One of the most celebrated features of a strain is its aroma. Oftentimes, a delicious fragrance or a pungent aroma can be telling of the great experience that a particular strain has to offer. This aroma exists because of the presence of terpenes like limonene. These botanical compounds are responsible for the smell, flavor, and even medicinal properties of cannabis. As one of the most abundant terpenes found in cannabis, you’re sure to see limonene in some of your favorite strains.
At our dispensary, we think it’s important to understand terpenes and to share that knowledge with our customers.
What is a Terpene?
A terpene is an organic compound found in plants. Terpenes are responsible for the aroma and flavor of a strain. Terpenes may also play a role in the psychoactive and medicinal effects of cannabis.
While the level of research on the subject is underdeveloped, most researchers have come to the hypothesis that the dominant terpenes in a strain – the terpene profile – react with THC and CBD to produce the effects of cannabis that we know and love. In this way, each of the compounds inside a cannabis plant works in tandem; producing what is called “the entourage effect”. This could explain why two strains with the same level of THC may have different potencies or effects.
What Does Limonene Smell Like?
Limonene is characterized by a zesty, citrus-like smell. The terpene’s smell will be a recognizable one to you since it is abundant in more than just cannabis. Limonene is found in citrus fruit like oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. You may have also tasted limonene while drinking lemonade or orange sherbert.
What Are The Medicinal Effects of Limonene?
As one of the most well-studied terpenes in the cannabis world, researchers have seen that limonene has a lot of potential in the realm of medicine.
Anti-Anxiety
Essential oils that contain limonene can be used to treat anxiety. In a 2013 study, researchers found that Limonene seemed to improve anxiety-like states in mice by interacting with the brain’s serotonin system.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory
According to Weedmaps, a 2017 study published in the journal Molecular Medicine Reports demonstrated limonene’s apparent ability to reduce disease activity and organ damage.
Analgesic
In addition to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, researchers hypothesize that it also seems to reduce pain in animals.
Anti-Cancer
Through an experiment performed on mice, Researchers found that limonene inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells. Another study conducted on cancer cells in 2009 determined that limonene could enhance the effects of chemotherapy drugs being used to treat certain types of prostate cancer. Lastly, a 2012 study published in the journal Life Sciences demonstrated that limonene could kill human colon cancer cells in a lab setting.
Strains With Limonene
Strains with a dominant presence of Limonene are known to produce potentially mood-altering effects. For folks who suffer from anxiety or depression, strains with limonene may be what you should look for.
Some common strains that are dominant in Limonene include:
- Lemon G
- Emerald Jack
- Cookies and Cream
- Shining Silver Haze
- Liberty Haze
You can find a broad selection of Limonene-dominant strains at our Everett dispensary.
[FEATURED IMAGE VIA Anna Tukhfatullina from Pexels]
