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 believed that they may interact synergistically with cannabinoids and other compounds in the cannabis plant to produce psychoactive effects.

In addition to common cannabis-related terms like cannabinoid, indica, and sativa, you may have recently come across a less common word: it's another compound found in cannabis. But what are terpenes?

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants and some animals. They are responsible for the aromas, flavors, and even colors associated with different types of vegetation.

They can also be recycled to make products such as cleaning solvents, pesticides and dyes.

While almost all plants contain terpenes, some of the most common sources 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.

The leading hypothesis is that a strain's terpene profile—the dominant terpenes—works in conjunction with its cannabinoid content—the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and other cannabinoids—to produce the effects people associate with different strains .

Do terpenes cause intoxication?

Terpenes themselves do not produce a feeling of intoxication in the traditional sense of the term.

While terpenes themselves do not cause intoxication, they are thought to influence the effects of THC, the cannabinoid responsible for the high felt in cannabis.

Many cannabis connoisseurs and retailers argue that consumers place too much emphasis on THC content when choosing a strain.

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

How are terpenes related to THC and CBD?

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

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

However, it is believed that they all interact with each other in what is known as the “co-occurrence effect.” This is the hypothesis that the “full spectrum” of 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 a 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 at managing pain than THC alone.

In a 2018 study, breast cancer tumors in a petri dish responded better to cannabis extract than to pure THC alone.

This is important to consider if you are using CBD for therapeutic purposes.

Practical Applications of Terpenes

Based on previous research, terpenes may have potential to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

Tips for Researching Terpenes

To get the most out of terpenes, pay attention to the labeling of cannabis products, which may include terpene profiles and concentrations.