The cannabis plant is so dynamic! It has a unique smell, taste, feeling. And can be transformed into different forms - food, lotions and/or joints. It’s because of many working parts in this plant that enables it to thrive and provide benefits for so many people! For this article, we want to focus on terpenes and how they are such a vital part of the cannabis plant.
Terpenes, terpenoids, terps, whatever you want to call them, are the compounds and substances found in plants that provide the aromatics, or smell, and taste. NCBI explains that terpenes basically “form the major constituent of essential oils from plants”. Terpenes are most commonly associated with the cannabis plant because researchers have found the highest concentrations of terpenes in cannabis plants. Now, these terpenes aren’t just one-dimensional, they pack a powerful punch, providing many therapeutic benefits.
Have you ever wandered through a field of flowers and got that euphoric, calming feeling? Well, you can thank the terpenes for that! Many plants benefit from terps, as these substances protect the plant from grazing animals and/or harmful germs.
And for humans, the aromatics that are exuded from the plant can be harvested and condensed into many different curative oils.
Both cannabinoids and terps are key parts of the cannabis plant. In a previous article, we discussed how beneficial cannabinoids are and the estimated amount of cannabinoids that are found in each plant (hint: there are over 100 cannabinoids per plant). And the most important cannabinoids are THC and CBD. Read more about cannabinoids here.
Terpenes are a bit different from cannabinoids, as they are mainly responsible for the physiological effects associated with the cannabis plant. For instance, “beta-caryophyllene is the only known terpene that can bind to cannabinoid receptors, specifically CB2 receptors” (Natural Farmer). Just like the cannabinoids, terps will also interact with the endocannabinoid system and assist cannabinoids in entering the bloodstream through a process called the entourage effect. This effect happens when cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, hundreds of others work in one happy family to create psychoactive effects.
The effects of different strains of weed depend on a number of different factors, but mainly on the cannabinoids and terpenes in the strain, or the chemical compounds in it. We wrote all about how knowing about the strains and the further effects can help you choose the correct products! Read more here about the different strains.
Researchers have identified over 100 terpenes within a cannabis plant (amongst all strains). Each of these terpenes possesses a different role. Helping people become calm, stress-free or maybe even happy. Here are some of the five biggest and most important terpenes you should know about:
When the entourage effect is fully functional, it can also benefit CBD (and not just THC). For example, terpenes present in CBD oil help the body in three important ways. They improve our ability to absorb beneficial chemicals through the blood-brain barrier, overcome bacterial defense mechanisms, and increase the absorption and effectiveness of cannabinoids. Basically, when CBD is involved with terps, the effects are more therapeutic than psychoactive.
It’s the effects of terpenes that make cannabis even more of a magical and special plant, helping so many people! Check out our blog for more articles on these and more helpful substances!
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