Aroma, Not THC, Is Critical For Enjoying Cannabis, Scientists Say

This article was first published in November 2022.

When it comes to cannabis, there is a vast array of strains available, each of which offers different effects and a unique flavor profile. Whether you’re looking for a strain to help you relax after a long day or one that energizes and uplifts, selecting the right strain can be daunting.

To that end, a team of researchers behind a study published last year in the journal Psychoactives found that pleasant aroma can be a determining factor in a more positive individual experience, rather than THC potency, dose or terpene expression.

The report is titled “The Nose Knows: Aroma, but Not THC, Mediates The Subjective Effects of Smoked and Vaporized Cannabis Flower” and co-authored by Dr. Ethan Russo.

The Study

The group of scientists led by Russo was focused on identifying which marijuana features affect its overall appeal, reported Cannabis Health News.

As part of the research, volunteers consumed several commercially available cannabis flower products and complete an anonymous survey.

The Results

Based on the data analyzed by independent researchers, a ‘pleasant subjective aroma’ seems to be a “predictive of pleasant subjective effects,” the paper said. Surprisingly, terpene expression as well as THC potency and dose proved to be a less important indicator of the quality of consumed cannabis.

It seems that those who consumed smaller amounts of marijuana enjoyed it more as they were likely to report higher appeal scores.

The greatest overall appeal was evidenced in those aged 60 and older, while males reported enjoying cannabis more than women, as they were more likely to report the appealing effects of THC.

Conclusion

Russo and his colleagues said their findings are a step toward educating consumers about making safer choices when it comes to cannabis products. After all, high-THC consumers comprise the majority of all cannabis users, according to data from Flowhub. This study is a step toward minimizing that trend and reducing the risks of THC overconsumption.

“With a constantly growing worldwide legal cannabis consumer base, there is a great need for consumer education about how to consume safely and responsibly,” researchers said in the paper. “Aligned with harm reduction approaches, these blinded, unbiased results suggest that optimal recreational enjoyment may be achieved by using small amounts of low-potency cannabis with a pleasant aroma, particularly when used once per week or less.”

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