Limonene

Terpenes are in nature.

Limonene is m- what makes a lemon smells like a lemon.

Guess what makes Lemon Haze smell like lemon? Limonene.

It's the same terpene.

And what we're finding out about terpenes is that, number one, also it gives it the taste and it gives the smell, but it also gives the therapeutic benefit.

Terpenes are in nature.

Limonene is m- what makes a lemon smells like a lemon.

Guess what makes lemon haze smell like lemon? Limonene.

It's the same terpene.

And what we're finding out about terpenes is that number one also it gives it the taste and it gives the smell, but it also gives the therapeutic benefit.

A lot of spices would have to be banned if we applied something like this, like the Delaney Clause to them, because cinnamon, for instance, contains a compound called coumarin that has been found to cause tumors in certain animals at some doses.

Limonene, which is naturally in citrus fruits, has caused cancer in rats at certain doses.

So you can see why people who are used to thinking about safety in terms of dose and route of exposure would pause and be like, "Wait a second, this doesn't really make sense."

Yeah, and this is a classic case of why it's so annoying to debunk things when there's nuance like this, 'cause you have to explain to people nuance.

As an example, eucalyptol, that is in eucalyptus.

It is also in cannabis sometimes, right? Limonene, which is a terpene very often in cannabis, is from lemons.

Myrcene is from mangoes.

Pinene is from pine needles, right? And beta-caryophyllene is from cracked pepper.

Because it's an organic hydrocarbon with a remarkably high vapor pressure, limonene is flammable.

If you squeeze an orange peel toward an open candle flame, the aerosolized droplets will ignite on contact, creating miniature bursts of fiery sparks, and that's why some outdoorsmen will swear by orange peels and orange oil as a great way to start a campfire.

Limonene also reacts aggressively with synthetic polymers.

A drop of fresh peel oil can dissolve the molecular bonds of a latex balloon and pop it on contact.

But orange oil is good for more than just starting fires and ruining birthday parties.

That's why you see citrus extracts front and center in everything from household countertop sprays to heavy duty workshop hand cleaners.

Now, if you're wondering why oranges would have such a volatile compound in the peels, citrus trees evolved this chemical as a form of organic chemical warfare to keep pests at bay.

Limonene dissolves the waxy protective cuticles on the exoskeletons of insects like ants, aphids, and fleas.