Terpenes and cannabinoids are buzzwords you find on every cannabis-related product out there. Many cannabis consumers are connoisseurs of cannabinoids (for those of you who do not know what cannabinoids are have a look at the section below, the rest of you, can skip it or read it just for fun.
Terpenes and Cannabinoids-So what are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are simply a group of compounds found in our lovely Marijuana plant.
The major psychoactive constituent in cannabis is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, other cannabinoids include CBD, CBN, CBG and CBC.
Cannabinoid actions in the hippocampus vary from influencing learning and memory in the hippocampus to modulating locomotor activity in the basil ganglia and reward pathways to participating in controlling appetite in the hypothalamus.
There are 480 different compounds present in the plant, however, only around 66 are termed cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids act primarily via two types of receptors, CB1 and CB2, with CB1 receptors mediating most of the central actions of cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids may also be protective against neurodegeneration and brain damage and exhibit anticonvulsant activity. Some of the analgesic effects of cannabinoids also appear to involve sites within the brain. These advances in our understanding of the actions of cannabinoids and the brain endocannabinoid system have led to important new insights into the neuronal functions which are likely to result in the development of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of several key CNS disorders.
Terpenes And Cannabinoids- What Are Terpenes?
Believe it or not, you have experienced terpenes all your life. It is what makes orange or lemon smell so citrusy. It is what makes pine smell the way it does or the relaxing effect lavender gives you right after you smell it. All in a nutshell, Terpenes are simply what makes stuff smell the way they do.
Many terpenes are bioactive, which means they may affect the body. This effect will vary based on the concentration of the terpene itself and how a person uses it.
Because terpenes produce vibrant smells, they form the basis of many essential oils and are an integral part of many alternative therapies, such as aromatherapy. Inhaling the scents from some plants and essential oils may affect a person’s mood and stress levels
Even though cannabinoids have a major role in the “healing” that takes place when consuming marijuana, terpenes have a pretty big role in that too.
When terpenes and cannabinoids work together something spectacular happens in the brain ( big bang spectacular!) and results in something which is commonly known as the entourage effect.
Don’t get your brain so wrapped up around the term, the entourage effect is simply when CBD, THC along with hundreds of other cannabinoids start working together to create that wonderful healing when under the influence of marijuana whether THC or CBD.
As we all know, what’s amazing about cannabis is the variety of the plant. No 2 plants are the same. Have you ever wondered how 2 similar strains or even the same strain produce totally different effects? This is because it all depends on the collaboration of terpenes and cannabinoids present in the plant itself. While one plant may leave you stoned and couch-locked, relaxed barely able to move another one may give you an energy boost, get you high, put you in a better mood, and gets you ready to face the day.
There are currently over 20,000 different terpenes and more than 100 of these can be found (not-exclusively) on our lovely Marijuana Plant. However, there are some terpenes which are commonly found in high concentrations on our beloved cannabis plant.
Myrcene
Myrcene is a terpene commonly found in fruits such as mangoes. This is also the primary terpene found in cannabis plants.
There are some marijuana plants which have up to 65% of their terpene profile made solely of Myrcene.
The presence and the amount of Myrcene present in a cannabis strain may determine whether the plant will produce a couchlock sleepy effect or that energizing high making you more motivated and inspired to face the day in a positive mood.
In fact, it is believed that Myrcene induces sleep and relaxation being able to help with insomnia or restlessness and also being a very effective muscle-relaxant.
Strains High In Myrcene
Limonene
As you can correctly guess, Limonene is a terpene which is commonly found in many citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges or grapefruits. Limonene is also very commonly known for its anti-inflammatory effects. It has also been found that Limonene helps with respiratory injuries. It has an aroma of lemon and cannabis strains which are very high would be as Orange Bud and Lemon Haze.
Limonene is also found in peppermint, rosemary and juniper. Herbalists have recommended limonene for those with anxiety, depression, inflammation, and pain. It is said to give a mood lift and relieve stress. Because it’s a naturally occurring terpene, limonene is used to add a fresh orange citrus fragrance to many different types of household products. This includes air fresheners, kitchen/bathroom cleaning products, washing-up liquids, cosmetics, shampoo etc.
It is safe for humans but is sometimes used as an insecticide, or as a repellant for cats and dogs. Limonene is one of many cannabis terpenes. Different varieties of cannabis have different aromas. And they have different types of terpene profiles too. The complicated mixture of many terpenes is responsible for the characteristic cannabis aroma.
Strains High In Limonene
Pinene
Again, the name here does not leave much to the imagination, Pinene is a terpene which is commonly found in pine trees. It is what gives pine trees their refreshing smell.
You may be curious to find that Pinene comes in two versions. The alpha version is the version which we all know has that piney aroma while the beta version has a scent like rosemary, parsley or dill.
it’s thought that the terpene could help counteract the short-term memory deficits induced by THC, thanks to its role as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.
Strain High In Pinene
Linalool
Have you ever been in a field full of lavender? That relaxing aroma which starts to make you feel drowsy after a small while. Linalool is also a terpene commonly found in many cannabis plants. It is responsible for the anti-anxiety and stress-relieving effects that cannabis is famous to make you feel.
It is found in over 200 plants such as citrus fruits and lavender. Concentrations of linalool above 20 ppb have been shown to give a fruity hoppy aroma to beer.
Strain High In Linalool
Caryophyllene
This terpene has a spicy, woody, peppery scent, which is commonly found in black pepper and cinnamon. Studies indicate that this terpene is capable of treating anxiety. And thanks to its unique chemical structure, which includes a cyclobutane ring, beta-caryophyllene can bind to the body’s endocannabinoid receptors, although its effects aren’t entirely understood.
Strain High In Caryophyllene
Humulene
One of the least prominent terpenes in cannabis would be Humulene. It has various anti-bacterial properties. It has an extremely harsh and spicy flavour which is also thought to influence the taste of the buds.
Strain High In Humulene
Vaping, Cannabinoids And Terpenes
Carbonization ( Burning Flame) destroys most of the terpenes found in cannabis plants hence a portable vaporizer with temperature control is undoubtedly the best way to get the most out of the terpenes in your cannabis plant. Like cannabinoids, terpenes have their ideal temperature and this varies from terpene to terpene.
Cannabinoids And Terpenes in Edibles
A cannabis edible is any cannabis product which you eat or swallow.
Edibles include any infused food or beverage product, from the stereotypical pot brownie to a Michelin Star ten-course dining experience that includes infused cocktails and coffee.
People eat edibles for the overall experience. At first, it might be all about flavour. Maybe they’re looking for that perfect chocolate mint, citrusy lemon, or even the bitter kick of coffee. Good edibles go beyond that, however, by creating truly unique experiences. And edibles that use terpenes definitely have a leg up in that department.
Tinctures, gum, suckers, candy, mints and other products that are held in the mouth for an extended period of time, make it possible for the cannabinoids to be absorbed sublingually.
A general rule that determines how much terpenes will affect your edible is Consumption Determines Function
How a product is consumed, what it is consumed, when it is consumed, and what temperature it is consumed at will all affect how you will be feeling right after you consume it.
What’s important to understand is that the effects of terpenes are based on the structure of the terpene. The process of lighting cannabis on fire and immediately inhaling it into your lungs is very different than taking cannabis flower, decarboxylating it, infusing it into food, chewing it, swallowing it, breaking it down with your stomach acid, digesting it, and metabolizing some of those remaining compounds with your liver before they enter your bloodstream.
Just as D9-THCA is first transformed and activated through decarboxylation, changing its form and function, the same thing happens with terpenes. However, terpenes are much more volatile (sensitive) and go through various transformation processes a lot easier than most cannabinoids. Think of it this way… the limonene that’s inside your ganja could actually be different than the form of limonene that you’re actually smelling, which evaporated out of the trichome head and found its way into your nose.
When terpenes are extracted from a plant – they change. When flowers or concentrates are decarboxylated – the terpenes change. When the terpenes reach your stomach acid – they change. When terpenes are digested – the bioavailability (amount retained) drastically reduces. When the liver metabolizes terpenes – they change. If a variety you inhaled made you feel energized, it doesn’t mean an edible made from that same variety will have anywhere close to the same effects. Again, not only do the cannabinoids change, the terpenes do as well. Different form = different function.
Terpenes on their own simply change the aroma and flavour of food acting in no different way than any other herb or spice.
Remember, you have been cooking with terpenes all your life, but now, only since recently concentrated terpenes are available which gives you all the power to manipulate flavour and aroma as a chef.
Even though terpenes do not affect edibles the same way as when they are being burned and immediately inhaled, this does not mean they cannot do anything at all. In fact, at the right doses, many terpenes have been known to have amazing physiological effects. This includes anti-inflammatory, sleep-inducing or anti-anxiety effects.
Are there any indica or sativa terpenes?
The plain answer is no, the sativa vs indica ,myth has been debunked times and times again in the cannabis industry when it comes to cannabinoid and terpene profiles. The next time you see a Sativa or Indica sign on your cannabis product remember to have a look at the label and check out the terpene profile in the product itself.
As regulations surrounding cannabis become less strict, scientists are carrying out more research into these possible benefits.
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