What are terpenes and why are they needed?

Terpenes play an important role in the aroma and flavor of various cannabis strains, and it is hypothesized that they may interact synergistically with cannabinoids and other compounds in the cannabis plant to produce psychoactive effects. But research is still ongoing to determine how beneficial terpenes may be.

In addition to common cannabis-related terms like cannabinoid, indica, and sativa, you may have recently come across a less common word: terpenes. This is another compound found in cannabis.

But what are terpenes? And how important is it to know what types and concentrations of terpenes are found in cannabis before purchasing a product?

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants and some animals. They are responsible for the aromas, tastes and even colors associated with different types of vegetation. When it comes to cannabis, terpenes make some strains smell or taste different from others.

They can also be processed into products such as cleaning solvents, pesticides and dyes. Some of them have therapeutic properties.

Although almost all plants contain terpenes, some of the more common sources that people encounter include:

• cannabis
  
• aromatic herbs such as sage and thyme
• citrus fruits

What do terpenes do?

Terpenes are believed to protect plants from harsh weather conditions and predators. As for their effect on humans, it is still a bit of a mystery. But cannabis researchers and consumers are increasingly looking to terpenes as a way to classify cannabis products and predict their effects.

The main hypothesis is that the terpene profile—the dominant terpenes—of a strain work together with the cannabinoid content—the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and other cannabinoids—to produce the effects that people associate with different strains.

For example, they may explain why two different strains with the same THC levels produce such different experiences.

Do terpenes make you intoxicated?

Terpenes themselves do not cause a feeling of intoxication in the traditional sense of the word. However, some are considered psychoactive because they affect the brain.

Although terpenes themselves do not cause intoxication, they are thought to influence the effects of THC, the cannabinoid responsible for the high feeling from cannabis.

Many cannabis connoisseurs and retailers argue that consumers place too much emphasis on THC content when choosing a strain. Instead, they recommend paying more attention to specific terpene profiles to achieve the desired effects.

For example, preliminary research suggests that some terpenes may have potential benefits for certain mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.

How do terpenes compare to THC and CBD?

THC and CBD are just two of the more than 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis, but they are the two most studied and widespread.

Both cannabinoids and terpenes can give you some idea of what to expect from a cannabis product, but they are two different compounds.

However, they are all supposed to interact with each other in what is called the “co-occurrence effect.” This is the hypothesis that "full spectrum" cannabis, including all the cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds found in cannabis, work synergistically to produce the sensations and effects of cannabis.

In other words, it is the hypothesis that a little of everything can do more good than a lot of one thing.

A 2010 study, for example, found that a combination of CBD and THC was more effective for pain management than THC alone.

In a 2018 study, breast cancer tumors in a petri dish responded better to cannabis extract than to pure THC alone. But these synergistic effects are thought to be primarily due to other cannabinoids rather than terpenes.

This is important to consider if you are using CBD for therapeutic purposes. If you are using CBD isolate (a product containing only CBD) and find that it is not having the desired effect, it may be worth trying a full-spectrum CBD product, which will also contain terpenes and other cannabinoids, including small amounts of THC.

Practical uses of terpenes

Based on preliminary research, terpenes may have potential for treating conditions such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Research in this area is still in its early stages, and more high-quality human studies are needed to fully understand the health effects of different terpene profiles.

Tips for Researching Terpenes

To get the most out of terpenes, it's worth paying attention to cannabis product labeling, which may include terpene profiles and concentrations. When purchasing terpenes from the UATRAVA store, you can be sure of their quality. By adding just a couple of drops to your vape, baked goods or any other product, you will get a product that reproduces the taste and aroma qualities of the desired strain.