Similar to high-end wine, cannabis boasts a range of scent and flavor profiles. This is thanks to the prevalence of terpenes and other compounds within each and every strain. With that being said, terpenes exist in much more than cannabis. They exist in just about every plant you find out in nature.
If you’re vaping a distillate, odds are it is enhanced with non-cannabis plant terpenes. On the other hand, 100% live resin extracts keep the terpenes intact allowing users to experience a more authentic cannabis experience. Read on to learn more about the difference between cannabis and botanically derived terpenes and how to decide between the two.
What Are Terpenes?
Terpenes exists in all of the world’s plants and their aromatic oils are what give cannabis its distinctive flavor and scent profiles. Some terpenes prefer specific strains over others, but their presence mostly has to do with a response to the plant’s growing environment.
These plant compounds are important to the marketing and advertising of cannabis concentrate products as we begin to understand more about The Entourage Effect. This is the process through which cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis are believed to interact with each other as well as with your brain’s receptors. To be more specific, it is believed that when all cannabis plant compounds are taken together, you get a more holistic effect.
Current research also points to the idea that terpenes are capable of producing their own effects. Therefore, smoking a strain that is high in sleep-inducing terpenes can provide much better results than using a concentrated high THC product stripped of terpenes.
Cannabis Terpenes & the Entourage Effect
Cannabis plants are full of terpenes that give weed its distinct scent profiles and proposed medicinal benefits. When compared to plant-derived terpenes, cannabis terpenes are often preferred by seasoned cannabis smokers. That’s because you can’t truly mimic the smell and taste of the natural terpenes.
According to Healthline, “The entourage effect is the process through which cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis are thought to interact with each other as well as with your brain’s receptors.” It is believed that when all cannabis plant compounds are taken together, you receive a better effect than when THC is isolated and taken on its own. New research shows that terpenes play an important role in differentiating the effects of different strains.
It’s important to note that consuming terpenes alone will not produce a high.
What Are Plant-Derived Terpenes?
Just like cannabis, almost all plants contain their own distinct formulations of terpenes. This is where the delightful smell from a fresh blooming rose comes from. That said, a terpene extracted from a rose can’t replace a true cannabis terpene. With botanically derived terpenes, it’s impossible to achieve the exact flavor profile of the original flower.
These outside terpenes are only used because non-cannabis plants are less expensive to grow and easier to buy in bulk. More specifically, when pure THC is extracted in the form of distillate, it has no discernable flavor or scent profile. That’s because all of the terpenes are destroyed in the process of heating and curing the plant. To add taste back into these products, manufactures do their best to mimic the profile with plant terpenes.
Plant-derived terpenes generally operate the same as natural cannabis terpenes. For example, at the molecular level, they are essentially the same. With that being said, it is believed you cannot receive the true benefits of the entourage effect with botanical terpenes.
Side-By-Side Comparison: Plant Derived vs. Cannabis Terpenes
If you’re looking for an authentic vaping or dabbing experience, we suggest opting for a 100% live resin concentrate like URSA’s Live Resin Carts. That way you can be sure you’re still getting the benefits of smoking live flower. Read on below to learn more.
Benefits of Authentic Cannabis Terpenes
- Authentic taste and flavor profile
- Guaranteed to receive entourage effect
Benefits of Plant-Derived Terpenes
- Cheaper to source
- Completely legal to produce
Top 5 Dominant Cannabis Terpenes
There are over 200 terpenes found within the different strains of the cannabis plant. We don’t have time to talk about all of them, but there are 5 that you should definitely know. These are limonene, myrcene, pinene, linalool, and caryophyllene.
1. Limonene
Limonene tends to present a citrusy aroma, but it might be particularly effective as an anti-anxiety agent. Limonene is also regarded as being uplifting and is often found in strains that have what most would consider being a Sativa effect.
2. Myrcene
Common to Indica cannabis strains, you won’t be surprised to learn myrcene is a relaxing terp, something you might appreciate after a hard workout or long workday, obviously well suited to an Indica. Myrcene is also found in hops, bay laurel leaves, thyme, lemongrass, and more. Myrcene can have a citrusy aroma, a musky aroma, and/or an earthy, herbal aroma.
3. Pinene
Pinene, smelling sweet and of pine, is anti-inflammatory, thought to combat asthma, and can also be found in pine needles, rosemary, and basil, among others.
4. Linalool
Linalool, known as a sedative and an anti-anxiety agent, tends to share the citrus aroma as well but can also present floral and/or spicy notes. If you know anything about herbalism, you know lavender is revered for those same calming effects, so it won’t surprise you to learn the terp linalool is also found in lavender. Starting to see a pattern?
5. Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene: It’s found in black pepper, it smells like black pepper, and just like black pepper, it’s anti-inflammatory. It’s also thought to support digestive health.
Where to Find Terpene Rich Cannabis Extracts
Now you know the importance of keeping the original cannabis terpenes intact when producing vape or dab extracts. Therefore, you shouldn’t skimp on 710 products that strip away these important plant compounds and replace them with inferior plant-derived terpenes.
You can find 100% single origin live resin carts and dabbable goodness available in your area from URSA right here.
