Name That Terpene – Quiz!
Are you ready to journey to the fascinating realm of cannabis terpenes? Whether you’re a cannabis connoisseur or a curious shopper who enjoys the more aromatic and flavorful elements of the cannabis experience, it’s time to get to know your terps.
Cannabis is known for its strong smells and diverse flavor profiles that run from grassy to gassy. It’s no wonder: there are over 100 different terpenes found in this incredible plant, and each strain has its own unique ratios. The Dank Budz “Name That Terpene!” quiz is here to enhance your understanding of cannabis terpenes and provide a bit of fun along the way.
Cannabis is known for its strong smells and diverse flavor profiles that run from grassy to gassy. It’s no wonder: there are over 100 different terpenes found in this incredible plant, and each strain has its own unique ratios. The Dank Budz “Name That Terpene!” quiz is here to enhance your understanding of cannabis terpenes and provide a bit of fun along the way.
Top Cannabis Terpenes
Now comes the important stuff: our pre-quiz cram session. You didn’t think we were going to send you in unprepared, did you? We won’t be touching on every single cannabis-derived terpene here, though, to make sure the quiz still presents some challenges for intermediate terp explorers.
Here are the top terpenes found in cannabis and their most notable properties.
Myrcene
The most abundant of all cannabis-derived terpenes, myrcene, makes up over 60% of the terpene profile for some strains. So it’s no surprise that myrcene is what gives good bud its signature, dank earthiness. Many cannabis aficionados report that strains high in myrcene contribute to the full-body relaxation and sleep-inducing properties of high-test indica strains. If you’re trying to dial in the scent and learn to identify myrcene for yourself, it can be helpful to think of hops and mangoes, which are also commonly associated with myrcene.
Limonene
True to its citrussy name, limonene is what gives us the zesty, energetic aroma of squeezing a lemon wedge or peeling an orange. Limonene is well-loved in aromatherapy circles for its energizing and uplifting vibes. Medical research has demonstrated limonene’s ability to impact various neurotransmitters, which has potential implications for the management of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
Beta-Caryophyllene
Another major cannabis terp, beta-caryophyllene, is also abundant in many high-end strains. It is special among cannabis terpenes because it can bind directly to receptors in the endocannabinoid system – the body’s own system of receptors developed to bind to cannabinoid molecules and influence processes like sleep, pain, mood, and more.
Beta-caryophyllene is the terp that gives that bold whiff to many of the go-to items on our spice rack, including black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and even savory herbs like oregano. Beta-caryophyllene is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, and emergent research into wound healing and gut health applications is promising.
Beta-caryophyllene is the terp that gives that bold whiff to many of the go-to items on our spice rack, including black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and even savory herbs like oregano. Beta-caryophyllene is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, and emergent research into wound healing and gut health applications is promising.
Menthol
Most of us are already familiar with menthol. This terp is commonly used in body ache ointments, cough drops, infused tobacco products, and much more. Many cannabis fans are surprised to learn that this minty, invigorating compound is also a naturally occurring cannabis terpene.
Of course, this is far from an exhaustive list. Remember: a cannabis plant can be home to over 100 unique terpenes. While we won’t get too into the weeds talking about terps like bergamotene and camphor in today’s material, they can all have a discernible impact on the scent and flavor of a cannabis strain in which they appear. More importantly, they can also impact the therapeutic qualities of the strain.
Of course, this is far from an exhaustive list. Remember: a cannabis plant can be home to over 100 unique terpenes. While we won’t get too into the weeds talking about terps like bergamotene and camphor in today’s material, they can all have a discernible impact on the scent and flavor of a cannabis strain in which they appear. More importantly, they can also impact the therapeutic qualities of the strain.
Linalool
This is another major cannabis terpene that is also found in some favorite non-cannabis flowers like lilacs. Its calming, relaxing properties make it a mainstay at aromatherapy spas. Strains high in linalool are, therefore, often favored by therapeutic users looking for relaxation and anti-stress effects.
Alpha-Bisabolol
This is a notable cannabis terpene mostly due to its therapeutic properties. Alpha-bisabolol has a light, flowery scent that is pleasant and calming. As for those therapeutic applications, they range from a general calming effect to powerful antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Alpha-Pinene
Alpha-pinene is another terp that lives up to its name. Pinene is most widely associated with conifer trees. In fact, it’s the most naturally abundant terpene out there. The distinctive and healing scents of a walk through a frost on a crisp day, or strong memory associations of the smell of cutting your own Christmas tree, are thanks to this abundance of pinene in the natural world. It is also found in several popular herbs. From a therapeutic standpoint, pinene is prized for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties and may also have implications for neurological health and memory.
Humulene
This is another important terpene because it adds such a distinctive note to the cannabis strain. To get a better understanding of the scent we’re talking about, note that humulene is also found in sage, basil, hops, cloves, and ginseng. Like the other cannabis-derived terps, humulene has some therapeutic potential, too. Some people have even experimented with humulene as a weight control supplement.
Get More Cannabis Resources at Dank Budz
Your mastery of cannabis terps can extend far beyond our quiz and is only limited by how much time you want to devote to studying the olfactory wonders of this remarkable plant.
Resources
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sachiko-Koyama/publication/337966243_Beta-caryophyllene_enhances_wound_healing_through_multiple_routes/links/5df921bd4585159aa484e402/Beta-caryophyllene-enhances-wound-healing-through-multiple-routes.pdf
- https://acris.aalto.fi/ws/portalfiles/portal/66611801/Neuroprotective_Potential_of_Limonene.molecules_26_04535_v2.pdf
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11033-022-07755-w
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Aydin-Him/publication/233569532_Investigation_of_the_anti-inflammatory_and_analgesic_activities_of_b-caryophyllene/links/55019dbf0cf2d60c0e5f80f5/Investigation-of-the-anti-inflammatory-and-analgesic-activities-of-b-caryophyllene.pdf
