Patricia
You may have lately come across a less often used term: terpenes, in addition to standard cannabis terminologies like cannabinoid, India, and Sativa. Another chemical discovered in cannabis is cannabinoids.
But, exactly, what are terpenes? And how critical is it to understand the types and amounts of cannabis in a product before purchasing it?
They are responsible for the aromas, odors, and even colors associated with different plant species. Terpenes are cannabis chemicals that give different strains their distinct scents and flavors.
Cleaning solvents, insecticides, and dyes are among the items that may be made from them. Some of them are even therapeutic.
While terpenes may be found in practically all plants, the following are some of the most prevalent sources:
- Cannabis.
- Citrus fruits
- Fragrant herbs such as sage and thyme
What exactly do they do?
Terpenes are thought to protect plants against predators as well as harsh weather. What they do in people is still a bit of a mystery. On the other hand, Terpenes are becoming increasingly popular among cannabis researchers and consumers as a means of identifying cannabis products and predicting their effects.
The basic idea is that a strain’s terpene profile, or prominent terpenes, works in tandem with its cannabinoid content or the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), and other cannabinoids in the strain to produce the effects that people associate with different strains.
They may, for example, explain why two strains with identical THC content have such disparate effects.
Do they make you feel high?
While terpenes do not produce euphoria on their own, some studies believe they can alter the effects of THC, the cannabinoid responsible for cannabis’ high.
Many cannabis enthusiasts and budtenders believe that customers lay much too much focus on THC levels when picking a strain. Instead, they suggest concentrating on specific terpene profiles to get the desired results. For example, a preliminary study reveals that certain terpenes may have potential advantages for anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, among other mental health issues.
How do they stack up against THC and CBD?
Cannabinoids and terpenes are two different chemicals that might give you hints about what to expect from a cannabis product.
However, they all appear to interact with one another. A phenomenon is known as the “entourage effect.” The theory is that the “whole spectrum” of cannabis, which includes all cannabinoids, terpenes, and other chemicals present in cannabis, interacts together to generate cannabis’ feelings and effects.
Put another way, and it’s a theory that a little bit of everything is better than a lot of one thing. According to a 2010 study, a combination of CBD and THC was more helpful for pain relief than THC alone. However, other cannabinoids, not terpenes, were thought to be responsible for the synergistic effects.
If you’re taking CBD for medicinal purposes, you should think about it. If a CBD isolate (a product that solely includes CBD) doesn’t give you the results you want, consider a full-spectrum CBD product, which will also contain terpenes and other cannabinoids and minor levels of Delta 10 THC.
Terpenes in common use and their consequences
There are over 400 terpenes in cannabis, but only a few have been connected to particular effects by specialists.
Here are some most important point’s prevalent terpenes and their effects:
- Beta-caryophyllene. Beta-caryophyllene, a compound found in cloves, rosemary, and hops, may be useful in treating anxiety and depression symptoms.
- Beta-pinene is a kind of beta-pinene. Beta-pinene, which possesses anti-depressantTrusted Source and anti-cancerTrusted Source properties, is recognizable to everyone who has ever taken a stroll in a coniferous forest.
- Humulene is a kind of humulene. This terpene is found in ginseng and has been used in traditional medicine for its stimulating qualities for a long time.
- Linalool. If you like lavender as aromatherapy, look for cannabis that contains linalool, which may help you relax.
- Myrcene, which is found in mangoes, has antifungal and antibacterial activities and may have sedative characteristics.
Getting the most out of their advantages
Interested in learning more about terpenes? Here are some pointers to remember:
- Pay attention to the label. The terpene profiles (typically the three most prominent terpenes) and product concentrations are included in certain lab-tested cannabis brands (usually a number that sits around 2 percent).
- Make sure it’s still fresh. Because the content of terpenes might degrade with time, search for items with a recent package date. Try to get a whiff of it if you’re going with floral. You want something aromatic (which indicates a high terpene level).
- When using cannabis oil, use care. Synthetic terpenes are frequently used in oil-based vaping products. Although it’s unclear if synthetic terpenes are less effective than natural terpenes, they’re frequently utilized to make solvents and other household chemicals. Proceed with caution, and be aware of marketing materials that make unrealistic claims.
- Take a break from the heat. According to some evidence rested Source, dabbing, which requires intense heat, may destroy synthetic terpenes, resulting in potentially hazardous metabolites. You might want to stick with the vaporizing flower at a moderate temperature or eat edibles until specialists learn more about how heat affects terpenes.
- Keep a diary. Take note of your intake strategy and how you feel as you explore different terpene compositions. It might help you find the ideal terpene profile for the affects you want over time.
Conclusion
Terpenes have a big role in how a cannabis strain smells and tastes. When combined with THC and other cannabis plant components, they may produce psychedelic effects. However, because research on the plant’s more than 400 terpenes is still in its early phases,
Apart from cannabinoids and terpenes, your physiology, prior cannabis experience, and the setting in which you consume cannabis can all impact how you feel. Terpenes are only one piece of the jigsaw, but they may be a fun way to try out new products and determine which ones you like most.
