An Overview of Terpenes
An orange is orange in color and has a citrus smell and flavor. Why? What makes a rose smell this sweet? Every plant, fruit, and flower has a unique flavor and taste to it which is instilled by the organic compounds known as terpenes.
Did you guys know about terpenes? I didn’t!
I knew the term, of course, being a CBD user, but never cared enough to scan other products or information other than what I use. But before a few days, I was listening to this cannabis radio show called ‘Cannabis Life Radio’. They have live conversations on CBD and update the entire country sharing political and legal news on CBD and cannabis. So that day they had a guest over, Stephanie Sparks, who discussed terpenes and its possible contribution to the future of the cannabis industry, and that made me curious about terpenes.
And it’s interesting! I’m sharing some primary information that’ll interest all the enthusiasts!
So, Terpenes Are…
The organic hydrocarbon molecules are responsible for the flavor, fragrance, and color of the plants. If we talk about cannabis, terpenes are present in high concentrations in unfertilized female flowers. Apart from the beautification factor, terpenes also protect the plants from various fungi, bacteria, and other environmental factors that could affect the health of the plant.
2 of The Major Terpenes In Cannabis
● Myrcene: Myrcene is a monoterpene and probably the most abundant terpene in cannabis. The reason why cannabis smells a bit more on the earthy side is because of this terpene. It has an earthy tone to its flavor, more like a clove. With medicinal benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, analgesic, and anti-mutagenic, Myrcene has been observed to be effective in aiding peptic ulcers, sleeping disorders, and pain.
● Pinene: Pinene is a bicyclic monoterpenoid and as the name suggests, releases the fragrance of fir and pine trees. There are two isomers of pinene found, α-pinene and β-pinene. And the former is the most commonly found terpene in nature. Being a principal monoterpene, it forms a variety of other terpenes by reacting with chemicals. The medicinal properties of pinene include anti-inflammation, expectorant, antiseptic, and bronchodilator. The isolated pinene isotope has displayed anti-cancer properties making this terpene a rather important one.
Why Are Terpenes Considered To Be The Future Of Cannabinology?
The synergistic effects of terpenes are highly regarded since the scientists proved the theory of the entourage effect. CBD and THC are believed to have stronger efficacy in presence of other cannabinoids rather than their isolated forms. Because of its own therapeutic index, phytocannabinoid-terpenoid synergy is believed to be more efficient in affecting various health issues than the isolates.
Research is still being conducted, but the industry pioneers really believe terpenes to be the future of the cannabis industry. I think we need to stay a bit more updated on all things cannabis as it is already becoming a natural alternative to the side-effects of prone medicines. Don’t miss cannabis business podcasts if you really want to merge with the CBD world!