Why We Should Smell Weed Before Buying It

Train your nose to distinguish the introductory chemistry of the weed. A cannabis journalist knows much about the strain than an average user. But still, the variations make it far more challenging to identify how a particular weed will make someone feel. 

New strains with wild names are in constant production. Variation exists even in similar strains regarding the concentration in terms of how high is the cannabis level.

A bowl of your favorite weed can make you either productive or stick to the couch. The hidden fact is that the chemistry and chemical profile suggest that cannabinoids and terpenes are naturally found in a particular strain.

Since the knowledge and research are ongoing, it has become evident that THC alone cannot mark for quality that one should consider before buying the flowers. Do not overlook the importance of terpenes. The fundamental strategy is to train your nose to determine the height of the weed.

Dispensaries are similar to stores consisting of corporations and firms that aim at attracting as many consumers as possible. However, they are not in the business of educating the consumers on the importance compounds hold since they merely sell cannabis-based products. 

The education and basic understanding of the compounds and components are up to us. Before consuming any substance, we must consider the essential information and understand the possible outcomes.

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are organic compounds responsible for aroma and flavor in different organisms are the terpenes. They are typically connected with marijuana due to their essence in high focus. 

You might have noticed your hands getting sticky after using nugs. It is because trichomes are the real sticky parts that consist of terpenes and other compounds like cannabinoids. Whether a specific strain is high or not, terpene profile and their combination help identify it.

For instance, the compound that makes lemon smell like lemon is Limonene. This terpene is responsible for the lemon-like smell of cannabis. In addition, limonene has an enriching effect. Consequently, whiffing or smoking limonene has an uplifting impact on the consumers.

More insight on terpenes

The most significant part of shopping for flowers involves understanding the compounds’ sticky chemistry. Unfortunately, not long-ago brands had problems with labeling flower products. They could not depend on the percentage of THC as well as inaccurate Indica and Sativa labels.

When the products contain information about the dominant terpene, it helps the consumer choose conveniently and better understand the effect of strain and product. PhytoFacts is a color-coded graphic presentation of the chemical profile of a product. SC Labs is a testing facility aimed at providing the brands with terpene testing data. 

Co-founder of SC Labs Alex Dixon contends that “What we've been doing at SC Labs all through the last numerous years is that we took all our terpene data. We Started working for specific data analysts to, on a fundamental level, help us sort out all the terpene data that we attempted. We expected to fathom how everything is sorted out by the terpene content of these many strain names. What we came to recognize is that it's in all actuality altogether more direct than complex.”

He further claims that "We test for more than 42 distinct terpenes. However, at whatever point you take a glimpse at the best concentration of a terpene profile, which is the joined mixtures that make up the smell if you see all strains of pot. It truly lessens down to five essential terpenes or essential scents."

Sniffing dominant terpenes

A phrase common in cannabis consumers is: “The nose knows.”

To guess the high of a particular strain, familiarity with five primary terpenes is necessary. That is what their smell is like, and how they work can be understood all through just a scent.

To illustrate, a weed that smells like fruit has the following characteristics: 

• Possibly predominant terpene: Myrcene
• General aromas: Fruit, berries, sweet like
• Effects: Relaxing, couch-lock
• Myrcene-dominant strains: Forbidden Fruit, Grape Ape

The fruity aroma of a strain is usually due to the terpene Myrcene. Myrcene has a calming and relaxing effect. The complete downer impacts are thus linked with couch-like. In 2002, a study on mice concluded that Myrcene is also a sedative.

In the words of Dixon, Myrcene is the fruity terpene. It is usually the terpene that is naturally present in mangoes and hops. But, intended for beer people, consider it an IPA.

THC and Myrcene combined are behind the relaxing effect and couch-lock feelings. According to Dixon, the result was thought of due to Indica itself; however, it is actually because of the Myrcene.

Herbal and spice smelling weed

Weed that smells like herbs and spices has the following attributes: 

• Possible leading terpene: Caryophyllene
• Conventional aromas: Spicy, Black pepper, earthy 
• Effects: Comfort, Relief, sleepiness, relaxation.
• Caryophyllene-dominant strains: GG4, GSC, Chemdog

In black peppers and cloves, the prevalent and primary terpene is Caryophyllene. In a cannabis strain, it adds up an earthy note. 

The strains with a high Caryophyllene concentration consist of Girl Scout Cookies (“GSC”), Chemdog, and Gorilla Glue. Caryophyllene has relaxing effects but with a different twist. The soothing impact is presented distinctly. It is ideal if something terrible happens or before bed.

Weed that smell like citrus

Weed that smells like citrus has the following properties: 

• Expected dominant terpene: Limonene
• Generic aromas: Citrus, lemons
• Effects: Alert, Uplifting, energized 
• Limonene-dominant strains: Lemon Diesel, Sour Diesel, OG Kush, Durban Poison, Super Lemon Haze.

In lemons and citrus fruits, the leading terpene is limonene. The citrus rind contains a high concentration. The uplifting effect thus produced due to limonene is energizing and exciting. It is naturally present in Sativa strains. So when you are feeling bummed out, the best thing for you is a limonene-based weed.

Weeds that smell like pine

Weed that smells like pine has the following characteristics: 

• Probable dominant terpene: Pinene
• Standard aromas: Pine, earth
• Effects: Focused, uplifted
• Pinene-dominant strains: Green Crack, Strawberry Cough, Blue Dream, Lemon Jack

A rare terpene that is generally identified through the authentic smell of pine trees is pinene. Coupled with THC, it presents an uplifting and overall focused effect. 

According to Dixon, research has indicated that when pinene and THC combine, the overall negative impact on memory impairment is reduced, where THC is responsible for the short-term loss.

Sweet and musk smelling weed

A sweet and musk smelling weed has the following characteristics:

• Possibly primary terpene: Terpinolene 
• Standard aromas: Cumin, lilacs, nutmeg, patchouli
• Effects: Creative, Energized, cerebral
• Terpinolene-dominant strains: Train Wreck, XJ-13, Ghost Train Haze

According to Dixon, the number one terpenes for him is Terpinolene: "It's what everybody has consistently considered as the Sativa smell. It is present in lilacs with the smell of patchouli." 

He continued, "Along with THC, terpinolene is truly stimulating. It is cerebral and creatively rousing. But, for new users, it can be a high weed. Indeed, even a ton of growing clients don't care for smoking strains high in terpinolene on the basis that they're excessively cerebral."

Terpenes and their Following or Entourage Effect 

Overall, how the terpenes work and their illustration is what we call an Entourage effect. One of the most liked and iconic strains of all time is OG Kush.

According to Dixon, the combined dominance is shown by three terpenes, making OG a fascinating element.  "Not one terpene rules of OG. That is the reason OG is a truly ideal illustration of a crossbreed. For a terpene like limonene is found. But, additionally, you have a terpene like Caryophyllene present in equivalent amounts, as well as Myrcene, the two of which are on the unwinding, narcotic side."

The critical identification strategy for strains includes the associated profile and their terpene concentration. For example, if a variant of OG smells citrusy, it indicates high in limonene. Thus, it has an uplifting effect. On the other hand, a strain of OG with a fruity smell is high in Myrcene and has more relaxing effects.

When you get your nose trained enough for identifying the flower's general aromas and the associated impacts of terpenes, you can be good at choosing the strain of your choice.

The Bottom Line 

Terpenes are chemicals that are generally organic. They are natural and are found in different substances, producing distinct aromas and flavors. Most commonly, the weed’s aroma variation is due to terpenes levels. Before you choose a strain for you, you should be handy with knowledge of the chemistry and characteristics of the terpenes present in the strain.

The chemical profiling of the products of various brands by SC Labs has established the data on the terpene concentration and their ultimate consequences. Generally, the aromas characterized for different strains of weed have a total of five overarching categories. Thus, identifying the specific terpene is an essential step in identifying the weed you are buying or otherwise consuming. 

The best way is to train your nose for the smell and aroma of your choice. Once this process is completed, you are good to go shopping for the flowers of your choice.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.