Terpenes also known as isoprenoids are cannabis compounds that are often overlooked or not fully understood by cannabis users, so we thought it was necessary to create this blog post to help users understand more about them. Typically, customers come into our stores and they’re generally interested in THC percentages of all things. It’s very rare when a customer comes in looking for specific terpenes in their flower and we want to help change that through learning.
Many users love to discuss and praise the aromas, flavours and sometimes even the pretty colours of cannabis flower, but have you ever wondered what elements in cannabis play a part in those? One word – Terpenes. These naturally occurring compounds found in plants, not only cannabis, are responsible for the fragrance, taste and pigment of plants.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into what terpenes are, their purpose and also touch on some of the more popular terpenes found in cannabis.
What Are Terpenes And Do They Impact Outcomes?
As mentioned earlier, terpenes are the compounds responsible for the aromas, flavours and also the colours of cannabis flower, but it doesn’t stop there. Terpenes also play a part as a protective compound helping plants fight diseases, keep predators and pests away, and also help attract pollinators. Researchers continue to study and learn more about cannabis terpenes, their impacts and have identified over 150 different types of terpenes.
As cannabis is a plant that has been studied for decades, some researchers believe that terpenes have an impact on the effects of cannabis as well, labeled as an “entourage effect” where they act in tandem with other cannabinoids such as THC and CBD to provide improved effects / outcomes for users. The hypothesis is that cannabis effects and sensations stem from the “full spectrum” of cannabis which includes terpenes, cannabinoids and other compounds working synergistically as opposed to a lot of one element. The latter is what we typically hear from customers who come in looking for flower that is “high in THC” as the thought is that the higher the THC content / percentages, the more potent the flower is. This is a hypothesis with limited evidence, but nonetheless it still is a belief amongst researchers that will hopefully be either be proven correct or debunked.
In a 2023 study published in Biochemical Pharmacology (Elsevier), researchers studied how 16 terpenes and THC both individually and combined activated cannabinoid receptors, CB1. The CB1 receptors are present in very high levels in several brain regions and these receptors mediate many of the psychoactive effects of cannabinoids. The study found that the combination of THC and terpenes together significantly increased the activity of CB1 receptors, compared to THC alone and the individual terpenes alone.
I think pot should be legal. I don’t smoke it, but I like the smell of it.Andy Warhol
What Are The Most Common Cannabis Terpenes?
As mentioned above, researchers have identified over 150 different types of terpenes, but there are maybe a handful to a dozen of common terpenes that you will read about most when trying to research and learn more about these compounds. The half-dozen terpenes that you’ll learn most about will most likely include, but not limited to:
- Myrcene
- Beta‑caryophyllene (β‑caryophyllene)
- Limonene
- Linalool
- Pinene
- Humulene
Other terpenes you will find information about include: geraniol, terpineol, terpinolene, nerolidol, bisabolol and more. Each of the terpenes mentioned above have an associated aroma / flavour and reported effects. For example, one of the most common terpenes, Myrcene, has an earthy, cloves and herbal aroma and its reported effects include making you feel sleepy and relaxed. Another example is, Limonene, which has a citrus, lemon and orange aroma and its reported effects include stress relief and uplifting your mood. These are all reported effects, so it’s important to note that outcomes vary by user as not everyone is impacted the same way. It’s more important for users to take the time to learn about the reported effects and aromas and use that knowledge to make a more educated decision when purchasing flower or when looking to purchase flower that achieves your desired effects. Various articles and resources have been linked to this post, so we’re hoping this is valuable information for our customers to build on the learnings mentioned.
