Terpenes and Terpenoids in Medical Cannabis Oil 101
The debate surrounding the use of terpenes in medical cannabis treatments has been going back and forth within the scientific community for years now. The topic is sufficiently complex enough to write entire books on the subject (in fact, some doctors already have), so providing a full overview of terpenes in one article is—simply put—impossible.
However, with that in mind, here are some basics about terpenes that you need to know about:
Definition
A terpene is defined as:
- "A large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced by a variety of plants," that "may protect the plants that produce them by deterring herbivores and by attracting predators and parasites of herbivores." (Wikipedia)
Terpenes usually have a strong aroma, and plants can contain multiple varieties of the organic compound. Each cannabis plant, for instance, can have as many as a dozen different terpenes.
Terpenoids, though often used interchangeably with terpenes nowadays, contain some technical differences. For starters, terpenoids are terpenes that contain additional functional groups, and may refer to terpenes that have been chemically modified to produce a desired effect.
The unique blend of terpenes and terpenoids is what distinguishes one strain of cannabis from another and gives cannabis its scent and flavor. Changes in the soil and/or the temperature in which the plant is cultivated can affect the type and quantity of terpene compounds found in it.
The Entourage Effect
In cannabis extracts, the formula of terpenes and terpenoids found in each strain can offer a unique set of benefits that range from increased circulation and enhanced neurological functions to altered cell permeability. This is called an entourage effect —when botanical remedies are enhanced through interaction with secondary compounds.
Scientific research has shown that certain secondary compounds already naturally occurring in cannabis, such as terpenes, can enhance the beneficial effects of the primary ingredients, namely tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which are primarily prescribed for treating illnesses.
However, during the extraction process, diligent care must be taken while harvesting the essential oils from the cannabis plant to ensure that the entourage effect is not lost. Patients who want to benefit from the entourage effect in THC and CBD treatments must be sure they are receiving pure, medical-grade cannabis oil from an industry expert.
Common Uses of Terpenes
Essential oils are commonly used as natural flavor additives for food, in perfume and other fragrances, as well as in medicine and aromatherapy.
Within the field of integrative medicine, cannabis terpenes are widely used and have numerous applications. Some of the most common uses of terpenes include:
- Borneol — a sedative compound used to treat stress and fatigue
- Carophyllene — an anti-inflammatory
- Cineole — displays cognitive stimulation effects, used by people with neurological deficiencies
- Delta3Carene — a terpene used by gynecologists and otolaryngologists to reduce menstrual flow
- Limonene — a citrus compound with anti-depressant, anti-bacterial and anti-carcinogenic effects
- Linolool — for anxiety disorders and insomnia
- Myrcene — used to treat a range of symptoms, from heart conditions to depression to joint issues
- Pinene — effects include mental focus and better lung function
- Pulegone — being studies for use in treating Alzheimer's
- Terpineol — another sedative for treating insomnia, anxiety, stress
As you can see, terpenes and terpenoids can play a huge part in the treatment of chronic illnesses when legally prescribed by a physician. Undoubtedly, these natural compounds will become even more important in medicinal cannabis treatment as more scientific research is done about their beneficial effects.