Terpenes are one of the most important parts of the cannabis plant and in truth, the cannabis experience.
Georgia medical cannabis patients might be more familiar with compounds like CBD or THC, but terpenes are responsible for much of the taste, smell, and even many of the prominent effects that cannabis produces!
Terpenes play one of the most important roles in cannabis and knowing which terpene profiles are right for you can make a big difference in your treatment plans.
In this Georgia Marijuana Card Guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about terpenes and how they work in the cannabis plant!
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are compounds that are found in the same resin glands of the cannabis plant as THC and CBD, they produce a large part of the flavor and scent of the cannabis plant.
They also play a critical role in what effects are produced, which can range from relaxed or sedated all the way to happy or focused.
In essence, you can think of terpenes as supporters of the cannabis plant, they help produce the flavor and smell, and drive the type of effects you will experience after consuming them.
Cannabinoids and compounds work together with terpenes to travel through your body and eventually make their way to receptors throughout your brain, where they promote new or different synaptic communication that can produce varying effects.
What is a Terpene Profile?
Any individual cannabis strain can have a completely different composition of terpenes, with varying degrees of one or another.
This is called a terpene profile.
Each terpene has its own boiling point, medicinal properties, flavor, and scent.
When certain terpenes are more prominent than others, those larger formations of terpenes will drive the majority of flavor and scent of the strain.
Aside from flavor, terpene profiles in combination with THC also make up the whole of the psychoactive experience with cannabis.
Many heavier indica strains are known for their sedation because of their terpene profiles, and it’s the same way with many sativa strains that are known to be very hyperactive, they’re usually known as such because of their terpene profiles.
Different Kinds of Terpenes
Terpenes are not exclusive to cannabis. In fact, you can find terpenes in many different plants, fruits, and vegetables.
Right now, there are approximately 20,000 known terpenes, with around 150 presently identified from the cannabis sativa species.
Some terpenes like myrcene, which is also found in hops and lemongrass, promote sleepiness and pain relief. Found in strains like Granddaddy Purple and OG Kush, many strains with high levels of myrcene are familiar to patients who enjoy indica dominant strains.
Other terpenes like limonene, which is found in oranges and in strains like Wedding Cake and Banana OG, produces a lemon scent and promotes elevated mood, stress relief and maybe some antibacterial properties.
Caryophyllene is a unique, peppery terpene found in black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and strains like Girl Scout Cookies & Chemdawg.
Caryophyllene is a unique terpene because it is a much bigger molecule than myrcene and limonene, and it’s the only terpene known to contain a cyclobutene ring in its molecular structure.
This helps caryophyllene easily bind to CB2 receptors, a function not usually found in terpenes.
Because of its efficiency in binding to the receptor, caryophyllene doesn’t produce euphoric effects, but instead enjoys the medicinal benefits of activating the CB2 receptor, such as its anti-inflammatory effects and immune system regulation.
Linalool is a fragrant terpene also found in lavender, and has anticonvulsant, analgesic, and anti-anxiety properties.
Choosing the Right Terpene Profile
Picking the right terpene profile can make a huge impact on the experience you have from consuming cannabis!
Especially when you’re looking to treat specific conditions such as seizure disorders, chronic pain, or PTSD, a strain’s terpene profile can make a big impact on how well the strain works for you.
The best way to choose the right terpene profile is by knowing what symptoms you want to treat and identifying the terpenes that are best associated with those symptoms.
There are a lot of resources online that can help you figure out which terpenes have what benefits. A simple google search can produce a list of terpenes and what their associated medicinal properties are.
Once you’ve got the terpenes down, Leafly or Weedmaps can help you find strains that have those terpenes as their main component, although admittedly we’re still waiting on Georgia dispensaries before we can run out and buy them.
Finding the right terpene profile for you is a relatively straightforward and easy process. Taking the extra time to find out what flavors, scents, or medicinal properties you want out of your cannabis can make your experience that much more enjoyable and beneficial.
Get Your Georgia Marijuana Card
As a Georgia marijuana patient, you can legally purchase up to 20 ounces of low THC cannabis oil. For Georgians, this means getting the relief you need naturally and organically, and Georgia Marijuana Card is here to help.
Reserve your appointment today and get $25 off when we start processing applications!
Feel free to give us a call at (866) 781-5606, and we can help answer your questions about getting medical marijuana in Georgia
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