Recently I have been receiving a lot of questions about terpenes. What they are, what they do, if they are “really” even that important? So I decided to draw up a brief informative on the subject for those of you who are interested.

Although THC is the only Federally classified element, there are over 140 active compounds found in cannabis. Terpenes are a large group of those compounds.

What are Terpenes?

Terpenes are what give cannabis its odor and flavor. They’re classified as aromatic organic hydrocarbons. A hydrocarbon is an element that only has hydrogen and carbon in it. Terpenes are produced as light is given to the cannabis plant while growing. They form inside secretory cells that are within glandular trichomes. Cannabis industry workers refer to trichomes as the hairs of the buds of a cannabis plant.

Unfertilized female plants hold the highest concentrations of terpenes.
Terpenes are important to the cannabis plant. The more terpenes enclosed in trichomes you have, the likelihood of a high potency strain there is.

What Role do Terpenes Play for Cannabis In Nature?

Terpenes play a major role in the cannabis plant. Besides giving cannabis its smell and flavor, terpenes also, act as protectors to the plant. Terpenes aid in warding off fungus and bacteria that can infect and/or kill a cannabis plant.

How Terpenes Work in the Body.

Terpenes like to dissolve with fats, so they attach to your lipids/fats to resemble the effect of serotonin. Essentially, they aid in boosting your mood and helping you feel happy. You’ll also feel more alert and your reaction to conversation or movement will be better.

Terpenes are the true magicians when it comes to getting high from cannabis. THC itself is very cerebral and energetic in nature. It is only in conjunction with terpenes, acting as a catalyst, that you begin to feel the variety of effects which we associate with different “strains” of cannabis. For example, limonene is what is responsible for citrus smelling strains. It actually thins the blood brain barrier and enables your body to absorb more terpenes and more THC, thus producing a stronger high. While Myrcene is the most common terpene found in cannabis and is known for its sedative effects. Some researchers believe that the concentration of myrcene found in a plant dictates whether a strain will have more sedative indica effect or an energetic sativa effect.

Which Vape Cartridge strains are Recommended for What?

Here are a few recommendations for some basic categories:

Best Daytime Strains

• Pineapple Express (Black Label) Ultra Refined Oil Pen
• Blue Dream (Black Label) Ultra Refined Oil Pen
• Jack Herer (Black Label) Ultra Refined Oil Pen

Best Nighttime Strains

• Northern Lights (Black Label) Ultra Refined Oil Pen
• Blackberry Kush (Black Label) Ultra Refined Oil Pen
• Watermelon OG (Black Label) Ultra Refined Oil Pen

Best Social Strains

• Green Apple Crack (Black Label) Ultra Refined Oil Pen
• Strawberry Diesel (Black Label) Ultra Refined Oil Pen
• Banana Express (Black Label) Ultra Refined Oil Pen

 

If anyone has any questions or if you would like to add your wisdom please post your comments below.

Best Regards,

Jack Weinstein

 

 

Evidence suggests Shakespeare smoked marijuana …

Cannabis has been in use for thousands of years, and was not criminalized in the U.K. and the wider world until the early 20th century, so it’s perhaps not too surprising that its use was accepted before then.

But it is interesting, nonetheless, that some of the greatest works of literature in English history may have been influenced by the wonderfully natural plant. Research has suggested that William Shakespeare (1564-1616) may have smoked cannabis, and there are a few excerpts from his work that back-up the claim.

A team of South African scientists performed forensic analysis on 400-year-old tobacco pipes dug up from Stratford-upon-Avon, including Shakespeare’s garden. Of the 24 fragments of pipe, eight contained traces of cannabis, four of which were from Shakespeare’s property. Two also contained traces of cocaine, but these were not found on his property. A technique known as gas chromatography mass spectrometry was used to pick up the traces of narcotics in the original forensic study, a technique that can detect them even after such a long period of time.

A play called “A Country Controversy” was written by Shakespeare, and in the short play a reference is made to an herb “that which maketh time itself wither with sondering.” I suggest that this is a cryptic reference to cannnabis, which is known to have the effect of making time ‘slow down’ – as perceived by a person smoking cannabis.

Chemical analyses of residues in early 17th-century clay ‘tobacco pipes’ have confirmed that a diversity of plants was smoked in Europe, Literary analyses and chemical science can be mutually beneficial, bringing the arts and the sciences together in an effort to better understand Shakespeare and his contemporaries.

This has also begged the question whether the plays of Shakespeare were performed in Elizabethan England in a smoke-filled haze? Looking back at some of Shakespeare’s work, he does seem to leave a few clues that he may have been under the influence. As Shakespeare-Online points out, in his Sonnet 76, he alludes to using “a noted weed” for “invention” (writing), but shies away from “compounds strange,” which may refer to cocaine.

We may never know the whole truth, but the findings do at least suggest Shakespeare may have used a bit of assistance when writing some of his 38 plays and 154 sonnets.

References
Credit – Marc Cugnon, USA TODAY Network