Exhausted, with greasy hair from neglecting hygiene for the sake of deadlines, I pluck my Birthday Cake cannabis flower from my prized apothecary. I open the stash jar and inhale. My nose fills with a comforting vanilla scent. Yup, this is the weed I need. “Smelling your flower or cannabis product is a critical component of the cannabis experience. As a budtender early in my career, I learned that the ‘nose knows’ — meaning that there is no better way of choosing the right flower for you than by smelling it,” Veronica Paz Booth, director of education for Item 9 Labs Corp says.
The Indica-dominant hybrid Birthday Cake is known for its relaxing effects, ideal for unwinding after a long workday. After a few puffs, my home office smells like an infused cake dripping in honey. And, in a few minutes, my stress levels lower. While, let’s be honest, the THC does the heavy lifting, the strain Birthday Cake is rich in caryophyllene — a spicy terpene that acts as a cannabinoid — which is also found in cinnamon and cloves. Caryophyllene may have anti-inflammatory and stress-reducing properties.
Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants, such as cannabis, and even in some animals. They’re responsible for the aromas, flavors, and even colors associated with various vegetation. Terpenes help make certain strains smell or taste different from others. However, that’s just part of what makes pot also perfume. “The essential oils of cannabis give it the signature scent. There are different chemical components to essential oils; I believe over 200 have been discovered,” according to traditional naturopath and registered clinical herbalist Dr. Lakisha Jenkins. “These compounds are associated with creating the scent profile and are primarily found in the plant’s trichomes. Historically, the credit has been given to the terpenes; …
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Author: Sophie Saint Thomas / High Times
