Plants, particularly conifers, and some insects smell as they do because of terpenes. These hydrocarbons are produced by plants. Not only do they provide scent, they provide relief from various symptoms and conditions and work synergistically with Cannabinoids in the Cannabis plant. Some terpenes promote relaxation and stress relief while others promote focus and acuity.

Terpenes have a variety of smells including citrus, earthy, lavender, berry, cedar, pine, cloves, pepper, and many more. They do much more than just smell good and according to Ed Rosenthal a well known Cannabis grower and educator, “If THC is the engine, terpenes are the steering wheel”.  Terpenes control the high of THC.  Cannabis low in Myrcene is completely different than a strain that is high in it, for example. Low in Myrcene and you’re focused, high in Myrcene and you’re couch locked.

Terpenes each have different smells, boiling points, effects, and benefits. Working with Cannabinoids in the Cannabis, Terpenes cause the Entourage Effect. The sum of the whole is certainly greater than the sum of the parts. Many are trying isolates these days and I would encourage you to stick with whole plant medicine; you don’t eat only the seed of the apple, so you? There are more than 400 parts of the Cannabis plant, don’t be fooled into thinking that one isolated molecule is the one you need! Our Creator knows best.

How do you find the Cannabis Chemovar that has the terpenes you need? Follow your nose! Go to your local dispensary and smell the strains that will likely contain the terpenes you need to feel better. How do you discover what those terpenes or strains might be? One resource is leafly.com and another is to call 541-981-2620 to make an appointment for a one-on-one consultation with Rhea Graham at Albany’s Canna Kitchen & Research (ACK&R) located at 2300 Ferry St SW, Ste 1 in Albany, OR 97322. (PS strains that have a sweet citrus smell are magical for depression!)  NOTE: ACK&R is not a dispensary but there are several in the local area.