Exploring the role of terpenes in medical cannabis treatments

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis (and many other plants) their distinctive scents and flavours. You can think of them as the building blocks of essential oils, but they do more than just smell great.

Why are terpenes so important to cannabis plants?

Cannabis-derived terpenes act as:

• The first line of defence for the plant against insects and other pests.
• A natural way to protect cannabis from fungus, bacteria, and other environmental threats.

Cannabis terpenes also:

• Help to attract pollinators, ensuring the continuation of the plant's species.
• Offer their own potential health benefits, adding to the overall therapeutic qualities of cannabis-based medicines.

Which terpenes are commonly found in medical cannabis?

There are over 20,000 terpenes produced by Earth's flora, with the Cannabis sativa L. genus offering up about 400 of them. Some terpenes are found in most medical cannabis strains, while others are a little rarer. Some interact directly with the endocannabinoid system receptors, while others boost the effects of cannabinoids like CBD and THC.

The most commonly found terpenes in medical cannabis are:

• Myrcene
• Beta-caryophyllene
• Linalool
• Limonene
• Alpha-pinene
• Humulene

Each of these cannabis terpenes has its own set of potential properties and benefits, which we will dive into properly in our upcoming terpene blog series!

For now, just know that different medical cannabis products will contain differing levels and combinations of terpenes, all of which can impact your experience differently. Your prescribing specialist can explain the terpene profile of your prescribed cannabis-based medicine and how it may affect you.

Medical cannabis, terpenes, and the entourage effect

Earlier in our "New Patient" series, we explained the therapeutic importance of cannabinoids (THC and CBD), but the role that cannabis terpenes play shouldn't be overlooked.

The "entourage effect" is a widely accepted theory that states that the various chemical compounds produced by cannabis plants, including terpenes, work synergistically to produce a more significant range of therapeutic effects than any one compound can achieve on its own.

In other words, the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes is what may make medical cannabis an effective complementary treatment option for such a wide range of health concerns and conditions.

Final thoughts on cannabis terpenes and their effects

Research into the therapeutic role that terpenes play in medical cannabis treatment is still ongoing, and we cannot claim to have a complete understanding of their effects just yet, but the results so far are pretty conclusive. 

Right now, we can confidently say that terpenes are essential to the overall medical cannabis picture, and their potential should not be overlooked.

Over the next few weeks, we will be delving more deeply into each of the more common terpenes produced by medical cannabis and what they might mean for you as a patient. Keep an eye on our blog - and check out our free, quick, and easy eligibility checker to see if medical cannabis might be an option for you.