Overview
For the longest time, growers and consumers of cannabis used high THC potency as the only standard for quality product. This mentality is changing, and people are now looking at other factors such as terpenes, other cannabinoids, and strains. There’s a saying in the industry, “the nose knows” and it refers to choosing product based more on the terpene profile, which determines the aroma and can hint at the strain's effects. This article educates on the different compounds in cannabis and their potential effects so growers can educate consumers and help them select product tailored to their specific needs.
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds produced by various plants, including cannabis, conifers, and citrus fruits. These compounds are responsible for the distinctive aromas, flavors, and sometimes even the effects associated with them. The easiest way to describe terpenes is to use an analogy. Terpenes are similar to an active ingredient in an essential oil. For example, what makes lavender smell like lavender or what makes mint smell like mint. These volatile fragrance compounds are terpenes. It’s important for cannabis producers and consumers to know what terpenes are in their cannabis product because it adds to the flavors and experiences consumers get when consuming them.
What are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body and can have an effect on various physiological processes. Cannabinoids can be found naturally in the cannabis plant, or produced by the human body (endocannabinoids), or synthesized in a laboratory (synthetic cannabinoids). Cannabinoids have significant implications for both health and wellness, as well as recreational use. Their potential therapeutic benefits continue to be a major area of research and interest.
What is a Strain?
A strain is a particular variety of the cannabis plant that has been selectively bred to have specific characteristics and has a combination of terpenes and cannabinoids. Originally, there were two predominant strains of cannabis: indica and sativa. Indica is said to have relaxing, body high effects, while sativa has more stimulants and energizes people. Indica strains are used for conditions like insomnia, pain and inflammation, and sativa is used for depression, headaches, and nausea.
A lot of producers will tell you that much of cannabis has been hybridized and there are little pure indica or sativa strains today. However, people in the industry will use the two terms as a way to differentiate the hybrid strains, and the effects that come with them. Since most cannabis plants do not have genetically purse strains, it’s become a challenge for some cultivators and producers to understand the genetics of their plants. Currently there isn’t any large-scale sequencing being done on cannabis genetics.
Terpene and Cannabis Profiles
The best way to differentiate cannabis strains are to identify the terpene and cannabinoid profiles in a plant.
Terpene profiles refer to the specific concentration of terpenes present in a plant. Known for their strong aromas, some of the more common ones are:
Limonene – Known for it’s citrusy, tangy, tart smell like lemon rinds.
Linalool – Found in lavender, it has a floral scent.
Pinene – Present in pine needles and conifers, it has a pine, woodsy aroma.
Myrcene - Found in mangoes, it has a musky earthy smell.
The more common cannabinoids are:
CBD (Cannabidiol) – Thought to have therapeutic benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and anti-seizure properties.
CBG (Cannabigerol) – It is the precursor to other cannabinoids like THC and CBD and is believed to have potential therapeutic effects, including antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
CBC (Cannabichromene) – Known for its potential anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-depressant properties.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) – It is a primary compound and is well-known for its psychoactive “high” properties.
The Entourage Effect
Many people in the industry believe that cannabis has additional benefits, however, there is not enough scientific evidence to support these claims. The entourage effect is a mechanism where the cannabinoids, terpenes and other phytochemicals work together to produce a cascading effect within the body that is greater than the sum of the individual parts. It’s not just about the levels of THC and CBD, there are other minor cannabinoids and terpenes that help to create the effect.
The National Institute of Health published an article “The Entourage Effect: Terpenes Coupled with Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders.” The authors wrote about mood disorders as the most prevalent mental condition in psychiatric practice and how numerous patients are resistant to current treatment options. The article reviews the literature on the effects of cannabinoids and discusses the possibility of enhancing cannabinoid activity on psychiatric symptoms by the addition of terpenes. The article concludes that more research needs to be done, however, these natural products may be an important potential source for new medications for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders.
Why is it Important to Test Terpenes in Cannabis?
There are several reasons why growers should test their cannabis for terpenes:
Overall, growers want to know more about terpene profiles in their cannabis so they can better engage with consumers to help them find the right product for their needs. We can supply budtenders with detailed information so they can educate their consumers effectively.
The cannabis curing and drying processes can greatly affect terpenes. If not done correctly, the cannabis will be unpleasant to consume. If it’s too wet or there are too many proteins or chlorophyll leftover, the cannabis will burn and just paste.
Testing at PBL
Currently, PB Laboratories tests for 39 different terpenes and 14 different cannabinoids. In addition, we use a gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) instrument, which is used to identify and quantify different substances within a sample. The instrument can separate, identify, and quantify the components of complex mixtures with high precision and sensitivity. Isomers are compounds that have the same atomic composition but may be arranged in different ways in the molecule, resulting in very similar chemical structures, but they are in fact different molecules. At PBL, we have the expertise and resources to provide detailed results on which isomers are present in the sample.
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