What are terpenes?
You already know what terpenes are because you’ve experienced them all your life. Simply put, terpenes are what gives an orange its citrusy smell. They give pine trees their unique aroma. They’re even responsible for the relaxing effects in lavender. They are chemicals that determine how things smell.
But wait. You thought that cannabinoids were the compounds in the cannabis plant that caused healing, right? Yes, but it’s been discovered that terpenes can play a big role in that as well. In fact, cannabinoids and terpenes work together in something called the entourage effect.
The entourage effect simply means that cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, along with the hundreds of other compounds, along with the terpenes, are meant to work together. It’s the whole plant that does the best job, not just a single compound. While relief does come from using a CBD oil or a THC oil, whole plant therapy has been the most common use. Utilizing all the compounds and terpenes in the plant may just be the best way after all.
Terpenes can intensify or downplay the effects of the cannabinoids. Have you ever noticed how two similar strains can produce profoundly different effects? One may leave you with couch lock and the other may energize you? That’s another aspect of the entourage effect, which is driven by both cannabinoids and terpenes.
So – why do terpenes matter?
- Terpenes directly affect your high and contribute to The Entourage Effect of cannabis
- Terpenes have medical benefits, like cannabinoids, and work synergistically with other compounds in cannabis on the human endocannabinoid system (ECS).
- Terpenes give cannabis and vape oil its natural flavor
Terpene information is beginning to be found on cannabis packaging in various recreational and medical states.
Terpenes and Full-Spectrum CBD Oils
Full-spectrum CBD means that most of the terpenes and cannabinoids available stay intact during processing. This makes a big difference in how the body receives CBD.
In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in CBD isolate, which contains only one isolated cannabinoid. However, many people don’t realize that the entourage effect is not present in an isolate. In fact, 150 mg of single-molecule CBD is not equivalent to 150 mg of whole-plant CBD extract.
Processing full-spectrum CBD is most effective when extracting the oil from premium hemp flower, rather than stems, seeds, or stalks. This is because the flower contains the highest quality and most effective natural cannabinoids.
The hemp plant contains 120 different terpenes and in various quantities. The variety and amount of terpenes that are in a bottle of full-spectrum CBD will depend on the hemp quality and the method of processing. The good news is that lab tests are able to analyze the content of cannabinoids, as well as the presence of terpenes.
But why are terpenes so important for full-spectrum CBD oils? Well for starters, terpenes are natural molecules — when combined in full-spectrum oil with other cannabinoids, the benefits are multiplied, thanks to the entourage effect.
In case you haven’t caught on yet, the importance of terpenes in full-spectrum CBD oils comes down to the entourage effect. Terpenes are natural in both plants and people — Essentially, cannabinoids and terpenes work together to produce the best possible effects.
Terpenes and Why They are Important to Full-spectrum CBD Oil
Terpenes have a lot more to offer than just flavor and scent. Many people are unaware that they also have a wide range of natural uses. As much as CBD can be consumed as a single supplement, you stand to gain more from the interaction of all hemp compounds, thanks to the entourage effect. As terpenes interact together with cannabinoids, they magnify their interaction with the body and create a stable balance of nutrients.