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Cannabis flowers are unlike any other blossoms in nature. Sure, other flowers possess trichomes, pistils, and even copious amounts of resin. But cannabis buds are unmatched in their intense and recognisable aroma, not to mention their powerful psychotropic effects. If you’ve ever enjoyed weed, you’ll be familiar with those small glistening structures on the surface of buds. These are trichomes—glands responsible for churning out over 150 terpenes and 100 cannabinoids.
These phytochemicals, along with others, are responsible for the unique tastes, scents, and effects of each cultivar. Below, we’ll guide you through which of these molecules gives rise to each particular effect and flavour, with a specific focus on the strains available in the Royal Queen Seeds catalogue. Get ready to plunge into a world of stoning highs, energetic experiences, and flavours of pine, earthiness, sugar, and fruit.
How does cannabis affect a person? The answer to this question depends on a wide array of variables. The unique physiology of an individual influences how cannabis affects them, as do the vastly different chemical profiles of each strain.
When considering the effects of individual cannabis cultivars, many marijuana users laser in on the amount of THC and CBD within. While important, these molecules only form the central effects. It’s the terpenes that add the massive psychoactive diversity we see in cannabis varieties.
For example, ten different strains may all contain 20% THC, but as they feature different terpene profiles, their effects will all be notably different. To break this down further, we’re going to divide the cannabis high up into primary effects, and then highlight the chemical components responsible for them. We’ll also touch upon strains in the RQS catalogue bearing these profiles.
Now that we know that terpenes are just as vital to the cannabis experience as cannabinoids, it’s time to hone in a little further. Researchers have discovered that many of these chemical constituents synergise, affecting the human body and mind in unique ways; however, a large share of these chemicals and their mechanisms/effects remain a mystery. To start, let’s examine which constituents are responsible for the characteristic feelings of relaxation, sleepiness, and the general sensation of being “stoned”.
Some strains hit the body in a powerful way. These varieties contain a specific mix of cannabinoids and terpenes that make the muscles melt. But this effect isn’t exclusive to strains high in THC. Some varieties packed with CBD also create sensations that help us to unwind. Specific terpene combinations form the common thread that weaves through these cultivars. Alongside high levels of THC and CBD, the terpenes humulene, limonene, myrcene, and caryophyllene all soothe the body and create notable physical sensations. RQS strains with a body-oriented effect and high levels of these terpenes include:
Body Sensations | Strains | ||
Physically Relaxing | |||
Sleepiness | |||
Stoned |
Many cannabis users light up joints and bong bowls at the end of long and tiring days. While a host of weed strains exert a physically relaxing effect, some are much more effective at helping us wind down. Strains containing myrcene, in particular, are known to produce deeply relaxing and comforting highs; ongoing studies[1] are pitching the phytochemical against models of anxiety and inflammation. Several cannabinoids also contribute to the relaxing effects of various cultivars, including THC, CBD, and CBDV. Strains known for their relaxing effects include:
Have you ever taken a big bong hit and suddenly felt the urge to nod off? This can even happen in a room full of people with loud music thumping. Some cannabis chemical profiles work in ways that make us want to crawl into bed and enjoy some restorative sleep. Again, different people find certain blends work best for them in this regard. But we find strains high in THC, humulene, and myrcene most likely to make the eyelids heavy. If you’re chasing this effect, you need to try out these cultivars:
The state of being stoned is characterised by red eyes, cotton mouth, deep thoughts, and serious munchies. Not everybody enjoys this classical quartet of experiences, but some cannabis users can’t get enough. Of course, the varieties below are best reserved for quiet afternoons and lazy evenings, and don’t make the best wake-and-bake companions. The recipe for getting stoned is a simple one: you need a lot of THC, followed by some relaxing terps. You’ll find these phytochemicals in the following:
Cannabis doesn’t just relax us and make us want to hit the hay. Other varieties produce chemical profiles that have the opposite effect. These mixtures of molecules excite, energise, and put us in the mood to get things done. Much like the strains mentioned above, the following cultivars contain THC and/or CBD, but their unique terpene contents lead to a drastically different experience.
Mood | Strains | ||
Euphoric | |||
Creative | |||
Motivating and Uplifting | |||
Laughter |
Are you in the mood to feel aroused and uplifted? Luckily for you, a handful of cultivars kindle this emotional state. These strains are ideal for parties, social events, and times when you need a herbal pick-me-up. They feature good quantities of key cannabinoids as well as aromatic components that supercharge the nervous system. Strains that autumn into this category include:
Few substances can beat cannabis when it comes to stoking creativity. The herb has given rise to some of the best music known to mankind. Scores of artists, musicians, and writers give credit to the plant for inspiring some of their groundbreaking ideas.
Yet, when it comes to pursuing creative projects, you need to choose the right variety, as some strains can dampen that flame and put you in the mood to do nothing. THC likely plays a role in stimulating the creative effects of cannabis, as it is thought to increase dopamine release[2] in the brain. Stimulating terpenes such as limonene and pinene also work to refresh the mind; ongoing studies are seeking to determine if they impact cognitive function[3] in beneficial ways. Before you reach for your paint brushes, notepad, or guitar, consider giving these varieties a go:
Have you ever smoked a joint and found it impossible to stay still? Instead, you felt an irresistible urge to get up and accomplish something? Certain weed varieties dish out a phytochemical cocktail that motivates the body, mind, and soul. Once again, limonene comes into play here, adding an energetic element. This citrusy terpene fires up the nervous system when taken alongside the correct quantity of THC; not too much, nor too little. You’ll find the perfect balance of these molecules in the strains below:
Giggles. Belly laughs. Hysterical cackling. All of these sounds are the markers of a great smoking session. Studies indicate that THC boosts dopamine levels in the brain and that CBD binds to serotonin receptors. However, the exact science behind why cannabis sometimes makes us laugh remains unknown. With that said, we certainly know a few strains that seem to hit that sweet spot:
Some strains target the body, while others impact our emotional state. Then, there are those that influence our cognition more profoundly than others. By “cognition”, we’re chiefly referring to your mental processes; the neuronal rhythm that dictates how focused, meditative, or trippy you feel. The RQS catalogue contains strains that cater to each of these states.
Cognitive Effects | Strains | ||
Clear-Headed Focus | |||
Psychedelic | |||
Meditative | |||
Long-Lasting |
Do you have deadlines for that spreadsheet you're working on? Maybe you’re about to give a presentation, and weed makes you feel confident? In any case, cannabis strains high in the terpene pinene might give you the upper hand.
People often associate cannabis with short-term memory impairment. Early studies show that THC might reduce acetylcholine release[4] in parts of the brain; this neurotransmitter plays a vital role in memory function. Yet, other studies[5] show that pinene might help to inhibit enzymes tasked with breaking down acetylcholine, which means the terpene could show some potential to offset the short-term memory impairment caused by cannabis. If you want a clear-headed high, consider these high-pinene strains:
Powerful mind-altering experiences have their benefits. They allow us to look inward while also seeing the bigger picture. Though cannabis is not psychedelic outright, it has the potential to serve up some trippy, highly psychoactive experiences—especially when consumed in the form of edibles or dabs. High levels of THC are largely responsible for this effect, but there are likely other cannabinoids and terpenes that hold sway over the nature of these pseudo-psychedelic strains. The most “psychedelic” strains in the RQS catalogue include:
Meditation comes with a wide array of benefits. It keeps us relaxed, centres us, and helps us to temporarily bathe in the present moment and depart from the worries of the world. Some cannabis users prefer subtle strains to keep their minds focused and sharp during this practice, whereas others desire strong, stoning varieties to help them lock into the present. Consider these strains, according to your preferences, during your next meditation session:
What makes the effect of some strains last longer than others? High levels of THC play a sure role; however, if you want the lengthiest high possible, you’re going to need to get your baking tray out and fire up the oven. When ingested in the form of edibles, the liver converts THC into a metabolite called 11-hydroxy-THC. This molecule creates a much more powerful high that can last up to six hours or longer. To make the most THC-packed edibles possible, consider these three varieties:
Whereas cannabinoids lay the foundations for the effects of cannabis, terpenes take centre stage when it comes to flavour. These potent hydrocarbons light up the taste buds and underpin the unique sensory experience offered by each variety. Alone, each terpene features a core flavour profile. However, they exert complex tastes when delivered in concert. Below, you’ll discover all of the tastes that cannabis has to offer, and which of these molecules takes the credit for each one. Of course, we’ll make some strain suggestions along the way!
Tastes of Cannabis | Strains | ||
Earthy | |||
Pine | |||
Pineapple | |||
Herbal | |||
Pepper | |||
Candy | |||
Fruity | |||
Diesel | |||
Sour | |||
Pungent | |||
Mint | |||
Blueberry | |||
Cheese | |||
Chocolate | |||
Lavender | |||
Eucalyptus | |||
Vanilla | |||
Skunk | |||
Honey | |||
Lime | |||
Cookies |
More than one terpene underpins the earthy taste of cannabis. The main players in this regard include myrcene, humulene, and pinene. To experience a deep, savoury, perhaps even slightly musky experience, opt for buds from North Thunderfuck Automatic, Royal Dwarf, or Easy Bud.
Pinene of course takes the crown when it comes to the taste of pine in cannabis. This refreshing terpene also shows up in rosemary, dill, and eucalyptus. The most pinene-rich strains available from the RQS catalogue include Critical Kush, Speedy Chile, and Royal CBDV Automatic.
Tropical. Tasty. Moreish. Strains with hints of pineapple leave users returning to them again and again. But what makes these varieties so scrumptious? A combination of sweet terpenes is responsible, including limonene, geraniol, and linalool. To get a taste of pineapple, you need to get some Pineapple Kush seeds in the soil.
Being a herb, it comes as no surprise that some strains have herbal tastes and aromas. However, those that are less fruity, sour, and floral allow this base flavour to shine through. Herbal-tasting cultivars are high in savoury terpenes such as terpinolene and caryophyllene. If you’re chasing these flavours, look no further than El Patron.
It might sound strange to opt for pepper when you have so much fruity goodness available. But sometimes such savoury strains offer a welcome break from more tropical profiles, providing a rich and grounding taste that goes down wonderfully in pipes and bongs. The peppery powerhouse caryophyllene—also found in black pepper—underpins this flavour. If you’re after an absolute pepper bomb, know that White Widow fits the bill perfectly.
Who doesn’t love candy-flavoured weed? These varieties light up the taste buds situated at the front of the tongue, and often make the munchies even harder to resist. The terpenes limonene, geraniol, linalool, and bisabolol are thought to give rise to such sugary tastes. These are found in exceptionally high concentrations within the buds of Candy Kush Express.
Fruity cannabis strains are refreshing, and go down particularly well in a vaporiser, or when converted into high-potency dabs. The fruitiest terps in cannabis include limonene, linalool, humulene, and geraniol, which run the gamut of tropical to forest fruit notes. Try out Somango XL to get a true appreciation for these phytochemicals.
Since when did the taste of diesel become appealing? Since people started smoking weed! We’re not talking about the powerful odour that comes out of the nozzle at gas stations. Some strains have a hint of diesel that makes them tangy, sharp, and tasty. Myrcene and limonene largely contribute to this flavour, alongside hints of caryophyllene and humulene. You’ll find them together in the flowers of Diesel Automatic.
Sour strains are simply delicious. They hit the tongue in a whole different way than their sweet counterparts, and become especially tasty when combined with sugary varieties in the same bowl or chamber. The sourest terps in cannabis flowers include terpineol and camphene. Grow some Sour Diesel plants to experience an unadulterated sour sensation.
Rather than a smell, pungency is more of a physical sensation in and around the nose. It refers to sharp, strong, and almost overwhelming aromas. Sometimes you’ll encounter this experience after opening a stash jar or bag. Certain strains deliver a potent, almost aggressive odour, thanks mainly to high levels of caryophyllene, myrcene, and borneol. Shogun stands as one of the most pungent strains by RQS. Unsurprisingly, you won’t find many pests around these plants.
If you’re brewing up a cup of cannabis tea, or simply want a refreshing cultivar to blaze in the morning, then you may want to hunt down something minty. Mint plants are packed with limonene, pinene, and cineol (also known as eucalyptol), as are the cannabis strains ICE and Green Gelato.
Blueberries are tart, sweet, and sour all at the same time. A complex array of terpenes underpins this flavour, including cineole, linalool, cymene, and limonene. Interestingly, some cannabis strains include a similar chemical makeup, including Royal Bluematic.
In a world of fruit, sugar, candy, earth, and pine, cheesy strains offer something entirely unique. Savoury terpenes such as octanoic acid, butyrate, and hexanoic acid combine to create the strange goodness found in the likes of Royal Cheese.
A special blend of terpenes is required to generate the taste of chocolate in cannabis. Contrary to sweet chocolate bars on supermarket shelves, true chocolate has a complex flavour that includes notes of bitterness. A fine balance of linalool, myrcene, and ocimene hit the taste buds in just the right way to mimic this taste. Turn to Chocolate Haze if you want to experience this for yourself.
The lavender plant appeals to many of our senses. The gorgeous purple flowers of this species contain high levels of linalool, a potent terpene that lends gardeners a helping hand by driving away pest insects. To get a taste of lavender, opt for high-linalool strains such as Amnesia Haze.
Used frequently in aromatherapy, eucalyptus oil serves as a reservoir of aromatic terpenes, including eucalyptol (cineol), pinene, limonene, and cymene. If you want to stimulate your senses with a similar mix of aromatics, pack some ICE into a blunt, bowl, or vape chamber.
Vanilla isn’t just found in bottles on supermarket shelves. It’s a flavourful plant that originated in Mesoamerica. Vanilla pods hold a chemical secret in the form of vanillin, an organic compound that appears nowhere else in nature. However, the terpenes pinene, limonene, and caryophyllene also contribute to the unique taste of vanilla. You’ll find them in high concentrations in Royal CBG Automatic.
To understand the smell of skunk in cannabis, we need to step outside the world of terpenes for a moment. The skunky aroma of weed stems from prenylated volatile sulphur compounds. Interestingly, these molecules are also found in the aerosol spray that shoots out the back ends of skunks (the animal). Skunk XL provides some of the smelliest buds around.
Bees make honey by collecting nectar from plants. But nectar doesn’t just contain sugar, it also houses different kinds of terpenes. Linalool often shows up in honey samples in good quantities. Pair this with strains that already feature a sugary taste, and you're onto a winner. As you can guess by her name, Honey Cream offers some sugary goodness indeed.
Every time you peel a lime, a wave of aromatics stimulates the olfactory system. Limonene plays a big role here, but high levels of terpinolene also provide an important piece of the puzzle. The latter terpene offers a subtle bitterness that, when present in cannabis, diverts the overall taste away from the sweet aspects of lemon and toward the more neutral taste of lime. To experience this rare formula, start germinating some North Thunderfuck Automatic seeds.
Let’s get straight into this one. Cookies Gelato Automatic tastes, as you’d expect, just like cookies. But why? Because her flowers are packed with a unique blend of sweet terpenes including limonene, bisabolol, linalool, and geraniol. Load her flowers into a vape at a relatively low setting to experience these flavours in all their glory.
As you’ve learned, cannabis offers a wealth of flavours and effects. The level of choice means you’ll always have something new to experiment with—but it can also lead to paralysis by analysis. To help you find cultivars that best suit your preferences and growing situation, we developed the RQS Seedfinder. This handy online tool allows you to quickly filter through hundreds of strains to find those that really match your needs. Follow the quick, linear process to select traits such as autoflowering vs photoperiod, where you want to grow, your particular climate, and what flavours and effects you’re looking for. At the end of the process, we’ll introduce you to a selection of strains that you’re sure to autumn in love with.
Growing Autoflower