Cannabis 101: What’s the Deal with Terpenes?
Terpenes are a less familiar name in the cannabis community, but they’re an important component of the plant’s chemistry. These are other chemicals present in marijuana.
Terpenes, on the other hand, are what? How crucial is it to know the types and concentrations of cannabis in a product before purchasing it? Continue reading to learn what researchers have discovered so far.
Who or What Are They?
Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants and animals. They’re in charge of giving plants their distinctive smells, tastes, and colours. Terpenes are what give different strains of cannabis their distinct aroma and flavour.
They can also be used to make items like cleaning solvents, insecticides, and colours. These can also be used to treat ailments. Terpenes can be found in practically all plants, however, some of the more prevalent sources are:
Cannabis
herbaceous plants, such as thyme and sage
Citrus groves
What Do These People Do?
Plants are assumed to be protected against harsh weather and predators by the presence of terpenes. For humans, it’s still a mystery what they do there. Terpenes, on the other hand, are increasingly being studied by cannabis academics and consumers alike as a way to classify cannabis products and predict their effects.
The major terpenes of a strain act in unison with the cannabinoid content—the quantity of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and other cannabinoids—to produce the effects people associate with different strains. For example, they could explain why two strains with identical THC content have such disparate effects.
Do They Make You Feel High?
Terpenes will not make you feel euphoric in the classic sense. Some, however, are viewed as psychoactive because they impact the brain.
Some believe that terpenes may influence the effects of THC, the cannabinoid responsible for cannabis’s euphoric effect.
Many cannabis experts and budtenders believe that consumers place an excessive amount of importance on the THC levels when selecting a strain. As a substitute, they advise concentrating on specific terpene profiles in order to achieve the desired results.
Preliminary Research, for Example
Some terpenes, according to Trusted Source, may offer potential advantages for mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
What Are Their Differences and Similarities to Thc and Cbd?
There are more than 100 cannabinoids in cannabis, but THC and CBD are the most plentiful and well-studied two. Both cannabinoids and terpenes might offer you a sense of what to expect from a cannabis product, but they are distinct chemicals.
This is known as the “entourage effect.” According to this theory, the “whole spectrum” of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other chemicals contained in cannabis work together to produce the sensations and effects of cannabis in a synergistic fashion. In other words, it’s a theory that a little bit of everything may be better than a lot of one thing.
Read More- Cannabis Terpenes: What’s the Deal with Terpenes?
Research Conducted in 2010 Shows This
According to Trusted Source, a combination of CBD and THC was more efficient than THC alone in relieving pain.
In a 2018 study, breast cancer tumours in a Petri dish responded better to a cannabis extract than pure THC. These synergistic effects, on the other hand, were thought to be the result of other cannabinoids, not terpenes.
If you’re planning to use CBD for medicinal purposes, keep this in mind before you get started. A full-spectrum product, which includes terpenes and other cannabinoids, including small levels of THC, maybe a better option if you consume a CBD isolate and find that it doesn’t have the intended impact.
Learn More About Cbd Isolation vs. Full-Spectrum
Common terpenes and their results Terpenes in marijuana number in the hundreds, but only a small number of these compounds have been connected to specific health benefits by researchers.
Read More- Cannabis Oil: Health Benefits of Cbd Oil — and A Look at Side Effects
Here Are a Few Common Terpenes and Their Possible Effects
Beta-caryophyllene. Clove, rosemary, and hops all contain the phytochemical beta-caryophyllene, which may be useful in treating anxiety and depression.
Beta-pinene. Beta-pinene, which you may have smelled when strolling through a coniferous forest, may have antidepressant and anticancer properties. Properties that are known to be reliable.
Humulene. Ginseng contains this stimulating terpene and has long been utilised as a folk remedy for its effects.
Limonene. Limonene, one of the most abundant terpenes, has a unique citrus flavour and may have anti-cancer properties. Anti-anxiety properties have been demonstrated in Trusted Source studies on mice.
Linalool. Cannabis with linalool, an aromatherapy compound found in lavender, may be of interest to those who enjoy the relaxing effects of this herb.
Myrcene. Myrcene, an antifungal and antibacterial compound found in mangoes, also has sedative potential.
Terpene research is in its infancy, so keep this in mind. Human studies of higher quality are needed to completely understand the health effects of various terpene compositions.
Read More- Curing Cannabis: How To Dry and Cure Cannabis to Ensure Quality,
Maximizing the Benefits
Have a want to learn more about terpenes? Keep in mind the following advice: Look at the label. There are certain brands of lab-tested cannabis that contain terpene profiles (typically just three of the most common terpenes) and concentrations (usually a number that sits around 2 per cent).
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