The cannabis industry has diversified, offering products with varying aromas, flavors, and effects. The core compounds that enable these sensory and experiential effects are terpenes.
But what are terpenes, and why are they so crucial to the cannabis experience?
Terpenes are organic compounds found in many plants, including cannabis. These compounds have distinct aromatic scents and flavors, but their fragrance is not the only effect. Whether you are a recreational or medicinal cannabis user, understand terpenes and their roles. Terpenes interact with cannabinoids THC and CBD to enhance the “entourage effect” or “high,” potentially improving cannabis’ overall effects.
In this terpenes guide, we will discuss the science behind terpenes, their various types and benefits, and how you can enhance your cannabis experience through a deeper understanding of terpenes.
Terpenes are aromatic hydrocarbons consisting of a large and diverse class of organic compounds produced by a variety of plants, including cannabis, as well as some insects. Chemically, terpene is built from hydrocarbon isoprene, forming the basis for classifying these compounds. Depending on the number of isoprene compounds, the terpenes are classified. For example, terpenes with two isoprene units are called monoterpenes, while those with two isoprene units are called sesquiterpenes.
How Terpenes Are Produced:
- Natural Production in Plants: Terpenes are naturally produced by a wide variety of plants, including cannabis, citrus fruits, and conifers. These organic compounds are synthesized in the plant’s trichomes, which are small, glandular structures that also produce cannabinoids like THC and CBD.
- Biosynthesis Process: The production of terpenes begins with a biochemical pathway called the mevalonate pathway (in most plants) or the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway (specifically in cannabis). These pathways involve the conversion of simple sugars into complex compounds, leading to the formation of terpenes.
- Industrial Synthesis: In industrial settings, terpenes can be produced synthetically or extracted from natural sources using methods like steam distillation, CO₂ extraction, cold-pressing, or solventless extraction. These methods are used to isolate terpenes for use in various products, such as perfumes, essential oils, and food additives. Check out our complete guide on industrial terpene extraction process.
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How Does The Cannabis Plant Produce Terpenes?
In the context of cannabis, terpenes are primarily produced by the same glands that produce cannabinoids, the trichomes. This is one of the primary reasons why cannabis terpenes have a “high” effect associated with them.
Several environmental factors play a significant role in terpene production, including:
- Light: The type and quantity of terpenes produced by plants are directly affected by the intensity and spectrum of light.
- Soil composition: Nutrient availability and soil type influence terpene synthesis in plants.
- Climate: Temperature, humidity, and altitude affect the overall terpene profile.
- Stress: Various forms of stress, both biotic and abiotic, can trigger increased terpene production.
In plants, terpenes perform several essential functions. Primarily, plants like cannabis use terpenes as a defense mechanism to repel herbivores and pests due to their strong odors. Also, the smell attracts pollinators, helping plants reproduce. Also, terpenes allow plants to communicate with each other and adapt to environmental stresses.
Why Terpenes Matter: The Importance in Cannabis
In cannabis, terpenes play more than aromatic properties. These hydrocarbon compounds contribute to the overall cannabis experience, which includes smell, taste, and therapeutic benefits. The entourage effect associated with cannabis comes from the compounds that contain cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. While cannabinoids and flavonoids have their effects, terpenes work synergistically with these compounds to produce effects more significant than the sum of their parts.
Terpene choice is essential to consider for users because it can modulate the effects of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. It enhances the benefits and mitigates unwanted side effects. As a consumer, you should care about terpenes for:
- Personalized effects: Different terpenes can produce varying effects. You should make a choice depending on the effect you seek, such as relaxation or increased focus. Understanding these can help users choose strains that best suit their needs.
- Therapeutic potential: Certain classes of terpenes have demonstrated medicinal properties in research studies, such as anti-inflammatory or anxiolytic effects. You should check for such a terpene profile if you want therapeutic effects.
- Predictability: Knowing a strain’s terpene profile allows consumers to understand the complexity and diversity of the cannabis product. It can help predict its effects more accurately than relying on the indica/sativa classification alone.
5 Common Cannabis Terpenes and Their Benefits
Understanding what terpenes are easier, but choosing from a wide range can be challenging. Cannabis plants are known to contain over 100 different terpenes. However, not all terpene profiles are used in the industry or well-studied.
Here, we discuss the most common terpenes prevalent in the cannabis industry.
- Myrcene: This terpene has an earthy, musky, and clove-like aroma known for its sedating and relaxing effect. Myrcene is present in Blue Dream and Granddaddy Purple strains of cannabis. It is used in anti-inflammatory ointments, analgesic products, and muscle relaxants.
Pinene: Known for its pine and evergreen aroma, Pinene is popular in cannabis products for producing an alert and focused effect. Common strains that contain Pinene include Jack Herer and Blue Dream. Its potential benefits include anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, and memory enhancement.
Caryophyllene: This terpene stands out due to its peppery, spicy aroma and stress-relieving effect. Commonly found in GSC (Girl Scout Cookies) and Chemdawg strains, its potential benefits include anti-inflammation, analgesic, and anti-anxiety properties.
Limonene: Lemon Haze and Sour Diesel are the common strains of cannabis that contain Limonene. It has a citrusy and lemony aroma, hence the name limonene. This terpene has an uplifting and energizing effect. The potential benefits of limonene include anxiety relief, antidepressants, and anti-cancer properties.
Terpinolene: If you are looking for an uplifting high from cannabis, then select terpinolene profile products. You can identify it with its herbal or floral aroma. It has antioxidant, soothing, and antibacterial properties. Jack Herer and Ghost Train Haze are the common strains that have terpinolene.
While these are the most common types of terpenes used in the cannabis industry, there are many more that are not widely used. As each strain has its unique terpene profile, you must choose one that matches your requirements. The choice of type of terpene directly contributes to specific effects and potential terpene benefits, so producers must decide carefully.
How do you identify a terpene profile as a consumer?
While there is no standard way or tool to identify terpenes in different strains, here are some tips-
Use your sense of smell: Many terpenes have a distinctive aroma you can detect by smell.
Check lab reports: When buying cannabis products from dispensaries, you can ask for detailed terpene profiles for their products.
Research strain information: You can also search terpene profiles based on strains mentioned in the product ingredient list.
How Terpenes Affect the Cannabis Experience
Terpene profile has a profound impact on the cannabis experience. These compounds are chemically integrated into cannabis’s overall profile. Let’s have a look at how terpenes affect the cannabis experience:
- Taste and smell: Terpenes add a diverse range of aromas and flavors to cannabis’ overall profile. These sensory experiences significantly impact the effects of cannabis, including the perceived effects through psychological associations.
- Psychological effects: Several terpenes are known to have cognitive effects, which include mood and mental states. For instance, limonene is often associated with uplifting and energizing effects.
- Physical effects: Terpenes also contribute to specific physical sensations. Terpenes like Myrcene are known to offer an intense sedating impact of THC. It is what is known as the “couch-lock” sensation.
- Therapeutic Potential: The health benefits of terpenes are widely researched. That’s why cannabis products are also used for medicinal purposes, such as beta-caryophyllene, which is used in anti-inflammatory products, while Pinene may help with memory and alertness.
- Entourage Effect: As mentioned earlier, terpenes work in association with other cannabinoids to produce the overall effects of a particular strain. This synergy can enhance specific effects or mitigate others.
The combination of terpenes can vastly affect the final effect of the end product. Producers can create products offering benefits ranging from deeply relaxing effects to invigorating and focus-enhancing benefits.
How to Choose the Right Terpene Profile for Your Needs
By now, you understand what terpenes are and their types; what about choosing suitable cannabis terpenes?
Selecting the right terpene profile is essential for desired outcomes from cannabis use. While the process of selection can be too broad, here are some common tips:
- Understand your requirements:
Determine what are the goals you want to achieve from cannabis use. Is it relaxation, pain relief, focus enhancement, or mood elevation? - Research terpene effects:
Different terpenes have different effects, so research which terpene has the same effects you are looking for. - Consider the use time:
Some terpene profiles are better suited for daytime use. Like cannabis high in limonene or Pinene, it offers anti-anxiety and relaxing benefits that can improve your quality of the day. On the other hand, terpenes like Myrcene are more appropriate for evening use as they have sedative effects. - Focus on dominant terpenes:
When choosing a cannabis product, pay attention to the dominant terpenes, as these will likely have the most decisive influence on effects. - Tips to read labels and understand terpene content:
Ask for detailed lab reports listing the percentages of various terpenes present. Carefully read the terpene ratios, as the balance between different terpenes can be as important as their presence. - Total terpene content:
Cannabinoids are the active ingredients in cannabis products, but total terpene content also decides the final potent aromas and more substantial effects. - Consider terpene preservation:
Look or ask about product processing and preservation methods. Terpenes can easily degrade over time or with improper handling.
The Science Behind Terpenes and Human Interaction
Terpenes, like any other chemical compound, interact with the body’s biology. That’s how these hydrocarbon compounds affect our sensory perceptions and physiological responses.
Here’s how terpenes affect the human body:
Interaction with the olfactory system: Cannabis is known to induce effects simply from smell, and this is because terpenes bind to olfactory receptors in our noses. This results in neural responses that affect our cognitive behaviors, including mood. Also, due to the connection between our brain’s olfactory and limbic systems, terpenes also affect our memory.
Physiology: The endocannabinoid system controls the body’s physiological responses. Some terpenes, like beta-caryophyllene, can directly interact with cannabinoid receptors in our endocannabinoid system, affecting mood, pain sensation, and appetite.
Terpenes are also found to affect other biological systems. For example, linalool has been shown to affect GABA receptors, which are involved in regulating anxiety and stress responses.
Due to emerging evidence of a connection between terpenes and human biological processes, the therapeutic potential of these compounds is studied. Some of the promising health benefits that terpenes have shown include:
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Neuroprotective effects
- Anxiolytic and antidepressant effects
- Cancer-fighting potential
While studies are promising, they are still restricted to laboratory settings or animal testing. More human clinical trials are needed to fully understand the therapeutic potential of terpenes.
Misconceptions About Terpenes
It’s time to bust some of the most common misconceptions about terpenes.
Myth: Terpenes alone get you “high.”
Fact: Terpenes can only produce any “high” effect only in association with cannabinoids like THC. They do not produce intoxicating effects on their own.
Myth: A number of terpenes means better quality cannabis.
Fact: A “Richer” terpene profile indicates quality, which is not the same as a high number of terpenes. There must be a balance of compounds and cannabinoids in quality cannabis.
Myth: Strain effect can be accurately predicted based solely on its terpene profile.
Fact: A cannabis strain cannot produce effects solely because of terpenes but due to complex interaction between all its compounds, as well as individual user factors.
Tips for Enhancing Your Cannabis Experience with Terpenes
There are specific steps that you can take to improve your cannabis experience.
- Proper storage: Ensure terpene preservation with adequate storage in airtight, light-proof containers in a cool, dark place. Heat, light, and air can degrade terpenes over time.
- Temperature Control: Vape or smoke cannabis at lower temperatures to preserve more terpenes. Different terpenes vaporize at various temperatures, so experimenting with temperature can alter the effects.
- Use concentrates: Terpene-rich concentrates like live resin can provide a more potent terpene experience. You can also try terpene-infused products.
- Pair with complementary scents: You can use cannabis with essential oils or herbs with similar terpene profiles to enhance the overall experience.
Terpenes Beyond Cannabis: Broader Applications
Terpenes are often discussed in association with cannabis, but there are wide applications beyond this industry.
Aromatherapy products are rich in terpenes and focus on creating new profiles by mixing different terpenes. The food and beverage industry uses terpenes as natural flavoring. For instance, limonene is often used to add a citrusy flavor to food items. Due to their high aroma profile, terpenes are crucial in the fragrance industry. Even the pharmaceutical industry is investigating the potential medicinal properties of terpenes.
The future potential of terpenes in medicine and wellness is exciting. There is growing interest in developing terpene-based therapies that can complement traditional pharmaceuticals. In ecological applications, terpenes are studied to produce more environmentally friendly products such as natural pesticides.
Conclusion
Terpenes are one of the essential components of cannabis. These hydrocarbon compounds play a significant role in shaping the user experience. That’s why understanding terpenes is necessary for anyone looking to maximize their cannabis experience. From sensory pleasure to the entourage effect, the choice of terpenes can influence the overall effects of cannabis, potentially enhancing its therapeutic properties. By paying attention to terpene profiles, you can better predict and control the effects of your cannabis consumption.
