Rise of the terpenes: The next wave of cannabis innovation

It is no secret that isolated natural compounds do not work as well as the whole extract of a particular plant. This phenomenon has been studied in thousands of experiments. It also means that the processing of specific herbal extract might reduce their efficacy.

This reduction in the efficacy of highly processed natural herbal compounds is primarily due to the exclusion/removal of some organic compounds. The processing of herbal extracts usually focuses on removing harmful compounds, but some beneficial compounds are also eliminated in the process.

Understanding the role of various organic compounds in health is quite complex as many of them do not seem to have any beneficial properties in isolated form. Although these organic compounds might have limited benefit in isolation, they may considerably increase the potency of certain other molecules. Researchers are just starting to understand how various organic molecules work in synergy with each other.

In the world of CBD, this ability of molecules to enhance the potency of each other is called the “entourage effect”. In the pharma world, it is more commonly described as synergy.

The cannabis plant is known to be rich in terpenes. It provides them with their specific aroma. However, now it is more than clear that these terpenes have numerous health benefits, too. Moreover, they may boost the potency of cannabinoids.

Terpenes are not a single molecule, rather a name for a group of chemically related organic compounds. Terpenes provide various plants with their aroma, help keep pests away. Coniferous plants are especially rich in them, and so are different flower, including lavender, cannabis flower, and other parts of the cannabis plant.

In recent times, researchers have been particularly paying massive attention to the content of terpenes in CBD products. They are not limiting themselves to terpenes found in the cannabis plant only. They believe that adding terpenes from various natural sources may help them create CBD products for more specific needs. It can help improve the flavour and health benefits of CBD products.

Just take an example of linalool that is usually extracted from lavender and is known to have an excellent relaxing effect. On the other hand, limonene possesses a citrusy aroma and is more energizing. Myrcene is another compound that helps relax.

Terpenes are well accepted by various industries. Thus, they are commonly used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, the food industry, and much more.

At present, researchers are experimenting with various approaches to boost terpenes levels in CBD products. One common approach is selectively growing specific varieties of cannabis under specific conditions. Even growing cannabis with other aromatic plants may have some interesting impact on cannabis extract and its content of terpenes.

Another approach is adding various commercially available terpenes to CBD, learning through experimenting. Understanding how adding a specific terpene might affect the quality of CBD product.

We already see CBD products, with added terpenes, for various purposes and different influences on mood and health. To make things easier, some CBD products manufacturers are naming their products more straightforwardly, like for energy, mood, relief, and so on.

Understanding how terpenes influence the quality and efficacy of various CBD products is a complex science. Nevertheless, researchers have begun understanding some basics. It means that in future, there will be special attention paid to terpenes content in CBD products. This will also mean the emergence of CBD products for more specific needs.

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