What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are a classification of molecules called hydrocarbons that are produced by many different species of plants. They are the main ingredient in essential oils, and are the fragrant, organic compounds responsible for a plants’ distinctive smells. The cannabis plant produces at least 120 different terpenes. The unique scent of each cannabis cultivar (strain) results from the varying ratios of terpenes produced by that particular strain of cannabis. Terpenes evaporate very quickly, and are the first molecules to vaporize when heat is applied to the flower. The best ways to experience the effects of terpenes are to orally ingest or vaporize cannabis concentrates and flowers.
One of the cannabis plant's most appealing qualities is the aroma and flavor, and many popular cannabis strains are named after their scent and taste. Grapefruit is named after its sweet, citrusy grapefruit flavor, Sour Diesel for its pungent fuel-like aroma, Strawnana for its tropical strawberry-banana taste, and Skunk for its, well, "skunky" smell. However you consume cannabis, terpenes will deliver a tasty pine, citrus, coffee, diesel, earthy, skunky, woody, spicy, herbal, or tropical flavor straight to your palate.
One of the cannabis plant's most appealing qualities is the aroma and flavor, and many popular cannabis strains are named after their scent and taste. Grapefruit is named after its sweet, citrusy grapefruit flavor, Sour Diesel for its pungent fuel-like aroma, Strawnana for its tropical strawberry-banana taste, and Skunk for its, well, "skunky" smell. However you consume cannabis, terpenes will deliver a tasty pine, citrus, coffee, diesel, earthy, skunky, woody, spicy, herbal, or tropical flavor straight to your palate.
The Entourage Effect
Cannabis contains hundreds of molecules that have the ability to directly interact with our mind and bodies. Terpenes do more than just provide flavor and aroma, they also aid other cannabis molecules in producing different desired effects. Cannabinoids are relatively unique to the cannabis plant, but other plant-derived molecules such as flavonoids and terpenes have medicinal benefits too, and some also bind to our neurotransmitter receptors influencing our experiences. Certain terpenes can even interact with our endocannabinoid system and assist cannabinoids in entering the bloodstream. This cooperation of molecules is called the entourage effect and is a term coined by S. Ben-Shabat and Raphael Mechoulam back in 1998 to represent the biological synergy of cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. Just like an orchestra, each individual instrument contributes to the overall experience of the symphony; every instrument, or in this case every chemical, contributes to the overall experience.
∞ Synergy ∞
What processes or mechanisms could explain why a combined mixture of terpenes and cannabinoids is superior to their isolated counterparts? One way is that cannabinoids and terpenes bind to seperate receptors, and the combined effects result in a greater outcome altogether. For example, the modulation of the glutamate and GABA receptors are likely to be the mechanism responsible for the sedative, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant properties of the terpene linalool, which is found in lavendar plants and cannabis strains like Grand Daddy Purple. CBD shares these same effects with linalool, but works differently to achieve them in the body. The terpene limonene can also increase serotonin levels which can increase the happy feeling associated with cannabinoids.
Another mechanism of the entourage effect is that terpenes have ability to enhance our bodies’ absorbtion and processing of cannabinoids. The terpene myrcene, for example, increases cell permeability and allows cannabinoids to be absorbed faster than they would on their own. This symbiosis between cannabinoids and terpenes is what makes cannabis so unique, as it improves the bioavailability of cannabinoids, overcomes bacterial defense mechanisms, and gives each strain a unique effect and taste.
Even though this cooperation of cannabinoids and terpenes is most often referred to as the "Entourage effect," plants that have a rich diversity of cannabinoids and terpenes may create more of a "Synergy" or “Ensemble” effect. Synergy is defined as the interaction or cooperation of two or more substances to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. This means that all the chemicals in the plant have their own special function but are working together to create the greatest possible effect. The word entourage means "a group of people attending or surrounding an important person" which gives the connotation that there is only a single desired effect and that all of the work is mainly done by the single most dominant cannabinoid (like THC or CBD). This context makes the other more scarce cannabinoids and terpenes seem like they are merely there as insignificant additions. In some cases this may be true, like when an extremely THC-dominant flower has little to no other cannabinoids or terpenes and is used only for the desired effects of THC, but a well balanced ratio of cannabinoids and terpenes has been shown to be superior compared to isolated compounds. A wide spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes will increase the variety of medicinal and mental effects of cannabis, and minimize the side effects of THC.
Another mechanism of the entourage effect is that terpenes have ability to enhance our bodies’ absorbtion and processing of cannabinoids. The terpene myrcene, for example, increases cell permeability and allows cannabinoids to be absorbed faster than they would on their own. This symbiosis between cannabinoids and terpenes is what makes cannabis so unique, as it improves the bioavailability of cannabinoids, overcomes bacterial defense mechanisms, and gives each strain a unique effect and taste.
Even though this cooperation of cannabinoids and terpenes is most often referred to as the "Entourage effect," plants that have a rich diversity of cannabinoids and terpenes may create more of a "Synergy" or “Ensemble” effect. Synergy is defined as the interaction or cooperation of two or more substances to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. This means that all the chemicals in the plant have their own special function but are working together to create the greatest possible effect. The word entourage means "a group of people attending or surrounding an important person" which gives the connotation that there is only a single desired effect and that all of the work is mainly done by the single most dominant cannabinoid (like THC or CBD). This context makes the other more scarce cannabinoids and terpenes seem like they are merely there as insignificant additions. In some cases this may be true, like when an extremely THC-dominant flower has little to no other cannabinoids or terpenes and is used only for the desired effects of THC, but a well balanced ratio of cannabinoids and terpenes has been shown to be superior compared to isolated compounds. A wide spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes will increase the variety of medicinal and mental effects of cannabis, and minimize the side effects of THC.
Value of Variety
There are an infinite amount of phenotypes and chemotypes of cannabis since different strains are constantly being crossbred together to create hybrid plants. When two cannabis plants are crossbred together a whole new strain is created that shares characteristics of each parent strain like their aromas, sizes, colors, flowering periods, and effects (sativa, indica, pain relief, depression, etc.). Even though a crossbred plant shares characteristics with its parent strains, it has a completely unique cannabinoid content and terpene profile; just like how you are unique, but resemble your parents in many ways.
Almost everything we know about terpenes and cannabinoids is a result of studying their properties in isolation. With the exceptions of THC and CBD, the majority of this work has been done in animal models and petri dishes. This kind of research may reveal a lot about the cellular mechanisms by which cannabinoids work, but the current models could be a bit over simplified to generalize the effects it has on the entire population. In nature we usually wouldn’t inhale isolated terpenes to see how much it improves our, say, breathing; instead we would inhale many terpenes at once from many different plants in the fresh breeze, or by sniffing pine and lavendar essential oils containing more than just one terpene. It’s far more common and beneficial for us to consume a variety of molecules at once since nature is complex and best left in its natural state. Just like eating a tomato is more beneficial than taking a vitamin c pill, there is evidence that suggests whole-plant, full spectrum cannabis (that includes terpenes) is superior to isolated compounds from the plant; which makes sense since cannabis is best consumed in its raw form. Everyone's body chemistry, moods, and ailments are all different so having a variety of cannabis strains with various terpene profiles and cannabinoid ratios is very beneficial because it allows for experimentation to find out what works for you.
Almost everything we know about terpenes and cannabinoids is a result of studying their properties in isolation. With the exceptions of THC and CBD, the majority of this work has been done in animal models and petri dishes. This kind of research may reveal a lot about the cellular mechanisms by which cannabinoids work, but the current models could be a bit over simplified to generalize the effects it has on the entire population. In nature we usually wouldn’t inhale isolated terpenes to see how much it improves our, say, breathing; instead we would inhale many terpenes at once from many different plants in the fresh breeze, or by sniffing pine and lavendar essential oils containing more than just one terpene. It’s far more common and beneficial for us to consume a variety of molecules at once since nature is complex and best left in its natural state. Just like eating a tomato is more beneficial than taking a vitamin c pill, there is evidence that suggests whole-plant, full spectrum cannabis (that includes terpenes) is superior to isolated compounds from the plant; which makes sense since cannabis is best consumed in its raw form. Everyone's body chemistry, moods, and ailments are all different so having a variety of cannabis strains with various terpene profiles and cannabinoid ratios is very beneficial because it allows for experimentation to find out what works for you.
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