https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7181184/
When we think of cannabis, THC is one of the first words to pop into our heads. You might also know about CBD, or you may have read about CBN, CBG. But you may not have heard about those aromatic and equally important compounds called terpenes. Terpenes are incredibly diverse, yet less of an understood and appreciated part of the cannabis plant, and in nature in general.
There are thousands of terpenes that can be found in nature, with 120 of them having been identified in the cannabis plant. This ties into what Raphael Mechoulam famously dubbed “the entourage effect”. This is the idea that the therapeutic properties of major cannabinoids like THC and CBD are enhanced by their interaction with each other, the minor cannabinoids and terpenes. If the terms Limonene, Myrcene, Pinene, Terpinol, and Linalool don’t mean much to you yet, don’t worry, you definitely come across them every day as you walk around outside or utilize products containing natural flavors and aromas.
This April 2020 in-depth study researched the impacts of cannabis, terpenes, their interaction and medical properties. The study was led by Elaine Goncalves out of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, who has published several studies on the subject. To find out the latest research into terpenes, cannabis, their relationship, and more, click here.