The Cannabis Terpenes

Summary & key facts

This review explains what terpenes are in cannabis, why they matter, and what we know about where they come from. Terpenes are the main part of cannabis essential oils and give cannabis its smells. The authors say hundreds of terpenes exist, they shape the user experience and market value, and they may work with cannabinoids (an “entourage” idea), though those interactions are still mostly speculative.

Key facts:

• Terpenes are the primary constituents of cannabis essential oils and are responsible for cannabis aroma.
• Hundreds of different terpenes have been identified in cannabis plants.
• The review reports that terpenes contribute to sensory differences between cannabis strains and can influence consumer experience and market price.
• The paper describes that terpenes are produced and stored mainly in trichomes (the small glandular hairs) on cannabis plants.
• The authors note that terpenes may interact with cannabinoids (a proposed “synergy” or “entourage” effect), but say these interactions have been largely speculative over the last few decades.
• The review highlights that terpenes have been reported to enhance some therapeutic effects, especially via aromatherapy, but it treats those claims as topics for study rather than proven clinical facts.

Abstract

Terpenes are the primary constituents of essential oils and are responsible for the aroma characteristics of cannabis. Together with the cannabinoids, terpenes illustrate synergic and/or entourage effect and their interactions have only been speculated in for the last few decades. Hundreds of terpenes are identified that allude to cannabis sensory attributes, contributing largely to the consumer's experiences and market price. They also enhance many therapeutic benefits, especially as aromatherapy. To shed light on the importance of terpenes in the cannabis industry, the purpose of this review is to morphologically describe sources of cannabis terpenes and to explain the biosynthesis and diversity of terpene profiles in different cannabis chemovars.

Topics

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Plant Parasitism and Resistance Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Cannabis Chemistry Organic chemistry Psychiatry Psychology Terpene

Substances

Cannabis

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Depression Anxiety or worry Sadness or low mood