Terpenes in cannabis are the aromatic oils that give the cannabis strains their distinctive aromas. Terpenes aid the body to absorb and use cannabis for their therapeutic benefits. Terpenes are also able to alter or reduce the effects of cannabinoids such as THC.
Terpenes have as much importance as cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids and cannabis terpenes are a pair that work together to bring us the full effects of cannabis strains. Terpenes are mainly extracted from plant material , like pine needles and citrus rinds. Essential oils used in aromatherapy can be used, but these aren’t common. Terpenes are also sourced from insects or animals.
They are usually made from the plant material. There are more than 200 terpenes within cannabis plants which give rise to distinctive aromas and tastes. Terpenes are responsible for the lavender and lemon scents. Terpenes serve as a plant’s primary defense mechanism, and they have been used as food additives for many years to improve the taste of a variety of products.
The taste and smell of cannabis terpenes are not only essential, but they also have medicinal properties. According to some experts terpenes, the constituents that contribute to some of the distinctive characteristics of a particular strain, have been proven to be beneficial for everything from migraines and stress to mood swings and inflammation.
As cannabinoids do, terpenes are able to bind to receptors throughout our brains and bodies that control mood as well as sleep patterns, memory as well as hunger. Terpenes, when paired with cannabinoids, may enhance the therapeutic effects of cannabis and reduce some side effects.
These chemical compounds work to improve your medicinal marijuana experience. They also produce longer-lasting, stronger relief. This is the reason that different combinations of cannabinoids could impact patients’ ailments in different ways. A plant that is rich in CBD may not have any psychoactive effect, but it’s difficult to know the impact of specific terpenes patients.
The most commonly used cannabis terpenes, and their benefits
1. Alpha-pinene is the most important terpene present in the pine needles and sage. It offers a distinct fresh evergreen aroma. It’s also found in dill, rosemary as well as basil, parsley, and. In all cannabis strains alpha-pinene is present in very tiny amounts, but it’s been observed that strains with elevated levels of alpha-pinene were associated with increased memory and focus.
2. Beta-myrcene: It contributes to the smell of hops and thyme and may also act as an anti-inflammatory. Myrcene is also found in lemongrass, mangoes and Thyme. Myrcene’s sedative properties may help with restless leg syndrome, insomnia or restless leg.
3. Limonene Lemongrass Peppermint, lemongrass, and cannabis all contain large amounts of the chemical limonene. It gives off a distinctive lemon scent that has antidepressant and anticancer properties.
4. Linalool: Linalool can be described as a chemical found in rosewood mint, coriander and birch trees. Linalool is a good ingredient for treating depression and anxiety and may have relaxing effects. There are many reports of sedation taking cannabis that contains high levels of linalool.
5. Caryophyllene is the only terpene able to bind to receptors for cannabinoid. It’s the ingredient that gives clove its distinct scent. It also adds a spicy element to a strain, caryophyllene is believed to be anti-inflammatory as well as effective in dealing with anxiety.
To learn more, click types of cannabis terpenes