The Power of Terpenes in the Cannabis Experience
Key Takeaway
Terpenes are the secret behind the flavor and smell of cannabis, but they also play a crucial role in the feelings you experience when consuming cannabis products. While terpenes won’t make you feel high, it’s believed that they can affect your overall experience by creating a relaxing, energizing, or pain-relieving effect.
Learn about the common types of terpenes to choose the best strain for your needs.
The Power of Terpenes in the Cannabis Experience
If you're new to the world of cannabis, there’s so much to discover to get the most out of your experience. It can be a bit intimidating to talk about if you’re not familiar with all the cannabis terminology, but we’re here to clear some things up for you.
Between THC and cannabinoids, there are a lot of cannabis terms to know. You probably know the basics of cannabis, but have you heard of terpenes?
Terpenes, which can be considered the plant's essential oils, are responsible for the unique aroma and flavor profile of cannabis. Cannabis plants contain hundreds of terpenes, and each strain has its own distinct scent. But terpenes don’t just impact the aroma and flavor of cannabis – they can also influence your experience with a cannabis product.
So, what are terpenes, and how do they affect the cannabis experience? Keep reading to learn more about terpenes and the critical roles they play.
What Are Terpenes and Why Do They Matter?
Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in the trichomes — the sticky glands on the surface of the buds, leaves, and stems — and can affect the plant's survival.
While they're responsible for the aroma, they also contribute to flavor, protecting the plant from predators by repelling certain insects and deterring various plant eaters. They also attract certain insects and creatures the same way flowers attract bees.
Cannabis plants have many terpenes, but some are more distinct than others. Additionally, terpene levels vary by the plant as a result of the environment, light exposure, temperature, nutrient availability, and other factors.
Historically, many terpenes were lost during the manufacturing process. However, modern techniques such as fresh frozen extractions allow for the preservation of more terpenes, resulting in the best possible experience.
Consumers can also help preserve the terpenes within their chosen products by limiting air, light, and high-temperature exposure after purchase.
Understanding the Entourage Effect
The entourage effect refers to the way compounds in cannabis can work together to create a better experience. This synergy occurs when cannabinoids and terpenes are consumed together.
Emerging evidence suggests that full-spectrum cannabis may offer additional health benefits.
Everyone has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that regulates and controls various bodily functions like learning, emotional processing, sleep, pain control, and inflammatory and immune responses.
Scientists have identified cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body that control neurotransmitter activity. These receptors regulate everything from hunger to temperature and the endocannabinoids our bodies produce activate those receptors.
The Relationship Between Terpenes and Cannabinoids in Cannabis
Unlike THC, terpenes don't produce a psychoactive effect or bind to the cannabinoid receptors in your brain, so they won't make you feel “high.” However, they may impact your consumption experience by indirectly affecting the ECS or through other paths, which could have an energizing, calming, or analgesic effect.
It's hypothesized that a terpene profile can affect how cannabis interacts with someone’s body, which is why so many people report different experiences with different strains even though THC levels are the same. Researchers believe this synergistic effect can improve absorption while minimizing side effects to improve overall experience.
As interest in the use of terpenes within clinical settings grows, the door is open for continued research and understanding.
Common Terpenes To Know and Their Effects
You can think of terpenes as the essential oils of plants like cannabis, which may produce various effects after smoking or consuming. For example, lavender essential oil from the lavender plant has been scientifically proven to affect the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for regulating mood and hormones. Using plants and scents for medicinal purposes is a centuries-old practice that may help researchers determine the efficacy of the entourage effect and terpenes