If a product is meant to provide metabolism support, consumers will quickly move on if it doesn’t deliver results. That’s why many manufacturers are turning to terpenes. Read on and discover how terpenes help provide metabolism support. 

From supplements to aromatherapy, there’s a big market for products that help consumers suppress or enhance appetite, aid digestion, or even boost thermogenesis. Whatever the reason, if a product doesn’t provide the results consumers are looking for, they’ll quickly move on. That’s why many manufacturers are now turning to terpenes.

Many of the traditional ingredients used to boost energy and support metabolism have unwanted side effects. Well, terpenes not only provide metabolism support in several ways, but they also don’t come with the negative effects those previous ingredients are known for (increased heart rate, nausea, anxiety, etc.). Plus, they infuse products with phenomenal scent and flavor without adding sugar or calories. 

Read on and discover exactly how terpenes provide metabolism support and which terpenes you’ll want to keep an eye on for your products. 

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Can Terpenes Provide Metabolism Support?

If you’re running short on time, here are the highlights...

• When we inhale, ingest, or absorb terpenes, they interact with brain receptors to promote different effects. 
• When we say terpenes help provide “metabolism support” we don’t mean they’ll cure genetic metabolic issues. However, terpenes CAN provide effects that may help support a healthy metabolism.
• Studies have indicated that Limonene has the potential to lower blood pressure and blood sugar while decreasing bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol. 
• Humulene, also known as alpha-caryophyllene, may reduce appetite in the same way that a certain cannabinoid does. THCv, a CB1 and CB2 antagonist, reduces the “reward” neurotransmitters our brains release when eating certain foods.
• Camphene may improve heart health. In addition, it may be an effective alternative to traditional lipid-lowering medications.
• A wide variety of products can benefit from terpenes that support metabolism health. Things like supplements, beverages, and aromatherapy are just the tip of the iceberg. 
• While these terpene isolates are powerful, their effects can be enhanced when strategically combined in terpene blends. 

How Do Terpenes Affect Us?

Terpenes are the organic hydrocarbons present in most plants that determine their unique aroma and flavor. However, they do more than just help lemons taste zesty or help roses smell sweet. Terpenes help plants attract pollinators, deter predators, and they’re one of the main reasons certain plants have the benefits we know and love. 

Does the scent of fresh lavender help you fall asleep? Thank terpenes. Do you need a citrusy glass of orange juice in the morning to help you wake up? Well, part of that energizing effect comes from terpenes too. Without realizing it, we’ve been interacting with terpenes for thousands of years. But now that we know about it, we can study how they influence us, what specific effects they have, and how best to use terpenes to boost product effectiveness.

When we inhale, ingest, or absorb terpenes, they interact with specific brain receptors to promote different effects. Some even influence different parts of your brain and nervous system at the same time, which is why some terpenes have such a long list of effects. On top of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and even anxiolytic effects, some terpenes can make us feel focused, energized, and more. The unique ability terpenes have to influence our mental and physical wellness is, quite frankly, freaking exciting.

Depending on a person’s unique physiology, they may experience certain effects more powerfully than others. That’s why certain plants may energize or calm you but perhaps have no effect on your buddy. But what about metabolism support? 

Which Terpenes Provide Metabolism Support?

Metabolism is the process your body uses to convert food and drink into energy. Even when you’re not participating in rigorous exercise, your body needs energy to circulate blood, repair cells, and breathe. This is known as a basal metabolic rate, and a particularly fast or slow basal metabolic rate can influence even these simple tasks. 

For example, when you don’t consume enough calories you may experience dizziness, shaking, and you may even feel faint. That’s because your body literally doesn’t have enough energy to keep you functioning properly. Conversely, eating too many calories can make you feel sluggish and fatigued. Admittedly, this brings up an important point. While some individuals are genetically predisposed to certain metabolic speeds, lifestyle plays a significant role as well. 

Someone with a family history of diabetes might naturally have a slower metabolism. However, proper nutrition and exercise might mean they’ll never have to worry about diabetes. So, when we say that terpenes can help provide “metabolism support” we don’t mean they’ll cure genetic metabolic issues. However, terpenes CAN provide the following effects that help support a healthy metabolism…

• Enhanced Energy and Motivation
• Suppress/Enhance Appetite
• Elevate Mood
• Improved Metabolic Enzyme Levels
• Cholesterol Support

If you’re anxious to know which terpenes will help provide those effects, we don’t blame you. Here are a few of our favorite metabolism-supporting terpenes.

Limonene May Help Relieve Issues Associated With Metabolic Disorders

Found in fruits like lemons, oranges, and limes, it should come as no surprise that this terpene has a bright citrus scent. Not only is limonene a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, but there’s also research indicating it may be able to relieve some issues associated with metabolic disorders.

Those with metabolic disorders (diabetes, heart disease, stroke, etc.) are at higher risk for things like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. However, Limonene may be able to provide relief for some of these issues. 

In one study, mice were fed a diet high in fat, and then their blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol were measured. After administering D-Limonene, these same items were measured again. Blood pressure and blood sugar levels had both decreased, LDL cholesterol was reduced, and HDL cholesterol had actually increased. 

In addition, Limonene also has appetite suppressant and mood-elevating properties. Just the idea of all those benefits is enough to lift anyone’s mood, but limonene really does have anti-stress properties. We don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty great to us. 

Humulene May Suppress Appetite and Aid Weight Loss

Also known as alpha-caryophyllene, this terpene is found in plants like hops, sage, and ginseng. What’s even more exciting than its contribution to the taste of hoppy beers, is its ability to suppress appetite. 

While humulene itself is not a cannabinoid, the medical cannabis community believes humulene functions similarly to a cannabinoid known as THCv (tetrahydrocannabivarin). This cannabinoid is a CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonist that limits the “reward” neurotransmitters our brains release when we eat certain foods. That being said, it’s not surprising that cannabis strains with high amounts of THCv and/or humulene don’t tend to come with the stereotypical “munchies.” 

If you’re looking for terpene blends with particularly potent appetite-suppressing powers, definitely check out GG4 and Super Lemon Haze.

Camphene May Improve Heart Health

Found in pine, cumin, and hops, camphene has a strong camphor-like odor. Aside from its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, this terpene has big potential when it comes to controlling and reducing issues associated with cardiovascular diseases. 

Weight gain, which can be caused by a slow metabolism, can lead to the accumulation of lipids and bad cholesterol inside blood vessels of the heart. However, sometimes people are genetically predisposed to these cardiovascular issues. Whatever the case, research indicates that camphene may be able to help in these areas.  This is good news because improved heart health makes it significantly easier to exercise, lose weight, and maintain a lifestyle that provides metabolism support. 

The hypolipidemic effect of camphene was researched in a 2011 study using rats. In the study, the rats that were given a camphene-dense essential oil showed “a dose-dependent reduction in the constitutive synthesis of serum cholesterol and triglycerides.” This is phenomenal news for those avoiding lipid-lowering medications, like statins, due to their unwanted side-effects. 

Terpene Blends Can Maximize Metabolism Support For Many Products

While you can absolutely add an isolate to your products, your customers will benefit even more from a carefully designed blend of terpenes. We’re happy to partner with brands and curate unique blends, but we also have a wide selection of familiar scents and flavors that will do the trick.

GSC has high amounts of both Limonene and Humulene. Plus, its scent is sweet, earthy, floral, and bound to please a variety of palates. For something a bit more herbal and pungent, Chemdawg also has a powerful combination of metabolism-supporting terpenes. Plus, while many of our blends are created by studying the terpene profiles of different cannabis strains, they’re cannabis-free and 100% legal. That way, both cannabis consumers and non-cannabis consumers can enjoy and benefit from these blends.

Boost Product Effectiveness With Terpenes To Please Consumers

Traditionally, consumers may have automatically reached for capsule supplements to provide metabolism support. Today, however, consumers are looking for alternative ways to meet their wellness needs. 

Sometimes those needs are met via vapes, beverages, edibles, candles, and even skincare products. That means you have an opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind product that solves consumer issues in unique ways. We believe terpenes are one of the best ways to provide those solutions.