Terpenes, Cannabinoids and how they affect each other

In recent years, a new term has popped up in the marijuana smoking and dabbing community – terpenes. These natural products are present in many plants, including marijuana, and are now also being added to a wide range of consumer products.

In US states with legal medical and recreational cannabis use, terpenes are being extracted from marijuana and added to perfumes, vaping oils, body products, food and beverages. These products usually contain cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). In places with more conservative marijuana laws, the THC is omitted and the products are marketed as full spectrum CBD or whole plant medicine.

Terpenes are what give cannabis its distinctive aroma and contributes to its flavour. In fact, the diverse scent profiles of famous cannabis strains are derived from specific combinations of terpenes.

Along with varied functions in the plant, terpenes have a wide range of mood-altering and therapeutic effects for cannabis users.

This article will explain everything you need to know about terpenes and its applications in cannabis use.

What are Terpenes and Terpenoids?

The word “terpene” is a shortened version of “terpentine”. Terpenoids are related to, but not the same as, terpenes. Terpenoids are modified terpenes, usually containing oxygen. In cannabis circles, the two terms are often used interchangeably.

Terpenes and terpenoids are natural compounds created by plants for varied purposes. Some have a repelling effect which protects the plant from predator animals and insects. Others have an attracting effect on insects and other foraging creatures that can help with the spread of pollen.
Some terpenes and terpenoids have a role in the plant’s immune system, protecting them from pathogens and triggering immune responses. These particular compounds do so by conveying information about the surrounding environment to the plant. When the plant is damaged, some terpenes help it recover faster, while yet others protect it from harsh weather.
The combination of terpenes in a plant or herb determines its particular aroma. Some distinct terpene aromas are that of pine needles and rosemary (α pinene), citrus fruits (limonene), cloves (humulene and β caryophyllene), and lavender (linalool). The pungent aroma of cannabis is due to primarily the terpene myrcene.
In nature, terpenes aren’t only found in plants. Insects, for example some termites, are known to use mixtures of terpenes defensively, to ward off predatory insects.
Terpenes are usually colourless, but samples may be yellow if not pure. They are highly flammable and insoluble in water. Terpenoids are slightly less flammable and more water soluble. Both are tactilely light oils much less viscous than vegetable oils, for example corn oil.

Cannabinoids and Terpenes: What’s The Difference?

Terpenes and cannabinoids are active chemical compounds found in cannabis plants. Each of the two has a different function in the plant.

Some facts about cannabinoids in cannabis:

Most of the known cannabinoids don’t have an intoxicating effect. They do have a role in how human cells communicate within the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system regulates many bodily functions and processes. This includes regulation of mood, pain, appetite, memory and sleep patterns.
Cannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors on the surface of cells in the central nervous system. CB1 and CB2 are the main types of cannabinoid receptors. Anandamine, a cannabinoid-like chemical in the brain, binds to CB1. Anandamine and other similar substances are called endocannabinoids.
Depending on which part of the brain area is involved, cannabinoids have different effects. Cognitive abilities, motor functions and memory may be altered, if the cannabinoid effects are on the limbic system. If the effects are on the mesolimbic pathway may cause pain perception to be affected, as well as pleasure and rewards responses.
The best know cannabinoids are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid in the plant and is known to have anti-anxiety effects. The main psychoactive component in cannabis is THC. When THC is exposed to air it becomes oxidized and forms CBN. CBN (cannabinol) then interacts with the THC to lessen the potency of its effects.

Some facts about terpenes in cannabis:

In cannabis, terpenes are produced by the resin glands of the trichomes, found in the female plant. These sticky trichomes cover the surface of the plants, particularly the buds, but also the stems and leaves in lesser amounts.
Cannabis contains at least 400 different terpenes, most of them in trace amounts. The most pronounced of these combine to create the distinctive scent profiles of each cannabis strain. The naming of these strains often references the particular mix of aromas and flavours that the terpene combination brings forth.

Different terpenes in cannabis are tied to different effects by experts. These effects may vary according to the manner of extraction, as well as the method of consumption. Each terpene also contributes to the overall flavour and scent of the cannabis strain, depending on the amounts of terpenes and their particular combination.
Many factors determine what amount of terpenes will be present in a cannabis plant. These include things like light exposure, temperature, nutrient levels and growth mediums. Whether the cannabis is grown indoors or outdoors has an effect, as well as when exactly the plant is harvested. Cannabis extracts vary according to extraction methods too.
Terpenes in cannabis require special techniques for efficient extraction. Standard cannabis extraction methods are not effective, as the terpenes are volatile compounds. Unless methods such as “live resin” are used, these compounds are easily lost.
Due to terpene losses during extraction, some companies extract terpenes and essential oils from other plant sources. These are then reintroduced into the final product in formulations and percentages that mimic that of particular cannabis strains.

Which Terpenes are found in Cannabis?

Of the over 400 terpenes present in cannabis, the 6 most prominent are myrcene, beta-caryophyllene (β-caryophyllene), humulene, beta-pinene (β-pinene), limonene and linalool.

Myrcene is one of the two dominant terpenes found in cannabis plants. It contributes herbaceous, spicy and musky aromatic tones to the plant and gives it a sweet flavour. Myrcene is also found in mangoes and has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It may also have sedating effects.
Beta-caryophyllene (β-caryophyllene) is usually the other dominant terpene found in cannabis. Its contribution to the scent profile is peppery, reminding of cloves, black pepper and rosemary. Unsurprisingly, these plants also contain caryophyllene. Beta-caryophyllene has the unique ability to bind to the CB2 receptor in the endocannabinoid system, found in the body’s immune system. It is the only known terpene known to do so. Beta-caryophyllene may relieve anxiety and depression symptoms.
Limonene contributes fresh and clean citrus notes to the cannabis plant. It may have anti-anxiety properties.
Beta-pinene has a fresh, bright and woody-green pine like scent. It is of course present in pine needles, but also in rosemary and basil. Beta-pinene may have anti-depressant properties.
Humulene has the scent of freshly cut hops or craft beer. It is found in hops, cloves, ginger and ginseng. Humulene may be useful for preventing allergic reactions.
Linalool has a floral and sweet scent, with a spicy tropical accent. It is found in lavender. Linalool may have stress relief properties.

Medical and Therapeutic Uses of Terpenes

Though terpene research is a fairly new field of study, there is some evidence that terpenes may have therapeutic effects. The field is not at the stage of human trials yet, but in vitro and animal studies seem very promising.

Some possible medical applications of terpenes:

Pain relief – Studies have shown that there is an increase in pain-relieving effects when terpenes are combined with cannabinoids. The pain-relieving effects were boosted, without an increase of negative side effects. These studies found that the terpenes activate the CB1 receptors of the endocannabinoid system, which affect the perception of pain. Cannabis terpenes that may encourage pain relief include β-pinene, geraniol, humulene and linalool.
Antidepressant – Herbal extracts containing terpenes are found in roughly a quarter of all antidepressant medication. Of the terpenes found in antidepressant drugs, linalool and β-pinene are very prominent.
Antimicrobial and antiviral – Some terpenes may have the ability to halt harmful microorganisms. Potential antimicrobials include geraniol, eucalyptol, menthol, terpinolene and α-bisabolol. Some terpenes that show the ability to kill viruses include carvone, camphor, caryophyllene and both alpha and beta pinene.
Cancer treatment – Some types of terpenes may inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Terpenes have the potential benefit of not affecting healthy cells. That, along with its unlikeliness of causing side effects, is especially important in the treatment of cancer. Limonene has been noted as a particularly significant antitumor agent. Pinene, terpinene, camphor and beta-myrcene are other terpenes that can potentially benefit the treatment of cancer.

Terpenes, Cannabinoids and the Entourage Effect

There appears to be a synergy between terpenes and cannabinoids when they interact in the human body. The compounds appear to enhance each other’s therapeutic properties and mitigate each other’s side effects. This synergy is commonly referred to as the “Entourage Effect”.

The study of the entourage effect is in its infancy, but the findings are promising:

In a study it was found that people who took a CBD-rich extract had fewer side effects and their symptoms improved over those who took purified CBD. It follows that the manner in which the body uses CBD may be affected by other components in cannabis.
Anecdotal evidence claims that a higher concentrations of terpenes in cannabis products lead to enhanced highs. The implication is that terpenes alter the body’s reaction to CBD and THC.
Citrus rind cures for cannabis overdoses were popular on both sides of the Atlantic in the 19^th century. In modern times it has been thought to be due to the limonene richness of the rind, which was sometimes included in these cures.
Anecdotal and scientific evidence supports the claim that a cannabis-calamus combination leads to clearer thinking and improved memory, than using cannabis on its own. The calamus root contains the terpene beta-arasone, which could be the cause of this effect.
Beta-arasone is an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase – an enzyme at postsynaptic neuromuscular junctions, particularly in joints and muscles. Alpha-pinene, a terpene found in cannabis, is a powerful inhibitor of the same enzyme and could be another antidote to THC.
In recreational cannabis use, the entourage effect may explain why two strains of cannabis with the same levels of THC can produce wildly different experiences.

Do I want Terpenes in my Concentrates?

The current consensus is yes, you do want terpenes in your dabbing concentrates. They do appear to affect THC and CBD in an “entourage effect”. Even though terpenes are present in all cannabis products, the types and amounts of terpenes may vary. In products like concentrates, which are created using various extraction methods, the terpene content is highly variable.

Extraction and infusion matters:

Though terpenes are easily lost during extraction, some companies reintroduce these compounds back into cannabis products. To mimic specific cannabis strains, terpene mixes are formulated to the exact ratios of said strains. The question of whether these terpene-infused products are more or less unsafe then non-infused products is still being researched. The main concern is not about the terpene infusion itself, but what other foreign substances may be added to the product during the infusion process.
The methods used during infusion are currently very tightly held secrets. Patents regarding anything marijuana concentrate are not allowed in the United States, so companies keep their methods close to the chest. Though many of these infusion companies are OSHA compliant, the science around terpene use is in its early stages.
Recently more efficient methods of extracting terpenes from the cannabis plant have come to the forefront. One such method is called “live resin”. Live resin is made from frozen cannabis plants. Freezing temperatures are maintained throughout the entire extraction process to protect the volatile terpenes. This method makes for more aromatic and flavorful end products.

Some tips about terpene consumption:

Terpenes are highly volatile compounds and are sensitive to heat. When dabbing, many choose to vaporize the concentrate at temperatures ranging from 340F to 482F. If the user is concerned about the terpenes in their concentrate, it may be wiser to burn their chosen cannabis concentrate at the lower end of these temperatures.
Dabbing tools can be useful to preserve the terpenes to the point where they are absorbed by the body. An electronic dabbing rig or e-rig like (LINK) will make sure that every time you consume your concentrate, it is at a suitable temperature. An e-nail like (LINK) is an accessory that can do the same for a regular dabbing rig.
Vaporization of dabbing concentrates can occur at lower temperatures by use of an accessory called a “carb cap”. This item lowers the pressure on the nail during inhalation and should better preserve the terpene content. You can find a variety of carb caps at (LINK). Joints and bongs do not have heating issues, but terpene content in non-infused products is likely to be negligible.
As a new terpene connoisseur, it is advisable to keep a journal to compare different cannabis chemovars. Note the ingestion methods, flavors, aromas and how it makes you feel. In conjunction with content labels, this can help you find the best terpene profile for your needs.

Our Conclusion

Terpene profile is not the most important aspect to look at when shopping for cannabis products, but it does affect the experience. For now evidence of the degree to which is does so, is purely anecdotal, but compelling. Science is catching up fast and approaching a better understanding of the entourage effect. The medical benefits of terpenes on their own are being studied and in some cases applied.

As the United States marijuana laws evolve, more transparency should be forthcoming in the terpene infusion industry. At that time consumers will be able to make more informed decisions about the content of their dab concentrates. In the meanwhile regular users should document their own experiences, share those experiences with others, and decide for themselves.