Characteristics of an Excellent Budtender/Guest Consultant Post #4d.1 Cannabis Science: Terpenes Introduction
What are terpenes and where do they come from?
Terpenes are chemical compounds found in cannabis and most other plants. They are responsible for most of the aromas, or smells, we detect in plants. They are used in many products like perfume, cosmetics, household cleaners, etc. Essential oils are made of concentrations of terpenes.
Terpenes come from the resinous secretions of plants which the plants use for protection from the sun and predatory insects, and to attract beneficial insects and pollinators. In cannabis, the resin that produces the cannabinoids also produces terpenes. Terpenes are building blocks for many other molecules. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/terpene
Terpenes are categorized by their molecular structure with some being more complex and stable, while others are smaller hydrocarbon chains that are less stable and more volatile. Preserving and/or utilizing terpenes, whether in our bodies or in products, can be challenging and requires careful consideration. When terpenes are exposed to heat (even room temperature) or physical agitation, many are quickly lost. Different terpenes have different boiling points, so some are lost at lower temperatures than others.
Think of taking a walk in a forest in the early morning. The smell of the surrounding plant life is more aromatic than if you were to take that walk later in the day. Before the atmosphere warms up and the sun evaporates most of the terpenes, they are easier to detect.
The terms terpenes and terpenoids are sometimes incorrectly used interchangeably. Terpenes are the fresh compounds when initially developed by the plant. Terpenoids are the result of chemical change when terpenes are oxidized (exposed to air and dried). The longer the cannabis plant is dried and/or cured, the more terpenes change to terpenoids, and the more they degrade. ?
The current hypothesis is that it is terpenes, not indica or sativa subspecies of Cannabis, that give the different mood-altering effects (see my article (4a) on Cannabis Science: Indica & Sativa).
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Which are the main cannabis terpenes?
The current science suggests there are over 200 terpenes found in cannabis. Some are in miniscule amounts and may not be detectable with the commercial testing technology available at this time. I will discuss the potential effects of some of these terpenes in the next article. The ones most found in commercial cannabis cultivars are as follows (I will break down the pronunciations in the next article):
Myrcene
Caryophyllene
Limonene
Alpha-Pinene & Beta-Pinene
Linalool
Humulene
Terpinolene
Geraniol
Nerolidol
Camphene
Ocimene
Bisabolol
Terpineol
Valencene
Isopulegol
Eucalyptol
This may seem like a lot. Don’t try and learn each one immediately. I recommend starting with the top 3 first (Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene), and then learning a new one each week or so after you feel comfortable with the top 3. As suggested in the articles on Curiosity and Product Knowledge, you should do your own research from credible sources (at least 3 sources for each) and develop good questions from your internal dialogue as guiding inquiries for your search for information.
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What do terpenes do?
Current evidence suggests terpenes can modulate, or change, the way cannabinoids affect us (the Entourage Effect from the previous article) in addition to having affects on their own. Terpenes are thought to stimulate us, sedate us, calm us, repel insects, kill bacteria and microbes, slow or kill cancer cells, and have numerous other biological effects, some of which I will address in the next article.
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How do terpenes work in our bodies?
The modes in which they do these things are thought to be engaged through psychological, olfactory (smell), sensory reactions (reactions that take place in the part of our brains that manage emotions, memory, and creativity), and actual physical/biological reactions. This aspect is far too complex to discuss here and not necessary for the average guest consultant to master.
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Can terpenes be harmful?
While terpenes have many benefits, they can be harmful if used improperly. The average terpene content of natural cannabis flower is usually between 2% and 5% of total dry weight. Concentrated terpene extracts should not be used in excess of 5% of total volume. Terpenes can irritate the skin at higher concentrations or for people with sensitivities. If using topically, it is best to apply a small amount to your skin to determine your sensitivity.
Combusting terpenes can be harmful if above the natural proportion of 2% to 5% either as additives to flower, or in vape extract.
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Are terpenes found in all cannabis products?
Most commercial cannabis products contain terpenes, some in higher concentrations than others. Extracts and products made from extracts like edibles and vape cartridges have lower natural terpenes as the extraction and concentration process can destroy much if not all the volatile compounds. Extracts and products made from extracts with high terpene content usually have botanical terpenes (which will be explained below) added back in.
It is still debatable whether orally consumed terpenes (either swallowed or absorbed through mucous membrane as with a tincture) have the same or similar effects to inhaling through smoke or vapor. Not enough research has been done or data collected.
Cannabinoids are usually measured in percentage (%). Terpenes are usually measured in milligrams per gram (mg/g). 2mg/g of a terpene equates to .2%.
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Are all terpenes the same?
Terpenes come from almost all plants, as mentioned before. Often, terpenes are extracted from non-cannabis plants (botanical terpenes) because it is less expensive to do so, and then added back into the cannabis product. However, not all terpenes are the same. Without getting too deep into the science, terpenes, as well as other chemical compounds can have enantiomers or mirror opposites. They can be thought of as left and right-handed versions of the same molecule. Terpenes and Testing magazine shared an article that explains how Limonene can have an orange aroma if it is the right-handed version (designated with a + before the terpene name) but exhibits a lemony aroma if it is the left-handed version (designated with a – before the terpene name). This left/right-handed difference is called chirality.
Considering this phenomenon, the terpenes extracted from a non-cannabis plant (botanical terpenes) and added into a cannabis product may not have the same effects as those same terpenes found naturally in the cannabis. As with much in this industry, more research is needed.
While most extraction methods destroy some of the terpene “profile” of the cannabis being processed, some are more damaging than others. CO2 extraction generally destroys more of the terpenes than ethanol, butane, or ice-water hash however, CO2 extraction has the potential to extract the terpenes at lower temperatures and pressure (sub-critical) before extracting the cannabinoids which require higher temperatures and pressures (super-critical). If the sub and super critical extraction processes are used, more of the terpenes found natively in the sample can be added back into the final product. If this is too confusing at this stage, don’t worry, just know that higher terpene content in CO2 extractions don’t necessarily mean they have botanical terpenes added.
Check back for my next article that will investigate the benefits of some of the most commonly found terpenes in cannabis cultivars.
Review & Takeaways
Terpenes are chemical compounds found in cannabis and most other plants.
Terpenes come from the resinous secretions of plants which the plants use for protection from the sun and predatory insects, and to attract beneficial insects and pollinators.
There are about 200 known terpenes in cannabis and 15 to 20 commonly occurring ones.
Terpenes are thought to be the factors most influencing the variations of mental and physical effects from cannabis (not indica or sativa genetics).
Terpenes are found in varying levels in cannabis products with those made from extracts having the lowest percentage of natural, cannabis terpenes. 2% to 5% is the average, natural concentration. 2mg/g of a terpene equates to .2%.
Botanical terpenes (found in non-cannabis plants) may not have identical effects to the same terpenes found in cannabis. Botanical terpenes are often added to manufactured cannabis products.