What are terpenes in weed? Terpenes give cannabis its unique flavors but they also provide other benefits – find out all about terpenes below.
Marijuana has a unique flavor and aroma. You’ll notice a citrusy scent wafting through your nostrils as soon as you open a bag of marijuana. There may be a hint of lavender, pine, or pepper. Some strains even have a cheese-like odor. Most marijuana users enjoy the various scents and flavors because it quenches their appetite before smoking. Terpenes can be found in almost every type of plant. They are primarily accountable for the plant empire’s fragrant and flavor variability. Here is all you need to know about what are terpenes marijuana, what terpenes look like, and what are their benefits and effects.
Understanding marijuana terpenes
Let’s begin by understanding what are terpenes in weed plants. Marijuana terps are simple chemical substances that help plants defend themselves against dangers and attract beneficial species. Terpenes, like cannabinoids, are produced in the resin glands of cannabis Sativa and frequently work together to improve or modify the impacts of one another. Terpenes are natural chemicals in a female cannabis plant’s trichomes. Trichomes are visible, sticky glands that cover the surface of buds and, to a lesser extent, leaves and stems. Trichomes, crucially, have resin glands that produce terpenes. Terpenes are essential for the growth and survival of marijuana plants. These organic substances produce distinct aromas, enhance the color and pigmentation of leaves and buds, and contribute to the flavor of cannabis. In a nutshell, terpenes help increase the plant’s appeal to some creatures while preventing others from harming it.
Additionally, a range of factors can influence the number of terpenes produced by a cannabis plant. Various factors affect terpene levels, including growing outdoors or indoors, light exposure, temperature, specific growing mediums, nutrient levels, and harvest time. When extracting terpenes you must be careful as they are volatile. However, as you become more aware of the therapeutic value of terpenes, you notice more sensitive extraction techniques, like live resin.
Effects of terpenes on the body
Terpenes in weed’s aromatic attributes are well-known. Humans have long used the vibrant scents linked with terpenes to create essential oils used in practices like aromatherapy. Conversely, marijuana terps appear to have effects beyond just feeling good and relieving stress. Terpenes are also a promising new area of research in marijuana medicine. Until recently, the focus was almost entirely on the therapeutic properties of cannabinoids like THC and CBD, but as our knowledge of terpenes grows more advanced, it’s becoming clear that these aromatic substances, too, are medicinal megastars. Terpenes all have their own set of therapeutic characteristics.
What are terpenes in weed’s entourage effect?
By now, you may be wondering about what are terpenes in weed’s entourage effect? Cannabis terps are bioactive, which means they impact the body. The entourage effect describes how terpenes interact with CBD, terpenes THC, and other cannabinoids to improve medicinal benefits. Neither cannabinoids nor terpene profiles work by themselves. Individuals with epilepsy who took full-spectrum CBD extract, which included cannabinoids and terpenes, had better signs and far fewer side impacts than those who took CBD isolate, which only contained cannabinoids, according to a 2018 study. Full-spectrum marijuana extract is a whole-plant medicine that contains cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant substances.
Therapeutic qualities of marijuana terpenes
Anticancer
The search for substances to suppress cancer is fueled by the rising rates of many forms of cancer. Some terpene profiles, such as those found in marijuana, have anti-cancer properties, inhibiting cancer cell activity or growth.
Pain alleviation
Some cannabis terps have a pain-relieving effect similar to cannabinoids. Humulene, geraniol, linalool, and -pinene are terpenes that may have pain-relieving properties. According to a study, these terpenes also activate the body’s CB1 receptors, which are part of the endocannabinoid system and impact pain perception.
Antimicrobial
Antibacterial property, or the ability to stop a harmful microorganism in its tracks, is found in a wide range of terpenes.
Antidepressant
Many plant extracts used in antidepressant prescriptions contain linalool and beta-pinene.
Antiviral
Many terpenes, such as alpha- and beta-pinene, caryophyllene, camphor, and carvone, may have strong antiviral properties.
Common terpenes found in the marijuana plant
You’ll find over 100 terps in weed plants but only a few of them are useful. You can use terpene profile charts as helpful guides to understanding the individual properties of each terpene. Here are a few of the most prevalent terpenes you’ll encounter and their advantages.
Myrcene
Most marijuana varieties are high in either myrcene or caryophyllene. Myrcene, weed terps also found in hops and lemongrass, have herbaceous, spicy, earthy, and musky scent notes. Myrcene, also found in mangoes, gives marijuana a slightly sweet flavor profile. In addition to providing the signature scent of cannabis, myrcene has anti-inflammatory properties. According to a 2015 study in cultured cells, myrcene may significantly decrease inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. The cannabis terps also eventually helped prevent cartilage cell breakdown, slow the progression of osteoarthritis, and slow down the body’s rate of specific inflammatory cells. In the future, myrcene could be used to help alleviate anti-inflammatory diseases and their symptoms.
Caryophyllene or beta-caryophyllene
If your cannabis strain has a peppery, clove-like sharp flavor, beta-caryophyllene is the most likely culprit. You’ll find this terpene in cloves, rosemary, hops, black pepper, and basil, among other things. Beta-caryophyllene, like other terpenes, has anti-inflammatory characteristics and can relieve pain signs in some individuals. Caryophyllene is the only known terpene found in marijuana that can bind to the CB2 receptor in the body’s immune system’s endocannabinoid system. Caryophyllene is sometimes classified as an atypical cannabinoid due to its distinct action. In one animal study, beta-caryophyllene relieved pain caused by nerve inflammation. Because the animals’ bodies responded positively to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory impacts, it can effectively treat long-term severe pain.
Limonene
As its name suggests, limonene is liable for the zesty, citrusy aroma reminiscent of limes and lemons. This compound is abundant in all citrus fruits. This terpene is widely used in cosmetics and cleaning products, including perfumes, aftershaves, and bath products. Marijuana strains with the words “sour” or “lemon” on the label frequently contain limonene.
Limonene appears to alter the actions of specific immune cells in the body, which may help the body defend itself against various illnesses. One study, finds limonene helps boost the development of antibody-producing cells in the spleen and bone marrow, which the immune system uses to define and neutralize pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Scientists have also recently suggested that the distinct therapeutic profile of limonene could be helpful in Covid-19 therapies.
