Cannabis Terpenes: What They Are and How They Work

You may have heard common cannabis terms, like cannabinoid, indica, and sativa, but fewer people have heard the less commonly used word: terpenes. Terpenes are another compound found in cannabis. Keep reading to learn more about terpenes and their potential health benefits.

What Exactly Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are a naturally occurring, highly-aromatic chemical compound found in plants and some animals. Manufacturers use isolated terpenes to create the flavors and scents of many everyday products, like perfumes, body products, and foods. Nearly all plants contain terpenes, but some of the most common sources people encounter include: 

  • Cannabis 
  • Aromatic herbs such as sage and thyme
  • Citrus fruits

Terpenes play a vital role for plants. Sometimes they play a protective role, repelling predators from the plant. Other times, terpenes attract pollinators and aid in the plant’s recovery. 

 

What Do They Do for Humans?

While terpenes can play a variety of roles in plants, it’s still a bit of a mystery what they can do for humans. But, cannabis researchers and consumers are increasingly looking at terpenes and their effects on cannabis in particular. The main hypothesis researchers believe is that the terpene profile of a strain works in tandem with the contents of cannabis to produce the effects people often associate with the different strains. There is still much research that needs to be done to confirm this hypothesis. 

 

Types of Terpenes

There are plenty of different types of terpenes in the natural world. But, scientists have only studied a handful of them. Check out this list of the better-known terpene strains:

 

Limonene: This type is easily recognized by scent. As the name suggests, limonene helps give citrus fruits, like lemons and oranges, their citrus rind smells. It offers therapeutic benefits like antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer. 

 

Pinene: Another naturally abundant terpene, pinene provides the fresh, bright scent of various plants like pine needles and rosemary. It also offers therapeutic benefits such as anti-inflammatory, and preventative and restorative effects on a person’s psyche. 

 

Linalool: This terpene is most abundant in lavender plants. It’s one of the most important compounds in aromatherapy and is responsible for the calming effect people experience during aromatherapy. 

 

Learn More with CannaLeaf Health

Want to learn more about terpenes? The medical marijuana specialists at CannaLeaf Health are here to help. We can help you safely enjoy cannabis, educate you on all the strains of cannabis, and ensure that you receive all the benefits that come with using cannabis. Give us a call at 443-800-0670 today for a FREE consultation. 

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