The Terpenes in the Cannabis Plant

There are numerous references in popular Cannabis literature which claim that Cannabis strains can smell like mango, melon, and even grapes. Well, it might not be their imagination. The odor of cannabis comes from over 120 terpenes (a.k.a. terpenoids fragrance molecules) that are made by the plant.

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The main ingredients in Cannabis Fragrance

Terpenes have some interesting effects on humans, including modulating the effects of THC and decreasing memory loss. Terpenes are non-toxic and other types of plants have a unique mixture as well. One terpene is unique to Cannabis (m-mentha-1,8(9)-dien-5-ol). All others occur in fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Many of the beneficial terpenes on Cannabis also occur in tropical fruits. So, maybe it isnâ??t your imagination when something smells like mango, melon, or even grapes.

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Cannabisâ?? odor molecules may offer benefits to patients, as these molecules have medical applications of their own. At a recent cannabinoid science meeting Ethan Russo M.D. highlighted some of the most interesting aspects of terpenes; the fragrant component of Cannabis:

- Linolool has anti-anxiety and sedative properties (also in lavender).

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- Beta-Caryophyllene is a potent activator of CB2 Receptors and is found in nearly all plants.

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- Myrcene has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxing properties (also in Mangos).

<a href=<a href=http://cannabination.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Myrcene.jpg>Myrcene Image</a>

- Nerolidol has sedative and anti-malarial properties (Also in citrus rind). Limonene is also found in citrus rinds and is very abundant in Cannabis.

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Terpenoids can also alter the effects of THC and other cannabinoids. Itâ??s probably best to think of these skunky molecules as enhancing the positive effects of cannabis and reducing the negative effects of cannabis. For instance, terpenes are also wonderful antioxidants. â??Skunkyâ?? molecules should not be confused with â??funkyâ?? odors, from contamination such as fungus or, bacteria, a smell that resembles musk or moldy bread.

Unfortunately and ironically, the smell of this plant causes a lot of trouble. Since THC does not have a smell, drug dogs are trained to find one, very smelly molecule called -caryophyllene-epoxide. Itâ??s an unfortunate catch 22 for Cannabis patients; that the odor molecules in Cannabis are probable cause for police. Yet, smell does not necessarily have anything to do with potency. Even the smelliest Cannabis could, in theory, not have THC in its trichomes.

Non-cannabinoid parts, such as terpenes, are of medical importance and possibly central to understanding the diverse benefits and varieties of Cannabis reported by patients-over 700 varieties of cannabis have been reported.

GW pharmaceuticalâ??s Cannabis extract, Sativex maintains a strict ratio of THC and CBD but also maintains a strict ratio of certain terpenes. The data on the cannabinoid content is widely available on the web and in cannabis scientific literature, yet the company doesnâ??t mentions what the actual concentrations of terpenoids might be.

You could try to sniff out the culprits but even the most well trained perfumist may not be able to pick out an individual terpene from Cannabis.

Attempting to sniff out the terpene content of Sativex or Cannabis is tempting and itâ??s hard not to speculate: is it linalool? Is it eugenol? Or is it 1,8-cineole? Only time (and our perhaps our noses) will tell.

Information source: CANNABINATION » Blog Archive » The Terpenes in the Cannabis Plant

Thanks bro! Good post!

Yes, very interesting info...Thank you for posting it! I know this stuff (AK47) I have smells very pleasant, strong, (a baggie is worthless for containing the smell) fruity even...I dunno why, but when I open a jar at a party everybody knows it's my stuff, and comes a runnin to partake...They know it's good stuff and I've been around several larger grows of quality genetics, but nothing else I have been around smells like mine....very distinctive odor...it's become a curse at parties, when trying to keep a low profile...I can hide in a back bedroom and open a jar, and in a few minutes, I hear somebody holler..."where's TANK? I smell his stuff!"...and they didn't know I was there until then...I have a grow buddy who's been 10-12 years growing Apollo...he has the same problem I do...his smells very distinctive, also...totally different, but definitely his.

Graywolf and TANKJR your welcome and thank you both as well! My mind was blown when I came across this information. I've heard that some growers add artificial flavorings during the growth periods of the plant to give it a nice fruity taste or smell but I had no clue that cannabis shared some of the same compounds of chemicals to other plants, fruits, and vegetables. I have a friend that has a vaporizer and if smoked out of this vaporizer the inhaled/exhaled smoke taste just like broccoli, that couldn't have been just a coincidence and now it all adds up! It's interesting to know that cannabis has more of a relationship with other organic matter then just humans. :) I also found out that cannabis is in the same family as hops, the plant matter that is used in alcohol.

The trick is to preserve those terpines when the plant is cured.

hello. is there a trick, or is it just hanging the plant upside down with the root intact during drying, to allow all the organics to flow to the leaf?

It is very difficult preserve the terpines in the plant. Just hanging will remove the moisture but more is needed to preserve the terpines. When the plant first seems dry you put it in jars. Then breath the jars a couple of times a day or some folks say every couple of days. I have seen a lot of information on this but I haven't seen specific steps like:
Put initially dried weed in jar
Open jar every 12 hours and breath weed for 2 hours or other specific details.

It may depend on the weed itself. If you have airy buds like Sour Diesel that will probably need a different process than very dense buds like Purple Kush. I would like to see the specific details layed out. Is there a standard process that will preserve the terpines for any type of weed.