Terpenes

Terpenes are organic hydrocarbons that occur naturally in the essential oils of plants. Technically, terpenes are a combination of carbon and hydrogen. Though the names are used interchangeably, terpenoids are terpenes that have been altered through a drying process. With a wide variety of therapeutic effects, terpenes can help the body destroy bacteria, detoxify, and relax. The many combinations of terpene concentrations in cannabis/hemp plants vary from strain to strain, thus producing different (entourage) effects.

 

Myrcene

(also known as alpha-myrcene or beta-myrcene) is the most common and a particularly potent terpene, with a spicy, earthy, musky scent that gives cannabis strains a mildly sweet flavor profile. Myrcene has powerful antibiotic, antimutagenic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects.



 
 

Caryophyllene

β-Caryophyllene is the primary sesquiterpene contributing to the spiciness of black pepper; it is also a major constituent of cloves, hops, rosemary, copaiba, and cannabis. It was one of the first cannabis-derived compounds other than THC, CBD, and CBN shown to bind directly to endocannabinoid receptors (Gertsch, 2008). In fact, it was one of the first cannabis-derived compounds with a fundamentally different structure from the classical cannabinoids that interacts with the endocannabinoid system in humans. β-Caryophyllene is known to selectively bind to the CB2 receptor (non-psychtropic).

 
 
 

Linalool

Linalool is a powerful terpene due to its effect on the serotonin receptor. It helps treats conditions such as anxiety and depression and can help to combat insomnia. Its medicinal properties could also help treat several types of cancer.  Linalool has a characteristic spicy lavender scent.

 
 
 

Pinene

Pinene is found in a wide range of herbs like rosemary, parsley, basil, and even orange peel.  It is obviously also in pine.  This terpene imparts a broad range of anti-inflammatory effects, especially on respiratory functioning and can help calm inflammatory responses like asthma.  Pinene affects our moods as well. Ingesting it tends to make us feel more lucid, boosting our memory function and attention. This observation has been backed up by research demonstrating that some terpenes can help diminish the short-term memory impairment associated with ingesting THC.

 
 
 

Limonene

This terpene boosts mood and relieves stress.  Limonene is found in pine, mint, the peels of citrus fruits, and essential oils like lemon oil and orange oil. 

 
 
 

Humulene

Humulene naturally occurs in clove, basil, hops, and cannabis sativa. It carries a subtle earthy, woody aroma with spicy herbal notes. Though cannabis is commonly associated with appetite stimulation, humulene is actually known to suppress hunger. It has also shown promise as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent.