Effect Potential
Terpenes are responsible for some of the differing effects experienced when using various cannabis products, such as whether they feel stimulating or sedating. If a product is dominant in the terpene myrcene (0.5% or greater potency) patients can typically expect to experience more sedating effects. However, if a cannabis product is dominant in the terpene pinene patients can typically expect to experience more stimulating effects.
Terpenes have been shown to have their own therapeutic potentials such as:
Antibacterial Antibiotic Anticarcinogenic Anticonvulsant Antifungal Anti-Inflammatory Anti-Irritant Antimalarial Antimicrobial Antioxidant Antiseptic Antitumor Anxiolytic Appetite Suppressant Bronchodilator Depression Relief Elevated Mood Gastroprotective Memory Retention Muscle Relaxant Sedation Stress Relief Ulcer Improvement
It is important to note that the current body of research on terpenes is primarily focused on inhalation as opposed to ingestion. Thus, there is not yet conclusive evidence to indicate that terpenes may have similar therapeutic effects when ingested.
- Alertness
- Analgesic
- Anti-Anxiety
- Antiacne
- Antibacterial
- Antibiotic
- Anticarcinogenic
- Anticonvulsant
- Antifungal
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Anti-Irritant
- Antimalarial
- Antimicrobial
- Antioxidant
- Antiseptic
- Antitumor
- Anxiolytic
- Appetite Suppressant
- Bronchodilator
- Depression Relief
- Elevated Mood
- Gastroprotective
- Memory Retention
- Muscle Relaxant
- Sedation
- Stress Relief
- Ulcer Improvement
Primary Terpenes
Among the hundreds of terpenes that are produced in the cannabis plant, some occur in substantially greater abundance than others. These include:
Myrcene
- Aroma – Earthy, Herbal, Cloves
- Found in – Hops, Mango, Thyme, Lemongrass
- Effect Potential – Sedation, Calm, Analgesic, Antioxidant, Muscle Relaxant
- Also known to have the potential to increase the effects of THC.
Pinene
- Aroma – Pine Trees
- Found in – Pine Needles, Rosemary, Basil, Parsley, Dill.
- Effect Potential – Alertness, Bronchodilator, Memory Retention, Antiseptic
Limonene
- Aroma – Citrus Fruit
- Found in – Fruit Rinds, Rosemary, Juniper, Peppermint
- Effect Potential – Elevated Mood, Stress/Depression Relief, Gastroprotective, Antifungal
Caryophyllene
- Aroma – Pepper, Spice, Wood, Cloves
- Found in – Black Pepper, Cloves, Cinnamon
- Effect Potential – Calm, Anti-inflammatory, Gastroprotective, Ulcer Improvement
Linalool
- Aroma – Floral
- Found in – Lavender
- Effect Potential – Calm, Anti-Anxiety, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-seizure, Pain-relief.
Secondary Terpenes
Other terpenes that are still commonly seen in popular cannabis cultivars but at lower levels of potency include:
- Humulene
- Terpinolene
- Terpineol
- Guaiol
- Bisabolol
- Nerolidol
Terpenes & Temperature
Each terpene has its own distinct boiling point, which can result in differing effects when cannabis products are vaporized at different temperatures. Terpenes such as myrcene, pinene and limonene have low boiling points, approximately 190C and below. While others such as linalool, humulene and terpineol have high boiling points, approximately 200C and above.
It is also important to note that terpenes will evaporate quickly if cannabis products are not properly stored in air-tight containers, optimally with the use of a humidity control device.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids in cannabis act as plant protectants, colorants, antioxidants, and can play a role in the ‘entourage effect’ of cannabis medicine. They make up nearly 10% of all compounds found in cannabis, and nearly 3% of harvested dried flower and leaves. Research indicates that some flavonoids have anti-inflammatory and other potential therapeutic properties.
Flavonoids can be found in abundance in nature as thousands have been identified. Currently 26 different flavonoid compounds have been identified in cannabis. There are also flavonoids that are exclusively found in cannabis, known as cannaflavins.
Terpenes are responsible for some of the differing effects experienced when using various cannabis products, such as whether they feel stimulating or sedating. If a product is dominant in the terpene myrcene (0.5% or greater potency) patients can typically expect to experience more sedating effects. However, if a cannabis product is dominant in the terpene pinene patients can typically expect to experience more stimulating effects.
Terpenes have been shown to have their own therapeutic potentials such as:
Antibacterial Antibiotic Anticarcinogenic Anticonvulsant Antifungal Anti-Inflammatory Anti-Irritant Antimalarial Antimicrobial Antioxidant Antiseptic Antitumor Anxiolytic Appetite Suppressant Bronchodilator Depression Relief Elevated Mood Gastroprotective Memory Retention Muscle Relaxant Sedation Stress Relief Ulcer Improvement
It is important to note that the current body of research on terpenes is primarily focused on inhalation as opposed to ingestion. Thus, there is not yet conclusive evidence to indicate that terpenes may have similar therapeutic effects when ingested.
- Alertness
- Analgesic
- Anti-Anxiety
- Antiacne
- Antibacterial
- Antibiotic
- Anticarcinogenic
- Anticonvulsant
- Antifungal
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Anti-Irritant
- Antimalarial
- Antimicrobial
- Antioxidant
- Antiseptic
- Antitumor
- Anxiolytic
- Appetite Suppressant
- Bronchodilator
- Depression Relief
- Elevated Mood
- Gastroprotective
- Memory Retention
- Muscle Relaxant
- Sedation
- Stress Relief
- Ulcer Improvement
Among the hundreds of terpenes that are produced in the cannabis plant, some occur in substantially greater abundance than others. These include:
Myrcene
- Aroma – Earthy, Herbal, Cloves
- Found in – Hops, Mango, Thyme, Lemongrass
- Effect Potential – Sedation, Calm, Analgesic, Antioxidant, Muscle Relaxant
- Also known to have the potential to increase the effects of THC.
Pinene
- Aroma – Pine Trees
- Found in – Pine Needles, Rosemary, Basil, Parsley, Dill.
- Effect Potential – Alertness, Bronchodilator, Memory Retention, Antiseptic
Limonene
- Aroma – Citrus Fruit
- Found in – Fruit Rinds, Rosemary, Juniper, Peppermint
- Effect Potential – Elevated Mood, Stress/Depression Relief, Gastroprotective, Antifungal
Caryophyllene
- Aroma – Pepper, Spice, Wood, Cloves
- Found in – Black Pepper, Cloves, Cinnamon
- Effect Potential – Calm, Anti-inflammatory, Gastroprotective, Ulcer Improvement
Linalool
- Aroma – Floral
- Found in – Lavender
- Effect Potential – Calm, Anti-Anxiety, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-seizure, Pain-relief.
Other terpenes that are still commonly seen in popular cannabis cultivars but at lower levels of potency include:
- Humulene
- Terpinolene
- Terpineol
- Guaiol
- Bisabolol
- Nerolidol
Each terpene has its own distinct boiling point, which can result in differing effects when cannabis products are vaporized at different temperatures. Terpenes such as myrcene, pinene and limonene have low boiling points, approximately 190C and below. While others such as linalool, humulene and terpineol have high boiling points, approximately 200C and above.
It is also important to note that terpenes will evaporate quickly if cannabis products are not properly stored in air-tight containers, optimally with the use of a humidity control device.
Flavonoids in cannabis act as plant protectants, colorants, antioxidants, and can play a role in the ‘entourage effect’ of cannabis medicine. They make up nearly 10% of all compounds found in cannabis, and nearly 3% of harvested dried flower and leaves. Research indicates that some flavonoids have anti-inflammatory and other potential therapeutic properties.
Flavonoids can be found in abundance in nature as thousands have been identified. Currently 26 different flavonoid compounds have been identified in cannabis. There are also flavonoids that are exclusively found in cannabis, known as cannaflavins.
