Most individuals can identify cannabis by its distinct musky, skunky, and pungent odor long before seeing it. Cannabis gets its scent and flavor from terpenes, the fragrant chemicals responsible for the perfume of many flowers and plants. Plants and herbs contain various aromatic chemicals, some of which are terpenes and others of which are isoprenoids.
Terpenes are responsible for various tastes and aromas, including the rich, sweet smell of lavender and the harsh stench of garlic. Terpenes are responsible for many of the most distinctive smells and scents associated with plants and herbs.
In this post, we'll go over what terpenes are, how they work, and what you should keep in mind if you decide to use them. In addition, we present a rundown of the most common terpenes and suggest some practical applications for them. You may use terpenes for various purposes, including enhancing food flavor and alleviating medical symptoms.
What are terpenes?
Terpenes are chemicals that make cannabis smell and taste different. They are responsible for the scent and flavor of cannabis products and their therapeutic effects.
There are around one hundred and fifty different terpenes found in cannabis, and they are all responsible for the plant's signature scent and flavor. Popular terpenes include linalool, myrcene, and caryophyllene. One may find them in various plants, including lavender, pine, and citrus.
The plant produces terpenes in response to its surroundings. Highly terpene-rich plants like peppermint and eucalyptus favor dry, chilly environments. Plants like lavender and thyme that grow near water tend to have higher terpene concentrations. The monoterpene myrcene contributes to the musky aroma of cannabis, while the sesquiterpene caryophyllene contributes to the peppery aroma.
Recent interest in terpenes stems from discovering they can boost CBD oil's therapeutic benefits. Terpenes can be used to improve the flavor and aroma of cannabis as well as to defend the plant against pests. Natural insecticides, such as terpenes, exist. Thus, terpenes are crucial to the well-being of your plants and contribute to a more satisfying cannabis experience.
Terpenes in Cannabis
More and more research into the cannabis plant reveals that the entourage of terpenes, cannabinoids, and other substances contained in the plant is primarily responsible for the plant's unique effects. There may be a difference in the effects produced by different cultivars due to the ratio of cannabinoids to terpenes. Terpenes like limonene and myrcene can make you feel calm and tired, while terpenes like pinene and eucalyptol can help clear your lungs of mucus and other irritants. Other terpenes, such as linalool and caryophyllene, can reduce the potency of a high or "block" the undesirable effects of cannabis.
Common terpenes and their applications
Suppose you're searching for novel approaches to your health and well-being. Natural remedies are becoming increasingly popular as a means of achieving this goal. Among the many natural substances present in plants, terpenes are one of the most effective medicines. Please look at some of the most popular terpenes and their uses.
Some specific terpenes and the changes they may cause are as follows:
1. Beta-Caryophyllene:
It has a spicy and peppery aroma in black pepper, clove, basil, and cinnamon. This flavor produces relaxing effects (without sedation), which are beneficial for reducing pain and inflammation.
2. Linalool
It is a rare terpene that may be detected in specific strains of cannabis. Linalool is notable for its capacity to potentially assist in regulating seizures, although it does not appear regularly. It has a woodsy and flowery aroma, which is also found in lavender, coriander, and basil; this aroma is responsible for the sedative and relaxing properties that help reduce seizures, sleeplessness, and stress.
3. Humulene
Either CBD or THC, when consumed, can stimulate hunger, though the latter is more so. However, because the cannabis strain includes a sufficient amount of humulene, you will feel the opposite of what you were expecting. The woodsy, spicy, and herbaceous scent of humulene, which originated from ginseng, hops, and sage, suppresses hunger and, when combined with antimicrobial agents, reduces appetite and relaxing benefits.
4. Limonene
Limonene is a terpene that may be found, among other places, in citrus fruits. Limonene, however, may also have significant anti-inflammatory effects, although it is most recognized for its zesty and refreshing scent. The citrus smell that it exudes comes from the juniper and the lemon, and it is known for its ability to stimulate and improve one's mood and is commonly used in cleaning products and food coloring.
5.Pinene
Pinene is a kind of terpene found naturally in pine trees. Consequently, the terpene is responsible for the distinctive odor typically associated with being in a dense forest. Alternatively, pinene may possess additional advantageous properties. Pinene has recently attracted the interest of mental health and neurology professionals due to its possible neuroprotective properties. Pinene, which smells like pine and has relaxing qualities, may be extracted and utilized as a food coloring and in cleaning products made from pine, rosemary, and basil.
How do CBD terpenes work?
While terpenes are responsible for the distinctive scent of cannabis, they are also good for your health in many other ways. Terpenes are organic compounds that may be extracted from various plant and animal sources and then utilized to make things like perfumes, tastes, and medications.
CBD terpenes exert their effects by triggering a variety of receptor interactions. For instance, limonene has been studied for its potential antidepressant effects and linalool for its sedative ones. There is no end to how CBD terpenes are used; they give different cannabis strains their unique benefits.
The various CBD terpenes have distinct impacts on the human body depending on context. Terpenes from certain fruits have different effects on people. Grapefruit terpenes are known to stimulate, while those from lemon-lime have a relaxing effect.
Humans have utilized terpenes for a long time to produce essential oils for aromatherapy and other uses. Those who have dabbed lavender oil, which contains linalool, behind their ears are aware that it can help them relax. Similarly, terpenes present in particular cannabis strains might augment their effects.
However, terpenes' effects appear to go beyond merely psychological. Terpenes, which are found in cannabis, are being seen as a promising new area for medical applications of the plant. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD have received the lion's share of attention for their therapeutic benefits. However, as our knowledge of terpenes increases, it becomes clear that these fragrant molecules are also potent medicines.
Each terpene has its own set of healing qualities. Some terpenes' effects on humans are reminiscent of their role in cannabis and other plants, such as aiding in the battle against unwanted germs and viruses.
Potential Benefits of Terpenes
The medicinal benefits of cannabis products containing terpenes vary on the kind and concentration of the terpene present. Some of the most prevalent and well-known terpenes are linalool, myrcene, and caryophyllene. These substances have been found to relieve anxiety and discomfort, promote relaxation and sleep, and aid in managing mood swings. Additionally, hemp oil enhanced with high quantities of particular terpenes has been demonstrated beneficial in alleviating pain and inflammation.
Researchers have shown that various terpenes provide a variety of psychological and physical health advantages. In addition to relieving pain, several of these products may also cleanse the skin or improve its appearance. Some might help you relax, while others can make you hungry for more. Said terpenes are beneficial natural substances you may not be familiar with.
Certain terpene aromas have been shown to improve mood in a way analogous to aromatherapy. In particular, the calming impact of linalool terpene, a flowery smell also present in lavender, can aid in falling asleep. Limonene, a terpene present in peppermint and other citrus fruits, has similar mood-boosting properties.
Terpenes have been explored for their various potential medicinal applications because of their positive effects on health. A study found that terpenes may be used for therapeutic and medical purposes. Terpenes are of interest because of their shown ability to inhibit viral replication. It has been hypothesized that some terpenes may help treat cancer and diabetes. Terpenes are known to give people who use cannabis a better experience without the usual side effects. Aside from these benefits, terpenes are known to be anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, and antidepressant.
Terpenes are known to have effects on the body as well as the mind. But how much that effect happens depends on the type of terpene. In general, terpenes may have the following effects on the body:
- Antibacterial and antifungal properties
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Anti-cancer
- Antidiabetic
- Antiviral
- Antidepressant
Do terpenes have adverse effects?
Many terpenes are bioactive, which means they may alter the body. The intensity of this effect will change depending on the terpene's content and the individual using it. Terpenes are the building blocks of many essential oils and play an important role in alternative therapies like aromatherapy because of their energizing aromas. Some essential oils and aromatic herbs have been shown to have a calming effect just by inhaling them.
Can terpenes get me high? The short answer is that terpenes can influence your high through the Entourage Effect, but they are only sometimes regarded as causing significant highs on their own. Aromatherapy using essential oils has been shown to affect one's mood and stress levels positively. However, increasing one's intake of natural endocannabinoids can have similar results, which may provide an effect similar to a runner's high in specific individuals.
It is because terpenes benefit the binding environment, which in turn helps the Endocannabinoid System operate. Although terpenes won't give you quite the same high as pure THC, they can still make you feel exceptionally great.
How do terpenes work in the human body?
Terpenes produced from cannabis have effects that are similar to cannabinoids. They enter the bloodstream and interact with hormones and receptors in the brain, organs, immune cells, and connective tissues.
Terpenes primarily interact with your brain's serotonin and dopamine systems, leading to improved mood, calmness, and sleep quality. The impact of other cannabinoids, such as THC, can be modified by this interaction. This means that the terpenes in cannabis are responsible for the wide range of effects you may experience, from feeling energized and creative to be ready for sleep.
Is CBD the same as terpenes?
Terpenes and cannabinoids are active chemical substances in the cannabis plant that serve significant roles. Cannabinoids such as CBD and THC are primarily responsible for cannabis's euphoric, therapeutic, and medical properties. Terpenes are lesser-known cannabis chemicals that are responsible for flavor and scent.
Cannabidiol (CBD) and terpenes (the fragrant components of cannabis) do not produce the same level of intoxication as THC. Terpenes (apart from beta-caryophyllene) are aromatic compounds with nothing to do with CBD. However, the cannabis plant contains both chemicals, which may be extracted from it.
Conclusion
Terpenes are the chemical components that give most plants their distinctive aromas. They have an abundance of cannabis and other plants, fruits, and herbs. They could impact the vitality and longevity of the plants they inhabit.
Some research suggests that people may get health advantages by inhaling certain essential oils, consuming terpene-rich plants, or spending time in environments rich in terpenes. With more research, terpenes' potential therapeutic and medical benefits can only be understood entirely.
To determine whether or not cannabidiol (CBD) is the best supplement for you, familiarity with terpenes is helpful. Terpenes, the compounds responsible for cannabis' characteristic odor, are believed to complement CBD's therapeutic effects.
Terpenes like withanolide might be beneficial if you seek a CBD strain that stimulates rather than relaxes. You can better judge CBD's usefulness if you are familiar with its terpenes.
Source Article:
https://www.healthline.com/health/cannabis-terpenes#list-of-terpenes
https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/terpenes-the-flavors-of-cannabis-aromatherapy
https://www.medicalterpenes.com/potential-benefits-of-terpenes/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7120914/
https://cobocbd.com/what-are-terpenes-and-benefits-infograph/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-are-terpenes#summary