By: Olivia Walters
Pure sweetness is smelling a weed nug and feeling waves of citrus ooze into your nostrils.
Chances are you caught a whiff of limonene, the oil in cannabis that smells like lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruits.
It probably made your mouth drool for fresh fruit.
Found in Sativa and Indica strains, this cannabis terpene is refreshing and intoxicating and actually has therapeutic effects on the body.
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Scientific explanations about limonene can be difficult to understand. At Miss Marijuana, we outline all the essentials, minus the geeky stuff.
What is Limonene cannabis terpene?
Cannabis is a multi-layered plant with more than just THC and CBD compounds. The chemical makeup of cannabis also includes a lovely oil called limonene.
Citrus peels are loaded with limonenes. They’re the aromatic wow factor in plants.
Other plants like rosemary, mint, and juniper all contain hints of this citrusy molecule. You can think of terpenes as the essential oils that make plants smell good.
Limonene extract is used in dietary supplements and skin creams as an antioxidant. Or you can add a couple of drops to your oil diffuser to make the whole room smell like lemons.
This terpene also wards off pesky insects and helps protect plants. That’s why a lot of houseplant parents prefer organic pesticides like neem oil because the scent of limonene literally “intoxicates” insects.
To give you a clue about the potential of limonene, it’s apparently the second most common terpene in nature. Teamed up with cannabis, it has a bright future to heal a lot of ailments and diseases.
Strains of cannabis with heavy limonene profiles have medicinal effects.
And the THC/CBD/limonene combination smells like running through a grove of ripe oranges. Um, yes please!
What are the benefits of Limonene?
Let’s break down every perk that scientists have found in the limonene cannabis terpene. The list is organized by its impact on mental health, beauty, pain, and disease.
Mental Health
- Stress relief, mood elevator, anxiety and paranoia
Cannabis is already known to help people unwind and limonene is partially to thank for that. Your mood can do a 180 with a cannabis strain that’s high in limonene (check out the list of strains below).
The smell of lemon has a calming effect that’s great for people who carry pounds of anxiety or fall under the spell of paranoia. Limonene increases the production of stress-reducing chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. Goodbye depression, hello cannabis!
The saying goes “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” but for cannabis smokers, we prefer “a lemon a day makes everything okay.”
Beauty
- Reduces inflammation
CBD and limonene are best friends when it comes to helping puffy skin because limonene boosts the anti-inflammatory properties in CBD.
You can order a CBD face mask to help your skin feel clean and fresh.
Pain
- Relieves heartburn, soothes respiratory issues, lowers blood sugar
The individual properties of limonene as an extract can wipe out heartburn discomfort from spicy food and booze. You can finally enjoy hot sauce without paying for it with an oral dose of limonene after your meal.
Smelling limonene may help people with asthma, but experts suggest to not go too crazy. The lemon smell could backfire on those who are prone to irritation.
Diabetics may also benefit from limonene. Studies conducted on flies showed that their appetites changed when exposed to limonene’s citrusy aroma.
Keep those sugar levels under control when you have a craving by wafting a little limonene under your nose.
Disease
- Anti-cancer research
Although research is still underway, tests on lab rats suggest that cannabis-focused research with limonene stunts tumor growth. Promising results reveal that limonene may reduce the size and spread of breast, lung, and brain tumors.
But even with the high limonene profile in cannabis, future studies still need to test its long-term effects on cancer treatment.
What are Limonene terpene strains of cannabis?
For reference, take a look at which popular Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid strains contain high amounts of limonene:
Sativa
-Cinex
-Quantum Kush
The sweet citrus notes uplift and energize for a solid daytime high. On top of the great taste, fans love the pain relief they feel after toking up these lemony Sativa strains.
Indica
-Blue Widow
-Do-Si-Dos
-Purple Hindu Kush
Those wanting a relaxed, mellow, and “whoaaa” high can enjoy the rich, citrus flavor of Indica. The tangy taste makes you feel punny: “Orange you glad you stayed on the couch?”
Hybrid
-Banana OG,
-Black Cherry Soda
-MAC (aka Miracle Alien Cookies)
-Strawberry Banana (aka Strawnana)
-Tahoe OG Kush
-Wedding Cake
-White Fire OG
And for the best of both worlds, hybrids are the way to go. You’ll get a cocktail of sweet and zesty flavors in these limonene dominant strains.
A Sativa/Indica blend is all about balance. They’re usually non-drowsy and make you feel euphoric. With a high percentage of limonene, you’ll get a taste of lemon and orange with every inhale. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
FAQs
Does Limonene get you high?
Not on its own. Limonene in its extracted form is used to make cleaning and beauty products. But when combined with the THC component in cannabis, limonene enhances the “high” effect with a delightful taste and smell.
What is Limonene good for?
Limonene is great to use as an organic pesticide on insects. It’s also an essential oil used in aromatherapy and face masks. Finally, some people take it as an oral supplement for increased health benefits.
In marijuana, limonene changes the profile of weed strains. You’ll detect juicy, sweet, and citrusy notes for a more pleasurable high. Another little known use of limonene is that it helps people when they feel too high. Sniff or chew on a lemon peel to help you come out of those crazy high thoughts.
Limonene is a rising miracle for the health industry. It’s slated to improve mental health, body discomfort, and even terminal illness. One sniff and you’ll feel the crisp, lemony effect change you for the better.
RELATED: What are Terpenes: Everything You Need to Know
Olivia Walters is a writer who focuses on cannabis culture and lifestyle.