Terpenes

Terpenes are naturally produced by all plants on earth and are the essential oil that gives each plant its unique scent, flavour and effect. though many people commonly associate them with cannabis because cannabis plants contain high concentrations of them. Cannabis produces more than 200 terpenes, but only approximately 30 of them are in significant quantity and in medicines.

Terpenes bind to receptors in brain, working in harmony with your endocannabinoid system to help bring homeostasis to the body. Historically, essential oils have been used for thousands of years to help with illness and cure specific ailments. Effects on the human body can include inhibiting serotonin uptake, enhancing norepinephrine activity, increasing dopamine and augmenting GABA. Terpenes also play a significant role in boosting the therapeutic effect of the cannabis plan, known as “entourage effect”.

The well-known terpenes:

Beta-caryophyllene

Beta-caryophyllene exists in many herbs and vegetables, such as cloves and black pepper.

It is the only terpene known to act on the endocannabinoid system, which regulates a variety of physiological processes.

Research shows that molecules that selectively target the CB2 receptor of the endocannabinoid system may help to treat anxiety and depression.

Beta-caryophyllene may have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body that could reduce pain levels in some people, has mood stabilizer properties (can be helpful in controlling  anxiety and depression), has antifungal, antibacterial  properties, some study shows that beta-caryophyllene prevents alcohol-induced liver injury and has gastro-protective effects.

Myrcene

Myrcene found in mango, hops, thyme, lemongrass, but most common in cannabis.

Myrcene known for its sedative, analgesic, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effects. Known to induce sleep, but its concentration determines whether a strain has an energizing or sedative effect (Strains containing more than 0.5 percent of myrcene have a sedative effect, while strains containing less than 0.5 percent myrcene produce an energizing effect) (indica vs sativa).

Myrcene can be used as aid for sleep, muscle relaxant, as analgesic, anti-inflammatory agent,  for management of neurological conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson disease.

Myrcene has a pain-relative property similar to opioids, but without side effects ad addiction.

Limonene

Limonene found in lemon, citrus fruits and in large quantity in cannabis plants.

Medicinal properties include antioxidant, anticancer, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory and immune stimulant.

Limonene appears to modulate the way certain immune cells behave, which may protect the body from a range of disorders.

Linalool

Linalool found in Flowers, Lavender, Citrus, Fresh Spice.

Linalool has analgesic, anti-seizure, sedative, antibacterial, anti-cancer, antifungal. Linalool used as sedative, mood stabiliser, anti-inflammatory and analgesics, muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant.

Pinene

Pinene  found in earthy, pine, a lots of herbs and spices. Pinene provides the fresh, bright scent of many plants, including pine needles, rosemary, and basil.

Pinene has bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory, memory retention and broad-spectrum antibacterial properties.  It works to inhibit the negative effects of THC in the brain.

Shirin-yoku, which means “forest bathing,” is a Japanese therapy that involves taking leisurely walks in the forest, soaking up the atmosphere, and enjoying the scent.