Photo from Unsplash

Originally Posted On: https://kindmedsaz.com/blog/cannabis-terpenes-faqs/

Top Questions about Terpenes

Terpenes are fragile, natural chemical compounds found in many plants and even some animal products. In fact, many of us are already somewhat familiar with terpenes, even if we don’t know it. That’s because terpenes are responsible for the unique aroma and flavor of many different kinds of products. From the lavender in your essential oil diffuser to orange peels and especially cannabis, terpenes are all around us.

The friendly budtenders at Kind Meds have created this terpenes FAQ to help you become more acquainted with this fascinating group of compounds. We will walk you through many of the frequently asked questions surrounding terpenes, what they are used for, how they are extracted, where you can find them, and many of the various medical benefits of combining terpenes and cannabinoids.

Answering Terpenes FAQs:

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are natural chemical compounds that are found in many plants and animals. Terpenes are responsible for giving plants their aroma and flavors and producing resin, which is often used as an active ingredient to make essential oils and aromatherapy for alternative medicine practice. In cannabis, in particular, terpenes give different cannabis strains their distinctive scents or flavors and contribute to their therapeutic properties.

How Are Terpenes Extracted?

Terpenes are both volatile and fragile, which can make them challenging to extract, depending on the type of plant. The two primary types of extraction used for terpenes are solvent-based extraction and solventless extraction. Since terpenes are sensitive to heat, solvent extraction methods can use low temperature and pressure levels to preserve them during extraction. For solventless extractions, pressure and heat are used to compress the resin from plants, which can extract high amounts of terpenes from the plant materials.

Is CBD Better With Terpenes?

Terpenes are naturally present in cannabis containing CBD, but it is believed that CBD products that contain more terpenes produce more formidable therapeutic effects than those with only low levels of terpenes present. This is often called the Entourage Effect, which is used by many researchers to describe the synergy between terpenes and cannabinoids and their enhanced effects when they’re combined. Depending on the terpene in question, including terpenes with CBD can improve the anti-inflammatory, anti-pathogenic, and even pain-relieving properties of cannabis.

What Are the Most Common Types of Terpenes?

There are over 100 different types of terpenes and cannabinoids in the cannabis plant alone, all with varying benefits. However, the most common types of terpenes in cannabis include Myrcene, Limonene, Linalool, Caryophyllene, Alpha-pinene and Beta-pinene, Alpha-bisabolol, Eucalyptol, Trans-nerolidol, Humulene, and Delta 3 Carene.

Are Terpenes Cannabis-Derived?

Yes, certain terpenes, known as Cannabis Terpenes, can be extracted directly from the cannabis plant or enjoyed while one enjoys cannabis. Other common types of terpenes can be extracted directly from various other plants and fruits, such as pine, lavender, and citrus fruits, among others. While other plants have a few dominant terpenes per species, cannabis boasts over 100.

Are Terpenes Oils?

No, although terpenes are the main bioactive compound of essential oils and are responsible for their aroma, they are not essential oils. Rather, they are an active ingredient of what is used to make essential oils. For example, many essential oils may consist of 50% or more terpenes.

What Is the Entourage Effect?

The Entourage Effect is a term researchers use to describe the synergy between cannabinoids and terpenes when combined. Many researchers believe that the combination of certain terpenes and cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, is what leads to enhanced mood-stabilizing effects that are stronger than if they had been used separately. The theory is that the combination of terpenes and cannabinoids specifically helps our body’s ability to absorb the cannabinoids into our system, which in turn can produce stronger effects.

What Kinds of Terpenes Can Help With Pain Relief?

There are multiple kinds of terpenes that can be used to help combat pain. Myrcene is the most common type of terpene found in cannabis and is known for its sedative qualities, which can be used to combat chronic pain and reduce inflammation. Eucalyptol can also be found in some cannabis strains but is more popularly known for its presence in Eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptol has been known to contain properties that help aid in providing pain relief.

What Type of Terpene is the Best for Reducing Stress?

Limonene is the second most prevalent terpene found in the cannabis plant, after myrcene. Commonly known for its citrus-like aroma, it can be found in many citrus fruits and is often combined with CBD or THC to produce cannabis strains that are intended to reduce stress levels and improve mood.

Linalool is another terpene found in the cannabis plant, but it is also found in various herbs including lavender, cinnamon, coriander, and mint. Linalool is known for having a calming and sedative effect, which is why it is often used in many different essential oils for aromatherapy.

Can Terpenes be Used as an Anti-inflammatory?

Caryophyllene, which is commonly found in herbs like cinnamon, black pepper, rosemary, basil, cloves, and oregano, is the only terpene that binds directly to cannabinoid receptors. The binding properties of caryophyllene are often used in anti-inflammatory creams and topical ointments. Myrcene is another terpene that is commonly found to combat chronic pain and inflammation as well.

Do Terpenes Have Healing Qualities?

Various terpenes possess qualities that can be used for both mental and physical health benefits such as pain relief, anti-inflammation, stress reduction, mood improvement, and more. Delta 3 Carene is a terpene that is found in a number of plants and herbs, most notably rosemary and cedar, that has been recognized as aiding in healing bones for those suffering from bone degenerative diseases. In addition, humulene, found in cloves, sage, and black pepper, has been known to help prevent cancer cell growth in patients.

Are There Any Terpenes that Help With Memory Loss?

In addition to helping improve airflow and respiratory function, Alpha-pinene and beta-pinene are two kinds of terpenes that can be used to help reduce memory loss related to THC. Found in pine trees and popular for their piney smell, these terpenes can be particularly effective when combined with cannabinoids.

Can Any Terpenes be Used to Help with Sleep?

Yes, there are actually a number of different kinds of terpenes that help act as a sleep aid and combat insomnia. [Link to new blog] Myrcene is often combined with cannabinoids that can be found in many Indica strains of cannabis that are known for their sedative effects. Linalool is another compound found in cannabis and other plants that are known to have calming and sedative qualities, in addition to limonene, which is commonly used for calming and stress reduction purposes.

Do Terpenes Have Any Antibacterial Medicinal Uses?

Yes, there are a number of different kinds of terpenes that have shown antibacterial properties. Eucalyptol is well known for both its antifungal and antibacterial capabilities. Others include Sabinene, which has shown applications as an antioxidant and antibacterial, and Pinene, which boasts applications for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and respiratory aid.

Do Terpenes Have Analgesic Properties?

Yes, there are multiple types of terpenes that possess analgesic properties. One of which is borneol, which is a minty terpene that has shown both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Another one is alpha-bisabolol, which is more known for its aromatic floral properties but is also believed to have analgesic uses.

Can Terpenes Act as an Antidepressant?

There are several different types of terpenes that may help boost mood. One of the more common terpenes used for this application is limonene, which is often categorized as a mood booster that aids with both depression and anxiety. Phytol is another terpene that carries antidepressant properties, often associated with stress relief and relaxation.

Can Terpenes Help Moderate Appetite?

Humulene is most notably known for the research surrounding its ability to prevent cancer cell growth, but it has also been associated with having appetite-suppressant properties. In addition, humulene carries properties that are beneficial for anti-inflammatory uses.

Can Terpenes Get You High?

Isolated terpenes do not produce a psychoactive effect or cause you to feel high. However, when combined with certain cannabinoids like THC, terpenes can create an enhanced effect, known as the Entourage effect.

What Is the Most Common Terpene Found in Cannabis?

The most common terpene found in cannabis is myrcene, which is found in high concentrations in the majority of cannabis strains. Pinene, however, is the most common terpene found in nature. Pinene is also commonly found in most cannabis strains, just not in as high a concentration as myrcene.

Are Terpenes and Terpenoids the Same?

No, the two terms carry different meanings. Terpenes are defined as the natural chemical compound found in plants, whereas terpenoids refer specifically to terpenes that have been oxidized. Oxidation typically occurs once a plant is dead and dried as part of the curing process in cannabis production.

Where Do We See Terpenes in Nature?

The most prominent example of terpenes in nature is in pine trees. Alpha-pinene is a kind of terpene that originates in pine needles, so the resin from a pine tree is composed mostly of terpenes. The terpenes within the resin protect the tree and help it heal from wounds.

Does it Matter Where Terpenes Come From?

Research on this subject is still pending and inconclusive regarding the effects of terpenes from differing sources. Cannabis remains a source of many varied terpenes that can have beneficial uses.

Does Temperature Affect Terpenes?

Yes, temperature can greatly affect terpenes. Terpenes are fragile and volatile in nature and some experts fear that higher temperatures used to smoke or vape terpenes can substantially affect the efficacy and potential negative effects that terpenes cause.

What Is the Rarest Kind of Terpene?

Terpinolene is one of the rarest used terpenes. Terpinolene is rarely discovered by itself and is often combined with other terpenes, which can result in an enhanced effect.

What Types of Terpenes Should I Avoid?

Not all terpenes provide the same level of potential benefits, and much of the research surrounding various types of terpenes is still pending. However, terpinolene and guaiol are two terpenes that some researchers have found to actually increase anxiety and are recommended to be avoided if you already experience high anxiety levels.

What Can Kill Terpenes?

Terpenes are not a living entity and cannot be killed, but they can be deactivated. High temperatures and heat are the number one killer of terpenes. Excessive humidity, as well as letting plants dry out in extreme heat during the growing process, can also cause terpenes to die.

What Happens if You Add Too Much Terpenes?

Terpenes, in general, are incredibly highly concentrated and only require small doses to create noticeable effects. Adding too high a concentration of terpenes to a product can give it an unpleasant and overwhelming scent or aroma.

Do Terpenes Determine if a Cannabis Strain is Indica or Sativa?

A: Terpenes alone are not classified as either indica or sativa, but they do play a substantial part in determining the actual effects of a given cannabis strain. However, the specific combination of various terpenes and cannabinoids can impact the categorization and efficacy of a cannabis strain, as well as the concentration level of terpenes.

Do Terpenes Show Up on a Drug Test?

Drug tests are typically designed to screen for cannabinoids, like THC, to detect cannabis or marijuana use. Terpenes are not detected in those drug tests.

How Many Different Types of Terpenes are Found in Cannabis?

There are more than 113 different types of terpenes and other cannabinoid compounds naturally derived from the cannabis plant. However, some are only found in minimal amounts.

How Do Terpenes Affect the Body?

Terpenes can interact with many parts of your body, including your immune system and various pathways in your brain. Since terpenes are fat soluble, they are able to absorb into parts of your cells and tissues, such as fatty brain tissue.

Do Terpenes Affect the Brain?

Yes, terpenes can affect the brain. Because they are fat soluble, they are able to access parts of your cells and fatty tissues, including brain tissue. The combination and synergy of terpenes and cannabinoids, like THC and CBD, can impact your mood and anxiety levels and even act as a sedative.

Do Terpenes Affect Taste?

Yes, in addition to affecting smell by producing unique aromas, terpenes also contribute to taste, similar to flavonoids. Since taste and smell are closely related, the invigorating scent of limonene can enhance the flavor of a lemon.

Learn More About Cannabis With Kind Meds

Terpenes are just one of the many fascinating compounds found in cannabis. You can learn more about terpenes and cannabinoids in our educational blog. Or, stop by the Kind Meds dispensary to ask our staff what terpenes could be beneficial for you.

Sources:

1. What are terpenes? (2020, March 6). Www.medicalnewstoday.com. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-are-terpenes
2. Chen, A. (n.d.). Some of the Parts: Is Marijuana’s “Entourage Effect” Scientifically Valid? Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/some-of-the-parts-is-marijuana-rsquo-s-ldquo-entourage-effect-rdquo-scientifically-valid/
3. Ferber, S. G., Namdar, D., Hen-Shoval, D., Eger, G., Koltai, H., Shoval, G., Shbiro, L., & Weller, A. (2020). The “Entourage Effect”: Terpenes Coupled with Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders. Current Neuropharmacology, 18(2), 87–96. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159×17666190903103923
4. Cox-Georgian, D., Ramadoss, N., Dona, C., & Basu, C. (2019). Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of Terpenes. Medicinal Plants, 333–359. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31269-5_15
5. Guzmán-Gutiérrez, S. L., Bonilla-Jaime, H., Gómez-Cansino, R., & Reyes-Chilpa, R. (2015). Linalool and β-pinene exert their antidepressant-like activity through the monoaminergic pathway. Life Sciences, 128, 24–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2015.02.021
6. Robertson, K. (2021, May 20). Cannabis Terpenes: What They Are and How They Work. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/cannabis-terpenes
7. Terpenes 101: Your Questions Answered. (2021, February 12). City Compassionate Caregivers. https://www.citycompassionatecaregivers.com/5-important-questions-about-cannabis-terpenes-answered/
8. Cali Terpenes. (2020, June 17). Frequently asked questions about terpenes – Cali Terpenes. Caliterpenes Blog. https://www.caliterpenes.com/blog/en/frequent-questions-information-about-terpenes-cali-terpenes/
9. Anden. (2021, June 25). The Nose Knows – Answering the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis Terpenes | Anden. Anden | Humidity Control Built for Grow. https://www.anden.com/answering-the-most-frequently-asked-questions-about-cannabis-terpenes