Terpenes 101: Conscious Cannabis Consumption
We've got an exciting event coming up that you won't want to miss with Yana’s own Dr. Vivid. Our resident clinical psychologist is hosting a session all about growing and cultivating cannabis at home.
We're diving deep into terpenes – those magical compounds that make your favorite strains smell, taste, and feel unique. This blog post will give you an evidence based guide into the world of terpenes, helping you understand why they matter so much.
You’ll want to join Dr. Vivid’s monthly events to get the full scoop on maximizing these benefits in your own grow.
What Are Terpenes?
Think of terpenes as the essential oils of the plant world. They are responsible for the various flavors and aromas of our favorite plants– like the citrusy scent of an orange peel or the sweet smell of lavender (Johnson, 2020).
They’re found in high concentrations in cannabis and do more than just make your weed smell good. Many of them have a synergistic relationship with cannabinoids like THC and CBD to create what’s known as the “Entourage Effect,” (Mechoulam & Ben-Shabat, 1999), a powerful combination that enhances the effects of each strain.
Each unique blend of cannabinoids and terpenes is why different strains can have such distinct effects, making terpenes a key factor in picking the perfect strain for your needs.
Key Terpenes In Cannabis
Myrcene
“Slightly sweet, clove-like, relaxing, and earthy”
Myrcene is found in nearly every cannabis variety and is the most common and abundant terpene among cannabis. It has a mildly sweet, warm and musky aroma, with high concentrations in mango peel, lemongrass, and thyme (Stone, 2021).
Myrcene is known for its tranquil effects and its synergistic relationship with cannabis
Recognized for its sedative properties, in animal trials it has also been shown to act as a muscle relaxant (Kavia et al., 2010). In the realm of cannabis, myrcene is known for it’s relaxing properties. When combined with THC, may produce the 'couch-lock' phenomenon, providing deep relaxation and sedation. Additionally, myrcene works synergistically with THC and CBD, helping to facilitate cannabinoid uptake into the body and prolonging its effects (Raz et al., 2023).
Limonene
“Euphoric, uplifted, citrusy, zest!”
Limonene is the second most abundant terpene in cannabis. Found in citrus rinds (Russo, 2011), this terpene is known for its uplifting and stimulating effects, often inducing feelings of euphoria and happiness.
Limonene has several notable health benefits.
It acts as an immune stimulant and has been shown to have antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties. Compelling evidence of its antidepressant effects was demonstrated in a clinical study where hospitalized patients with depression were exposed to citrus fragrance. The study found a significant improvement in their Hamilton Depression Scores, allowing 9 out of 12 patients to discontinue their antidepressant medication (Komori et al.,).
Additionally, limonene has been shown to induce elimination of breast cancer cells and was employed at high doses in randomized controlled trials (Vigushin et al., 1998). This makes limonene a significant terpene not only for its uplifting effects but also for its potential therapeutic applications.
Pinene
“Piney, refreshing, stimulating and cerebral”
Pinene is the most abundant terpene in nature (Noma and Asakawa, 2010), and is found in large amounts in pine, rosemary, and eucalyptus.
In cannabis and aromatherapy, Pinene is known for its cerebral and stimulating effects.
It also has strong anti-inflammatory properties (Gil et al., 1989), and functions as a bronchodilator, making it beneficial for people with asthma, as Pinene can help to increase the amount of air available for the lungs and clear mucus through coughing (Falk et al., 1990).
Additionally, alpha-pinene serves as a memory aid by preventing the breakdown of a neurotransmitter that helps with learning and memory, (Perry et al., 2000), which might also help counteract the forgetfulness sometimes caused by THC.
Linalool
“Fresh, floral, calming, and comforting”
Linalool is the terpene that gives lavender its signature fragrance and is well-known for its calming and relaxing properties.
Linalool is a major player in many cannabis strains valued for their soothing effects.
Linalool has been shown to have significant anti-anxiety effects (Russo, 2001) and has a sedative effect on mice (Buchbauer et al., 1993) confirming its potential as a natural relaxant. Additionally, linalool has been found to help control seizures by affecting the brain’s glutamate levels, which play a key role in transmitting nerve signals (Elisabetsky et al., 1995). Cannabis strains high in linalool provide very calming, relaxing, and indica-like effects, making them ideal for evening use or for those seeking relief from anxiety and stress.
Caryophyllene
“Peppery, spicy, multi-functional, and bold.”
Caryophyllene is known for its strong, peppery and spicy aroma is found in black pepper and Copaiba Balsam (Lawless, 1995).
Caryophyllene stands out for its wide range of therapeutic and medicinal effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, and anti-malarial properties. Notably, some evidence points to its potential for treating addiction.
In a clinical trial, black pepper essential oil, which is loaded with caryophyllene, significantly reduced nicotine cravings in cigarette smokers (Rose & Behm, 1994). Additionally, caryophyllene, shows promise as a potential treatment for addiction through activation of CB2 receptors, which help reduce inflammation, pain, and potentially influence addictive behaviors (Gertsch et al., 2008).
Why Terpenes Matter
Terpenes are volatile compounds in cannabis that require educated growing, cultivating, and curing practices to maximize their benefits.
Understanding how to preserve and enhance these compounds is crucial for achieving the desired therapeutic and recreational effects.
To dive deeper into this topic, don't miss Dr. Vivid's upcoming event on cannabis cultivation, where you'll learn about the vital role of terpenes and how to optimize their presence in your plants.
As cannabis becomes more widely accepted for medical use, terpene and cannabinoid testing are becoming mandatory in many states. This testing provides a wealth of knowledge for both prescribers and patients, allowing for more precise strain selection based on the specific therapeutic properties of each compound.
By gaining a better understanding of terpenes, you can make more informed decisions and tailor your cannabis experience to meet your unique needs.
References
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Elisabetsky E, Marschner J, Souza DO (1995). Effects of Linalool on glutamatergic system in the rat cerebral cortex. Neurochem Res 20: 461–465.
Falk AA, Hagberg MT, Lof AE, Wigaeus-Hjelm EM, Wang ZP (1990). Uptake, distribution and elimination of alpha-pinene in man after exposure by inhalation. Scand J Work Environ Health 16: 372–378.
Gertsch J, Leonti M, Raduner S, Racz I, Chen JZ, Xie XQ et al. (2008). Beta-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105: 9099–9104
Gil ML, Jimenez J, Ocete MA, Zarzuelo A, Cabo MM (1989). Comparative study of different essential oils of Bupleurum gibraltaricum Lamarck. Pharmazie 44: 284–287.
Johnson, J. (2020). What are terpenes?. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-are-terpenes
Kavia R, De Ridder D, Constantinescu C, Stott C, Fowler C (2010). Randomized controlled trial of Sativex to treat detrusor overactivity in multiple sclerosis. Mult. Scler 16: 1349–1359
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Noma Y, Asakawa Y (2010). Biotransformation of monoterpenoids by microorganisms, insects, and mammals. In: Baser KHC, Buchbauer G (eds). Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, pp. 585–736.
Perry NS, Houghton PJ, Theobald A, Jenner P, Perry EK (2000). In-vitro inhibition of human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase by salvia lavandulaefolia essential oil and constituent terpenes. J Pharm Pharmacol 52: 895–902.
Raz, N., Eyal, A. M., Zeitouni, D. B., Hen-Shoval, D., Davidson, E. M., Danieli, A., Tauber, M., & Ben-Chaim, Y. (2023). Selected cannabis terpenes synergize with THC to produce increased CB1 receptor activation. Biochemical Pharmacology, 212, 115548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115548
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Stone, E. (2021). What are cannabis terpenes and what do they do? Leafly. https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/terpenes-the-flavors-of-cannabis-aromatherapy
Vigushin DM, Poon GK, Boddy A, English J, Halbert GW, Pagonis C et al. (1998). Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of d-limonene in patients with advanced cancer. Cancer Research Campaign Phase I/II Clinical Trials Committee. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 42: 111–117.
