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HOW THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY HAS BECOME CRAFTY WITH TERPENES

May 6, 2022 •

How the Cannabis Industry Has Become Crafty With Terpenes

Table of Contents

Summary

Introduction

Where Do Terpenes Come From?

The Connection Between Scent and Human Sensation

What is Botanical Synergy?

Added Terpenes vs Naturally Occurring

Final Thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

Summary

It is well known through cannabis research that CBD works far better than when isolated on its own. Terpenes are potent compounds found in plants and offer potential benefits to support overall wellness. They are the compounds that give plants that instantly recognisable smell and taste.

Due to volatilisation, the natural terpenes found in cannabis are often lost during the extraction process. CBD manufacturers are getting around this by attempting to mimic the terpenes found in the original hemp plant and reintroduce them using botanicals. Although scientists have been studying terpenes for a long time now, the research is mainly on individual terpenes rather than how they work together.

Introduction

Terpenes, also known as isoprenoids, terpenoids and terps, are the compounds in cannabis that give it that instantly recognisable aroma and flavour. To experience the maximum potential of terpenes, consumers will need to buy full-spectrum CBD as it is made using the whole plant. The theory is that the terpenes found in CBD can work alone or synergistically with other supporting terpenes found from additional natural sources.

Neurologists (scientists who study the brain and nervous system) have been investigating how the terpenes found in cannabis plants and other sources, such as lavender, rosemary, and chamomile, interact with the human body. However, they have barely begun to understand the therapeutic potentials and are yet to truly harness the abilities of the cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. Research is mainly based on the effects of individual terpenes rather than how they can work together.

The vague understanding of how terpenes interact with other compounds found in cannabis is not holding the CBD industry back from exploring terpenes. Many manufacturers are getting creative and introducing potentially complimentary terpenes to try and enhance terpene profiles found in cannabis flowers.

Where Do Terpenes Come From?

Plants naturally produce terpenes to protect themselves from predators or to attract pollinators. Terpenes are the most extensive and diverse group of naturally occurring compounds found in plants. Although they are primarily found in plants, some larger and more complex forms of terpenes such as lanosterol and squalene occur in animals.

Scientists have classified terpenes based on the organisation and quantity of carbon atoms (isoprene units) it contains. Terpenes are empirically observed to be built up from isoprene units which consist of five carbon atoms attached to eight hydrogen atoms – to form C5H8.

The term terpene refers to the naturally occurring compounds obtained from a single isoprene unit and is frequently used interchangeably with ‘terpenoids’ – the oxygenated versions of terpenes. However, the modern usage of the terms has generally become less specific, and isoprenoids are also used to refer to the same.

There are five terpene molecules, each differing in the number of terpene molecules. Below is a list starting from smallest to largest:

Monoterpenes (C10H16)
Sesquiterpenes (C15H24)
Diterpenes (C20H32)
Triterpenes (C30H48)
Tetraterpenes (C40H64)

When it comes to cannabis plants, each different strain or chemical variety (known as chemovars) has its own unique signature of terpenes and cannabinoids. There are now thousands of different chemovars which have been carefully engineered to contain specific terpenes. For example, Lemon Kush is high in the terpene limonene, which is more commonly found in citrus peels.

The Connection Between Scent and Human Sensation

Women smelling botanical in a glass bottle

For years researchers have been interested in the connections between how scent, emotion and memory are intertwined. In literature, the sensory experience that triggers the rush of memories even has its own term – known as the Proustian moment. Neuroscientists have found that smell and memory are closely linked due to the brain’s anatomy.

Taste also plays a role in scent as when you chew, the molecules in the food make their way retro-nasally to your nasal epithelium. So essentially, everything we consider flavour is actually a smell. It is possible to test this theory yourself by pinching your nose when eating something like chocolate, as all you will taste is sweet rather than any flavour.

Smells are managed by the olfactory bulb – a structure in the front part of the brain that transmits information to the other areas of the body’s central command for further processing. The olfactory lobe is also directly connected to the limbic system, the area of the brain that regulates emotions.

It has been found that odour could trigger instantaneous feelings of desire or even fear before you become fully aware of what you are smelling. There is a network of connections with other parts of the brain which give scents a matchless power to evoke detailed and emotionally charged memories.

Smells can also directly affect the behaviour and physiological conditions of the person receiving the odour. Many studies have shown the effect different terpenes have when human subjects are exposed to them. For example, the lavender aroma has been found to slow down reaction times and decrease working memory. Rosemary, on the other hand, has the ability to help enhance performance and become more alert.

Unfortunately, due to the legalities surrounding cannabis, there is a delay in research surrounding the plant’s terpenes and effects on human emotion. There is the commonly known effect of cannabis with high THC content can cause the user to become hungry. A study in mice has found smell has a leading role in why marijuana brings on hunger pangs. The THC binds to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain (CB1s) and inhibits chemical signals that tell us not to eat – making us feel hungry. As scientists know that smell plays a central role in making us hungry, it must be part of the explanation – however, we are yet to discover precisely how it correlates.

What is Botanical Synergy?

A person mixing botanicals in a glass beaker

There is a theory that plant extracts can be combined to create a mixture that compliments each other and our bodies – this is known as botanical synergy. In addition, botanical ingredients tend to be well known for their scent, flavour and potential therapeutic properties.

Botanicals can be extracted from various parts of a plant – including flowers, roots, bark and leaves. The botanical extraction process splits the bioactive compounds from the rest of the plant structure. The method will depend on each plant, but the ultimate goal is to harness the full spectrum of the plant’s botanicals. By extracting the phytochemicals (active compounds within the plant), the is profile closer to that of the whole plant, so it is possible to ensure the best concentration and efficacy of the botanical.

Once the botanical is extracted from the plant, the result is a concentrated oil or liquid solution that is abundant in natural therapeutic properties. Due to the concentrated form, only a tiny amount is needed to experience the potential benefits. The benefits which can be achieved from using botanicals are believed to be endless – as each extract is individual to the plant it was extracted from.

Some of the potential benefits botanical extracts are reputed to provide include:

Strengthen and tone immune functions (echinacea)
Antioxidants to support cardiovascular functions (green tea)
Boost low mood (St. John’s wort)
Support good sleep (valerian)
Aid with gastrointestinal problems (ginger)

Botanicals have also become an increasingly popular ingredient in CBD products as only a small concentration of each botanical extract is required to experience the potential rewards. This means there is the capacity to combine various plant extracts (including cannabis) to provide a broader range of benefits that support the whole body – bringing us back to the concept of ‘botanical synergy’.

One of the top buzzwords you will hear within the botanical wellness industry is adaptogens. These plants are also classed as botanicals but play a more specific role in supporting the body with various external stresses. Unfortunately, the research on the particular effects adaptogens have on humans is limited, but they have been used as a supplement for hundreds of years.

Added Terpenes vs Naturally Occurring

Scientist holding glass test tubes in a rack next to a green plant

Cannabis is rich in terpenes. When CBD is extracted from hemp flowers, it contains a fantastic array of natural properties. However, this process is expensive, and the product will still contain trace amounts of THC – which is illegal in some countries. Many manufacturers extract CBD from the whole plant using ethanol, resulting in most terpenes being lost through volatilisation.

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, it is worth understanding the distinction between terpenes and terpenoids when CBD is concerned. Terpenes are the natural compounds found in the flower of cannabis plants, whereas terpenoids are terpenes that have been chemically altered. Drying and curing cannabis flowers leads to the formation of terpenoids.

Terpenes are often reintroduced into the CBD following extraction to try and imitate the natural terpenes observed in the hemp plant from which it came. Some commonly added terpenes include linalool from lavender and limonene from citrus. Due to the complexities of cannabis strains, some 40 different terpenes at percentages mimic the chemical signature.

Although most terpenes added to CBD products are deemed safe by food standard agencies, there is some concern over the use of terpenes in vaping oils. The concentration of terpenes in vaping oil ranges from 5% to 15% – depending on the preferred end formulation. There is the risk of bad taste and even stinging lips or tongue if the concentration is too high.

Little is known about vaping terpenes or the rate the products may degrade from high heat exposure. Terpenes are known to be highly reactive molecules that isomerise and interact with oxygen. Unfortunately, due to the variability of vape oil composition, it is challenging for scientists to study terpenes within vape products.

There is also a concern over consumers developing allergies to some terpenes. Many allergens in fragrances are terpenes, so great care needs to be given when developing CBD formulations using artificially high amounts of terpenes. To mitigate risk, high-quality CBD producers will aim to replicate the terpenes in cannabis flowers at their naturally occurring ratios.

Many contend that using oil or extracts from cannabis flowers directly is the best way to achieve maximum benefits from the plant. The purest argument is that cannabis should be kept together, and terpenes from other natural sources should not be introduced. However, CBD manufacturers have become increasingly crafty with their use of terpenes. If they match the profiles found in cannabis flowers and the terpenes are analytically known, it should theoretically be the same chemistry from either source – resulting in just as decent effects.

The top five natural terpenes which work well with CBD include the following:

Myrcene – Rich, herbal and earthy scent
Linalool – Delicate and floral aroma
Limonene – Citrusy smell like orange and lemon
Pinene – Fresh and earthy scen
Caryophyllene – Spicy and musky smell

Scientists have been studying terpenes for a long time. They have concluded that CBD works more effectively in the presence of terpenes rather than when isolated on its own. Therefore, full-spectrum CBD products would be the better choice for those wanting to use natural cannabis terpenes.

Final Thoughts

The wanted outcome is to have terpenes working holistically with the CBD compound to achieve what is known as the entourage effect. This is the theory that substances in cannabis, like CBD and THC, have synergistic effects that make the overall CBD product more effective.

There is a huge gap in research between how terpenes and CBD react in specific products. Consequently, all products must go through rigorous third-party lab testing to ensure their safety and reduce the risk of adverse effects. Regarding the safety of CBD, it has been found to be well-tolerated, but we need to be careful with potential allergens of added terpenes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between terpenes and terpenoids?

There can be much confusion about the distinction between terpenes and terpenoids. Although they are both organic compounds, the key difference is that terpenes are simple hydrocarbons, whereas terpenoids are modified terpenes – containing different functional groups and oxidised methyl groups. When looking at cannabis plants, terpenes are formed throughout the plant, particularly in the flower’s trichome resin glands. Terpenoids are a type of terpene that have undergone oxidation, also known as drying and curing.

Is CBD a botanical?

CBD is a plant-derived botanical and considered one of the most exciting phytocannabinoid compounds found in cannabis. In addition, there is growing interest in CBD’s wellness applications due to its non-psychoactive properties, low toxicity and high tolerability in humans and other animals. The botanical is extracted from hemp – a particular type of C. Sativa L. This species of cannabis contains moderate to high levels of CBD and very low concentrations of THC. There is less than 0.3% THC in hemp plants used for CBD extraction to adhere to the strict legal regulations.

Are adaptogens the same as botanicals?

Most people will be familiar with botanicals, and although both adaptogens and botanicals derive from plants, they do mean slightly different things. Botanicals are the broader category of terpenes extracted from plants, whereas adaptogens are more specific to the support of stress relief. A lot of research is now being put into this specialised category of botanicals, with a particular interest in ashwagandha (an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa). CBD is considered an adaptogen, but a lot more controlled studies need to be completed to understand its true effect on humans.

How safe are terpenes to consume?

The terpenes we eat from foods are generally safe, so consuming fruits and plants rich in terpenes can offer some great health benefits. However, terpenes extracted in a pure concentrated form can be dangerous when undiluted. Therefore, it is not good to use any terpene or essential oil directly on the skin or take them directly into the body. Instead, use a diluted form of 5% or less to ensure the terpene does not cause any adverse effects.

What are the most common cannabis terpenes?

In cannabis strains, there are primary and secondary terpenes. The primary terpenes are responsible for how the plant looks, tastes and smells. The secondary terpenes are the underlying substances that provide depth and layers to the plant’s features. The variety of terpenes found in the plant depends on the particular strain. The common primary terpenes found in cannabis include pinene, humulene, limonene and myrcene. The common secondary terpenes include borneol, phytol, eucalyptol and sabinene.

How are terpenes extracted from cannabis?

CBD manufacturers are faced with the challenge of extracting terpenes from the plant material without damaging the fragile and volatile terpenes. The heavier organic compounds found in cannabis are relatively easy to extract using specific temperatures, pressures and organic solvents. Manufacturers will choose a preferred extraction process based on their budget, consumer demand and the desired end product.

The two choices are solvent-based terpene extraction and solventless terpene extraction. Solvent-based terpene extraction methods include CO2 extraction, ethanol extraction, light hydrocarbon extraction and R134a extraction. Solventless terpene extraction involves agitation, heat, and pressure. These methods include steam distillation, hydrodistillation and mechanical terpene extraction.

What are cannabinoid receptors?

Cannabinoids take effect in the body by interacting with cannabinoid receptors found on the surface of cells in different parts of the nervous system. Only two types of cannabinoid receptors have been identified so far – CB1 receptor and CB2 receptor. The CB1 receptors are primarily on the brain and spinal cord nerve cells. However, they have also been found in some peripheral organs and tissues (like the spleen, endocrine gland, white blood cells and sections of the reproductive, gastrointestinal and urinary tracts). The CB2 receptors are located on white blood cells, the tonsils, and the spleen.

Do terpenes make you high?

Coming into contact with terpenes will not directly make you high, but they may have indirect psychoactive effects through an interaction with THC. Some people have reported feeling a little “heady” when around terpenes with strong stimulating aromas. Plants known for their intense smelling terpenes include lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary and sage. For example, walking through a field of lavender can make them feel a bit drowsy, which some people will find relaxing, while others may find it gives them a headache.

When was CBD first extracted from a cannabis plant?

Roger Adams first discovered CBD in 1940 when he managed to isolate CBD and another cannabinoid called CBN from a hemp plant. Although Roger Adams hypothesised about the existence of the psychoactive chemical THC, it was not until 1964 that THC was isolated by Raphael Mechoulam – one of the leading names in cannabis science. Through Mechoulam’s work, the properties of both CBD and THC were identified. It is fascinating that given how THC is more often associated with cannabis, it was actually CBD that was identified first.

How are terpenes used with CBD products?

The majority of CBD extracts are improved by adding or reintroducing terpenes. This is due to CBD distillate and isolates having all their naturally occurring terpenes tripped from them during extraction. Terpenes are carefully formulated with the pure form of CBD to ensure the concentration is at a safe level in the finished product. The types of products terpenes are used with include CBD oil, vape juice, edibles, creams and ointments.