CBD and Terpenes (What You Need to Know)

WHAT DO TERPENES HAVE TO DO WITH CBD?

CBD terpenes have continued to be the talk of the town in 2020. Terpenes can influence the effects of CBD oils and products, complementing and enhancing the effects of major cannabinoids too. As you’re probably wondering, what even are terpenes? Do all CBD products have terpenes? Are terpenes in CBD a must?

WHAT ARE TERPENES?

In short, terpenes are compounds that can be made by many plants and some insects, giving off a strong scent. Even now CBD with terpenes may sound new to you, but I guarantee you that you have terpenes in your humble abode right now! From perfumes to cleaning products to essentials oils for diffusers? Yep, these are all primarily made of terpenes. More so, it’s these terpenes that make essential oils have such a strong smell and claimed health benefits. 

Think about that fresh, citrusy smell that comes off when peeling an orange peel? Yeah, that’s a terpene called limonene. All in all, terpenes are responsible for the smells that derive from plants. 

Scientifically speaking, terpenes are diverse hydrocarbons produced by insects and plants. The terpenes can act as a way to attract insects that can help the plant or eat other insects that may be at risk to the plant. 

WHAT ARE TERPENES USED FOR?

Now you know what terpenes are in general, what are terpenes in cannabis? 

Cannabis terpenes are natural compounds that can be found in the bud/flower of the cannabis plant. These compounds are responsible for cannabis’s smell and have been suggested to help increase the healing properties of the plant itself. 

There have been over 200 different terpenes identified in the cannabis plant so far. Each and every terpene is associated with its own unique effects and potential health benefits. 

The most important value of having terpenes, when it comes to cannabinoids and the cannabis plant, is that terpenes help speed up absorption when cannabinoids enter the bloodstream. 

HOW ARE TERPENES FOUND IN CBD?

Studies have suggested that terpenes may be beneficial for CBD users due to their effects on the body. Terpenes in CBD may even help the efficacy of the CBD product itself. 

Terpenes are important for cannabis. By adding terpenes into CBD oils and products, this may provide extra benefits or qualities to the product. 

ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TERPENES?

There are different types of terpenes that can be added to a CBD oil or product. Let’s get into it. 

1. Myrcene

This is a commonly used terpene that is associated with cannabis. It is earthy, herbal, and pungent, just like cannabis flowers. Even though it is the smallest terpene, it can produce powerful calming effects on the body. This may be a great antibacterial and pain-relieving terpene. 

2. Linalool

This molecule produces a delicate floral aroma, abundant in lavender and chamomile. Brands will often infuse CBD topicals with linalool to achieve this relaxing scent, but it may also be added to CBD oils as a helpful sleep aid and anti-anxiety effect. 

3. Pinene

This terpene can be found in pine needles and certain citrus fruits. Pinene is typically heard about in Chinese medicine, known for its therapeutic qualities. It can be used as an anti-inflammatory agent and antibacterial powerhouse. 

4. Limonene

This terpene occurs typically in the zest of citrus fruits (as I’m sure you could assume from the name). Its scent is lime, orange, and lemon. Limonene is known to have anti-fungal properties, enhancing one’s mood, reducing inflammation, and possibly even curbing one’s anxiety. Adding limonene to your CBD oil may help increase the terpene absorption rate across the board. 

5. Humulene

This may act as an anti-inflammatory friend or an appetite suppressant. Humulene-rich plants include cloves, basil, and coriander, for instance. 

6. Caryophyllene

This is one of the most promising terpenes, caryophyllene occurs naturally in cloves, black pepper, and cinnamon. It can give certain cannabis strains their “spice” and wood-like aromas. The special thing about this terpene is its ability to interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) similarly to cannabinoids. It may produce pain-reducing effects. 

7. Terpinolene

Last by surely not least, terpinolene gives cannabis plants a woodsy and smokey aroma. It is commonly found in rosemary and sage and it known for its antibacterial, sedating properties, and antioxidant potential. 

ARE TERPENES AND TERPENOIDS THE SAME THING?

These terms are commonly used interchangeably, but they are surely not the same thing. 

Terpenes are naturally-occurring carbon and hydrogen, whilst terpenoids are terpenes that are altered through the oxidation process. 

You can think of the ice cream and the cone here, terpenes are the cone, terpenoids are the ice cream. Got it?

Terpenes and terpenoids are different in regards to their molecular structure. Terpenes are the living and fresh versions of terpenoids. What you smell when you take in the smell of a cannabis plant is the terpenes being secreted in the resinous glands. Terpenoids, however, are formed when you dry and cure cannabis. These two processes ultimately change the way these molecules transform and work. 

Recent research studies have shown that terpenes can increase, decrease, or change the duration and intensity of the effects of specific strains of cannabis, through influencing the flavor and smell of the buds. Without these terpenes, the effects of different CBD strains might be boring and bland, lacking those additional health benefits. 

WHAT IS THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT?

In short, the entourage effect encompasses a synergistic relationship between terpenes and cannabinoids interacting in the human body. It’s been suggested that these aromatic compounds enhance and aid in the way CBD works in our system. 

This entourage effect is really the idea that some cannabinoid compounds work better or differently together as compared to being alone. Thus, if we have CBD and terpenes together, the entourage effects may impact you differently. 

The terpenes may alter the way CBD binds with your cannabinoid receptors or the terpenes may have an effect that compliments the effects of CBD. Different cannabis strains can provide different effects. Thus, cannabinoid ratios and terpenes make all the difference here. The science behind the entourage effect is still well on its way to being understood, but this is what we know so far!

WHY ADD TERPENES IN CBD PRODUCTS?

Adding terpenes in CBD products and oils can offer users better absorption, taste, and potential effects. 

Commonly, companies will combine terpenes, unique combinations of cannabinoids, hemp, MCT oils, and sunflower seed oils to make a well-rounded CBD product or oil for you. 

The entourage effect is a key component here too, with terpenes helping users feel the full effect when taking CBD. 

This may be users dependent. By this I mean that some users may benefit from taking CBD with natural terpenes, while others may benefit more from taking CBD isolates, without terpenes. 

DO ALL NANOCRAFT CBD PRODUCTS CONTAIN TERPENES?

Here, at Nanocraft, all of our CBD products contain terpenes. We want to be able to provide users with their utmost potential to tap into the peaks of their entourage effect, one dosage at a time. 

We use different terpenes for different CBD oils and products! For instance, our Night Time CBD Oil for Sleep has linalool terpenes to help provide users with a relaxing taste and smell of lavender. This calming blend is perfect for preparing your mind and body for a night of deep, restful sleep. 

Our Extra Strength CBD Roll On Stick for Muscle & Joint Recovery is packed with a unique blend of cannabinoids and terpenes. Loaded with an impressive 500 mg of broad-spectrum hemp-derived CBD oil, our CBD Roll on Stick comes with a natural array of herbs and soothing essential oils, including peppermint, lavender, wintergreen, and ginger root oil. This product may offer users a sense of calm and well-being during times of recovery, rest, and relaxation.

Interested in a more incognito way to take CBD? Try our CBD Capsules or Buy CBD Online and browse through our variety of CBD products. 

TERPENES AND CBD: FINAL THOUGHTS

At the end of each day, when all is said and done, how much better can you show up for yourself? CBD oils and products are surely taking the cannabis world by storm for its non-psychoactive effects and unique cannabinoids and terpenes packed in CBD products. 

Whether you’re new to the world of CBD entirely, or you’re just looking to spice up your CBD product collection, Nanocraft CBD has crafted CBD collections to fit your needs, meeting the athlete in you, every time. 

Again, if you’re wanting to enhance and inspire your entourage effect from taking CBD with terpenes, you may be in the right place for therapeutic benefit. If not, CBD isolates with no terpenes may be a better fit for what you’re looking for! Regardless, you’ve got CBD terpene knowledge now, so time to impress your friends with your CBD knowledge!

See ya!

* DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is for educational purposes only. It does not exploit or provide medical advice of any kind. Therefore, any reliance you place on the information below is strictly at your own risk. Please check with your medical provider before starting or changing a CBD routine.

Kirsten Thornhill, MS

Nanocraft Sciences

Content Writer x Physiologist x Researcher

Kirsten Thornhill was born and raised in a small farm town in Stanislaus County, California. Kirsten graduated with a Master of Science degree in exercise physiology from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA. She is very passionate about human physiology and the metabolic and nutritional adaptations that occur during exercise in active individuals and athletes. Kirsten has specialized in maximal oxygen consumption testing in athletes and teaching laboratory, clinical, practical, and research applications of exercise testing to college students. She enjoys educating and informing people about the importance of lifetime movement, plant-based eating, and health research and development. Her passion for natural, lifestyle medicine enables her to strive when promoting health and education.

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