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Terpens
Cannabis has many different users. Some use cannabis for the well-known high, others need to calm down, others are also looking for other benefits of cannabis, e.g. medicinal. Hemp contains more than 100 different cannabinoids, of which two are the most well-known.
Article content:
- Terpenes - fragrance and medicinal properties
- Terpenes and CBD reduce anxiety
- If it smells good, it will fit you
- Individual types of terpenes
Don't overlook the terpenes!
THC – the cannabinoid that causes the classic high
CBD – a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that causes relaxation, calms the body and mind
However, terpenes are not cannabinoids, they are essential oils that determine how different varieties of cannabis smell. And that everyone really smells different! Different types of cannabis are distinguished not only by the content of THC or CBD, but also very significantly by terpenes, which have recently been a much-discussed topic among leading scientists due to their medicinal properties and synergistic effect with cannibinoids.
Terpenes - fragrance and medicinal properties
Cannabis flowers secrete aromatic essential oils, i.e. terpenes, at the time of ripening. In recent years, it has been scientifically proven that terpenes significantly influence the final effect and medicinal effect of cannabis. Hemp contains more than 200 types of terpenes, so it is clear that each variety has a different combination of terpenes, thus a different smell and different effects. Terpene growers are starting to count, and cannabis is being cultivated not only for THC and CBD, but also for specific terpenes.
It turns out that the presence of terpenes enhances the effects of other substances in the plant. Thanks to terpenes, a so-called synergistic effect is created, which means that cannabis has a more pronounced effect. Not only the power of raush, but also therapeutic and healing effects.
Terpenes and CBD reduce anxiety
For some people, ingesting cannabis with a higher THC content comes with anxiety. On the contrary, terpenes, like CBD, suppress anxiety, calm the body and mind, and they aren’t euphoric at all. When you use cannabis with a minimum of THC, but with a lot of CBD and the right terpenes to smell, then you will not feel high, but relief and relaxation. And that's what attracts a lot of people in these days. Moreover, such cannabis is 100% legal.
We mention the suppression of anxiety mainly as a contrast to the effects of cannabis with a high THC content. Terpenes also have other positive effects, they promote concentration, increase the sharpness of thinking, improve mood, have anti-depressant effects and many others. It depends on what terpenes the plant contains.
If it smells good, it will fit you
Terpenes are at the forefront of cannabis research today. Their effects are being studied, and it looks very good. It turns out that each variety has a different combination of terpenes. Each one smells different. In general, if the variety smells good to you, it should fit you. If you don't smell extra, you better avoid it. It's a bit like in intimate relationships, when your partner smells you, then you're attracted to her and at least on a physical level it will work for you. It's the same like with cannabis.
Individual types of terpenes
There are more than 200 types of terpenes found in cannabis, of which a few are the most important:
Myrcene - This well-known terpene is found, for example, in mango, thyme, basil, hops and also in cannabis. It has calming and sedative effects. It is abundantly represented, for example, in the famous variety Bílá vdova (White widow).
Humulene - This terpene has the exact opposite effect of cannabis. Instead of feeling hungry and craving food, it has the exact opposite effect - it suppresses the feeling of hunger. Otherwise, it is found, for example, in cloves or hops, and has a very earthy aroma (e.g. like black Pu erh tea).
Caryophyllene - This terpene is very pungent and anti-inflammatory. It helps with various pains, but at the same time induces a relaxed state of body and mind. It is found in black pepper, oregano or cinnamon. Varieties rich in caryophyllene are often used to make anti-inflammatory ointments.
Limonene - has long been known in medicine for its therapeutic properties. It helps improve mood, relieves stress, helps with heartburn, and even has antibacterial and antifungal properties. You can recognize it thanks to the specific lemon aroma.
Linalool - found in many flowering plants, cinnamon or mint. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps improve motor skills.
Bisabolol - Another of the anti-inflammatory terpenes, which is also used, for example, to treat open wounds. In addition to cannabis, it is found, for example, in chamomile.
Borneol - Borneol has an earthy smell and is used in healthcare for its analgesic effects. It expands the bronchial tubes and helps against insomnia.
You can not only tell if the variety suits you by the smell, but also what effects it has. In addition to those mentioned above, there are also pine-scented terpenes that, for example, increase attention and improve memory. There are a lot of varieties, terpenes and all the combinations that make up cannabis varieties. The range of our feelings when we use cannabis is just as wide. Cannabis is not just a high, but also has therapeutic effects without euphoric feelings. And terpenes help it all.
The fact is that the effects of terpenes and cannabinoids interact with each other. Terpenes have been shown to suppress the intoxicating effects of THC while helping to better absorb CBD. In addition, they have proven antidepressant effects. That is why it is interesting to continue with their research and choose varieties based on the terpenes they contain.
