What Are Terpenes In CBD? Let's Talk Terps | Dreamland Organics
WHAT ARE TERPENES IN CBD?
Basically, terpenes are the aromatic, volatile compounds found in plants (not just CBD products). Whenever you smell flowers or fresh fruit, you are experiencing different types of terpenes at work. If you take a look around, terpenes surround us in our daily lives.
When it comes to hemp or cannabis, terpenes are the compounds that give the plant its individual, unique smell. Did you know that THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids have no odor? The fragrance comes from whichever terpenes are present. The terpenes in CBD products with THC are what produce the unique flavors.
CBD terpenes serve a more important function than simply creating aroma or taste. Scientists believe they have additional beneficial properties. The existence of terpenes is not a new thing. The scientists who have been studying terpenes for a while have been led to believe specific terpenes could have different therapeutic benefits. Many researchers have documented the role terpenes actually play in aromatherapy, a holistic healing practice.
A hemp plant can have a wide variety of different aromatic terpenes. When it comes to cannabis, there are around 200 various types of terpenes in the plant. But only a select handful of them appear in substantial amounts enough to notice.
WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF TERPENES IN CBD PRODUCTS & PLANTS?
Consider all the different herbs and flowers we smell with their distinct aromas and properties, from lavender to orange blossoms to rosemary, or pine; they are all exploding with plant terpenes. These plant oils have components that can make us feel good as well. For example, lavender has been shown to have a calming effect. We can use orange blossom as a nerve tonic. The terpenes in rosemary have long been known to be beneficial for the respiratory system. What might be surprising is that all of these terpenes are also in hemp flower.
Due to their healing properties, terpenes have long been the subject of scientific research. Dr. Ethan Russo was the researcher who ultimately described what the roles of terpenes in CBD are.
His paper coined the phrase the entourage effect. When it comes to hemp and CBD oil, we are not as interested in all the individual properties of the various types of terpenes. Especially since the hemp plant itself has over 400 active compounds. Instead, we are interested in what all the components have to offer together in symbiosis. While modern medicine may favor the single extraction of compounds for drugs, whole plant extracts provide more benefits. That is why our CBD MCT oil is full spectum, or containing all the plant compounds.
The blend of various compounds and substances creates this synergy that amplifies the overall effects, otherwise known as "the entourage effect".
TYPES OF TERPENES IN CBD
So now that we know what terpenes in CBD are and how they can help create the entourage effect, it is time to talk about the different types of terpenes and their benefits. All our products at Dreamland Organics contain trace amounts and usually, large amounts of terpenes. It’s vital to understand what those individual terpenes are and what they add to the CBD products.
PINENE
Much like its name suggests, pinene exists in pine needles, other conifers, sage, rosemary, and some citrus fruits. The aroma can be sharp and sweet. In aromatherapy, pinene can affect memory retention and alertness. Its therapeutic benefits include its use as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent.
LINALOOL
Linalool is one of the terpenes in CBD with a delicate and floral aroma. It is prevalent in lavender, rosewood, citrus, laurel, and birch. Many brands add linalool to their beauty products or topicals because of the pleasant scent. Linalool can have calming effects in aromatherapy as a sleep aid or anti-anxiety ingredient. It can also help with stress, depression, pain, and even convulsions.
MYRCENE
When it comes to hemp and cannabis, the myrcene terpene is one of the most common terpenes in CBD to be talked about. It has a musky, earthy, and herbal aroma that people associate with cannabis as the skunky smell. Although it is the smallest terpene, myrcene has powerful effects on the body. It also creates a drowsy, sleepy effect by making people feel really calm. Outside of hemp flower and cannabis, it is present in mango, thyme, lemongrass, and bay leaves. Myrcene can have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antimicrobial, and antifungal effects.
LIMONENE
Limonene is another type of terpene that is named appropriately. This terpene is found in in citrus fruits, and it has the aroma of lemons. It is a mood booster terpene in CBD with the potential to alleviate emotional fits and provide general stress relief. As far as other therapeutic or medical properties, it is known to be an antifungal and anti-inflammatory agent. It can be helpful for anxiety, depression, and stomach issues.
Now, what’s particularly interesting about limonene is the role it plays in CBD. It is a very important terpene because it helps the absorption rate of other terpenes.
CARYOPHYLLENE
Caryophyllene is found in high amounts in cloves, cinnamon, basil, oregano, and black pepper. It has a spicy, woody, or pepper-like aroma. The caryophyllene terpene in CBD is unique because it doesn’t have evident physical effects. Although, it has shown potential in helping with insomnia, muscle spasms, and pain. What sets it apart from other types of terpenes is that it may have the potential to interact with the endocannabinoid system, similar to other cannabinoids.
HUMULENE
Humulene is another common terpene in CBD that is also found in hops and coriander and has an earthy and woody scent. This terpene can act as an appetite suppressant and an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent.
LAB REPORTS & TERPENE CONTENT
An easy way to think of terpenes is to think of them as essential oils. Hemp and cannabis plants have specific tastes and aromas due to the presence of their terpenes. And much like there are essential oils for everything, terpenes can also provide specific physical effects such as a calming sensation or help with alertness.
Not all labs test to know if there are terpenes in their CBD products. So they may not show in the lab reports or Certificates of Analysis. However, that does not mean they are not present. If you are ever concerned about the terpenes present in a product or do not see them listed in the COA, reach out to the company or brand directly.
At Dreamland Organics, all our products contain trace amounts of various types of terpenes because we produce strictly full spectrum CBD products. All our lab reports are made readily available, and we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
What Terpenes Mean To Our CBD Flower
When talking about smokable hemp flower, terpenes play a huge role and are sometimes not fully understood. When someone buys dried flower, be it hemp or cannabis, the potency is described in terms of cannabinoids solely and not in terms of "terps" (plant terpenes). As terpene extremists here at Dreamland Organics, we put more emphasis on the "terps," than we do the CBD percentage. Why? I'll explain just what are terpenes in CBD and what they do for hemp flower and why you should care.
First off, as a smoker of fine herbs for well over two decades, I feel qualified to explain what terpenes have meant for me in terms of effects and aesthetics on cbd buds. I will save you all the scientific jargon and give you a layman's perspective, as I understand it, concerning artisan hemp flower.
Basically terpenes give the plant it's unique flavor profile and they are present in all plants. What is interesting in considering the terpenes in your hemp bud, is they not only effect the flavor, but the overall effect as well! Some of you may have heard of the "entourage effect" and this is exactly what I'm referring to. It appears that the "terps" in your hemp flower, not only make it pleasant and flavorful, they may increase the potency of the CBD in a symbiotic fashion.
I remember all the times I have had really super flavorful, "terpy" hemp or cannabis buds and it always seemed that those experiences were more enjoyable. I always figured it was the aesthetics that made it stand out, but now science is showing that the terpenes do interact with and increase the cannabinoids effect in your hemp flower. That is why CBD or CBG percentage alone is not the complete determining factor in selecting the best hemp nugs.
We hope in the future terpenes will be more understood and represented in the CBD hemp flower discussion. Until then just know that the reason you likely love Dreamland Organics CBD hemp flower is largely due to the TERPS (terpenes)! We accentuate our unique flavor profiles with slow drying and glass jar curing. That is why our flower tastes better and burns smoother. That's why Dreamland Organics exists in fact, to bring you the most terpene-rich, flavorful and enjoyable smokable hemp flower possible!
Short and sweet!. Terpenes definitely play an important role in the effects. I value that more than the way the bud looks or smells. Sometimes even pungent smelling buds lack flavor, and that leaves me scratching my head because I thought if you can smell the terpenes than you think you will taste it. But that is not always the case. Maybe you can share some insights as to why that happens?
Regardless thanks for the informative blog!
Short and sweet!. Terpenes definitely play an important role in the effects. I value that more than the way the bud looks or smells. Sometimes even pungent smelling buds lack flavor, and that leaves me scratching my head because I thought if you can smell the terpenes than you think you will taste it. But that is not always the case. Maybe you can share some insights as to why that happens?
Regardless thanks for the informative blog!