Cannabis is becoming more commonplace than ever before. With the majority of Americans living somewhere with some type of legal pot, a lot of the stigma around weed has eroded. And while weed may be seemingly everywhere, it may surprise you to find out there are likely cannabis compounds in your house right now—even if you don’t smoke.
Terpenes are the molecules in cannabis responsible for its distinct aroma and flavor. The compounds are also believed to drive the effects an individual strain offers. Terps are a huge part of the cannabis experience, and are actually all around us.
RELATED: CBG vs CBD: what’s the difference?
The botanical oils are found in all plants and are often extracted for use in commercial goods. That lemon-scented floor cleaner? It likely contains limonene, which is found in many varieties of weed (along with citrus fruits). That floral scent coming from your shampoo? It’s probably linalool, another terp commonly found in both cannabis and lavender.
Another place where you’ll likely find terpenes is beer. Hazy IPAs may smell dank in a very familiar way. That’s because hops (what beer is made from) contain a terpene called humulene, which is often found in cannabis. Some breweries are starting to incorporate added terpenes to their beers in order to mimic the cannabis experience further, naming their creations after cannabis strains such as Kush or Haze.
RELATED: Lawsuit pits cannabis against hemp yet again
Just because terpenes are in non-cannabis products doesn’t mean they’ll automatically get you high. Cannabinoids like THC are responsible for that. Terpenes simply guide the experience, acting as a GPS to THC’s gasoline in the tank. Just like aromatherapy oils are meant to help you de-stress or focus, terpenes have similar effects for some people—in fact, they’re likely in those very oils.
There are hundreds of terpenes in the natural world, and likely dozens in your house right now. If you happen to consume cannabis, ask about terps next time you’re at the dispensary. That evergreen candle you adore around the holidays, or the relaxing essential oil you add to your bath, may be in your favorite weed strain as well.
