Funky. Skunky. Just plain … stinky.
Trust us, if you can think of a word to describe the smell of cannabis, we’ve heard it. Some of us love it; some could skip it, but one thing’s certain: it’s an aroma you’ll never forget once you’ve smelled it.
But this raises a few questions: Why does cannabis smell like skunk in the first place? And could those funky aromas actually do something more than make the whole apartment smell like cannabis? We’ll answer these questions and more, including:
- Why does cannabis smell like skunk?
- What role do cannabis terpenes play in the aromatic and therapeutic experience of the plant?
- How genetics, cultivation, and harvest techniques affect the smell of cannabis.
By the end, you should have a solid understanding of cannabis terpenes and why these beneficial compounds provide so much more than just “that weed smell.”
What Are Cannabis Terpenes?
If you’ve ever breathed in the aroma of fresh, fragrant cannabis flower, you’ve already experienced its terpenes and what they can do. At the most basic level, terpenes are a family of fragrant hydrocarbons—also known as “essential oils”—that play various important roles in the cannabis plant.
Terpenes aren’t limited to cannabis, either. As the largest and most diverse group of naturally occurring compounds found in nature, they appear in an incredible variety of places, from plants to trees and even some insects and animals. All told, over 20,000 currently known terpene varieties occur naturally throughout the plant kingdom and beyond.
But why are cannabis terpenes there in the first place? What’s their point? Many plants produce different terpenes for many reasons, including playing a role in attracting vital pollinators. But beauty is in the eye—or is it the nose?—of the beholder. Terpenes also serve as plant-based chemical warnings to repel insects and other predators.
As you may know from sampling different strains of cannabis, each one holds subjective characteristics, such as the flavors and aromas that set the pungent, citrus-scented Jack Herer apart from the earthy funk of OG Kush. But that’s not the end of the story. As a growing body of research—not to mention thousands of years of traditional wisdom—suggests, cannabis terpenes play a significant role in determining a given strain’s overall effects.
For example, myrcene—the most abundant of the cannabis terpenes—is known for imparting gentle sedative effects that may help many of us get a good night’s sleep. Inhaling cannabis rich in pinenes—actually a linked pair of closely related terpenes—may help ease inflammatory responses such as asthma.
There’s even evidence that a given strain’s terpene profile helps determine the character of the high. While clinical studies are just beginning to tease out the mysteries of precisely what terpenes contribute, there’s strong evidence that limonene imparts a mood-boosting, anti-anxiety effect and that caryophyllene may exert a similar impact on us.
The Main Aromas of Cannabis
When it comes to untangling the exact source of the cannabis plant’s unmistakable scent, we should warn you: it’s not quite as simple as pointing to a few notably skunky-smelling terpenes. At last count, there were at least 150 different types of terpenes identified in cannabis, each of them contributing in part to the overall sensory experience.
However, cannabis researchers have identified a handful that appear in your bud with greater frequency—and in greater proportion—than the dozens of relatively minor players. That said, here’s our attempt to get to the bottom of that unforgettably aroma:
Myrcene: Funky
Known for an earthy, funky aroma that some people compare with ripe fruit or aged vinegar, myrcene is sometimes implicated as a chief contributor to the classic “pot smell.” As the most abundant of the cannabis terpenes, it may also play the most crucial role since it helps synergize the actions of other terpenes, even interacting with cannabinoids such as THC. Elsewhere, myrcene is found in thyme, mangoes, lemongrass, and the hops that flavor most beers.
Limonene: Citrus
If you’ve ever noticed a lemony scent in your cannabis, that’s most likely caused by limonene. Beyond cannabis, limonene is also found in countless other natural products, from the rinds of citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons to plants and herbs such as lemongrass and citronella. Known for its uplifting effects, limonene may help regulate our immune system and potentially even play a role in controlling the spread of certain cancers.
Pinene: Sweet
If you’ve ever inhaled what tastes like a mouthful of Christmas trees, you’re tasting pinene—actually, its closely related cousins, alpha- and beta-pinene. And thanks to their prominent role in actual pine trees, these terpenes are also the most common ones found on earth. Studies demonstrate that pinene may offer a variety of benefits including powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotectant effects, in addition to other benefits.
Caryophyllene: Spicy
Smelling of black pepper and warm cinnamon, the terpene caryophyllene delivers an unforgettable flavor and aroma to strains such as Wedding Cake, GG4, and Gelato. Studies suggest that caryophyllene also imparts powerful analgesic and anti-anxiety properties. It’s no surprise that it often makes its way into anti-inflammatory topicals, thanks in part to its unusual binding properties.
Volatile Sulfur Compounds: Skunky
But believe it or not, that skunky aroma may not be associated with cannabis terpenes at all! Research indicates that the sulphuric smell in cannabis can be attributed to a family of “ volatile sulfur compounds,” or VSCs. Like terpenes, VSCs are the source of many natural scents; but unlike many terpenes we know and love, they’re particularly obnoxious smelling.
What Impacts the Smell of a Cannabis Strain?
Not surprisingly, cannabis terpenes don’t exist merely to entice us. These aromatic oils act as the plant’s natural defense mechanism. The cannabis plant relies on its strong scent to attract essential pollinators while warding off harmful pests. Environmental factors such as fertilization, soil conditions, and climate heavily influence how plants develop their terpenes.
Impact of Terpenes: Genetics, Cultivation, and Harvest
Cannabis plants also develop distinctly different terpenes at different stages of their growth cycle, depending on factors such as high temperatures and low humidity, both of which tend to spur terpene production. Pretty impressive work for a plant, wouldn’t you say? But from a consumer’s perspective, how cannabis is harvested and handled plays a very major role in how those terpenes make it safely to the dispensary shelf.
The proper curing of harvested flower—a process by which it’s slowly aged under controlled conditions to accelerate drying without degrading those precious natural oils—is essential in producing world-class cannabis. As natural processes, such as oxidation and enzymatic reactions, occur, some cannabis terpenes convert into other compounds, while others that were less apparent will increase in strength and presence. When managed well, the process is a bit like an “aromatic ballet,” with the goal being the best expression of the strain’s natural terpenes and other aromatic compounds.
That’s one reason we go out of our way to partner with cultivators and producers who can call upon their expertise to produce the best-quality cannabis that maintains the highest proportion of aromatic terpenes possible. It’s true what they say: You really can taste the difference.
Enjoy the Aromas of Cannabis with Green Goods
As it turns out, cannabis doesn’t smell like “skunk”—or you can insert your own, less polite word here—for nothing. The bulk of a given strain’s aromatic profile comes from its collection of terpenes, the fragrant oils that serve such functions as repelling pests and attracting pollinators.
Incredibly, that’s not all they’re doing: As a growing body of research suggests, terpenes aren’t just contributing intriguing smells, they also impart a host of potential medical benefits, from boosting the actions of certain cannabinoids to helping reduce stress and anxiety.
Regardless of the strain, you can bet that at any given time, you’re tasting not one but potentially dozens of terpenes in concert, each contributing its signature aromas to the overall sensory experience. What’s more, you can find and try many premium and aromatic strains at our family of dispensaries. Stop by one of our locations, ask our budtenders which terpenes you should try next, and sample a world of flavorful bud.
Are you ready to expand your knowledge of cannabis compounds? Start with our guide to terpenes, learn how to use cannabis balms and creams, or whet your appetite with this roundup of the best foods to eat when high.
And if you ever have any other questions about cannabis terpenes—or any other cannabis-related topics—just ask our friendly budtenders or drop us a line. We’re always here to help!
