What are terpenes?
Terpenes are a unique class of organic compounds that occur naturally in all plants and even some animals. They are aromatic substances that ensure that plants each have their own unique smell and taste. For example, terpenes are responsible for the typical apple flavor of apples. And because each unique plant variety produces a unique mix of terpenes, each unique apple variety also has its own unique taste!
Chemically speaking, all terpenes are hydrocarbons: molecules consisting of only carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). However, terpenes can also form compounds with alcohol, aldehyde and ketone groups and then we call them terpenoids.
Types of terpenes
There are more than 48.000 different types of terpenes and terpenoids known worldwide. These are classified according to the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. One terpene unit contains ten carbon atoms. A terpene molecule with ten carbon atoms is therefore called a monoterpene, while a terpene with twenty carbon atoms is called a diterpene. Terpenes with more than forty carbon atoms are called polyterpenes. Polyterpenes are common in resin, wax and rubber. Monoterpenes are mainly found in the essential oils of plants, such as laurel, peppermint and chamomile.
Terpenes in the cannabis plant
The terpenes we encounter in cannabis are also almost always monoterpenes. Scientists have now discovered more than 200 different terpenes in cannabis. Some common terpenes in cannabis are:
- Mycrene. The most common terpene in the cannabis plant and responsible for the typical spicy hop smell. It is also found in wild thyme, hops, verbena and lemongrass.
- limonene. This terpene owes its name to the fact that it occurs naturally in citrus fruits such as limes, lemons and oranges. It is the substance that provides the lime aroma.
- Linalool. Linalool is found in hundreds of plant species. These include bay leaf, mint, cinnamon, citrus fruits and birch trees and are also rich in linalool.
What is the use of terpenes?
In nature everything has a function. Terpenes are also an indispensable link in the synergistic relationship between plants and animals. As mentioned, many terpenes are found in the oils of plants. These provide a strong smell that hangs around a plant. This smell ensures that certain bacteria, fungi and insects that the plant cannot cope with stay at a distance.
On the other hand, the terpenes also attract insects and other organisms that the plant wants to have nearby. Think of bees that provide pollination. Also, when plants are attacked by insects, they release special terpenes that ensure that the natural enemy of this particular insect is attracted. In this way, terpenes play an important role in the survival of the plant.
Terpenes in CBD oil
The terpenes contained in cannabis also give each cannabis strain its own unique taste and smell. To ensure that the terpenes are optimally preserved in the CBD oil made with this cannabis uses the cold CO2 extraction method. This method of extraction ensures that all cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant end up in the cannabis extract. By diluting this extract with a carrier oil such as hemp seed oil or olive oil, a 100% natural CBD oil is created that is rich in all beneficial substances from the plant.
Terpenes enhance the entourage effect of CBD oil
Terpenes have been used since ancient times as fragrance and flavoring agents in foods, skin care and essential oils. For example, it has been discovered that certain terpenes in massage oil ensure that other active substances in the oil are better absorbed by the skin.
In CBD oil, terpenes have a similar effect. In addition to providing a pleasant smell and a characteristic taste, they also ensure that the CBD and other cannabinoids such as CBG and CBN have more effect in the body. Exactly how this works has yet to be investigated, but it is likely that an entourage effect occurs when substances that naturally occur together in cannabis are also ingested together. In this way, terpenes enhance the effect of cannabinoids, just as cannabinoids enhance each other's effect.
