Featured terpene: Humulene

Featured terpene: Humulene

Did you know that the cannabis plant and the hops that you find in beer are both part of the same family of flowers?  

Humulus lupulus (hops), is part of the Cannabinaceae family of flowering plants and it shares many characteristics with cannabis, such as green resinous flowers that have bitter herbal aromas with notes of earth and citrus.

These similar aromas are due to the terpene humulene. In cannabis, terpenes are chemicals that are created and stored in the trichomes of the plant, along with cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Cannabis consumers have indicated that terpenes are sometimes associated with various effects. The exact effects of different terpenes on their own, and within cannabis, are currently not well-understood, but humulene is thought of as being a motivating terpene for some people. It is found in hops, coriander, cloves, and basil. Its aroma presents as herbal, woodsy, and earthy with citrus overtones.

Discover other terpenes in our Cannabis Terpenes 101 blog.

 

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