Terpene Focus: Linalool
Today, our focus is on Linalool, a terpene present in over 200 plants and credited with the distinctive scent of Earl Grey tea and certain wines.
Terpene Focus: Linalool
Delving into terpenes, our spotlight provides an in-depth examination of the five most prevalent terpenes in cannabis: myrcene, pinene, limonene, and beta-caryophyllene.
As a reminder: terpenes are fragrant oils found in plants, contributing unique flavours and aromas. Linalool, beyond its presence in plants, is a common addition to perfumes, cosmetics, and soaps. Remarkably, it also acts as a natural insect repellent, proving effective against fruit flies, houseflies, and mosquitoes in various studies.
Aromas Associated with Linalool
Linalool emanates a floral, spicy, woody scent with a light floral or spicy tropical taste. While lavender is most renowned for its linalool content, this terpene is also found in aromatic plants such as mint and cinnamon.
Remember, each cannabis strain incorporates numerous terpenes, crafting a complex and varied aroma profile.
Reported Effects of Linalool
Traditionally, lavender has been employed for its calming properties. Modern studies, particularly on mice, indicate that inhaling linalool, a primary terpene in lavender, induces a calming effect. Another study demonstrated that mice, injected with caffeine and then exposed to inhaled linalool, experienced reduced hyperactivity, countering the effects of caffeine injection.
Although more linalool research has been conducted on mice than humans, scientific studies suggest that inhaling lavender oil can have a calming effect on people as well
Considering linalool’s presence in calming lavender, does it translate to calming effects in cannabis strains with linalool? The answer remains uncertain.
Ongoing research on cannabis and its effects will offer more insights into terpenes like linalool. It’s crucial to balance perceived positive effects with reported negative effects of cannabis consumption.
In summary, current evidence doesn’t firmly connect linalool in cannabis with specific effects. However, you can leverage a strain’s terpene profile to choose based on preferred aroma or taste.
