Understanding Terpenes and how they affect your high

[Smokin Moose]

Guys, my work with tinctures takes me into the world of alchemy, and terpenes are the wizard's medicine.
As you will all know only too well, the aromas and perfumes of cannabis are different with each strain. From an alchemist's viewpoint when blending tinctures, it is critical to have good strainal knowledge, as each strain has a different clinical application.
This article is to help you understand the terpenes a little better, such that you can improve the quality of your high and, more importantly, understand a little better when self medicating.
As some of you will have seen, I posted about Myrcene in a thread some time ago. That is an indicator of how profound terpenes are in a cannabis high. That article is here:
http://www.treatingyourself.com/vbul...ighlight=mango

I am quoting an article posted by Franco on the Green House seed Company website, about terpenes.

TERPENES IN RESIN

The Green House Seed Company has started a real breeding revolution by providing customers and anyone interested with terpene profiles of the resin of all its strains. The 2008-2009 seed catalogue contains an example of this analysis, and the Green House website has the updated profiles for all strains. It is truly an innovative step away from the effect-only approach to cannabis and into the world of smell and flavor, the connoisseur way, "a la carte".
Cannabis is seen by many as a medicine or a recreational drug, but the more subtle aspect of it being an aromatic plant goes too often unnoticed. The herbs we use in our kitchen are considered aromatic plants because they contain a particular terpene profile that gives a distinctive flavor. Cannabis is so complex from this point of view that the possible combinations are endless, creating a broad spectrum of aromas and flavors that differ with the strains and the way they are cultivated. We are opening a new way of breeding, a new frontier for all growers with a sweet tooth.
To give you an idea of what a terpene is, a quick look at Wikipedia reveals what follows:
The word terpenes defines a large and varied class of hydrocarbons, produced primarily by plants (conifers and cannabis) and more rarely by insects. Terpenes are the major components of resin, and of oils and extracts produced from resin. The name "terpene" is derived from the word "turpentine". Terpenes function as smell and taste molecules, and also as bio-synthetic building blocks for the organism of almost all creatures. Terpenes are one of the most important components of the resin and essential oils of many types of plants and flowers.
Enough with the science. Let’s see how these terpens are affecting cannabis in the process of breeding on flavor.
The list of 16 terpenes analyzed by Green House Seed Company is a selection of the most characteristic and recognizable ones, the ones involved in the distinctive flavor of any strain of cannabis. A few example:

Alpha-Pinene is an organic compound, found in the oils of many species of many species of pine trees. It is also found in the essential oil of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). 2 types of Alpha-pinene exist in nature, one more common in European pines, the other more common in North America. A mix of the two is present in the oil extracted from the eucalyptus tree. In the Green House range this terpene is at the highest level in the Super Silver Haze. So if you like pine-tree smelling and tasting weed, think of growing this strain, or use it for crossings.

Limonene is a hydrocarbon, classified as a cyclic terpene. It is a colourless liquid at room temperatures with an extremely strong smell of oranges. It takes its name from the lemon because lemon and other citrus fruits contain high quantities of this compound, which is responsible for much of their smell. In the Green house Strains is particularly high in the Lemon Skunk and the Big Bang.

Sabinene is a natural monoterpene and it is isolated from the essential oils of a variety of plants, mostly oak trees. Sabinene is one of the chemical compounds that contributes to the spiciness of black pepper and is a major constituent of carrot seed oil. It also occurs in tea tree oil at a low concentration. Again, this terpene is high in the Super Silver Haze and in the Arjan’s Ultra Haze #1.

Myrcene, or β-myrcene, is also an organic compound. It is classified as a hydrocarbon and a monoterpene. It is obtained from the essential oil from various plants: bay, verbena, myrcia (from which is gets its name) and others. Myrcene is one of the most important chemicals used in the perfumery industry. Because of its pleasant odor, it is occasionally used directly. But it is also highly valued as an intermediate for the preparation of flavor and fragrance chemicals such as menthol, citronella, and geraniol. It is extremely high in the White Widow.
Many more terpenes are present in the resin and analyzed, and this represent a guide, a useful tool for a more mature type of smoker, conscious about flavor, and for all breeders interested in following a particular aroma in their lines.

Here is a Liquid Gas Chromatography profile of the Green House Strain, White Widow, using the Head-space method - the most advanced available, to give you an example of terpene profiles.
White Widow is the highest in Myrcene of all the GH strains
Note: the Head-space method is the same technique used in perfume and cosmetics to identify fragrances, or in the food industry to reproduce flavors synthetically.


TERPENES IN GRAPH:
1- ALPHA PINENE
2- CAMPHENE
3- BETA PINENE
4- SABINENE
5- DELTA-3 CARENE
6- ALPHA PHELLANDRENE
7- BETA-MYRCENE
8- ALPHA TERPINENE
9- LIMONENE
10- 1.8-CINEOLE
11- Y-TERPINENE
12- CIS-OCIMENE
13- TRANS-OCIMENE
14- ALPHA TERPINOLENE
15- TRANS-CARYOPHYLLENE
16- ALPHA HUMULENE

This also gives you an idea of terpene profiles in cannabis

Source: http://www.internationalhempassociat.../jiha4208.html

So, how do we use this information to help us here at TY, so that we can improve the quality of our high, or maximise the medicinal benefits of our cannabis.
Well, first up is to make sure that you ALWAYS inhale the aromas and perfumes PRIOR to smoking or vaping. You do this by breaking up, or chopping up your bud prior to consumption. This releases the volatile terpenes in the bud when you rupture the resin glands. If you then inhale deeply through your nose and wait at least 5 minutes, you will maximise the benefits from that bud.
To show how this works in practice, all of you will have seen reports from police that their officers have gotten 'high' when seizing ripe cannabis in large quantities from a grow room. The police are not actually high, but they are in fact affected by the terpenes released into the air as they handle the cannabis. The two most prevalent terpenes giving this reaction are Myrcene and Geraniol. The police are relaxed and somewhat sedated, but they are NOT high. You will also notice this effect when manicuring your cannabis at harvest time.
I know a lot of purists will nay say about breaking a bud up prior to smoking, but I can assure you that they would get a better benefit if the chopped and inhaled first.
I hope you find this article helpful.
Namaste

[stirling]

Interesting stuff.

Any idea whether or not it's a specific terpene that gives some skunk varieties that sickly sweet odor ?

~

[Smokin Moose]

I just came on this interesting article
Ingestion of essential oils beta-myrcene and limonene can inhibit inflammation. This is one reason Myrcene in cannabis is so important!
Myrcene is highly antimicrobial, antiseptic, analgesic, bactericidal, and an antioxidant.

[Smokin Moose]

Interesting stuff.

Any idea whether or not it's a specific terpene that gives some skunk varieties that sickly sweet odor ?

~

The skunk aroma is a combination of many terpenes, dominated by it's Afghan input in the genetics. It is very high in Myrcene, which comes from the sativa side of parentage. I think all up there are 67 main terpenes, so Skunk aroma will be a mix.

This is a great site for the science of terpenes
http://cannabis-science.com/cannabis_chemistry.html

[Richi420]

Thanks for the info SM...I started to learn about plastids and vacuoles when I started to learn to breed...very interesting stuff, thanks again SM.....just incase anyone was wondering, Plastids contain the turpenes and vacuoles contain the phenols. Peace

[Smokin Moose]

I just found this from Greens at Cannabis World

I found this little article online. I think it was written by the Skunkman himself by the sounds of it. I remember him saying he used the volcano during his experiment.

Studying the Effects of Terpenes

To the Society of Cannabis Clinicians:
Most interesting to me are the modulating effects of the 120
Terpenoids found in Cannabis. Pure THC is pretty boring, flat, one dimensional with little individuality. Not sure I would be a Cannabis smoker if THC was all there was. But add a small amount of Terpenoids and the picture changes, some Terpenoids like Limonene make the subjective high much faster in onset and much stronger, with rushes, more clear, speedy, up, cerebral, euphoric, psychedelic. While other Terpenoids like Myrcene make the THC physical, mellow, sleepy, as well as stronger.
It has been obvious to me for more then 20 years that Terpenoids played a major role in modulating the effects of THC, but now for the first time I have proof. I did the work with a volcano, using liquid pads for putting the Cannabinoids/Terpenoids on, and used Cannabinoids that were 99%+ purity.
I tried pure THC, THCV, CBD, CBN, CBG, and CBC will be next, I have gram+ amounts of each. I have also tried a dozen pure Terpenoids with and without Cannabinoids. I used the Musty drug reaction scale before and after dosing as well as a better more specific one designed by myself for all of the tastes, smells and effects of the Terpenoid/Cannabinoid inter-reactions. I have 10 subjects so far doing the testing with me.
The bottom line is that all of the reported different effects of different varieties of Cannabis are reputed to be from the Cannabinoids. But besides the effects from THC and very occasional small amounts of CBD found in herbal Cannabis, all of the different reported subjective effects are in fact from the Terpenoids/THC. This has to be good news for proponents of herbal Cannabis over pure THC for medicine? I do not know if the Terpenoids are as active in modulating THC if the dose is oral by eating.

Name Withheld, Frankfurt, Germany"

Here's something else I found
"Cannabidiol (CBD) possesses sedative properties, and clinical trials show it reduces the anxiety provoked by THC. Similarly, terpenoids in Cannabis also possess sedative properties when inhaled, such as linalool, citronellol, and a-terpineol. Terpenoids may also mitigate memory loss. THC causes cholinergic deficits in the hippocampus, which can be reversed by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase; this inhibition is provided by limonene, limonene oxide, a-terpinene, g-terpinene, terpinen-4-ol, carvacrol, l- and d-carvone, p-cymene, fenchone, pulegone, and 1,8-cineole.
Inhalation of 1,8-cineole increases cerebral blood flow and enhances cortical activity. Many aforementioned terpenoids, cannabinoids (CBD, cannabichromene, cannabigerol), and flavonoids (cannaflavins, apigenin, quercetin) have potent antiinflammatory activity or serve as neuroprotective antioxidants. These same compounds kill bacteria and fungi which may contaminate bacteria, they inhibit the growth of human carcinoma cells, and they serve other useful functions."

Now, I remember Skunkman talking about linalool strongly affecting the high from pure THC...

[Kalidi]

Thank you SM

I will read these a couple of times.


Peace

[jb247]

Thanks SM, very interesting articles...I have always wondered what the deal was with terpenes and essential oils...now I know more

Peace...j.b.

[Smokin Moose]

And always remember

Make sure that you ALWAYS inhale the aromas and perfumes PRIOR to smoking or vaping.

[usmc-toker]

cant remember where I read but terpenes can make crappy bud better if eating a mango? or was it a pineapple cant remember the fruit now ahahah.

[Smokin Moose]

cant remember where I read but terpenes can make crappy bud better if eating a mango? or was it a pineapple cant remember the fruit now ahahah.

http://www.treatingyourself.com/vbul...ighlight=mango

[tumbleweed]

I saw a case of mangos, they were medium size but had a red skin to them. they don't look like the variety of mango that I have always found in the past. so, I got a case,
and let them ripen slowly in a dark closet at home. then, I tried them out, and they were disappointing. the skin although it has an appealing red colour, was very thin and broke easily. this made things a bit messier as I ate the slices. but, really, disappointing, after waiting for them to ripen for a full week, expecting sweet, juicy,
nectar...no...the flesh color was like ..yellow?...it should have been a deep orange blush. the smell...or lack of smell I should say was, well sort of like lighting a fireworks,
expecting shooting stars, and all you get is a fizzle and burnout. no color, no smell, thin skin. This reminds me of the guy that trys to sell the sizzle but forget the steak. yeah, these mangoes were all sizzle, with that nice red colour, the uniform size, the good weight, no bruises, but yet no smell, no color, weak blah taste, ...what happened to the good ol' mangles?

[Smokin Moose]

lol Sounds like you got a case of mangos from good old Mexico. The blush and red skin reminds me of mangos I ate there back in 1976. The had little flavour and sweetness and most likely very little Myrcene. Keep trying because this really does work.

[Yainderidoo]

How do you make your tinctures Smokin Moose?

Does it give you a nice high, whant does it do...

Yainderidoo

[Smokin Moose]

I can't tell you the exact process as Mullaway is currently applying for a Patent on the process. What I can tell you is that it is a 3-part process, involving ice water extraction followed by super critical fluid extraction, then an alcohol suspension.
The med tincs are 43% alcohol, which makes it bearable under the tongue, and the available alcohol is 100% THC saturated. Strainal selection is critical to med grade tincs, as each patient has a tinc tailored to their individual needs. As we all know, each strain has a different illness application. Mullaway blends strains when making the tincs, such that the patient gets maximum benefit.
Med grade tincs have no cognitive impairment, ie. no "high". The way Mullaway makes his tincs, you get all the benefits from the cannabinoids without any mental impairment, which makes them suitable for mainstream society. Add to that that the tincs are a socially acceptable way of medicating, and you have a winner. There are no work place safety issues, and no issues for driving or activities that require precision of thinking.
Mullaway and I presented our tinctures to the Federal Police here in Australia. They thought we were on to something, and have tacitly supported our efforts. The police see application of the tincs for their own agents who are off ill with PTSD as a result of traumas at front-line policing. The tincs are also being looked at by Vets for PTSD as well.
I hope that helps. I will be writing more on our tincs in a short while.
Tinctures are the way of the future IMHO

ps Tincs cover these main factors
Pain
Nausea
Hunger
Sleep (dream suppression for PTSD)
Mood modulation

[Diskrete]

Smokin moose, Thank you for this post. I tried breaking up some buds and taking it in before a smoke...wow it's like a whole meditation thing. Definitely calms the brain!

[Smokin Moose]

Well there ya go lol I hope you pass this tip onto others.

[Yainderidoo]

Good answer.. May your buisineses prosper...(hmmm is that decent english? )

And what a coincidence...today I'm wearing my black shirt with the Aboriginal flag on it. I was almost born in Australia..but emigration by my parents went to a low profile and in the end it was decided to stay...

But I did forgive them..heheee.

Thanks again mate
Jeen (Yain)

PS do you send your tinctures overseas?

[Smokin Moose]

No mate, we don't usually send tincs o/s. It opens up issues with other countries and we have enough issues here with our own authorities lol.
Did you know that hippies LOVE indigenous people in Australia. They are totally embraced during Mardi Grass and many indigenous festivals happen in Nimbin.
It is fantastic you are wearing the indigenous flag.

[Yainderidoo]

thats the one ofcourse....beatyful aint it?

Don't tell anyone here....but my sons cal me an ol' hippy... although I'm 49.
I only wish I could visit your country once in my life. I play didges too ya know.

Thats why the other end of my forumname is(Yainde)ridoo

Yainderidoo

[Smokin Moose]

Here ya go ya old hippy lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuPlAr4uOsE

[lemonhead]

Hi Smokin' Moose . I enjoyed your post ...made me run out and buy some mangoes LoL!

[lequebecfume]

Try dried mangoes !

Great snack materiel and works as good as dark chocolate or red wine.

Flavinoids and Cannibinoids yummmmm !




--LEQ
Helping patients

[lemonhead]

I wonder what dried mangoes would be like in brownies?
It seems to be successful as I have never had a 3 hour ride on my SSH , it was also stronger in intensity with pretty much immediate effect after toking.

[Smokin Moose]

This is quite topical so here goes a *bump*