With a vaporizer, you heat herbs so that substances in these herbs (such as THC and CBD in cannabis) evaporate and you can breathe this vapor. In addition to THC and CBD, terpenes also evaporate. Terpenes are the natural substances that ensure that plants have a characteristic smell and taste. Simply put, a specific blend of terpenes makes lavender smell like lavender and Hindu Kush smells like Hindu Kush. In addition to cannabis, you can also put other herbs in a vaporizer to vaporize and inhale the terpenes. You can also add herbs to the cannabis in your vaporizer to create a completely different aroma.
The effect of terpenes
There has been a growing interest in terpenes in recent years. Researchers have found that these can greatly influence users' experience. It has been discovered that terpenes have an effect on neurotransmitters in the brain. This means that terpenes can 'determine' how many cannabinoids are absorbed into the bloodstream and also how the neurotransmitters in the brain respond to ingestion of cannabis and all its active ingredients.
Terpenes can also be found in fruits, such as mango. Many experienced blowers know that eating a mango about 45 minutes before smoking has a major effect on the quality and effect of the high. With terpenes, the user can in theory completely customize their experience to their own preferences. These effects only occur when the terpenes interact with the cannabinoids in the cannabis. More than 100 different types of terpenes have already been discovered in a variety of cannabis strains. There are probably many more that have not been found yet.
The interest in terpenes is also increasing, because terpenes can also be very interesting in the medical field. Terpenes could make certain active components of cannabis have a stronger effect than others.
The most common types of terpenes, their effects and evaporation temperatures
PINENE - 155℃
The name probably already reveals it, because pinene has a scent that is reminiscent of pines and spruces. Many plants contain pinene, such as rosemary and sage. This terpene is thought to have anti-inflammatory and local antiseptic properties. It is also known as an expectorant and dilates the bronchi. Among the cannabis strains with a lot of pinene, we find various Skunk strains. Pinene can generate energy and improves concentration.
CARYOPHYLLENE - 160 ℃
Caryophyllene is a spicy flavor that is often found in herbs, such as black pepper. It is known as a strong local anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent. Clove, known as a natural remedy for toothache, contains a good amount of this terpene. It is said that caryophyllene also has antifungal properties.
NEROLIDOL - 165 ℃
Nerolidol is found in ginger, citronella, and niaouli. It is used as a flavoring agent and in perfumes. It has a woody, earthy scent that is reminiscent of tree bark. When it comes to its therapeutic effects, nerolidol is thought to be antifungal and effective in treating malaria. Nerolidol has a calming and relaxing effect.
MYRCENE - 168 ℃
Myrcene is the most abundant terpene in cannabis and provides the majority of aromatic oils in various cannabis strains. Myrcene can also be found in other plants such as hops, lemongrass, thyme, and fruits such as mangoes. Some compare the aroma of Myrcene to that of clove. It is known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and analgesic (analgesic) properties. Myrcene has an anesthetic, calming and relaxing effect. It also increases the psychoactive effects of THC.
EUCALYPTOL - 175 ℃
Eucalyptol is found in eucalyptus essential oil. The scent is extremely fresh, cooling and minty. It is thought to have analgesic properties, but also the ability to improve concentration and attention. For that reason, it is often found in plants that are used for meditation.
LIMONENE - 176 ℃
After Myrcene, Limonene is the most abundant in cannabis. As the name suggests, it has a strong citrus scent. It is known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties. Research suggests that limonene also has anti-carcinogenic properties and may help prevent tumour growth.
Limonene can effortlessly cross the blood-brain barrier. It is believed to help increase mental focus and concentration, but it also benefits our overall well-being. It's also a “clean” aroma, which is one of the reasons why it's one of the most used terpenes to add fragrance to cleaning products. Some products on the market today use limonene to treat depression and anxiety. It is a natural insect repellent, one of the aromatic terpenes that plants use as a natural defense against insects and other predators. Haze strains are a great source of limonene.
LINALOOL - 195 ℃
Linalool is reminiscent of fresh flowers. It has a floral lavender scent with hints of spiciness. It has a narcotic and calming effect and is used to treat nervousness and anxiety. It is thought to have analgesic and anti-epileptic properties. Linalool is the terpene that is partly responsible for the sedative and narcotic effects of certain cannabis strains.
HUMULENE - 198° C
Humulene gives beer its' hoppy 'aroma. Effects include anti-tumour, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and appetite suppressant (suppresses appetite).
BORNEOL - 205 ℃
Borneol, found abundantly in rosemary, has a fresh, minty camphor aroma. This terpene has a long history in Chinese medicine, where it is used to combat stress and fatigue. It is a local anesthetic with calming and antispasmodic properties. It is also a natural insect repellent.
TERPINEOL - 220 ℃
Terpineol has the scent of lime blossom, but also the nice scent of lilacs. It is often used to make perfumes and cosmetics. Terpineol is one of the terpenes with a calming and relaxing effect. Cannabis strains that contain high levels of terpineol will often also contain high amounts of pinene. The pinene can make it difficult to detect the terpineol by smell alone.
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