The Science and Health Benefits of Terpenes
Since Marijuana is discovered to be a helpful medicine for some diseases, more and more scientists are studying the compounds that contribute to its scent and flavor. Marijuana is known for its Cannabinoids, its composition that contributes to the “high” feeling. The compound called terpenes is the other group of compounds that marijuana produces.
The terpenes are responsible to the smell of marijuana. It’s now produced as aromatic oils, which flavor ranges from citrusy, earthy, pine and fruity. Terpenes are also found in other plants and essential oil, so there’s a high chance that you have smelt it before. You can also easily buy terpenes in drugstores and other markets.
Roles in Plants
Terpenes can be found in sage, basic, sandalwood, cloves and lavender. This group of compound contributes to the flavor and scent of the mentioned plants. It’s also used in candles, perfumes and even incense. It can also be found in cannabis, which protects the plant from parasites, bacteria, herbivores and fungi.
Benefits of Terpenes
In the composition of Marijuana, terpenes interact with the other compounds named CBD and THC. However, the terpenes also have effects on their own. Some of its health benefits are relieving pain, reducing inflammation and aiding with sleep. In the future, it’s expected that terpenes could be used to matching users with ideal strain.
Common Terpenes
- Myrcene
The most common terpene is myrcene, which also contribute to the sedative effect of indica strains. Its flavors and taste range from citrusy, spicy, fruity and woody. It is known health benefits are: used to relax muscles, aid for sleeping problems, anti-inflammatory, sedative and analgesic.
- Pinene
Another terpene is pinene, which is commonly found in sativa strains like Bubba Kush and Jack Herer. The flavors and taste it comes with range from earthy, woody and pine. It is a memory enhancer, pain reliever, bronchodilator, kills bacteria and also reduces inflammation.
- Limonene
The limonene terpene has lemony, citrusy and orange scent and taste. It’s commonly used to alleviate depression, promotes relaxation, reduce anxiety, treats cancer and elevates mood.
- Terpinolene
This terpene can be found in Lemon Sour Diesel and Pineapple Jack, and other common sativas. Its flavor and scent range from sweet to woody to pine and citrusy. It is used as relaxation, sedative, antioxidant and anti-bacterial.
Synergistic Effects of Terpenes
The terpenes have their own benefits and effects, but they are also known to work well with other compounds. Terpenes work with CBD and THC compound that can be found in cannabis plants to bind the cannabinoid receptors in our bodies and brains. The way they alter the way cannabinoids bind with their receptors is known as the entourage effect or synergistic effect.
Terpenes make it easier for the THC to travel through the bloods up to the brain, which creates the effect of being intensely high. They are also a factor of the production of dopamine and serotonin. Once bound with cannabinoid receptors, terpenes help to reduce the anxiety and paranoia, which is a negative effect of THC.
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