Terpenes and the entourage effect in CBD

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are found in all strong scented plants and flowers or even fruits like oranges. Terpenes are what defines the color and the scent of a plant. They are developed to repel predators and entice pollinators. These compounds can be influenced by the environment surrounding the plants, like weather/climate, fertilizer, time of the day, soil type, etc.

The Cannabis plant contains over 100 different types of them.

The cannabis terpenes are produced by the same glands that produce the famous compounds called THC and CBD.

These often-forgotten compounds are very powerful and play a major role in identifying cannabis strains. Theories also suggest that they are linked to the power of the entourage effect.

Terpenes have been used for years to help with inflammation, anxiety, relaxation, cognitive performance, insomnia and more.

For example, the terpene called limonene found in citrusy plants can help lower anxiety and stress, and the terpene called terpineol found in eucalyptus is proven to help with inflammation.

This means that terpenes can add depth to the therapeutic values of cannabis.With the technology we have today we can easily identify the terpenes found in the different cannabis strains and explore what other side effects it can produce.

The 5 most common terpenes found in cannabis are:

• Myrcene: Also found in mango and lemongrass, is sleep promotive.
• Pinene: Also found in pine needles and rosemary, can help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and lowers anxiety.
• Caryophyllene: Also found in black pepper and cinnamon, can help with anxiety and is a good analgesic.
• Limonene: Also found in a variety of fruits and peppermint, lowers anxiety and stress as mentioned earlier.
• Terpinolene: Also found in nutmeg and lilacs, has sedative effects.

Terpenes are both treated pharmacologically and psychologically in our bodies.

Pharmacologically: Terpenes can affect our moods, behaviors, and physiology by interacting with our nervous system.

Psychologically: These changes in attitudes can also be affected by our beliefs and emotional associations with specifics scents.

What is the entourage effect?

The entourage effect defines the way the cannabis component interacts and creates a particular effect on the person ingesting it (smoking, eating vaping, etc.).

The "entourage" is believed to produce a different effect than an isolated compound (CBD, THC). Most researches are demonstrating that the extract from the cannabis plant with the entourage tends to give more stable results.

On the other hand, most isolate compounds tend to work at first and then the effects seem to be diminished. Cannabis extract containing the entourage is usually called a full spectrum extract.

Terpenes could very well have a key role in the entourage effect. They are powerful compounds that can help with multiple health issues.

They interact with our serotonin receptors which control things like mood, alertness, and thinking. It isn't surprising to see different results when using an extract that has been ripped off, of these precious "nutrients".

The way terpenes interfere with our bodies can be influenced by the presence of other compounds. More and more researches are trying to associate the potential of terpenes to the entourage effect. Unfortunately, there aren't enough results yet to be shared.

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**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration and are in no way intended to treat or diagnose any physical ailment or disease. Please consult your Doctor before adding CBD or any supplement to your diet. Most workplace and competitive sports drug screens focus on delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and do not screen for Cannabinol (CBD) or other legal and natural hemp-based compounds. Be advised, studies have shown that consuming hemp foods or oils can cause a positive result when screening urine and blood specimens. Therefore, if you are subject to any form of drug testing or screening. We recommended (as does the United States Armed Services) that you DO-NOT ingest CBD or hemp oil before consulting your healthcare practitioner or your drug screening testing company or employer.