The ever-interesting cannabis world keeps bringing a lot of information, leaving researchers and cannabis enthusiasts amazed. They are always asking themselves this question, “what are cannabis and its relation to terpenes?” When you rewind to the past few years, you will understand that cannabis was restrained to CBD and THC.
Later on, there came so many cannabinoids, and currently, we have cannabis terpenes, which is the day’s talk. If you are interested in botany, you might be aware that terpenes are not just restricted to cannabis plants. To be precise, they are found in other plants like conifers as well as in some animals. Even though these terpenes serve several functions and benefit green plants, we shall focus on the cannabis plants. In this case, we shall understand what terpenes are and navigate through this aromatic compound.
Cannabis Terpenes: What Exactly are They?
Terpenes are highly aromatic compounds responsible for determining the smell of several herbs and plants like lavender and rosemary. Manufacturers of everyday products make use of isolated terpenes in creating scents and flavors. Therefore, it means that terpenes are used on products kike perfumes, foods, and body products.
In plants, terpenes have a considerable role to play. For instance, you will realize that in some plants, terpenes are responsible for attracting pollinators. In contrast, in others, terpenes repel predators. Additionally, some terpenes have a protective role in allowing plants to recover from damages. Others will act as the plants’ immune systems to keep away the infectious germs.
Terpenes vs. Terpenoids
With the rising popularity of aromatic molecules, especially in the cannabis industry, terpenes and Terpenoids have been interchangeable. In this case, some people use the term terpenoids while actually referring to terpenes. It is, however, good to note that they are not similar. Terpenes are generally hydrocarbons made of carbon and hydrogen. After drying and curing cannabis, terpene atoms become oxidized. It is in this process where terpenes become terpenoids.
The Importance of Cannabis Terpenes
It is impossible to judge the effectiveness of cannabis strains through their primary classification or their CBD percentage. It is wise to understand that all the constituents of a given plant are essential when thinking about its healing properties and effects. The location where the plant was grown also has significant impacts on the healing properties. Cannabis patients are required to clearly understand the fact about cannabis has many constituents. In this regard, they should not just depend on cannabinoid content.
Cannabis terpenes are responsible for aroma and flavors. The world of cannabis has learned the real value and health benefits of these terpenes. All the same, the truth of the matter is that terpenes have been studied for quite a while. Terpenes are present in several cannabis strains in different degrees based on plant genetics.
Cannabis terpenes are essential for several reasons. For individuals with health conditions, terpenes will be essential. They are used to make products that target these disorders. Recreational marijuana growers are similarly interested in terpenes because they enhance and influence that product’s smell and taste. To understand the importance of these terpenes, let us first discuss the different types of terpenes available;
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Eucalyptol
This one is found in so many plants from the kingdom of vegetables. It has immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. In this regard, it helps your respiratory system in different ways.
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Myrcene
This one is common in Indica genetics. It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic features and can also be used as a muscle reluctant. Combined with cannabinoids, it gives a relaxing effect.
Pinene can be in plants in a percentage of up to 20% and has anti-inflammatory properties. It will significantly help you with your memory keeping in mind that I am also used as an anticancer agent.
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Delta 3 Carene
This one has been recommended for diseases like arthritis as well as fibromyalgia. The reason for that is that it has chronic pain calming as well as anti-inflammatory effects. Since it aids in bone healing, it will be good for osteoporosis.
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Caryophyllene
This one can be used for pathologies of anxiety and depression. You will find it in different herbs as well as spices.
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Linalool
You will commonly find this terpene in lavender. When combined with cannabinoids from cannabis, it has anti-seizure properties. In this case, it can be used to soothe skin burns. Additionally, it serves as a pest repellent.
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Borneol
This terpene has been recommended for fatigue and stress. It is also proven to reduce cancerous cells. It is actually a natural aesthetic and an anticoagulant.
Why Does the Plant Produce Cannabis Terpenes?
Terpenes are generally made by plants to keep themselves safe from insects, herbivores, and other dangers posed by the environment. Additionally, terpenes are responsible for the plant’s oxygenation and regeneration. With all these functions, we can sum up that terpenes can serve as potential human immune boosters.
The cannabis plant has been discovered to contain not less than 200 terpenes. However, most of these terpenes are present in low quantities. In this case, the testing labs haven’t been able to detect these terpenes. You must be asking yourself why the cannabis plant produces them in the first case.
According to research, several factors lead to terpene diversity. The enzymes in charge of producing the terpene structure can make multiple terpenes for one basic structure. Alternatively, they can provide pathways to produce new terpenes as a whole.
Terpenes can continue diversifying as a way of escalating their defense from the natural enemies. Human intervention can also lead to terpene diversity. Moreover, chemical differences seen in cannabis are driven by extended cultivation and the breeding of different traits.
How Cannabis Terpenes Interact With the Human Body
Terpenes have other roles to play other than offering aroma and flavor. For instance, they support the other cannabis molecules to produce the desired effects. That is known as the entourage effect, which is why the aromatic compounds have attracted so much attention in cannabis research.
Regardless of whether you are using cannabis for medical or personal use, we all use it for a similar thing: the effect. This entourage effect shows the reality. With the proper cannabis compounds cocktail, the effectiveness will be better compared to isolated compounds.
Terpenes and cannabinoids can either suppress or exaggerate the effects of one another. This will solely depend on the combination present in a specific cultivar and how one responds to the same. Science has proven that cannabis terpenes have a considerable role to play. Other than tempering the THC effects, they similarly create synergy with the Phytocannabinoids.
One of the aspects that have taken the CBD industry by storm is dabbing. Basically, the inhalation of vaporized CBD concentrates through a heating method. Dabbing the concentrates at too high temperatures results in vapor-rich and tasty flavors. All the same, there is a risk associated with that. When heated at very high temperatures, terpenes will produce some toxic chemicals. Unfortunately, these toxic chemicals are linked to certain cancer types. To enjoy a flavorful dab, therefore, dab at shallow temperatures.
How are Terpenes Different from Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are virtually chemical compounds that are found in cannabis. An example of these cannabinoids is THC that activates that receptors in the endocannabinoid system of the body. The other cannabinoid that has gained so much popularity is CBD owing to its therapeutic values. Even though CBD acts on the same receptors just like THC, the influence is different since CBD never creates euphoria. These are the commonly known cannabinoids, even though more than 100 of them are in the cannabis plant.
Additionally, this pant comes with cannabis terpenes. Essentially, these are the most abundant compounds naturally in cannabis plants. Cannabis terpenes are mainly responsible for the smell in the plant. All the same, some terpenes act on the body’s endocannabinoid system the same way cannabinoids do. The only difference is the fact that the body will absorb and use the compounds differently.
Conclusion
By now, you should have known that terpenes are compounds responsible for how the plants smell. The common ones are the cannabis terpenes, even though others are found in fruits, herbs, and other plants. Other than being responsible for how plants smell, they also influence the plants’ survival and health where they exist.
In some instances, smelling particular essential oils, spending time in regions having high-terpene content, and ingesting plants rich in terpenes can offer health benefits to individuals. All the same, terpenes research should continue to comprehend potential therapeutic as well as medicinal uses completely. Our hope is that this post has helped you understand a bit more about terpenes and their benefits.
