WHAT ARE TERPENES & WHY DO THEY MATTER?
We know that cannabis is a complex plant, with hundreds of different compounds contributing to the many potential benefits of your CBD. Along with cannabinoids and flavonoids, your CBD products contain compounds called terpenes. But what do they actually do? Well, lucky for you, that’s what we’re talking about.
We’ll be covering:
- What terpenes are
- Where they’re found
- What they do
- And how they affect your CBD products
Let’s dive in!
Terpenes – What Makes Cannabis & Other Plants Smell
Chances are you may have only heard of cannabis terpenes recently. Actually, until a groundbreaking study completed 2019 was released on the therapeutic benefits of terpenes, most people were not aware they had medical benefits.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in a variety of plants like herbs, flowers, and trees. A few terpenes are even found in some animals.
Terpenes exist in many different plants, but they’re found in particularly high concentrations in the cannabis plant. That’s why terpenes are most frequently associated with cannabis. There are over 100 different terpenes found in the cannabis plant alone!
Terpenes provide the distinctive scents of many strong-smelling plants. The types and combinations of terpenes present shape the smells, flavors, and maybe even the varying effects of different cannabis strains.
What Do Terpenes Do? and what does it do to your body
Terpenes have a few different roles in plants:
- Attracting pollinators
- Warding off predators
- Aiding a plant’s metabolism
- Helping recover from damage.
Scientists think that because terpenes play such an important role in plant functioning, they may also have immune boosting powers when used by people. As consumer interest in CBD increases, so does the demand for more research into the potential health benefits terpenes have to offer.
The effect of terpenes reminds a lot of the ones from using CBD oil. The mind winds down, the immune system is strengthened and you relax.
Here’s the full list of research-backed claims:
- Reduce anxiety
- Reduce stress and help feel calm
- Relax muscles
- Help with focus
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-fungal
- Suggested to have anti-cancer properties
Common Terpenes & Their Effects
Scientists have discovered thousands of terpenes in the world. And they all have a range of scents, from fresh to spicy. They also seem to produce different effects, from calming to energizing.
With over 100 terpenes found in cannabis alone, we wouldn’t be able to list them all. But there are a few that love to hang out in hemp.
Another amazing feature of terpenes is they synergize with CBD and THC, making the psychoactive and medical effects more potent. This is called “The Entourage Effect”.
So if you ever smell some strong cannabis flower, you are smelling the different terpenes, but it will also affect how you feel once it is ingested, smoked or vaped.
Here are some of the most common terpenes you may find in your CBD.
Myrcene
Myrcene is one of the most prevalent terpenes found in hemp. It’s also found in hops and has an earthy clove-like smell.
Plants containing myrcene have historically been used in folk medicines as sleep aids and muscle relaxants. What does science say? Research suggests that myrcene may indeed have sedative and muscle relaxing effects.
Limonene
Limonene is a terpene typically associated with those citrusy-fresh smells. Along with cannabis, it’s found in citrus rinds, mint, and juniper.
Fun fact: Limonene is often added to foods, candles, and cleaning products to provide a bright lemony scent!
Researchers have found that limonene may aid in reducing stress and elevating mood. It might also have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral properties.
Pinene
Pinene is another terpene that frequently shows up in CBD. Like its name suggests, pinene is also found in conifers and it contributes to that sharp and fresh scent of pine needles and rosemary.
Researchers think that pinene may provide anti-inflammatory benefits and act as a bronchodilator — meaning it can relax and open up the airways in your lungs.
Linalool
Found in over 200 plants, linalool is known for having a rich floral scent. In CBD high in linalool, your nose might catch hints of lavender.
Researchers have found that linanool may have pain relieving, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal qualities. A few animal studies have also found some evidence that linalool may have antidepressant effects.
Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene is characterized by a warm and spicy aroma, so it makes sense that it’s also found in black pepper.
Within the body’s endocannabinoid system, caryophyllene seems to activate the CB2 receptors, which are found in immune tissues. CB2 receptors play a role in immune and inflammation regulation. And researchers have found some evidence that caryophyllene may help reduce inflammation and pain.
Humulene
If you drink beer, you’ve probably already met humulene. It’s found in high concentrations within hops — so it’s no surprise that humulene tends to have a hoppy, earthy aroma.
There’s some research to suggest humulene has anti-inflammatory properties. (You may be noticing a common theme here….)
Terpenes & Cannabinoids: What’s The Difference?
Terpenes and cannabinoids are both chemical compounds found in broad-spectrum CBD. Like cannabinoids, terpenes engage with receptors in your body’s endocannabinoid system. But terpenes are more associated with the aromatic and flavor profiles of CBD, whereas cannabinoids have more research backing their possible health benefits.
While cannabinoids are a big contributor to the health benefits of CBD, research suggests that terpenes play an important part, too. Researchers think that the therapeutic potential of terpenes lies in the synergistic combo of cannabinoids and terpenes together.
In a process known as the entourage effect, all the chemical compounds in CBD — including terpenes — work together to enhance the effectiveness of each other.
So, terpenes don’t just determine the smells of different cannabis strains, they each have different effects and potential benefits. For example, as mentioned earlier, myrcene is thought to aid sleep and relaxation, while limonene may have more mood boosting properties.
Do Terpenes Get You High?
Simply put — no. Because they are not psychoactive, terpenes won’t get you high.
That being said, terpenes may work with the other compounds — like cannabinoids — found in your CBD to enhance the possible effects of those cannabinoids.
But by themselves, terpenes can’t get you high.
Where to Buy Cannabis Products With Terpenes
Dr. CBD is Thailand’s first legal Cannabis, CBD and Terpenes shop with certified, FDA approved products. Many of our products contain cannabis terpenes. Look at Sleep Disorder CBD Oil, CBD Ultra Tincture, and these scented Hemp Aroma candles for example. These are our lighter products when it comes to therapeutic effects.
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