In what has been coined as the entourage effect, terpenes and cannabinoids form a synergy that can enhance and increase CBD’s effects.
Terpenes are organic chemical compounds that give all types of plants, fruits, and vegetables their trademark aromas.
These compounds have an impact on both recreational and medicinal marijuana use. They can even affect your experience with CBD oil. While plants throughout the plant kingdom contain terpenes, there are some terpenes exclusive to the cannabis family. Terpenes can steer cannabinoids such as CBD and bolster the overall effect of CBD and other cannabinoids.
The Entourage Effect: Tying it All Together
The entourage effect was initially coined by an Israeli duo, Raphael Mechoulama and S. Ben-Shabat in 1998. The entourage effect describes how the biological synergy of terpenes and other compounds can enhance their individual properties and even lend themselves to a collective set of qualities. The entourage effect is key in understanding why and how terpenes can impact the way CBD, and other cannabinoids, affects us.
Quick Recap: What are Terpenes?
Despite being thrown around as lingo in the cannabis industry with gusto, terpenes are found throughout the plant kingdom- not just the cannabis family. Cannabis plants do, however, contain extraordinarily high amounts of these aromatic compounds.
You know that sweet jasmine smell quintessential to spring? We can thank terpenes for that. Or even the trademark smell of romance, the rose. Terpenes are the active compounds responsible for the smell of flowers and other plants, including the cannabis plant. This is why some cannabis plants have a zesty lemon scent, and others have a strong scent that takes you straight to the gas station.
It comes as no surprise that terpenes can have a dramatic impact on how we experience cannabis and CBD.
How do Terpenes Impact the Endocannabinoid System?
Similarly to cannabinoids, terpenes have a dynamic relationship with the endocannabinoid system. There is, however, one key difference. When teamed up with cannabinoids, terpenes can become like an older, wiser sibling. Terpenes can guide the cannabinoids and ease their assimilation with the body’s bloodstream. This is all part of the entourage effect. One terpene that is quite common for this is the myrcene terpene. Myrcene is a stellar terpene that enhances a cell’s permeability.
This shows how terpenes influence the brain’s neurotransmitters. So, it makes sense that different terpenes, and their combination with different cannabinoids, can create different experiences.
Cannabinoids have their own effects on the body, but terpenes can guide them.
Think of a boat out at sea, the engine will motor the boat forward, but the rudder guides the direction. It’s all good and well taking CBD oil for the effects, but terpenes can steer their effects in the direction you choose. There’s a whole host of different experiences you can have, but without some direction you could end up on a remote beach. If you’re trying to address sleeplessness, taking CBD oil formulated with the right terpenes can actually help you get a good night’s rest. On the other hand, a specific terpene and cannabinoid combination can give you the gusto needed to take on a hard day’s work after a rough night’s sleep.
Whether you are someone that enjoys recreational cannabis or enjoys CBD for its therapeutic benefits, these aromatic compounds play a large role.
Green Revolution’s TLC Standardized Profiles
“Terpenes, Love, Cannabinoids” – A recipe for consistent success.
The standardized profiles help the team at Green Revolution to create specific products that people actually want. Let’s be honest, when we are looking for a wellness product we are trying to take control of our health. With the symbiotic blends of terpenes and cannabinoids, you could do just that. By harnessing the effects of cannabinoids and terpenes, you can take the steering wheel on your experience. The TLC standardized profiles help to fully harness the effects that CBD oil by understanding the science behind terpenes and bringing it to the market in their products.