Cannabis 101: What Are Terpenes and What Do They Do?
It is widely understood that the primary active ingredients in botanical remedies can be enhanced through interaction with secondary compounds. Some secondary compounds create a synergy that elevates the overall effectiveness of the remedy, while others aid in mitigating potentially negative side effects. This is called an entourage effect.
Scientific research has shown that this principle can also apply to cannabis. Certain secondary compounds already naturally occurring in cannabis, such as terpenes, can enhance the beneficial effects of the ingredients tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), those which are primarily prescribed for treating illnesses.
Studies have proven that terpenes display unique therapeutic effects that may contribute meaningfully to the entourage effects of cannabis-based medicinal extracts.
via rsc.org
What are Terpenes and Terpenoids?
Terpenes are a class of organic compounds (hydrocarbons) produced by a variety of plants (see a complete definition here). Each cannabis plant may contain dozens of terpenes. The unique combination of different terpenes helps distinguish one cannabis strain from another and can vary with changes to the soil and/or the temperature in which it is cultivated. The individual set of terpenes present in each strain can offer a unique set of benefits ranging from increased circulation and enhanced neurological functions to altered cell permeability. In addition, it’s the terpenes that give cannabis its scent and flavor.
Recently, the terms terpene and terpenoid have come to be used interchangeably. However, there are technical differences: Terpenoids are terpenes that contain additional functional groups. Terpenoids may refer to terpenes that have been chemically modified to produce a desired effect.
Cannabis oil terpenoids are believed to increase cerebral blood flow and cortical activity, reduce respiratory pathogens and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
via medicaljane.com
Common Cannabis Oil Terpenes
These are the most widely understood terpenes that exist in cannabis and also among the most commonly used in integrative medicine:
Borneol:
Smell/Flavor: Menthol, pine
Properties: Found in cinnamon and wormwood
Effects: Sedative
Conditions: Fatigue, stress
Carophyllene:
Smell/Flavor: Spicy, sweet, clove, peppery
Properties: Used in topical clove oil
Effects: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic
Conditions: Potassium ion channel disorders
Cineole:
Smell/Flavor: Minty, spicy
Properties: Found in rosemary and eucalyptus
Effects: Brain stimulation
Conditions: Neurological deficiencies
Delta3Carene:
Smell/Flavor: Sweet, pine, cedar
Properties: Found in rosemary as well as pine and cedar resin
Effects: Dehydration of excess liquid in eyes, ears and throat, reduced menstrual flow rate
Conditions: Otolaryngological disorders, menstrual disorders
Limonene:
Smell/Flavor: Citrus, rosemary, juniper, peppermint
Properties: Found in the rinds of many citrus fruits
Effects: Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-depressant, anti-carcinogen
Conditions: Infection, depression, cancer
Linolool:
Smell/Flavor: Floral, citrus, candied spice
Properties: Found in lavender
Effects: Anti-anxiety, sedative
Conditions: Anxiety disorders, insomnia
Myrcene:
Smell/Flavor: Clove, citrus, mango, mint, hops
Properties: An abundant terpene in cannabis that is often used in the perfume industry
Effects: Antimicrobial, antiseptic, analgesic antioxidant, anti-carcinogen, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxing
Conditions: infection, heart conditions, depression, muscle and joint issues
Pinene:
Smell/Flavor: Pine needles, rosemary, dill, parsley, basil, hops
Properties: A major component of turpentine
Effects: Mental focus, expectorant, bronchodilator, topical antiseptic
Conditions: ADHD, asthma
Pulegone:
Smell/Flavor: Mint, rosemary, candy
Properties: Can be damaging to the liver in high quantities
Effects: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Conditions: Alzheimer’s
Terpineol:
Smell/Flavor: Floral, lilac, citrus, apple, orange, lime
Properties: Used in perfumes and soaps for fragrance
Effects: Sedative
Conditions: Insomnia, anxiety, stress
via spexcertiprep.com
Terpenoids and cannabinoids both increase blood flow, enhance cortical activity, and kill respiratory pathogens, including MRSA, the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that in recent years has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Americans. Dr. Russo’s article reports that cannabinoid-terpenoid interactions “could produce synergy with respect to treatment of pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, addiction, epilepsy, cancer, fungal and bacterial infections.”
Marijuana’s bouquet of terpenes plays another important role. Terpenes and CBD buffer THC’s tricky psychoactivity. Cannabinoid-terpenoid interactions amplify the beneficial effects of cannabis while mitigating THC-induced anxiety.
The terpenoid profile can vary considerably from strain to strain. Patients who abandon a suitable strain for one with higher THC and/or CBD content may not get more relief if the terpenoid profile is significantly different. The nose knows: Choose a cannabis strain that smells good to you.
Information courtesy of projectcbd.org and cbdfarm.org
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Cannabis 101: What Are Terpenes and What Do They Do? was originally published on Young Fashioned
