Terpenes vs. THC: Why the Terpene Profile Matters When You Buy Weed

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give each cannabis strain its smell and flavor, and they may also shape how a strain feels. That's why a lot of seasoned smokers check the terpene profile, not just the THC percentage, before buying. Cannabinoid, indica and sativa get all the attention, but terpenes are the word worth learning next.

So what are terpenes, exactly? Why do plants make them? And how much should the terpene types and concentrations on a label matter when you're picking a product? Here's what you need to know.

What are terpenes? A quick definition

Terpenes are natural chemical compounds found in plants and some animals. They're behind the aromas, flavors and even some of the colors of all kinds of vegetation. In cannabis terms, terpenes are what make one strain smell or taste different from another.

They can also be processed into everyday products like cleaning solvents, pesticides and dyes. Some even have therapeutic properties.

Almost every plant contains terpenes, but some of the most common sources include:

• Cannabis

• Aromatic herbs like sage and thyme

• Citrus fruits

What do terpenes do in plants and in people?

Terpenes are thought to protect plants from harsh weather and from predators. What they do in humans is still largely a mystery. But researchers and cannabis consumers alike are increasingly using terpenes as a way to sort cannabis products and predict their effects.

The leading hypothesis is that a strain's terpene profile (its dominant terpenes) works together with its cannabinoid content (how much tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids it has) to produce the effects people associate with different strains.

For example, terpenes could explain why two strains with the same THC level can feel so different.

Terpenes won't get you high in the traditional sense. Even so, some are considered psychoactive because they act on the brain.

Terpenes aren't intoxicating on their own, but some people believe they can change how THC hits, THC being the cannabinoid responsible for the euphoric side of the high.

Plenty of cannabis connoisseurs say consumers put way too much weight on THC content when choosing a strain. Instead, they recommend paying more attention to specific terpene profiles to get the effects you're after.

Some research, for instance, suggests that certain terpenes might have potential benefits for some mental health conditions, like anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.

THC and CBD are just two of the more than 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis, but they're the most abundant and the best studied.

Cannabinoids and terpenes can both give you clues about what to expect from a cannabis product, but they're two different kinds of compounds.

That said, they all seem to interact with each other in what experts call the "entourage effect." That's the hypothesis that cannabis's "full spectrum," including all the cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds in the plant, works synergistically to produce the sensations and effects of cannabis.

In other words, the idea is that a little of everything may do more for you than a lot of just one thing.

One 2010 study, for example, found that a combination of CBD and THC was more effective at managing pain than THC alone.

This is worth keeping in mind if you use CBD for therapeutic reasons. If you've tried a CBD isolate (a product that contains only CBD) and it didn't do what you hoped, it might be worth trying a full-spectrum CBD product, which also contains terpenes and other cannabinoids, including small amounts of THC.

There are around 400 known terpenes in cannabis, but experts have only linked a handful of them to specific effects.

The main cannabis terpenes and their potential effects

Caryophyllene:

When people say caryophyllene, they're usually talking about a mix of three compounds: alpha-caryophyllene, beta-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide. Caryophyllene oxide is the compound drug-sniffing police dogs are trained to detect, and it's one of the most common compounds in the plant. These terpenes also show up in hops, cloves and black pepper, among others. Because it's less volatile than most terpenes, it's the one you'll find in the highest proportion in extracts and concentrates. Lab and early research points to antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and possible antitumor activity, though none of that is proven in people yet.

Beta-caryophyllene

Also known as BCP, this terpene is found in a wide range of essential oils and binds mainly to the CB2 cannabinoid receptors, which is why it's sometimes called a cannabimimetic compound. Why? Because the CB2 receptor responds to it the same way it responds to cannabinoids. Researchers are studying whether this terpene has pain-relieving effects and could help with inflammation or neuropathic pain.

Pinene:

Pinene is the name for two bicyclic monoterpene isomers: alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. It's mainly found in pine trees and other conifers, and it's one of the most widespread terpenes in nature. It's thought to act as a bronchodilator (it opens up the airways), which may help the lungs absorb cannabinoids. Its most-cited potential effects are antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilating.

Humulene:

Named after hops (Humulus lupulus), where it's abundant, this terpene also turns up in ginseng, which folk medicine has long used for its energizing effects.

Limonene:

Limonene is found mostly in the peel of lemons and other citrus fruits. Beyond its own potential effects, it's thought to help other terpenes absorb and to boost what they do. Some lab and animal studies suggest it activates the GST detox enzyme system in the liver and gut, which could help counter carcinogens. Its most-studied potential properties are antibacterial, antifungal (selectively against Aspergillus), antidepressant, anti-anxiety and bronchodilating.

Linalool:

If you're into lavender for aromatherapy, look for cannabis with linalool, which may help take the edge off stress.

Myrcene:

Myrcene (or beta-myrcene) is one of the most abundant terpenes in nature. It's found in hops, thyme and myrcia, among other plants. It's known for a sedating effect, which is why people reach for it to fall asleep. In cannabis it shows up mostly in indica varieties, where it's often said to amplify the psychoactive effect of THC. Its most-cited potential benefits: sedative, sleep-promoting, muscle relaxant, pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antitumor and antispasmodic, most of them still backed only by early research.

Keep in mind that much of the research on terpenes is still in its early stages. We need more high-quality human studies to fully understand how different terpene profiles affect health.

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