Understanding Terpenes

Understanding Terpenes

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are natural compounds found in plants, fruits, and herbs that give them their distinctive aroma and flavor.

  • Lavender smells floral because of linalool.

  • Citrus fruits smell zesty due to limonene.

  • Pine trees smell fresh and sharp because of pinene.

In cannabis, terpenes:

  1. Create the plant’s aroma and flavor profile.

  2. Contribute to the entourage effect, meaning they may influence how cannabinoids like THC and THCA interact with your body.

How Terpenes Work With Cannabinoids

Terpenes may enhance or complement the effects of cannabinoids like THCA or THC through the entourage effect. For example:

  • Limonene + THCA/THC → May feel more energetic or uplifting.

  • Myrcene + THCA/THC → May feel more relaxing or sedating.

While research is ongoing, many cannabis enthusiasts choose strains based on terpene profiles to match their desired experience.

🌿 Why Terpenes Matter in THCA Products

Even in THCA flower (hemp-derived and compliant with the 2018 Farm Bill), terpenes are key to the overall experience:

  • They influence flavor and aroma when vaporized or smoked.

  • They may affect the perceived effects once THCA is decarboxylated into THC through heat.

  • They help differentiate strains beyond just THC percentage.

 

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