Terpenes? Lets admit, this word still is a confuse term for most of us. If you are one of those who hear terpenes and think is something about the latest call of duty video game, keep reading. In this post you'll find all the information you need to understand what terpenes are.
Until very recently, research ways, in cannabis world mostly focussed in cannabinoids (THC, THV, CBD, CBD, CBC...). However, cannabinoids are not the only active ingredients of cannabis. When studying the effects of cannabinoids some evidences appeared between effects produced when using a dose of raw cannabinoids (extracted and insulated), and the effects produced by the same dose give in natural cannabis form. How can the same dose produce different effects? Cannabis contains other active compounds that interact with cannabinoids' effect and, in addition, present its own effects, they are called terpenes.
What does terpenes mean?
Terpenes are a wide and varied class of chemical compounds produced by a huge variety of plants, in particular coniferous. Its main functions are to defend, repel predators, o to delay maturity of fruits; and reproduction, atract pollinator insects. There also insects who emit terpenes; and terpenes that can be gotten in sinthetic way.
When we talk about terpenes of cannabis we reffer to resins and essential oils plants produce, responsible of taste and flavour, characteristic of each plant.
Even though some flavours and tastes can be interesting for cannabis tokers, this is not the reason why laboratories are focussing their investigations in terpenes. The interest of scientific community in terpenes relapse in the way these interact with cannabinoids, due to a sinergic effect is produced. this means that this combined action produces, independently from desired effects, some extra effects that non of both could ever cause separately. This way, terpenes act sinergically with cannabinoids and also in-between them, cathalyzing, on inhibiting the formation of compound in plants. This allows to manipulate and control the proportion of cannabinoids, together with psycoactive effects, and famacology ones, of different cannabis strains.
How this mechanisms work is still being studied. It is known that some terpenes group with mind receptors and produce chemical alterations; others modify the amount of THC that passes through the blood brain shield; and some even change the work of neural transmitters like serothonine and dopamine (relationed with emotions, appetite and mood).
Even though, the use of terpenes is not new. flavour therapy it's been using essential oils for decades, and its beneficial effect on human organisms. In paralel, alimentary industry has also been using them (to give taste), cosmethics and cleaning products.
Why is it important the terpene analysis
Understanding how terpenes work opens a neverending farmacology possibilities, and is a must for medical cannabis. Only this way will be possible to optimize famacology effects of a strain, besides help patients to know wich strain they require, or how shold combine terpenes and cannabinoids in their raw form to get specific desired benefits.
We should not forget the recreative toker, who will experiment a wide world of tastes and flavours, as well as the possibility to control the type and grade of the psycoactive effects to be exposed.
Primary terpenes
Myrcene
Myrcene is the most common terpene in cannabis strains. This terpene also reveal fondamental information about the strain of a plant. Steep Hill labs concluded that mycene concentration determines if a plant is Indica or sativa strain. According to the studies if a sample contains more than a 0,5% of myrcene, this will have indica, or sedative, effects. On the other hand, if a strain contains less than a 0,5% of myrcene, its effects will be sativa type, or energizing (if you want to know more about these two strains read our post "Cannabis Indica and Sativa".
Another characteristic of this terpene is that it seems to vary the blood brain shield, increasing the amount of cannabinoids that pass through (mostly THC), so the effects of cannabinoids are stronger).
Myrcene is known by its flavour and resin, that reminds hop, and gives a taste iron likely. As we said, it causes relaxing effect of cannabis. Besides, has also hypnotic effects, sedatives, and analgesics. Nowadays, labs are studying how it blocks the action of some carcinogen agents.
Some strains that contain myrcene: Himalayan Gold, El Niño, Pure Kush, White Widow.
Pinene
This is the most common terpene, and responsible of the typical flavor of cannabis, that one we associate with pine and fresh herbs.
Pinene is a acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, so that's why its thought that it can have positive effects over memory. Even memory trends to fail more with THC consumption, some studies reveal that sinergy with pinene favors lucidity, concept retention, and mind activity. Its psicoactive effects also produce concentration, satisfaction and energy feeling.
Pinene is a powerful bronchodilator and it is used to treat asma. It also works as antiinflamatory, antibiotic, and antiseptic.
If you are interested in strains containing high amounts of pinene, here are some: Bubba Kush, Chemdawg, Jack Herer, Super Silver Haze and Trainwreck.
Limonene
This is a dominant terpene in strains with pronounced Sativa effect, and, as its name tells, it is responsible of that characteristic aroma of citrus, its flavour sticks to our hands when we trim one of these fruits.
It easily pass through the brain blood shield, increasing serotonin and dopamine, what creates the typical wellbeing feeling, a "positive state of mind" and "happiness feeling". The increase of dopamine also promotes sleep, atention, body activity and even sexual appetite. Due to the action on neurotransmitters, it is prescribed for depression and anxiety. Besides, it is antifungical, immunostimulatory, and gastric protector. Recently, it's been tested in clinic essays against cancinogenic cells, due to its apoptosic action (cell death).
Some strains with high levels of limonene are: Jack the Ripper, Super Lemon Haze, Lemon Skunk, OG Kush.
Linalool
Its aroma is floral, with spicy tones, and we usually identify it matching the classic smell of lavender in air fresheners or perfumes.
Its effects may vary depending on intereaction with cannabinoids: in sinergy with THC produce calming effects, anxiolytic and analgesic; while with CBD, THCV or CBDV, we'll get anticonvulsant effect, so effecient to treat and prevent epilepsy.
Some strains containing Linalool: Amnesia Haze, G-13, Lavender and LA Confidential.
Caryophillene
Caryophillene is present in all cannabis strains. Its spicy aroma, kind of pper, is the smell that K9 trainned dogs identify to detect cannabis.
It has the particularity of activing cannabinoid 2 receptors (CB2) not being a cannabinoid. As it ain't a cannabinoid its use is authorized for human consumption, what means its therapeutic use is common.
Another characteristic of this terpene is that it acts sinergically with CBD in plants, producing antifungical effects, antibacterial and insecticide. In the same way, if marijuana consumed contains CBD and caryophillene will get the same benefits. In addition it is an antiinflamatory, analgesic, anticoagulant, and a great gastric protector.
For the moment, there are no constance that it has any psycoactive effect.
A strain known by its caryophillene levels is Hash Plant.
Eucalyptol
It is the main compound from eucalypt oil, and its aroma is characteristics from this tree's leaves.
Eucalyptol, same as canene, phellandrene and terpinolene; is exclusive from sativa strains. We will never find these terpenes in concentrations over 1% in an indica strain.
It has been demonstrated that from commontly present terpenes in Sativas, eucalyptol, is the only one active in central nervous system, so researchers point that existing sinergy between eucalyptol and THC is responsible from energic effect, and euphoric, typical from sativas.
It is a bronchodilator, antiinflamatory and analgesic, and is used in asma treatments in pharmacollogy.
Some strains known for its eucalyptol content: Dutch Treat, Moby Dick.
Terpinool
Has a floral and fresh flavor, that reminds lilly. It's usually found in strains with high pinene levels, so its gets masked, making it difficult to be detected.
It psycoactive effects are relaxing. It is an antifungical, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiinflamatory, and anxiolytic. Terpinool is being studied as an antitumor agent.
Some strains containing terpinool are: Girl Scout Cookies, Jack Herer, OG Kush and White Widow.
Geraniol
It releases a very addictive rose and fruity flavour. It recieves its name because it is one main compounds of geranium. It's often found in strains that also contain linalool.
Actually some investigations have been opened, wich value suppressor effects of geraniool against cell growth in pancreatic tumors, as well as its preventive effects against neuropathies. It is a powerful antioxidant, antifungical, antibacterial and antiviral.
There are many strains containing geraniool, in example: Afghani, Amnesia Haze, Great White Shark, Headband, Island Sweet Skunk, Master Kush and OG Shark.
Valencene
It is named due to this terpene is found in large concentrations in Valencia's oranges. It has a citrus flavour that reminds orange trees. Its medical effects work as antiinflamatory.
Strains containing valencene: Agent Orange and Tangie.
Humulene
It releases a hop flavor, often found in sativa strains.
Its main characteristic is that, like THCV, acts as appetite inhibiter, and is suitable for weight loss treatments. It is also a powerful antiinflamatory, antibacterial and analgesic.
In 2003 an article was published, in wich a group of Canadian researchers valued the antitumor activity from the humulene essential oil, against some solid tumor cells, determining that it was active against all solid tumor cell lines tested.
Some strains containing humulene are: Girl Scout Cookies, Headband, Sour Diesel and White Widow.
Terpinolene
It has woody and flower flavors, and is often found in sativa strains. Its sedative effects were tested with rats, getting a remarkably decrease in their activity when fed with inhaling terpinolene. It is also known as antibacterial, antifungical and antioxidant.
We may find it in strains like: Jack Herer.
SECONDARY TERPENES
The terpene catalogue is wide and large. The following list of secondary terpenes have multiple properties, even being found less strains, and in lower quantities.
Ocimene
Sweet and herb flavor. Antiviral, antifungical, antiseptic, decongestant, and antibacterial. We can find it in strains like: Golden Coat, Strawberry Cough and Space Queen.
Phelandrene
Peppermint aroma with citrus tones. Researchs point it has antidepressant effects.
Carene
Sweet and woody flavor reminding cedar's resin. It's used to remove body excess fluids like sweat, mucus and tears.
Borneol
Mint aroma. It is very common in Chinese medicine, where it is used to combat fatigue, stress, and also to recover strength after illness. It is sedative and calms, with antiinflamatory and for birth control.
Bisabolol
It is the main compound of camomile essential oil, that's why its flavor reminds to this herb.
Its apoptosis effects (cell death) are being studied against some kind of leukemia.
Phytol
Tea flavor. Inhibits enzyms that demeans GABA neurotransmitters, producing relaxing effects.
Isopulegol
Mint flavor. Studies demonstrate it produces antiinflamatory effects, gastroprotectors and anticonvulsant.
Cymene
Its aroma reminds a mix of cumin and thyme. Has antiinflamatory effects, and its protector effects are being studied in high lungs harm.
Considerations:
The variation in terpene ratio is what produces the wide variety of flavors of cannabis, and the sinergy with cannabinoids determines its pharmacology and psycoactive effects .Even though, each plant is different, and the fact that two plants come from the same strain doe snot mean they are equal. Types of terpenes present in a plant, and its concentration, as well as cannabinoids ones, are influenced by many factors (quality of the seeds, enviromental factors, growth factors...). Our nose and taste can help us identify flavors, but pay atention that the only way of known the type and quantity of terpenes of a cannabis plant is through terpene profile lab test.
On the other hand it is important to be informed and choose a proper consumption method for our use, due to terpene properties may vary and even desapear with heat. Vaporizers are one of the best ways to optimize terpene benefits.
Sources:
Variations in Terpene Profiles of Different Strains of Cannabis sativa L
Scientific research and Cannabis testing
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