If you’ve been reading about cannabis over the past few years, you may have come across the rising popularity of terpenes. Let’s get to know about them and their reported benefits in this blog.
Despite the fact that marijuana has been known to humankind for a number of centuries, there is still a significant lack of clarity about its safety & effectiveness as a medicine. So let’s get an overview of its uses, medicinal properties, and associated risks in this blog.
What are Terpenes?
‘Terpenes’ is an umbrella term that classifies a wide range of secondary chemical compounds (very small molecules) produced by cannabis and almost all other plants on planet earth.
They have become a burning topic in cannabis markets in legal US states due to their potential significant positive effects.
Medical Effects of Terpenes
Centuries of herbal medicine have helped us identify and understand the medical effects of terpenes. Herbal medicine has unknowingly used the effects of naturally present terpenes in essential oils of plants to cure common symptoms of diseases.
Today, we are aware of various terpenes with proven positive impact against issues like inflammation, nausea, pain, sleep disorders, seizures, cancer cell growth, asthma, etc.
However, significant research is still required to get a clear idea of how each terpene interacts with the human body and various disease states.
Moreover, there are a very large number of terpenes present in cannabis (we are only aware of a hundred to date) for us to share their specific effects and medical benefits in this short blog.
So, let’s check out the medical benefits & potential effects of some of the main terpenes present in cannabis:
1) Myrcene
Reported medicinal benefits:
- Sedative
- Insomnia Relief
- Anti-Inflammatory
Potential effects:
- Relaxation
- “Couch-lock”
- Pain Relief
2) Limonene
Reported medicinal benefits:
- Gastroprotective
- Anti-depressant
- Anti-fungal
Potential effects:
- Mood Elevation
- Enhanced Focus
- Stress Relief
3) Linalool
Reported medicinal benefits:
- Immune system support
- Anti-microbial
- Anti-convulsive
Potential effects:
- Calming/Sedative
- Anxiety Relief
- Pain Relief
4) Pinene
Reported medicinal benefits:
- Improved airflow to lungs
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-inflammatory
Potential effects:
- Focus
- Alertness
- Reduced THC-related memory impairment
5) Caryophyllene
Reported medicinal benefits:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Gastroprotective
- Anti-depressant
Potential effects:
- Sedative
- Pain Relief
- Reduced Anxiety
6) Terpinolene
Reported medicinal benefits:
- Insomnia relief
- Antioxidant
- Anti-microbial
Potential effects:
- Sedative in isolation
- Stimulating with THC
- Anxiety Relief
These aforementioned medicinal benefits and potential effects of the different types of terpenes make them very important for medical marijuana patients.
Also, it’s vital to note that we are yet to discover the effects of many other terpenes present in cannabis. A treasure trove of knowledge regarding terpenes is yet to be unearthed, making them all the more valuable in the coming years!
If you are interested in buying medical marijuana, apply for a medical marijuana card and buy 100% legal medical cannabis from our dispensaries in Missouri. Call us at +1 (816) 775-2920 today.
