Want to give your products phenomenal flavors and a focus-boosting kick? Keep reading and discover why terpenes are the taste and focus-enhancing ingredients you’ve been searching for.

Reading Time - 7 min

Whether someone is reaching for a coffee or caffeinated gum, they’re probably hoping for two things--delicious flavor and a focus-boosting kick. Today, the range of products that can provide those features is broader than ever. You name it, there’s a wide variety of beverages, edibles, vapes, and even aromatherapy. So, how are you supposed to make your products stand out?

In the high-energy world of focus-enhancement, terpenes will elevate the flavor and effects of your products. If customers are expecting an energizing, uplifting experience with great flavor, terpenes are the way to go. These functional ingredients let you create unique flavors, aromas, and effects that will make your products the preferred pick-me-up for customers. 

In fact, there are several terpenes known for their energizing, focus-enhancing properties. Keep reading to find out how your brand can take advantage of these functional flavors.

What Are the Best Terpenes for Enhancing Focus?

For those of you who are running a mile a minute, here’s the breakdown of what we’re covering today:

• When customers are looking for focus enhancing products, they’re looking for a boost in cognitive function. That means concentration, energy, and recall.
• By inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, pinene promotes temporary feelings of alertness and memory aid.
• Several studies indicate that limonene is able to temporarily increase energy and elevate mood by increasing serotonin and influencing receptors that trigger the release of dopamine.
• Beta-caryophyllene may help your brain function more efficiently by boosting oxygen and reducing neuroinflammation.
• All kinds of products can benefit from focus-enhancing terpenes. Seriously, everything from beverages and candies to vapes and topicals. 

What is Focus?

First, it’s important to understand what we mean by “focus.” Do we simply mean “energy?” Not exactly.

The ability to selectively concentrate on something while ignoring distractions is what’s generally thought of us “focus.” It may involve intense concentration, and being able to concentrate on and perform tasks that might otherwise be easy to get distracted from. If that’s the case, then “energy” is only one part of the equation. You also need to actually boost cognitive function.

Some products are packed with caffeine, which is the go-to for many customers seeking a boost in cognitive function. Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. While it definitely does give people a boost in cognitive function and alertness, it also comes with a long list of drawbacks when taken in excess.

So, how are you supposed to get that perfect kick of focus and energy without the crash? 

Terpenes!

The Best Terpenes for Enhancing Focus

Each terpene has a different mechanism for boosting memory, cognitive function, and/or energy. The real art is when you take different isolates and blend them together to create a multi-faceted experience that enhances focus in several ways. So, while specific isolates can be great on their own, blends can offer an entirely different experience and a massive variety of flavor. 

Pinene May Help Boost Memory

This terpene is, no surprise, commonly found in pine and other conifer trees. Its flavor is woody, herbal, and turpentine-like, so the flavor alone is one that will give you a slight pick-me-up. Its true power, however, comes from the way it interacts with your brain.

The British Journal of Pharmacology says this particular terpene is able to inhibit acetylcholinesterase. When this happens, the molecules that transmit information get extra protection. That’s why many cannabis users report more feelings of alertness and creativity when they consume pinene-heavy strains. 

                 Alpha-Pinene                                Blueberry Cookies

Terpene blends like Blueberry Cookies and Blue Dream are often the go-to for anyone looking for a smooth hit of focus and creativity. Both have high amounts of Pinene along with other terpenes that enhance focus and flavor.

Limonene May Boost Energy and Elevate Mood

Commonly found in lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges, this citrusy terpene is known for its vibrant scent and effects. Studies from Altern Med Review have shown promising results indicating that limonene can temporarily elevate mood, relieve stress, and support increased energy levels. It functions much the same way that pinene does, by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase.

A separate study indicated that limonene was able to increase serotonin, and modulate adenosine receptors which in turn triggers dopamine to be released. In case you weren’t aware, those are some of the most powerful “happy” chemicals. 

               Limonene                                               Mimosa

Blends like Mimosa are loved for their euphoric, get-up-and-go effect which is due, in part, to its limonene content. The strain that this blend mimics is a favorite for anyone wanting a clear-headed, creative lift with laser-like focus. 

Luckily, you can enjoy the terpene blend of that particular strain without having to use cannabis at all. However, if that’s not an issue, taking advantage of the mimosa terpenes will give your cannabis products a mouthwatering flavor and an unforgettable experience.

Beta-Caryophyllene May Boost Oxygen in the Brain

Commonly found in spices like black pepper, cloves, and black caraway, it’s no surprise that this terpenes aroma is spicy and woody. When it comes to focus, it’s thought that beta-caryophyllene helps improve cognition by reducing neuroinflammation and boosting antioxidants. 

It’s able to activate a special pathway (NRF2) and boost glutathione levels that protect against glutamate-induced oxidative stress. That’s a really fancy way of saying that too much glutamate can continually activate certain receptors which leads to fatigue. By boosting glutathione (an antioxidant), beta-caryophyllene basically helps your receptors function more efficiently. 

       Beta-Caryophyllene                               Green Kush #2

For a taste of the memory-boosting, energy-enhancing qualities of Beta-Caryophyllene, look no further than Green Kush #2. The strain from which this blend hails is known as the Red Bull of cannabis. Its flavor is reminiscent of freshly cut grass and herbs that make for an energizing effect for both the body and the mind. This would be an excellent addition to cannabis and non-cannabis vapes alike that are designed to give users an elevated mindset and a fresh start to their day.

What Products Can Benefit From Focus-Boosting Terpenes?

Honestly, any product that’s meant to give customers a jolt of energy and concentration can benefit from these terpenes. Here are just a few:

Energy/Sports Beverages

This one should be a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating. Using terpenes in energy drinks is a great way to flavor them without adding calories or sugar, not to mention the added focus-enhancing effects. 

Coffee/Tea Drinks

While they’re not as high-impact as energy drinks, when a customer reaches for a tea or coffee-flavored beverage, they still expect a bit of a pick-me-up. Terpenes are a great way to add that boost without resorting to excess caffeine.

Edibles

This is honestly a huge umbrella term for anything that you can eat. That could mean gum, chocolate, lollipops, gummy bears--you name it! They may not be the traditional go-to for customers, but more and more people are looking for alternative ways to get that morning kick.

Vapes

Regardless of whether your vape product includes tobacco, THC, CBD, or even none of these, having a great flavor is necessary. Plus, vaping is all about the experience. If a customer notices a particular vape makes them feel energized and focused, it’s not a product they’ll forget any time soon.

Topicals

For a lot of people, waking up and jumping in the shower is the first step in their wake-up process. So, an invigorating and energizing shower gel or face wash that helps perk them up is necessary. Not only will terpenes make these effects more powerful, but they’ll also infuse them with phenomenal scents.

Give Your Products a Focus-Enhancing Boost Today

When it comes to your products, you can’t afford to sleep on terpenes. These functional flavors will boost the effectiveness of your products and add phenomenal flavor. The focus-enhancing world can be overwhelming for customers, so make their decisions easier by creating products that stand out in taste and effectiveness. If you’re interested in partnering with us, or if you just have a few questions, feel free to contact us today to get started.

We hope this gave you some great ideas for how to use focus-enhancing terpenes in your products! Let us know how your terpene adventures go by tagging us the next time you experiment with any of our terpenes.