Terpenes Guide

Cannabis Terpenes

Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds primarily found in plants, though they are also found in some animal components like scales, yolks, and feathers. These aromatic compounds are found in high concentrations in fragrant plant matter and are responsible for the distinct flavors and smells of various plants, fruits, and flowers. 

Terpenes are a natural component of cannabis plants, and, to date, more than 200 terpenes have been found in its various strains. These compounds are responsible for the distinct aroma that is associated with cannabis and also the unique differences in sensory effects between cannabis strains. Though they account for only 5-10% of the chemical profile of the cannabis plant, terpenes play a significant role in what you smell, taste, and feel when you use cannabis, as well as the overall experience you have.

Terpene Benefits

Terpenes are critical chemical messengers. This role allows them to interact with other compounds in cannabis as well as in the human body once they are consumed. These compounds modulate cannabis’ therapeutic and psychoactive effects by working synergistically with compounds like CBD and THC to impact the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system of cannabinoid chemical receptors helps moderate functions like sleep, pain, memory, immune response, inflammation, and more.

Scientists have found terpenes have many therapeutic effects, including:

• Anti-cancer – Terpenes appear to target cancer cells and cause effects like cancer cell death and reduced cell viability, slowing the spread of cancer. 

• Pain Relief – Patients treating conditions that are characterized by chronic pain, like multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia, may benefit from the analgesic properties of terpenes. 

• Anti-Inflammatory – Terpenes’ ability to reduce inflammation can be beneficial for those experiencing asthma, arthritis, and some types of cancer.

• Anxiety Reduction – Patients with anxiety disorders or stress-related anxiety may experience symptom relief with terpenes. 

• Mood-Boosting – The anti-depressant effects of terpenes are beneficial for many patients, but especially those suffering from depression and other mood disorders. 

• Anti-Convulsive – Those living with epileptic seizures and epilepsy may benefit from the anticonvulsant properties of some terpenes. 

• Antioxidant – Antioxidants can help delay or prevent some types of cell damage by capturing or transforming harmful free radicals and neutralizing their effects.

It’s important to note that more research is needed to confirm these early findings, particularly in-vivo studies.

Maximize Terpenes Benefits

When planning your cannabis use, maximizing the potential benefits should be one of your top considerations. Methods to maximize the benefits of cannabis terpenes include:

• Read the Label – Some lab-tested products will include terpene profiles naming the most prevalent terpenes and their concentrations. Understanding the information about the terpenes that are present in the cannabis strains you use can help you tailor your experience. 

• Keep a Journal – If you keep a record of the terpenes in the cannabis products you use and note your reactions to each, it can help you tailor each experience to your needs and body processes. Strainprint is great for this, as it’s a mobile app that makes recording the effects as easy as a few taps.

• Avoid Heat – Terpenes are more sensitive to heat than cannabinoids and other cannabis compounds. Cannabis users that want to experience more of the terpenes in their product would do well to select products with manufacturing processes that do not use heat, like ice water hash extracts.

Terpene Profiles

Gain a further understanding of terpenes by discovering which strains carry specific terpenes, their potential effects, expected aroma and taste, and other natural sources of the terpene. Though this is far from an exhaustive list of terpenes, learn about some of the most well-known and prevalent terpenes.

Terpenes vs. Cannabinoids

Terpenes and cannabinoids are both molecules found in cannabis plants that can moderate body processes. Terpenes are small molecules that are produced within thousands of different species of plants. They are easily detected by the human sense of smell and require only low heat to evaporate. The way the terpenes work depends on how the cannabis product was used: orally, topically, or inhaled. When used orally, topically, or via inhalation, terpenes appear to directly affect GABA receptors in the brain, inhibiting the neurons responsible for anxiety, stress, and pain. Terpenes can also affect olfactory receptors when inhaled. 

Cannabinoids are larger molecules that are almost exclusively produced by the cannabis plant. They interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system by acting on receptors within the system. This influences how the body experiences anxiety, sleep, pain, appetite, and more. The two most common are THC and CBD: THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis as well as many therapeutic effects, while CBD is not psychoactive but is responsible for other therapeutic effects like pain relief and inflammation reduction. 

Though terpenes and cannabinoids have different effects on the human body, they do work with one another to modulate responses in cannabis patients. Molecules within cannabis, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds, can be separated and studied to determine their effects. However, these molecules are believed to work together once cannabis is consumed to increase and alter the benefits of each individual component. This phenomenon is termed the entourage effect within the cannabis community.

Terpenes and Cannabis Classification

Cannabis users will be familiar with indica or sativa classification for cannabis strains, but you may not realize that the terms were first used to describe different species of the plant. Cannabis indica plants are short and stocky with chunky leaves and bushy greenery. Cannabis sativa plants are tall and lanky with thin, light green leaves. 

Though these are two distinct varieties of the cannabis plant, it is extremely difficult to find a pure strain due to widespread hybridization throughout cannabis history. These terms are now used by dispensaries and consumers to describe how strains make you feel. Indica-dominant strains typically have relaxing effects, while sativa-dominant strains typically have stimulating effects, though it’s important to note that strains affect each person differently. 

Terpenes may play a pivotal role in differentiating between various cannabis strains. Because of the entourage effect and the way cannabis molecules interact with the human endocannabinoid system, researchers believe  the suite of terpenes in a strain’s chemical fingerprint are what drive strain-specific effects.