Could you imagine life without smell? Nowadays, the idea doesn’t sound so incredible anymore, because due to the global COVID19 pandemic, many of us have experienced what a world without smell is like. The food, for example, gets pretty bland. But the most important thing is that we lose one of our most important senses! The thought that our house could catch fire and we’d just ignore the smoke because we can’t see it with our noses is a bit scary.
Spring is knocking on the door now and we can’t wait to experience nature in its full bloom through our noses. And who is responsible for all these exciting scents that nature provides? The terpenes! They are the building blocks of flavors and they make smelling an adventure! Terpenes are found in plants, from the roots to the fruit, and also in various species of animals.
The terpenes are all around us all the time! When we walk through a pine forest, we simply take a deep breath and absorb nature’s most abundant terpene, pinene. In the morning we smell the coffee brewing. The pleasant aroma of coffee is mainly attributed to the terpenes caffestol and kahweol, which occur in coffee as esters of fatty acids. And I think most of us have seen what happens when we try to throw the green stink bug (Nezara viridula) out the window. The poor thing in danger activates its defense mechanism and releases bisabolene-type sesquiterpenes. These terpenes create an unpleasant odor for us and other potential predators!
What are terpenes in cannabis?
And so, without its terpenes, cannabis would lose a large component. For the cannabis plant, the terpenes are existential. Many plants use terpenes to attract insects, which unknowingly act as pollinators of the plant, which is essential for plant reproduction. In the cannabis plant, the terpenes act as a defense mechanism. The terpenes in cannabis mainly act as repellents. The strong smell given off by the terpenes makes cannabis flowers unattractive to insects and other animals. The terpenes also protect the cannabis flower from damage caused by UV light and other external factors, as well as diseases spread by fungi and bacteria.
Terpenes in cannabis are concentrated in the flower. The flower is the most important part of the plant and needs the most protection! In the flower, the seeds are produced, which are crucial for reproduction. The terpenes are formed in the trichomes of the flower (meaning “hair” in Greek).
It is in these trichomes that most of the cannabinoids and terpenes are formed and found. The cannabis plant is perhaps the most crossed plant in the world. And considering that she was primarily bred to produce the highest concentrations of cannabinoids, the terpene levels soared as well. As a result of this deliberate breeding to maximize cannabinoid and terpene levels, the cannabis plant has become one of, if not the most aromatic plant in the world!
Potential benefits of terpenes
The aromatic properties of cannabis aren’t just there to make the whole experience more exciting. We know that the cannabinoids, found almost exclusively in the cannabis plant, are primarily touted for their therapeutic potential. But what about the terpenes that are prevalent throughout the plant kingdom?
It’s just 200 years since we made the transition from herbal medicine to pharmaceuticals. Throughout human history, herbal infusions, tinctures, and ointments have been relied upon to treat health problems. In most cases, whole plant medicine incorporates the aromatic component of the plant into our system. Whether and to what extent terpenes add value to herbal medicine is difficult to say. But in the case of cannabis, the effects are believed to be quite significant!
The Entourage Effect
For the cannabis entourage effect to be fully effective, the cannabinoid compounds are not sufficient. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which are structurally very similar to cannabinoids, play an important role in the entourage effect!
- Terpenes can enhance the effects of cannabinoids, they can limit the activity of cannabinoids
Myrcene, the most common terpene found in cannabis, takes the sedating effects of CBD to another level. Limonene may reduce the negative side effects of THC related to anxiety.
- Terpenes can have an effect on their own, while the effects of combined terpenes can be pronounced.
A-pinene, which is said to have strong anti-inflammatory effects, has a much stronger effect when combined with the terpenes linalool and 1-octanol.
- Some terpenes even affect the endocannabinoid system directly!
The terpene β-caryophyllene is even considered a phytocannabinoid as it has a strong affinity for the CB2 cannabinoid receptor. It has powerful antiviral and antibacterial effects and is found in many plants other than cannabis.
Benefits of Terpenes
After this recent study, we can verify all the beneficial effects of terpenes. However, we still cannot say with certainty what concentration of terpenes and what route of administration is required to achieve the desired effect in humans.
A look at other studies confirming the benefits of terpenes:
- Beta-pinene and limonene, which are known to have antibacterial properties, help prevent infections like herpes.
- A-pinene, with its antispasmodic effects, reduces seizures and may also help prevent strokes.
- Falcarinol is a terpene that acts similar to CBD and is a cannabinoid covalent CB1 receptor antagonist. Together they show great potential as a cure for acne.
- Along with cannabinoids, Beta-Elemene is showing promise in treating nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis. It can solve problems related to retinal problems in the eye and reduce the progression of atherosclerosis.
- Limonene and Elemene are already clinically proven for cancer treatment. If we follow the link we can also see the potential of other terpenes and how they stop tumor growth.
Topical application
The application of terpenes to the skin is very popular in essential oils used in massage. The relaxation experience is made that much more pleasurable by inhaling pleasant aromas, and our skin also benefits from the ingestion of terpenes. Compared to cannabinoids, which barely penetrate the skin, terpenes can even enter the bloodstream. This is especially the case with hydrophilic (water-soluble) terpenes.
Because our skin contains a lot of water, hydrophobic substances like cannabinoids have a hard time penetrating it. Some terpenes are also hydrophobic, but those that are water soluble are more likely to be absorbed into the skin more quickly and in higher concentrations. They can even act as carriers, helping substances like CBD penetrate further!
Not to mention the natural scents that terpenes can create when formulating skincare products!
