Beyond THC: Terpenes & The Entourage Effect

As consumers within the legal cannabis industry grow more educated about the cannabis plant, its public image as a simple source of THC that causes a so-called “high” is fading into an outmoded generalization. Instead, cannabis consumers and enthusiasts alike have grown much more appreciative of the therapeutic potential of its natural components  — compounds like cannabinoids (e.g., cannabidiol or CBD) and terpenes. This post reviews everything you need to know about the latter, including how it works with cannabinoids to enhance the overall medicinal and therapeutic value.

Terpenes & The Entourage Effect: In Short

Many are surprised to learn how complicated the science behind marijuana is. Not enough time to read it all? We’ve got you covered. Here are the most salient points.

• Terpenes are found in plants and other living organisms and are responsible for many different smells and tastes.
• Over 100 different terpenes have been identified in marijuana today.
• Marijuana also contains many different cannabinoids, the most famous of which are CBD and THC.
• When the whole marijuana plant is consumed together (including cannabinoids and terpenes), the effect is believed to be more powerful compared to using THC or CBD alone.
• This synergy of cannabinoids and terpenes is known as “The Entourage Effect.”
• When choosing a cannabis strain, pay attention to the terpene profile and the THC and CBD content. This will enable you to select a strain that achieves the effects you’re looking for.
• For example, high-CBD, myrcene-dominant strains may help to reduce anxiety and improve sleep.

Piqued your interest? Keep reading for a more in-depth discussion.

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic hydrocarbons produced in various plant life, including flowers, fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs. They serve several roles throughout the growth cycle of plants, such as defending against herbivores and pests, protecting against cold weather, and attracting pollinators.

Terpenes are composed of a five-carbon skeleton called an isoprene, repeated multiple times to form a terpene. There are over 20,000 terpenes in nature, which are produced in various ways.

Some terpenes are derived from acetate and converted into the terpene isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP). IPP is then converted into the terpene geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP), which can be converted into several terpenes.

Typically, terpenoids are extracted from natural sources without additives or fillers before being sold as isolates or in blends that emulate specific strain profiles. Let’s go over how the legal cannabis industry — along with several others — makes use of these organic compounds to enhance their products.

Utilizing their aromatic properties, The use of cannabis- and botanically-derived terpenes is becoming increasingly common in several products in several markets, not the least of which are the restaurant and skincare industries. For example, terpenes like pinene and limonene produce fresh, pleasing, citrusy aromas that naturally complement everything from facial astringents to premium floor cleaners.

On top of their complementary aroma profiles, pinene and limonene are examples of terpenes that have been shown to increase permeability through the skin, making them no-brainers for infusion into cleansers, moisturizers, and quality solvents for easily damaged flooring or upholstery.

Tapping their therapeutic benefits

Terpenes have been shown to produce various benefits, including reducing inflammation, allegedly slowing the proliferation of cancer cells, and calming anxiety. Some terpenes, like linalool, are also known for their sedative and relaxant effects — making them a good candidate for infusion into cups of tea before bedtime.

Terpenes are responsible for the distinctive aromas and therapeutic effects of several essential oils, including those used for aromatherapy and infusion into cosmetic, beauty, and topical sports medicine products.

The Entourage Effect Between Cannabinoids

The Entourage Effect is a theory proposed by Israeli organic chemists S. Ben Shabat and Raphael Mechoulam, the so-called “godfather of cannabis.” In contemporary science, the Entourage Effect is a term used to describe the processes and interactions wherein cannabinoids produce a more significant effect when working in tandem than any one cannabinoid alone.

The proposed mechanism, known as the Entourage Effect, has been around for a while but is only now being more widely accepted as research into cannabis continues. This theory is supported now by research, which has shown that different cannabis compounds work better together than when used separately. For example,  a study found that the combination of THC and CBD was more effective at reducing pain than either cannabinoid used in isolation.

The Entourage Effect Between Cannabinoids & Terpenes

More recently, research into entourage effects between cannabis compounds has shifted in focus to the synergistic interactions between cannabinoids and terpenes. Let’s look at myrcene as an example: this terpene has been shown to decrease resistance through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which has significant implications on how cannabinoids like CBD are received by the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

CBD and the Endocannabinoid System In brief, the ECS is a network of cannabinoid receptors located throughout the body — even in muscle and fascia. In CBD’s case, the most critical cannabinoid receptors are the CB1 and CB2 receptor groups in the nervous, peripheral, and immune systems. CBD works with these receptors to modulate the body’s sensitivity and response to neurotransmitters and signaling molecules like prostaglandins and cytokines. This, in turn, influences the uptake and throughput of hormones like dopamine and serotonin into the brain, giving CBD an appreciable role in the management of symptoms of anxiety, mood, and sleep disorders.

The synergistic interaction between myrcene and CBD is just one example of the entourage effects between terpenes and cannabinoids in myrcene-dominant, high CBD strains. With time and additional research, consumers within the legal cannabis industry will likely develop a much more thorough understanding of the Entourage Effect, as well as an increased appreciation for the role of terpenes.