With the increasing popularity of CBD (cannabidiol) products, the significance of the terpenes in improving the effects and the experience of using such products has also been getting due attention. While much is to be said about CBD, which is a hemp extract with no psychoactive effect, less attention is usually paid to terpenes – volatile oils that are contained in many plants and are the source of their scents.
Nevertheless, these are important factors that enhance the performance and attributes of CBD products. This article is focused on terpenes’ role in CBD products, their advantages, and their significance to users.
Why are Terpenes Important?
Terpenes are a part of essential oils used to fragrance the skin, burned as incense in a room for ambiance, or infused in food and drink for flavor. Synthesized in many cannabis plants, that scent is what is known as terpenes, which specifically give the plant its distinct smell.
Many aromatic molecules are formed as metabolic by-products that assist the plant in a variety of ways, including deterring herbivores and insects, attracting pollinators, and even serving the purposes of a plant's tissue. Terpenes in cannabis have become more appreciated by audiences because they act as natural decor to CBD products, enhancing their taste and smell.
Common terpenes found in CBD products include:
- Limonene (fragrance of the citrus family)
- Pinene (smell of pine)
- Myrcene (scent of earth and musk)
- Linalool (lavender sweet scent)
- Caryophyllene (smell of spicy pepper)
All of these terpenes are packed with their unique characteristics as well as their health benefits, which have a synergetic effect on cannabis products as a whole.
How Do Terpenes and CBD Work Together?
Another important reason why terpenes may play such an important role in CBD products is because of the concept of the entourage effect. This is used to explain how cannabinoids such as CBD produce a synergistic effect with terpenes, which helps increase the effectiveness of the product.
To illustrate, CBD by itself is known to have great benefits, including anti-inflammation, anti-anxiety, and pain relief. However, these effects can be improved when combined with certain terpenes.
- For instance, terpenes like Limonene are beneficial because they promote positive emotions. This is great because it compliments CBD’s anti-anxiety effects.
- Myrcene is said to provide enhancement of relaxation and sleeping effects of CBD, which will benefit sleep or anxiety disorders individuals.
- Caryophyllene also attaches to the CB2 receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system, which may also help amplify the anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving characteristics of CBD.
These effects, in combination with each other, reinforce the need to use CBD broadly or in full spectrum so that the user gets the advantage of cannabinoids and terpenes rather than using CBD isolate on its own, which may not be the best option.
What is the Role of Terpenes in Therapeutic Benefits?
There are numerous therapeutic effects associated with terpenes, and their numerous benefits resemble the positive effects of cannabis use. These compounds have been examined for improving moods, combating inflammation, alleviating pain and others.
The following are some examples of how certain terpenes present in CBD products can magnify and enhance the experience:
- Linalool: Linalool has calming and relaxing effects, and it is often used to relieve stress and help alleviate insomnia. Thus, it is believed to help enhance sleep with the potential to improve overall quality of life. These factors make it a favorable ingredient in CBD products designed to help relax and aid sleep.
- Pinene: This terpene has a fresh aroma resembling that of pine trees and has been known to decrease inflammation while having the potential to enhance respiratory function. Furthermore, it may assist in diminishing the effects of THC, like acute short-term memory loss that THC tends to produce, although in most cases, this cannabinoid is not found in large quantities in most CBD products.
- Caryophyllene: On the other hand, caryophyllene is very different from other terpenes, as it is capable of interacting with the cannabinoid receptors in the body directly. It especially interacts directly with the CB2 receptor, which means that caryophyllene is highly effective in reducing inflammation and pain.
When choosing a CBD product, it is advisable to consider the terpenes present in order to best meet your desired effects, whether it’s for relaxation, pain management or better concentration.
Is Full Spectrum CBD More Effective Than CBD Isolate?
The following are several types of CBD that are most commonly featured and sold:
- Full-spectrum CBD: This contains all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and all other essential components of a hemp plant like cannabis sativa. It also has trace amounts of THC, which is less than 0.3%. When all three items complement each other’s properties in a single product, the end result is truly extraordinary, and this is what is termed the entourage effect.
- Broad-spectrum CBD: This has all of the cannabinoids but lacks THC. Consumers are able to receive the entourage effect as well, though there are purists who claim that lacking THC limits their potential.
- CBD Isolate: Contains no other cannabinoids or terpenes. Only has CBD. While you can enjoy certain benefits with isolate products, the presence of terpenes helps create synergistic effects, but due to their absence, these products may be limited in effectiveness.
If you want to use cannabis and take full advantage of the therapeutic effects of CBD, it is better to go with products containing a high concentration of terpenes- either full-spectrum or broad-spectrum. It is advisable to look at the label or, if the product is not available in the local stores, to ask the manufacturers for laboratory tests to check the terpene profile in the product and its quality.
Conclusion
Terpenes are very important in determining how well CBD products work and their experience. They make the taste and scents better and as well as work together with CBD and other cannabinoids to improve their medical properties. If you are using CBD products for anxiety, inflammation, or sleep problems, you need to know the terpenes of the CBD product because it will help you choose the right one.
With more research being done in this field, it is likely that the significance of terpenes will become greater and greater in the future on CBD products, which will lead to the creation and further increase in demand for full-spectrum or broad-spectrum products, which are the most effective.