As a consumer, when selecting your flower what are you utilizing to determine the best bud for you?
Plant Type?
Indica, Sativa, Hybrid…
Cannabinoid Content?
THC, CBD, CBN, CBG…
Terpenes?
Myrcene, Limonene, Terpineol…
Let’s say you pick up a 300mg/g THC flower (the equivalent of 30% THC), with a 3.4% terpene content, that only speaks of 34.4% of the plant, have you ever asked yourself … what makes up the remaining 65.6%?
Cannaflavins, phenols, and esters are also some of the components of cannabis that also contribute to its aroma and flavour. These compounds play a role in providing therapeutic effects, either by directly or indirectly interacting with the body, and the endocannabinoid system, or synergizing with other cannabis components contributing to what’s known as the ‘entourage effect’. Understanding these elements is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of the plant’s therapeutic potential.
Let’s take the strain Strawberry Cough for example. This strain boasts beautiful fruity strawberry scents, but the terpene content does not present a terpene combination to have this smell.
So, where is the sweet smell of strawberries coming from?
Let’s dive deeper into these components, shall we?
Phenols
Phenols are organic chemical compounds that are abundant in plants. They do not do anything for the plant itself, but for the bodies that consume them. Both terpenes and flavonoids are classes of phenols, they are present from the tip of the flower down to the tip of the root, and there are currently 42 known phenols in cannabis. They can work directly with cannabinoids such as THC and CBD.
Most research surrounds the benefits of CBD and phenols. Several research articles are showing the combination of phenols + CBD are beneficial for the following.
- Modulation of chemo-protective qualities.
- Assist with killing cancer cells
- Prevention of Cancer
- And more….
Younger plants have been found to contain higher levels of phenols, whereas the buds you obtain from the recreational and medical market are fully grown flowers. The flower contains approximately 10 to 100 times more phenols than any other part of the plant, but be careful as phenols are volatile oils, meaning they also require low temperatures for effect.
Esters
Like terpenes, esters are very common in everyday plants and are responsible for the smell and flavours of the food we eat. They are generally seen as desirable scents, sweet in fact. For example, strawberry scent is a mixture of methyl and ethyl esters. When you smell strawberry in your cannabis plant, it is more than likely coming from esters vs. the terpene profile. Esters in cannabis are still in earlier periods of research and understanding. Esters have been found to not bind or act directly with the receptors in our endocannabinoid system but have been demonstrated to improve the functionality of the receptors to uptake cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. They are also believed to modulate terpene effects.
Cannaflavins (flavonoids)
Flavonoids are plant compounds present in fruit, vegetables, plants, and leaves. In cannabis, they contribute to its flavour, colours, and self-protection. There have been more than 20 flavonoids identified in Cannabis, some of them are unique to cannabis only, such as cannaflavin A, B and C. They can be altered by temperature, radiation, water, and humidity, and some are only produced under certain conditions. The beautiful deep purple colours of LA Kush Cake come from a type of flavonoid called anthocyanins, which presents itself with the right pH levels, nutrients, the environment and more. Cannaflavins provide numerous medical benefits and are rich in antioxidants, they help your body fight off toxins, assist you in staying healthy, balance hormones, and assist in decreasing your risk of chronic diseases. The most well-studied property of cannaflavins is their anti-inflammatory properties.
Fun Fact: Cannaflavins are found in seedlings, leaves, flowers, fruits but are not detectable in the roots and seeds.
Controlling temperatures with a vaporizer or allowing a dab nail to cool properly is crucial for preserving the delicate flavours of these cannabis components. This approach helps to avoid the undesirable tastes associated with high temperatures, ensuring a more enjoyable and flavourful experience, particularly for those seeking the sweet and fruity notes of cannabis.
The complex scent profile of cannabis involves various compounds on top of what is mentioned above. These include aldehydes, ketones, lactones and more. While research is evolving, it’s not entirely clear how these components interact with the endocannabinoid system, highlighting the ongoing exploration of cannabis and its effects on the body.
It is fascinating to consider the potential future discoveries of the cannabis plant components and their applications. As our understanding deepens, targeting specific effects becomes more achievable, opening new possibilities for various industries, from medicine to agriculture.
Exciting times ahead!