Skunk Smell: Study Reveals Origin Of Marijuana's Distinctive Aroma

By Franca Quarneti via El Planteo

A study conducted by scientists in the United States revealed the reason behind the characteristic smell of marijuana, often compared to that of skunk urine.

You don't have to be a smoker to recognize the special aroma that cannabis has: on the street or at a party; our sense of smell is heightened upon its scent.

About the study of the smell of marijuana

In order to understand a little more about this strange phenomenon, a group of researchers analyzed 13 different strains of cannabis and came to a conclusion.

Apparently, the smell of marijuana comes from a family of volatile sulfur compounds that had not been identified before in nature, but which have similarities to compounds found in garlic.

"Our results found that the main compounds contributing to this odor are a new family of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), with 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol correlating most strongly with the aroma of 13 cannabis cultivars," noted the scientists in the study.

As reported by Canex, the researchers argue that because the VSCs in cannabis are similar to those in garlic, marijuana may possess similar health benefits to that vegetable.

"The structural similarities between the VSCs in cannabis and garlic, therefore, warrant further investigation to determine whether the former possess similar health benefits to the latter," concluded the study.

Original publication: 2021-12-14

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Comments
Loading...
Posted In: BiotechCannabisEducationMarketsGeneralICYMIMarijuana SmellSkunkStudy
Benzinga simplifies the market for smarter investing

Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.

Join Now: Free!

Cannabis is evolving – don’t get left behind!

Curious about what’s next for the industry and how to leverage California’s unique market?

Join top executives, policymakers, and investors at the Benzinga Cannabis Market Spotlight in Anaheim, CA, at the House of Blues on November 12. Dive deep into the latest strategies, investment trends, and brand insights that are shaping the future of cannabis!

Get your tickets now to secure your spot and avoid last-minute price hikes.