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Tag: skunk

  • Why Marijuana Smells Skunky

    Why Marijuana Smells Skunky

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    It is the telltale sign someone is having fun. Whether walking down the street or stepping into a crowd, you know exactly what is going on. Marijuana has a distinctive oder to clue you in when fun is going on.  But as cannabis goes mainstream and becomes legal, the smell is increasing fading. Here is why marijuana smells skunky and why is it disappearing.

    RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

    Smoking weed was the original way to consume.  But today, thanks to data from BDSA, we know most newer and younger partakers use vapes or gummies to enjoy the benefits.  The aroma is less prevalent, but it still as potent. Smoking still produces the smell, but why does some weed reek of skunk or dirty socks and other times it has the aroma of lemons or pine? The answer is terpenes.

    Photo by Alina Rosanova/Getty Images

    Terpenes are essential oils providing the fragrance in foods and herbs. When you take a whiff of basil, for example, what you are smelling are the terpenes. Cannabis strains also have unique terpenes producing the aroma. Some strains smell lemony (limonene) or spicy (caryophyllene) or floral (linalool) or piney (alpha-pinene).

    Terpenes not only provide the smell, they have essential therapeutic benefits, as well. Some of the most prevalent terpenes and their medicinal value:

    • Alpha-pinene (essential pine oil), the most common terpene in the plant world and one often found in cannabis, is a bronchodilator potentially helpful for asthmatics. Pinene also promotes alertness and memory retention by inhibiting the metabolic breakdown of acetylcholinesterase, a neurotransmitter in the brain stimulates these cognitive effects.
    • Myrcene, another terpene present in numerous cannabis varietals, is a sedative, a muscle relaxant, a hypnotic, an analgesic (painkiller) and an anti-inflammatory compound. This musky terpene contributes mightily to the infamous “couch-lock” experience and is the one which gives off the skunky aroma.
    • Limonene, a major terpene in citrus as well as in cannabis, has been used clinically to dissolve gallstones, improve mood and relieve heartburn and gastrointestinal reflux. Limonene, an anticonvulsant, has been shown to destroy breast-cancer cells in lab experiments, and its powerful antimicrobial action can kill pathogenic bacteria.
    • Linalool, a terpenoid prominent in lavender as well as in some cannabis strains, is an anxiolytic compound which counters anxiety and mediates stress. In addition, linalool is a strong anticonvulsant, and it also amplifies serotonin-receptor transmission, conferring an antidepressant effect. Applied topically, linalool can heal acne and skin burns without scarring.

    RELATED: How To Be Discreet When Using Weed

    • 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 gastro-protective, good for treating certain ulcers, and shows great promise as a therapeutic compound for inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders because of its ability to bind directly to the peripheral cannabinoid receptor known as CB2.

    And now you know why marijuana smells skunky.

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    Terry Hacienda

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  • Skunk season is approaching in NC. Here’s how to keep them away + what to know

    Skunk season is approaching in NC. Here’s how to keep them away + what to know

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    Skunk mating season in North Carolina usually begins during the second week of February.

    Skunk mating season in North Carolina usually begins during the second week of February.


    Lezlie Sterling

    lsterling@sacbee.com

    Valentine’s Day is approaching, which means love is in the air — and hopefully that’s all you’re smelling.

    Skunk mating season in North Carolina usually begins during the second week of February and runs through mid-April, according to Triangle Wildlife Removal. That means male skunks are preparing to chase female skunks, while leaving behind an unmistakable scent in the process.

    There are two species of skunks in North Carolina, according to the N.C. Wildlife Federation:

    • The striped skunk
    • The spotted skunk

    While spotted skunks are mostly found in the western part of the state, striped skunks are present in nearly every county, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission says.

    The striped skunk has the ability to “spray a yellowish, nauseating musk” from glands in its butt that can cause temporary blindness and leave behind a putrid smell, according to N.C. Wildlife.

    Here’s what to know about when skunks spray, how to keep them away from your home and what to do if you get sprayed.

    Skunk mating season in North Carolina usually begins during the second week of February.
    Skunk mating season in North Carolina usually begins during the second week of February. Lezlie Sterling lsterling@sacbee.com

    When do skunks spray?

    Skunks, which are mostly nocturnal animals, typically spray in situations when they feel threatened, such as when they see a person or animal approaching, N.C. Wildlife says.

    The agency recommends leaving skunks alone if you come across them, and allowing them to leave the area on their own.

    Are skunks beneficial to the ecosystem?

    Yes, skunks have a job to do, which is another reason to leave them alone if you cross one.

    “Skunks benefit the ecosystem, and people, by consuming a large number of pests including mice, voles, moles, beetles, worms and grubs,” says N.C. Wildlife.

    How to keep skunks away from your home

    Though skunks are mostly found in the woods, they can pop up in suburban areas if there are food sources or places to hide, N.C. Wildlife says.

    Here are some tips on how you and your pets can avoid encounters with skunks, according to N.C. Wildlife:

    • Secure your trash in tight-fitting containers, and clean up any food residue on grills and near your house.

    • Feed your pets indoors.

    • Use bird feeders designed to keep bird seed off the ground.

    • Close off crawl spaces, and openings underneath porches, decks and sheds.

    • Check your yard at night for skunks before letting your pet go outside

    Striped skunks can be hunted year-round, but you should check to see if local ordinances in your town restrict the discharge of firearms before hunting, N.C. Wildlife recommends.

    What to do if you get sprayed by a skunk

    According to N.C. Wildlife, if you or your pet are sprayed by a skunk, you can mix the following ingredients and spray the affected area to get rid of the smell:

    You should not premix or store the mixture, since the solution could explode, N.C. Wildlife says.

    Fact or fiction? Contrary to popular belief, tomato products do not get rid of skunk smell, according to Healthline.

    “These products may help mask odor, but they do not oxidize or destroy the thiols or thioacetates that cause them,” Healthline says.

    Related stories from Charlotte Observer

    Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.

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