What are terpenes and where do they come from?
Let's start with what exactly a terpene is.
Terpenes are a large group of aromatic chemicals found in a wide variety of plants, foods, and essential oils. Their primary purpose is to protect plants from bacteria, fungi, and pests. But, as you'll discover in a moment, when humans consume terpenes, they exhibit truly fascinating characteristics, which you've probably experienced. Why? Because terpenes are everywhere.
Black pepper, lavender, mint, mangoes, and lemongrass contain terpenes. Terpenes can even be found in cleaning products, perfumes, and essential oils. We're most interested in those found in hemp, as this plant is an essential source of full-spectrum CBD extracts. It's believed to have over 200 distinct terpenes, each with a slightly different chemical structure and, as a result, a unique aroma and effect on the human body.
Hemp terpenes are found in trichomes: tiny mushroom-shaped crystals that cover the leaves and flowers.
How many terpenes are there?
Although there are many different terpenes, some are more abundant than others. Some of the best-known terpenes include:
• Myrcene
Myrcene is the most abundant terpene in the Cannabis sativa species, but it is also present in large quantities in clover, sage, hops, and cumin.
• Limonene
Do you know that fresh lemon scent? It exists thanks to limonene. This terpene is widely used in the production of perfumes, cosmetics, and air fresheners.
• Beta-caryophyllene
With a spicy and peppery aroma, beta-caryophyllene is known for its presence in black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon.
• Linalool
The floral aroma of linalool is instantly recognizable. It's a strong-smelling terpene found abundantly in lavender.
How are terpenes isolated from the hemp plant?
Terpenes are extracted from hemp plant material in the same way as cannabinoids, using techniques such as supercritical CO₂ or alcohol extraction. However, terpenes are more sensitive to changes in temperature and pressure, so they are easily damaged unless you have the proper equipment and experience.
To understand how terpenes and cannabinoids coexist, imagine the hemp plant as a large glass jar.
First, we fill the jar with rocks, which are cannabinoids, the largest group of compounds. Next, we add smaller pebbles to fill the gaps; these are terpenes. And finally, to complete the filling, we add sand: flavonoids and other essential molecules.
Creating a full-spectrum CBD extract requires all of these elements, which is why sophisticated extraction is so important. In fact, supercritical CO₂ extraction is one of the few techniques capable of isolating all the essential compounds from hemp (i.e., rocks, pebbles, and sand) without damaging them.
How do terpenes work?
Researchers have discovered numerous ways terpenes influence the human body, such as cell membranes, ion channels, receptors, and enzymes. But considering how many terpenes exist and how complex the human body is, it's no wonder they're still trying to figure out how each compound works.
Fortunately, a review conducted by the British Pharmacological Society has shed some light on the issue, finding that terpenes have "unique therapeutic effects that may contribute significantly to the entourage effect of cannabis-based medicinal extracts." It adds that interactions between cannabinoids and terpenes could lead to beneficial "synergy" for the treatment of dozens of biological disorders.
While we may not understand all the interactions that occur, terpenes have proven to be very versatile, as they can affect:
• The mood
• Immune function
• The dream
• Appetite
As researchers emphasize, terpenes are important not only for their aroma and potential biological effects, but also for their potential synergy with cannabinoids such as CBD, CBN, and CBG. Evidence suggests that when cannabinoids and terpenes coexist, their respective effects are enhanced.
This phenomenon, known as the entourage effect, is what makes hemp molecules unique. However, science has shown that terpenes can also have a biological impact in isolation.
Do terpenes get you high?
Given the positive synergistic relationship between cannabinoids and terpenes, and how the latter interact with various aspects of human physiology, it's natural to wonder if they get you high. As far as researchers know, terpenes from hemp, food, and essential oils don't get you high.
To experience psychotropic effects, a substance must interact with specific areas of our brain. Terpenes do not have this ability, nor do they bind to CB receptors in the same way as psychotropic cannabinoids. Terpenes appear to be perfectly safe for human consumption, but it should be noted that studies on this topic are limited.
Are terpenes legal?
Terpenes are considered legal worldwide, so you won't have to worry about the black pepper in your cupboard becoming an illicit substance. Even isolated terpenes are legal in the UK and US, but when you start sourcing your terpenes from the Cannabis sativa species, things get complicated.
Fortunately, hemp is a widely accepted plant in most of the modern world. And, as long as CBD products are manufactured to the proper standards, you won't have any issues with their cannabinoid and terpenoid content.
Why are terpenes important?
From their synergy with cannabinoids to their dynamic influence on the body, terpenes are small aromatic compounds with a lot of potential.
That said, we still have much to learn about how and why they interact with certain receptors and biological processes. Fortunately, one thing all researchers agree on is the essential role of terpenes in full-spectrum CBD extracts, as they enhance their efficacy compared to CBD isolate. Since terpenes are legal and safe to consume, it's never been easier to experience their boundless influence alongside the power of CBD.
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