Cannabis is known and loved for its potent aromas — but did you know that these same phytochemicals may also promote wellness? In fact, the scent and flavour profiles of any given cannabis strain can give us an idea of what effects may be expected from it.
The complex molecules that give cannabis its signature notes are called terpenes.
Most people will know terpenes from essential oils, which can be extracted from a variety of botanical sources. The same terpenes active in cannabis can be found in other plants like herbs, flowers and citrus fruits, which have long been studied for their diverse properties.
Terpenes are responsible for the wellness properties of countless plants used in traditional settings.
How do terpenes affect the body?
Terpenes bind to special receptors throughout the body, including the brain, central nervous system and peripheral organs. From there, they get metabolized in processes like cell signalling, hormone regulation and blood circulation.
Thanks to their small size, terpene molecules can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream through inhalation, topical or transdermal application and sublingually.
Menthol is a well-known terpene in other plant sources. It’s found in aromatherapy nasal inhalers as a decongestant and in topical creams. This ease of use contributes to the popularity terpenes, making them a crucial topic of research.
Natural plant research has been used across the globe for millennia, but scientists are only now beginning to understand the complex chemistry behind these ancient uses. Countless anecdotal evidence has been recorded over time measuring the specific terpene effects on various ailments, supported throughout recent years with ample research.
The same terpenes found in these studies can play an additional role in boosting the effects of cannabinoids — this is known as the entourage effect.
In cannabis, terpenes are what separate indica from sativa strains, contributing to their complex full-body effects. Each terpene and cannabinoid plays its own part in the cannabis experience, but research suggests that they also lead to varying outcomes in different combinations.
Indica is reported to promote relaxation, along with its most prominent terpenes:
caryophyllene, also found in cinnamon and cloves
humulene, also found in sage and ginseng
myrcene, also found in tropical fruits like mango
Sativa is more commonly reported to stimulate creativity and boost energy levels, with prominent terpenes including:
limonene, also found in citrus fruits
pinene, also found in conifer trees, basil and eucalyptus
terpinolene, also found in nutmeg and cumin
What the research says on terpenes
Studies into the effects of botanical terpenes offer the best glimpse into the future of these crucial plant molecules.
Research into the ways cannabis-derived terpenes affect functions in the human body is still a new venture, particularly when it comes to their interaction with cannabinoids. Studies into the effects of botanical terpenes offer the best glimpse into the use of these crucial plant molecules. As the most abundant phytochemical found in nature, terpenes sourced from a wide variety of plants have been examined for their effects.
Evidence for the entourage effect suggests that each of the complex phytochemicals found in the cannabis plant works synergistically when metabolized by the human body. This may be the reason why sativa and indica strains with similar cannabinoid contents can sometimes produce widely different effects on the user.
Together, cannabinoids and terpenes make up the DNA of every cannabis product, contributing to the various effects you might encounter.
How we use them
Terpenes are a key ingredient throughout the Kinloch Wellness product line. Each of our industry-leading formulas contains a unique blend of CBD, CBG, CBN and terpenes scientifically formulated for wellness-minded users.
We use proprietary blends of botanically-derived terpenes to infuse distinctive scent and flavour profiles that complement the cannabinoid effects of each Kinloch Wellness product, as reported by Strainprint® data.
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