most effective

● Borneol

  • Antinociceptive6
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antifungal7
  • Insect Repellent8

■ Strains containing borneol would be good for people with chronic pain and inflammation

■ Topical treatments containing borneol derived from cannabis would be helpful in treating fungal infections or keeping mosquitoes away

● Methyl mercaptan9

  • Antibacterial
  • Antifungal
  • Anti-HIV

■ Strains containing methyl mercaptan appeal to those who enjoy cheesy and weedy cannabis

■ Studies into methyl cercaptan has be been done on counteracting immune system disorders

● Humulene10

  • Anti‐inflammatory
  • Antibiotic
  • Antioxidant
  • Anticarcinogenic
  • Local Anesthesia

■ Strains containing humulene are good for a wide variety of aches, pains, and ailments, including inflammatory illnesses, infections, and protection from free radicals and cancers

While there are various methods you can use to utilize the medicinal effects of cannabis, the best methods for maximum uptake would be through concentration and utilization of edibles. While medical benefits of terpenes can be endowed through combustion, the benefits of the ingestion of cannabis cannot be overstated. RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) and distillates make the cannabinoids and essential oils present in the cannabis plant more bio-available over smoking, dabbing, and vaping.

Whether you use cannabis for medical necessity or for recreational purposes, Fire & Frost is your premier stop for your weed needs in Vancouver, WA. With a variety of products: flower, concentrates, edibles, and paraphernalia, our caring and knowledgeable staff are here to help direct you to the best cannabis available in the PDX area. Fire & Frost has a fine selection of strains, containing a variety of these terpenes listed above (and many more!). Stop by today to find the bud that’s right for you!

Author: Ami Axelrod, Budtender for Fire & Frost Cannabis

References:


https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165946/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1075996412000418 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13880200601028388 http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/30/6/1911.short https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01024117 https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/808460/abs/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cbdv.201000230 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00436-010-2136-z https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031686599000102 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1211/jpp.59.12.0005