Let's talk TERPENES!

As a relatively new user to cannabis and an educated woman, I like to know “all of the things”.   I also like to be able to predict the outcome of what I am using because I often have a lot to get done on my days off.  As a manager by day and mom and wife by night, it is a delicate balance to get everything accomplished in a week.  Groceries, meal prep, laundry and cleaning need to neatly fit into one of my days off (and in the last two years, those are not easy to have).  Not to mention some stress relief and some fun.   

How To Take Your Terps? 

I often use a dry herb vape when I consume.  I am not a big fan of smoking joints (probably due to being a former smoker).   The beauty of the vape is you can really get the most out of your bud.    When I first got my Davinci Miqro, I discovered the beauty of terpenes.   Every plant has terpenes, from the herbs in your garden to the trees in your yard and yes, cannabis too.   I like to describe terpenes as the ‘essence of the plant’. The flavor and effects of your cannabis is largely attributed to the terpene profile.   For a long time, the conversation has really just been about THC level, but there is so much more to your cannabis than that.

Feel the Flavour

One of my favorite experiences with a strain and its terpenes would be Strawberry Cough.   At a low temperature, it was like smoking a strawberry and at a higher temperature, like a breath mint.   Such a polarizing flavor experience and so smooth and delicious.   Most people don’t realize how much the terpenes in your cannabis affect the experience you have.  Some terpenes like Myrcene (also found in Mangos), Linalool (also found in Lavender) and Bisbolol (also found in Chamomile) are very calming.   For a more uplifting experience, you would want to look for Limonene (also found in lemons), Eucalyptol (think menthol), and Pinene (like the Pine tree).  As for my husband, when he's building legos, he likes to focus, so we look for things with cymene (found in thyme and cumin), Terpineol (found in limes), and Borneol (found in ginger).

Now, if we really want to have some fun, my husband would suggest you look for Guaiol (think cypress trees and roses) and I would suggest something with Ocimene (found in Basil and Mangoes).   Better yet, a strain with both Ocimene and Guaiol and we are a happy, happy couple :).   We aren’t getting any younger, so anything we can do to just help us feel good all over is definitely on the menu for date night.   

There’s a Terp for That Too 

A common complaint about cannabis is that it gives people munchies.  Did you know there's a terpene that helps you NOT eat all of the chips in the house in the middle of the night?   I’m not allowed to talk about the medical effects of cannabis and terpenes, but a quick internet search could point you in the right direction.   I would strongly suggest checking out the terpenes in your favorite strain.   This will help you find other strains to try with similar effects and similar highs.   

Find Your Favourites

There are terpenes we generally avoid too as we don’t like the effects or the flavours of them.  

Once you get a feel for your personal preferences, it’s a lot easier to try new products that you know you’ll like.  I can be certain that any strain with lemon, orange or mango in the name is going to be a winner in my house…..oh and don’t forget strawberry if you can find that elusive strain.     

Terpene Potency Matters Too

The percentage of measurable terpenes in a strain, will also greatly affect the high.   A product with terpene content above 2% will have a much fuller high than one at 0.5% for example.  If you are lucky enough to find one over 3 or 4% then you are really in for a great high. More and more growers are starting to list the main terpenes and terpene percentage on their products.   This makes it much easier to navigate.   We here at Moderna are also pretty knowledgeable on this subject, and we created a pamphlet to assist with terpene navigation.

Ready to Become a Terpene Hunter? 

So if you’re like me, my husband and my staff, I highly recommend becoming a terpene hunter.   Find the ones you like and let's have a different conversation about weed.  THC isn’t everything.  Marijuana is a complex plant with so much to offer you.