Why marijuana smells stinky

It's the telltale sign that someone is having fun. Whether you're walking down the street or stepping into a crowd, you know exactly what's going on. Marijuana has a special smell that lets you know when it's fun. But the more cannabis becomes established and legalized in the mainstream, the more the smell fades. Here's why marijuana smells stinky and why it goes away.

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Smoking weed was the original form of consumption. But today, thanks to BDSA data, we know that most newer and younger consumers use e-cigarettes or gummies to enjoy the benefits. The aroma is less predominant but still just as strong. Smoking still produces the smell, but why does some weed smell like a skunk or dirty socks and sometimes it has the aroma of lemons or pine? The answer is terpenes.

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Terpenes are essential oils that give the scent of foods and herbs. For example, when you sniff basil, you smell the terpenes. Cannabis strains also have unique terpenes that create the aroma. Some varieties smell lemony (limonene), spicy (caryophyllene), floral (linalool), or piney (alpha-pinene).

Terpenes not only provide smell, they also have significant therapeutic benefits. Some of the most common terpenes and their medicinal value:

• Alpha-pinene (pine essential oil), the most abundant terpene in the plant world and commonly found in cannabis, is a potentially helpful bronchodilator for asthmatics. Pinene also promotes attention and memory retention by inhibiting the metabolic breakdown of acetylcholinesterase, a neurotransmitter in the brain that stimulates these cognitive effects.
• Myrcene, another terpene found in numerous cannabis strains, is a sedative, muscle relaxant, hypnotic, analgesic (pain reliever), and anti-inflammatory compound. This musky terpene contributes significantly to the infamous “couch lock” experience and gives off the skunk aroma.
• Limonene, a key terpene in citrus fruits and cannabis, is used clinically to dissolve gallstones, improve mood, and relieve heartburn and gastrointestinal reflux. Limonene, an anticonvulsant, has been shown in laboratory experiments to destroy breast cancer cells, and its powerful antimicrobial effects can kill pathogenic bacteria.
• Linalool, a terpenoid found in both lavender and some cannabis strains, is an anxiolytic compound that fights anxiety and relieves stress. In addition, linalool is a powerful anticonvulsant and enhances the transmission of serotonin receptors, producing an antidepressant effect. When applied topically, linalool can heal acne and skin burns without leaving scars.

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• Beta-caryophyllene is a sesquiterpene found in the essential oils of black pepper, oregano, and other edible herbs, as well as in cannabis and many green leafy vegetables. It is gastroprotective, good for treating certain ulcers, and holds promise as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases due to its ability to bind directly to the peripheral cannabinoid receptor CB2.

And now you know why marijuana smells stinky.