Why Add Hemp-Derived Terpenes to Distillate?
Hemp-derived terpenes are the next big trend in terpene-infused distillate. It’s not news that distillate is perfect for dabs, carts,...
Whether or not you’re a cannabis consumer, your body has most likely already been affected by terpenes. Has lavender ever made you sleepy? Does citrusy orange juice help wake you up? A big part of those effects come from terpenes! Admittedly, cannabis consumers are probably well aware that different terpenes make you feel differently—but HOW do terpenes affect your body?
We know that myrcene has sedative properties, but HOW does it make people feel calm and relaxed? Products with hefty doses of beta-caryophyllene likely have analgesic properties, but HOW does that isolate help relieve pain?
Read on and discover how terpenes make your body feel experience various effects.
Reading Time - 10 min
Since there’s a LOT of information we’ll be covering, here are some of the different topics you can expect to find. Feel free to skip around or to slowly savor each new piece of information at your own pace.
You’re not alone if you’re wondering what are terpenes and why do they matter. If you’ve ever used essential oils, then you’ve ALMOST used terpenes. Essential oils are extracted from plants and, for quite some time, were considered the “essence” of a plant. However, plants actually contain several different terpenes. So an essential oil will contain several different terpenes too.
In the most basic sense, terpenes are organic hydrocarbons. It helps to think of them as the building blocks of scent and flavor. Terpenes are why roses smell like roses, why pine trees smell like pine trees, and why cannabis smells like…ok, you get the picture. While botanical and cannabis terpenes are essentially the same, those that are extracted from cannabis are called cannabis terpenes while terpenes extracted from other plants are referred to as botanical terpenes. It’s important to remember, however, that terpenes can’t get you high. While they may make you feel good, only psychoactive cannabinoids can get you high.
So, why might you want to extract terpenes from plants? What are terpenes used for? Mainly, to infuse products with flavor, aroma, and even effects. But why not just use the plants themselves?
First, it’s important to know that terpenes are sensitive. Yes, you can use actual plant matter to infuse your products with flavor and aroma. However, things like soil quality, weather patterns, and even farming practices can influence how certain terpenes are expressed. So getting consistent terpene profiles from plants is tricky.
Second, things like heat and rough handling can damage and/or destroy terpenes. So, the manufacturing process can have a negative impact on terpenes. That’s why extracting terpenes and adding them back into products later is so useful! With expertly extracted terpenes, manufacturers can create terpene-infused:
Perhaps the most exciting part about infusing products with terpenes is that they promote various effects as well.
You might have heard someone say that certain terpenes are uplifting, relaxing, or that they even enhance focus. But HOW do terpenes have these effects on us? Remember when we said that terpenes are hydrocarbons? Let’s start there.
Terpenes are made up of isoprene molecules each containing five carbon atoms with double bonds. Monoterpenes simply have two isoprene molecules, sesquiterpenes have three, etc. Depending on their structure, some are cyclic while others are acyclic.
In nature, these chemicals are used by plants to repel dangerous animals while attracting beneficial ones (like bees for flower pollination). When WE interact with these plants (or when we consume products with added terpenes), any terpenes interact with US too.
Originally, it was believed that terpenes influenced our moods because our sense of smell is tied to parts of our brains that also control emotion. While that makes a lot of sense, the mechanisms involved are a bit more complicated than that.
So, how exactly do terpenes affect your body? Different terpenes interact with specific brain receptors to have different effects. Some terpenes even affect multiple parts of your brain and nervous system at the same time. That’s why some terpenes have such a long list of effects. Plus, since everyone is slightly different, certain effects might be more pronounced in some people.
Some common terpene effects include:
Complex combinations of terpene isolates (called terpene profiles or blends) help promote more specific experiences. That’s why certain cannabis strains make you want to clean your whole house, while others make you want to drool on the couch. It all depends on the various terpenes present in the terpene profile.
So, how do terpenes accomplish specific effects?
Each terpene isolate has its own unique mechanism for potentially reducing inflammation, but here are a few examples:
READ NEXT→ Create Anti-Inflammatory Products Using These Terpenes
It can be tricky to determine the exact mechanism behind pain relief. Sometimes, reducing inflammation can reduce pain, and sometimes being less stressed can make you less sensitive to pain. However, some terpenes really can act as analgesics to reduce pain in several ways:
READ NEXT → The Five Best Terpenes for Pain Relief
There’s a long history of humans relying on plants for their calming and relaxing properties. Lavender, in particular, has been used for thousands of years to reduce stress and promote a sense of wellbeing. Turns out, a big part of those effects are from isolates like Linalool! But how exactly do terpenes reduce anxiety:
READ NEXT → Best Terpenes for Anxiety
While it might be difficult to determine the exact reason why someone might be having trouble sleeping, it’s fairly easy to know when you’ve had a bad night’s rest. Perhaps you had trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or perhaps you regularly wake up feeling exhausted.
Luckily, certain terpenes have powerful sedative effects that promote sleep. Myrcene, in particular, is believed to be behind the sedative effects of certain Indica strains.
Today, reaching for a cup of coffee is common for anyone looking to increase their energy. But does that mean someone will also become more focused? Not necessarily! However, certain terpenes DO have mechanisms that may allow them to promote focus:
The concept of creativity may evoke images of artists and performers, but it’s so much more than that. Creativity helps us look at the world in novel ways, see patterns and connections, and come up with solutions when problems seem insurmountable.
While some people tap into creativity more easily than others, now terpenes may help promote creativity for everyone. Admittedly, creativity is a complex phenomenon that requires several isolates working together. It’s the combination of energy, focus, and relaxation that allows creative ideas to flow. For example, here’s a blend that’s been said to promote creativity.
READ NEXT → 5 Best Terpene Blends to Promote Creativity
We hope this inspired you to keep learning about terpenes and to start working on your own products too! If you’re ready to get creative and start concocting your own terpene infused products, be sure to check out our different isolates and premium blends. And, of course, if you’re interested in creating cannabis products with terpenes, be sure to check out the blends for our Native Series.
We’re genuinely fascinated by terpenes and enjoy being at the forefront of terpene science. Be sure to follow us for all the latest updates and feel free to tag us in all your Abstrax Terpene adventures!
__________
Are you craving more info on terpenes? Keep learning with some of these other Abstrax articles!
The Ultimate Guide to Terpenes and Cannabis
Terpene Extracts and Their Sensory Experiences
What is Forest Bathing and How Does it Involve Terpenes?
What is Camphor Oil and What is Camphor Oil Used For?
What Is Alpha-Pinene and What Are The Effects of The Pinene Terpenes?
Boost Your Immune System with Vitamin C and Citrus Terpenes
Top 9 Antibacterial Terpenes and How to Use Them
Enjoying the Fresh Mountain Air? Thank Terpenes
Discover Which Terpenes Enhance Sensual Awareness
Enjoying the Soothing Effects of Your Isolate? Thank Bisabolol
Is Your Brand Using These 5 Alpha-Phellandrene Benefits?
What is Geraniol? 9 Powerful Uses and Benefits of This Potent Terpene
7 Powerful D-Limonene Health Benefits You’re Not Getting (But Should!)
What is Myrcene and What Are Its Benefits? / Updated 2020
7 Powerful Beta-Caryophyllene Benefits You SHOULD Be Getting | Updated 2021
2020 Update: 6 Amazing Linalool Benefits You Need to Know About