Every new year comes with growth and change, so in 2022 you probably want to learn more about cannabis and hemp-derived products, so you can make more informed decisions and reap all the benefits the hemp plant has to offer. Whether CBD, Delta 8 THC, or any other hemp derivatives, there’s way more to them than only the active ingredient, regardless of which products you consume.

What are Terpenes?

If you ever smelled any cannabis strain and noticed its distinct aroma, then you already have experienced the effect of terpenes – organic aromatic compounds in nearly all plants and even in animals. Although once, many believed the primary function of terpenes was giving scents to plants that would defend them from predators, the aroma turns out to be just the tip of the iceberg, and they have various benefits of their own.

Do Cannabis Plants Have Terpenes?

The cannabis plant, like almost any other plant found in nature, contains terpenes that play a crucial role in its growth and survival. Besides, they account for varying flavors and aromas across different strains. For example, terpenes are why OG Kush smells like pine trees and has an earthy taste, or Sour Diesel has a sour and citrusy flavor.

As already mentioned above, the effects of terpenes go way beyond pleasing our taste buds or providing an aromatic experience but have a significant impact on the outcomes each strain produces. This article will discuss the benefits of humulene – one of the most common terpenes in cannabis plants.

What is Humulene?

Humulene, the characteristic terpene of the hop, was first discovered in the essential oils of the latter. If you love beer, humulene is the primary reason it has woody and spicy flavors, and probably, you have already experienced its effects from the various cannabis strains. Although common to cannabis and existing nearly in all strains, humulene can also be found in many plants, herbs, and spices, responsible for their distinct aroma and flavors, including sage, ginseng, basil, clove, black pepper, and coriander.

Humulene, also known as a-caryophyllene, was named after Humulus lupus – the hop plant. Although the terpene shares the same chemical formula as β-caryophyllene, they differ in structure but usually exist together in many plants, such as basil, clove, and sage. Most cannabis varieties have high levels of humulene, especially Sativa strains. Humulene is amongst core cannabis terpenes, with others being myrcene, terpinolene, limonene, pinene, and geraniol. Humulene’s aroma is earthy and woody, with spicy and herbal notes.

Benefits of Humulene

Many researchers have already investigated the effects of humulene on the human body. Studies on humulene indicate that it possesses both topical and systemic anti-inflammatory properties. Humulene might also be an effective analgesic when consumed orally, taken by aerosol, or applied topically.

Humulene is probably one of the most researched terpenes. As a result, the medical community keeps investigating its therapeutic properties—a study in 2007 evaluated anti-inflammatory properties of humulene isolated from Cordia Verbenaceae’s essential oil. The authors compared its effects to dexamethasone, a corticosteroid. The study concluded that alpha-humulene from the essential oil of C. Verbenaceae might represent important tools for the management or treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Humulene is also beneficial to the cannabis plant. Before harvest, it plays a crucial role in its life cycle by defending cannabis plants from infectious germs, fungi, or bacteria.

The Entourage Effect

Terpenes like humulene play a crucial role in the Entourage Effect. The entourage effect theory suggests that terpenes are essential for better absorption of cannabinoids and when they work synergistically with other compounds, consumers experience boosted effects. Isolated CBD or any THC variation wouldn’t have the same effect if there were no terpenes in the product. Terpenes like humulene help your body better absorb and experience the effects of cannabinoids.

Cannabis Strains With Humulene

After what you’ve learned, now you probably want to know which strains are rich in this terpene so you can experience its effects on your own. Humulene dominant Cannabis strains to try for this matter include:

Wedding Cake

This hybrid Indica-dominant cannabis strain may not taste like an actual cake. Still, its vanilla smell and rich flavors that combine earthy, nutty, sweet, sour, and vanilla tastes provide an equally pleasing experience. Most importantly, the strain is rich in humulene along with limonene and caryophyllene. As a result, wedding cake offers a more relaxing effect.

Girl Scout Cookies (GSC)

Girl Scout Cookies (GSC) offers a flavorful and relaxing experience. It’s an Indica-dominant hybrid strain with parent strains being OG Kush and Durban Poison. Its flavor and aroma combine sweet and earthy tones, similar to OG Kush but slightly sweeter.

Gelato

Gelato is rich in Beta-Caryophyllene, Myrcene, Limonene, and Humulene. When searching for a sweet, flavorful, and relaxing cannabis strain to smoke, it’s a great strain to choose.

Bubba Kush

If you are searching for a delicious smoke rich in flavor combining earthy and nutty tastes with sweet hints of chocolate and coffee, bubba kush is a must-try. In addition, Bubba Kush produces soothing effects throughout the body, so it’s a perfect strain choice when you are looking for a relaxing experience or strain with sedative effects.

Want to experience the effects of the terpenes? Shop at the Hemp Doctor!

Whether you want to smoke, vape, or sublingually consume hemp-derived compounds working in synergy with terpenes: we have options for you. Our wide inventory of products features a variety of smokables like hemp flower and prerolls in numerous strains rich in terpenes, as well as vape cartridges and Delta 8 THC with humulene, beta-Caryophyllene, Linalool, Terpineol, alpha-Bisabolol, beta-Pinene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Myrcene, alpha-Pinene, Borneol, Camphene, and Eugenol. We also carry all of the humulene-rich strains listed in this article, available in vapes, prerolls, and flower.

Every Hemp Doctor product is made from U.S.-grown hemp, features premium ingredients, is Farm-Bill Compliant, and most importantly, is third-party lab tested, hence, guaranteed quality. So shop today and experience the effects of terpenes yourself!