You’ve probably heard the words THC and CBD, yes, it plays a big role in the cannabis industry. Now, have you ever heard of the word cannabis terpenes? I can hear some of you saying ‘What even is that?’ or ‘What are cannabis terpenes, really?’
I’m here to explain it to you.
Key Takeaways
- Cannabis terpenes are naturally produced aromatic compounds that create a distinctive smell and taste for each cannabis strain.
- About 20,000 terpenes were discovered by scientists, and roughly 150 terpenes were found in cannabis.
- Terpenes is not intoxicated on its own, meaning that it will not get you high. However, some terpenes are psychoactive since it can affect the brain.
- There are 6 types of common terpenes found in cannabis including myrcene, limonene, pinene, linalool, humulene, and terpinolene, which all come with their own therapeutic benefits.
- Cannabinoids and terpenes have similarities and differences e.g. both are compounds found in cannabis plants, and terpenes have a strong smell while cannabinoids don’t.
- When cannabinoids and terpenes are combined, they enhance the physiological effects of cannabis.
What are Cannabis Terpenes?
Have you ever wondered what makes each flower produce a different scent, taste, and color? Well, the answer is what’s called ‘terpenes,’ which are aromatic compounds produced by plants such as flowers, herbs, and fruits, including cannabis.
Cannabis terpenes are natural compounds found in resin glands of the trichomes in female cannabis plants which differentiate the distinctive smells and tastes of the cannabis strain. There are about 20,000 terpenes discovered by the scientists and approximately 150 terpenes are found in cannabis.
Are Terpenes the Reason to Get You High?
No, the terpenes alone do not get you high in the way that the cannabinoid THC does. However, some of them have properties of psychoactive as it has the ability to affect our brains when coupled with specific compounds e.g. making you feel relaxed or calming your anxiety.
Most Common Terpenes Found In Cannabis and Their Therapeutic Benefits
- Myrcene
You can consider Myrcene as one of the most common cannabis terpenes. It can be found in almost every cannabis strain, which has a unique earthy and herbal aroma. Myrcene is known to increase the absorption of THC in our body, where it can be found in mangoes, hops, and basils. Myrcene also holds the medical properties of antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxation, and reduces chronic pain.
- Limonene
Limonene is filled with a citrusy aromatic that reminds you of fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. It’s commonly used for fragrances, cosmetics, and cleaning products, thanks to its fresh and pleasant smell. Here are the benefits that Limonene gives: antidepressant, anti-anxiety, anti-fungal, antibacterial, and reducing nausea and vomiting.
- Pinene
Pinene has a distinctive scent that is very pine trees-like. It’s commonly found in plants like rosemary, basil, guava, and coriander as well as orange peels. Pinene contains quite an amount of medical benefits. These are some of them: energy boost, improved focus, anti-inflammatory, and bronchodilator.
- Linalool
Linalool terpenes generally smell like flowers such as rose, lavender, and mint. This type of terpene is also popularly brought up to produce fragrances and cosmetics with its satisfying smell. What’s more is that they are loaded with properties including anti-inflammatory, stress relief, pain relief, and anxiolytic.
- Humulene
The aroma of Humulene is usually described as an earthy and woody scent that can be found in herbal plants, hops, and ginseng. Tasting bitter and hoppy while drinking beers? Now that’s the product of the humulene terpenoid but you may be familiar with the name ‘beer hops’. Humulene holds benefits in preventing bacteria and fungi, anti-inflammatory, and seasonal allergy relief.
- Terpinolene
Terpinolene has a fresh scent of pine trees, florals, and herbal plants, with hints of lemons. You can find this type of terpene in apples, nutmegs, and tea trees where it comes with a variety of therapeutic benefits which include anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidants.
Terpenes and Cannabinoids, What’s The Difference?
Both Terpenes and Cannabinoids are compounds found in the cannabis plants. Now, let’s see the similarities and differences between these two.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in plants including cannabis that are responsible for flavor and scent, they offer psychoactive effects to individuals. Cannabinoids are a class of components that come from hemp and cannabis that interact with the cannabinoid receptors of the human body and brain which gives similar effects as the ones produced by the Cannabis Sativa plant.
Terpenes are well-known to have strong odors while cannabinoids, on the other hand, do not produce strong scents. In the legal field, cannabinoids are considered illegal at concentrations of 0.3% or more. On the contrary, numerous types of terpenes are legal and are in the components within the cleaning products.
How Do The Terpenes Work When Paired With Cannabinoids?
The aggregation work between the cannabinoids and terpenes is to enhance the physiological reactions of the cannabis. Both cannabinoids and terpenes have an impact on the increase of blood flow, destroy respiratory pathogens, and escalate cortical activity.
When paired these two together, they create the entourage effect which is the way that several compounds within cannabis, including THC and CBD, help each other to enhance cannabis for better efficiency, and that’s how both cannabinoids and terpenes stick with the brain receptors to create a ‘high’ effect.
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