Cannabis plants are primarily known for their pungently earthy aroma. This is because they contain various terpenes compounds, which give cannabis its distinctive flavor and scent. These same terpenes also impart flavors like citrus or pine to other types of flowers and plants.
One of the best-known terpenes is beta-caryophyllene, which is present in many cannabis strains but is also commonly found in other plants like garlic, hops, and black pepper. Read more here https://hollyweedcbd.com/cbd-101/does-cannabidiol-smell-like-weed/ to learn more.
When we get high, the heightened cannabinoid receptor activity causes the release of chemicals similar to our sense of smell, including beta-caryophyllene. This chemical has a citrusy aroma that adds a special note to the taste and smell of cannabis.
You may also notice pine and minty flavorings and floral hints like lavender and violet. CBD is also known to have a burning sensation and may make you sweat for reasons still the subject of intense debate.
Cannabidiol does not have any aroma. Therefore, it does not smell like weed.
How can we be sure? Well, we can’t be 100% sure, but cannabis plants contain hundreds of terpenes known to contribute to their flavor and aroma. If CBD were to have even a tiny percentage of one of these other terpenes, it would lead us to believe that there might be a more complex relationship between cannabidiol and cannabis aroma.
If you like the idea of cannabis, but want to avoid the pungent aroma of your favorite strains, then go for one lacking in terpenes. If you enjoy a more subtle flavor, you can tolerate a little pungency.
So if CBD doesn’t smell like weed, does it taste like it? The answer is yes!
To make matters more confusing for us science geeks, the cannabidiol molecule has an identical shape to CB1 receptors (a group of G-Protein coupled receptors that prevent cannabinoid stimulation). This means that when cannabidiol enters your body and binds to these receptors, it also binds to CB1 receptors.
This is why cannabidiol can produce many psychoactive properties that have made cannabis famous. These include its ability to make you feel euphoric, relaxed, and even a little stoned.
But because the shape of CBD resembles a cannabinoid receptor (CB1), it binds more strongly than other cannabinoids like THC. This allows CBD to influence your body’s CB1 receptors’ functions directly. These include your ability to experience pain, nausea, and inflammation reduction, as well as your mood and a general sense of well-being.
So while CBD is not psychoactive, it can alter your sensory perception and emotional state, just like marijuana.