Terpenes in CBD: what are they used for?

Our complete guide on terpene effects

It's often talked about, but few people really know what it is: what are terpenes in CBD used for? Long reduced to the smell they give to plants, these molecules are massively present in the hemp plant and are attracting increasing interest among scientists. And that's good, because terpenes are one of the keys to understanding the effects of CBD... let’s review it together.

What are terpenes?

Definition

Terpenes are molecules produced by many plants. Yes, it's that simple! They are responsible for the characteristic smells and flavors of the plants that produce them, which is why aromatic plants such as thyme or rosemary often have a high terpene potential.
This is why terpenes are present in many cosmetics, essential oils and household products.
But these smells and flavors are there for a reason. Terpenes are notably present to help plants defend themselves against their environment. They can therefore release a repulsive scent to keep pests away, or on the contrary, enticing scents to promote pollination, as well as regulating their humidity level to protect them from the climate.

What do terpenes have to do with CBD?

But in reality, one of the favorite playgrounds of terpenes is the hemp plant! Hemp is indeed one of the plants with one of the largest combinations of terpenes: there are nearly one hundred different ones!
Just like aromatic herbs, it is the terpenes which give to the flowers of CBD their lemony, earthy or mentholated tastes.
And each flower has a unique flavor because the quantity and the type of terpenes produced by a plant will depend on various factors: the type of variety, of course, but also parameters like the age, the climate, the ground or the possible fertilizers used. Moreover, each variety of CBD has its unique combination of terpenes, present at different levels of concentration.
But once again, reducing terpenes to their aromas is like judging a series only by its opening credits...
Terpenes are actually produced by the same glands that secrete the well-known THC and CBD molecules. Yet, it's only been a few years since researchers have been interested in the benefits of terpenes in CBD. In fact, terpenes play an important role in the effects of each variety of cannabis.

What do terpenes do?

How terpenes improve CBD effects

Within the hemp plant, each component behaves differently depending on the components they are associated with, in the same way that our mood can change depending on the people we spend time with. And terpenes are no exception: depending on the variety of the plant, certain terpenes will reinforce or attenuate the effects of other components.
This is called the entourage effect, which we had already talked about in our article on the different ways to take CBD.
Neurologist and psychopharmacologist, Dr. Ethan Russo has been particularly interested in the entourage effect and how terpenes work together to attenuate the effects of THC while intensifying its benefits. A mechanism that is particularly effective in treating a variety of mental and psychological illnesses such as depression, anxiety, addictions, and even many pains and inflammations.
At Cakespace, this entourage effect is at the heart of our thinking to provide you with products with the best possible effects, just like our broad spectrum CBD oils, or that we have focused our vapes and drinks ranges on terpenes and their effects.

Does CBD with terpenes get you high?

What differentiates terpenes from cannabinoïds.

Although they are secreted by the same glands, terpenes are quite different from cannabinoids (CBD, THC, CBG, etc.) because they do not affect the body in the same way. While cannabinoids bind directly to cannabinoid receptors in the body to produce effects, most terpenes interact with other receptors.
Moreover, contrary to THC, CBD with terpenes do not get high at all: they have no psychoactive effect, but act subtly to influence the effect of cannabinoids in a different way according to the type of terpene and the environment. For example, where limonene will have stimulating effects, myrcene will bring a more relaxing effect.
As you can see, the terpenes contained in CBD have a huge potential to produce a wide variety of effects. But concretely, what are the different types of terpenes and what effects do they have? We’re showing you around.

Our top 6 terpenes associated with CBD and their effects

Myrcene

Favorite plants: Best known terpene in cannabis, Myrcene is also found in hops, mango, thyme and lemongrass.
Aroma: Often compared to cloves, myrcene brings an earthy, musky taste, with notes of grape and spice to plants.
Effects: myrcene is particularly known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic action. It helps cannabinoids to cross the blood-brain barrier more easily and bind to receptors in the endocannabinoid system to induce analgesic responses.
It is also believed to have anti-bacterial and even anti-tumor properties.
At Cakespace: You can enjoy the benefits of myrcene in Cannatonic or in our Beach range, which produces an even more powerful soothing effect thanks to its work with CBG.

Limonene

Favorite plants: It is mainly found in citrus fruits, as well as in plants such as peppermint or rosemary.
Aroma: it is the limonene which brings the characteristic taste of citrus fruit of many flowers of CBD.
Effects: this terpene acts in particular on mood and anxiety, but would also increase attention and concentration.
Easily assimilated by the body, limonene penetrates quickly into the blood and facilitates the absorption of other terpenes.
At Cakespace: You can find the stimulating effects of limonene in our Super Lemonhaze, as well as in all our oils, electronic cigarettes and CBD drinks!

Pinene

Favorite plants: This terpene is mainly present in conifers such as fir, pine, yew, etc., as well as in aromatic plants such as sage and rosemary.
Aroma: Overrepresented in conifers, pinene has the same woody and fresh smell as a walk in the forest.
Effects: Pinene is especially known for its soothing action on anxiety, but also on breathing. It protects the lungs from certain infections, fluidifies the evacuation of fluids by the respiratory tract, and helps to breathe better.
With its bronchodilator action, this terpene facilitates the assimilation of CBD by the lungs, it is thus ideal to consume in vaporization!
At Cakespace: Also present in Cannatonic, pinene is the star of our Focus range, where its effects on breathing combine with the boosting properties of CBG and the action of lion’s mane and bacopa on cognitive functions and memory to make it a formidable productivity weapon!

Linalool

Favorite plants: This terpene is particularly known to give lavender its characteristic smell. It is also present in mint and laurel.
Aroma: Linalool gives a floral and delicate scent to the plants that produce it, which is why it is used in many household and cosmetic products.
Effects: we often talk about this grandmother's trick which consists in placing a bit of lavender under the pillow... the explanation is simple: very relaxing, the linalool is famous for its effects on sleep.
Soothing, it also acts on emotional disorders, anxiety, and is even used for healing in cosmetics.
At Cakespace: You can enjoy the relaxing and anti-insomnia effects of our Cosmic Haze. It is also present in the Feel range, where it combines with the aphrodisiac virtues of ginger and red ginseng to fully experience your sensuality.

Terpinolene

Favorite plants: This terpene can be found in plants such as pine, tea tree, cumin and even apples! Although it is only produced in very small quantities by plants, terpinolene is very powerful.
Aroma: like pinene, terpinolene is recognizable by its pine and forest smell.
Effects : Terpinolene is generally recommended for anxiety and depression. But it is also credited with antibacterial and antifungal properties, and even a role in reducing cancer cells.
At Cakespace: Want to experience the relaxing virtues of terpinolene? You can test our Joker Kush, which improves the mood while relieving stress, but also the products of the Relax range, where terpinolene comes to add to the action of CBN and plants like passion flower and chamomile for an even more intense relaxation...

Camphene

Favorite plants: Camphene is notably present in nutmeg, ginger, valerian and cypress.
Aroma: Although it is often present in small quantities, camphene has a smell of its own. Earthy and with hints of pine, it brings a refreshing and soothing touch to any blend.
Effects: Camphene effectively soothes pain through an analgesic action, but it also has significant potential as an antioxidant and antibiotic.
At Cakespace: In our Fresh line, camphene enhances the bronchodilator (breathing aid) effects of peppermint and eucalyptus with its refreshing scent and soothing properties, which also complement those of CBN.

You'll understand, without terpenes, cannabis wouldn't have the same flavor nor its effects ... and the best part is that we haven't finished discovering their benefits! In the meantime, don't hesitate to share this article on social networks, to join us on our instagram page, and to look at our other articles for more CBD-related content!
Cake it easy,
Cakespace Team