Sniffing your Treatment

Terpenes make up the fragrant smells of cannabis. Each terpene has a distinct odor and specific therapeutic properties. By smelling the cannabis flower, you may be able to figure out what treatment it provides!

Terepene Treatments Based on Smell

The Top 10 Terpenes found in Cannabis

Alpha Pinene – Gives off a pungent turpentine odor; reduces THC psychosis effects in cannabis. Beneficial as an anti-inflammatory while reducing pain. Helps bacteria infections, asthma, memory retention, and also slows cancer tumor growth.

Borneol – Has a camphor smell; helps with wound-healing, including fibrosis. Aids in delivering treatment by improving absorption through the blood-brain barrier.

β-Caryophyllene - Has a peppery scent; cannabinoid effects the CB2 receptor to help with anxiety, inflammation, perception of pain, autoimmune disorders, and depression. Acts as a neuroprotectant and reduces alcohol consumption.

Cineole \ Eucalyptol – Smells similar to rosemary with notes of spicy camphor; increases the absorption and circulation of medicine.

P-Cymene – Has a fresh, carroty odor that is antimicrobial and anti-fungal; helps to relax muscles, including cardiac muscles, which can lead to lower blood pressure.

Delta 3 Carene – Gives off a pine scent; acts as an antihistamine, eliciting a calming feeling to aid in well being. Has anti-inflammatory properties and acts as a nervous system depressant; serves as a great complementary treatment for anxiety and insomnia.

Isopulegol – Gives off a minty menthol smell; also has a cooling effect, anti-oxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties that help with breathing, pain, ulcers, and seizures.

Limonene – Has a strong citrus scent; works like a cleanser to dissolve gallstones, reduces reflux/heartburn and cholesterol while destroying cancer. Is an anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory while detoxification properties help the liver. Improves mood, weight management, and sleep.

Linalool – Releases a spicy floral fragrance; reduces stress, pain, convulsions, and treats burns.

Nerolidol – Has a woody bark smell; acts as a sedative. Absorbed through skin to aid topical medication. Has anti-fungal properties while reducing malaria infections.

The Terpene β-Caryophyllene in Cannabis

The Terpene β-Caryophyllene is the Only Approved Cannabinoid

The terpene caryophyllene gives a spicy peppery scent to some cannabis strains. It is also found in black pepper, cloves, cotton, hops, oregano and rosemary. β-Caryophyllene is a unique terpene categorized as a cannabinoid (BCP). This classification is from the way it effects the CB2 receptor. The relation with the receptor helps with anxiety, perception of pain and depression.(Source) Studies have also shown it to act as a neuroprotectant and reduce alcohol consumption.(Source)

Caryophyllene has been shown to help anxiety, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, inflammation, multiple sclerosis symptoms and gastrointestinal problems. Studies with β-Caryophyllene are promising for how it works as a cannabinoid without any psychotic effects. This is due to how it effects the CB2 receptors without effecting the CB1 receptors which give the marijuana high.(Source)

Strains that are high in caryophyllene include Super Silver Haze, Nevilles Haze and Hash Plant. Marijuana sniffing dogs are trained to look for the smell of Caryophyllene.(Source) Β-Caryophyllene is the first FDA approved cannabinoid.

Source:

http://www.leafscience.com/2014/07/08/b-caryophyllene-terpene-anxiety-depression/

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938414003400

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caryophyllene

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091305714001956