By Dr. Daniela Vergara<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Terpenes are natural compounds that give plants their smell, including cannabis. Recently, people have become more interested in their possible health benefits. Terpenes don\u2019t just affect how cannabis smells; they might also change how it makes you feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This post will introduce you to the fascinating world of terpenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cannabis sativa<\/em><\/strong> and Its Many Compounds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One special thing about Cannabis sativa<\/em> is that it produces many different compounds. These can be divided into two main groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Do Terpenes Do?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The C. sativa<\/em> plant makes many compounds, and some of these are called terpenes, which are responsible for the smell [3, 4]. There are many terpenes, but in marijuana-type C. sativa<\/em>, three terpenes are very common: beta-myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, and limonene [5].<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Other Compounds Does Cannabis Produce?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides terpenes, cannabis also produces cannabinoids and we talked about these in a previous post (link). These compounds interact with the body\u2019s endocannabinoid system. While some other plants also produce cannabinoids [6, 7], they are not the same as the ones in cannabis[8].<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Are Cannabis Terpenes?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Terpenes are organic compounds made from five-carbon molecules called isoprene. There are over 30,000<\/strong> types of terpenes in nature [9-11]. In plants, they can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Types of Terpenes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Terpenes are classified by the number of carbon atoms they have [12]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Terpenes Are Found in Many Unrelated Plants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most fascinating things about terpenes in C. sativa<\/em> is that they are also found in many other plants, both closely and distantly related. For example, hops\u2014the main ingredient in beer and the closest living relative of C. sativa<\/em>\u2014also produce alpha-humulene. These two plants share a common ancestor from about 25-28 million years ago [13]. However, pines, which produce alpha- and beta-pinene, share an ancestor with C. sativa<\/em> from around 250 million years ago! Even though pines and C. sativa<\/em> are only distantly related, they still produce some of the same compounds. And once again, what makes C. sativa<\/em> so remarkable is that it produces all these terpenes\u2014and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Terpenes in Marijuana\u2026 and Other Plants!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You might be surprised to learn that many plants share the same terpenes as cannabis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cannabis Terpenes: A Wide Variety of Compounds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most interesting things about C. sativa<\/em> is that it produces a wide range of terpenes. Different strains have different amounts and types of terpenes [5], which may affect their smell and possibly their effects .<\/p>\n\n\n\n Can Terpenes Help Classify Cannabis Strains?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The terpenes in cannabis are responsible for the scents of different strains, like Lemon Skunk or Super Lemon Haze, and may be useful to group strains [5, 14-17]. Some suggest that terpenes may be a better way to group cannabis strains than the usual labels like “sativa” or “indica” [5].<\/p>\n\n\n\n How Are Cannabinoids and Terpenes Measured?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To analyze cannabis, scientists use chromatography, a technique that separates compounds and you can read more about it in our previous post (link):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarities Between Terpenes and Cannabinoids<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At one point during their production, terpenes and cannabinoids come from the same chemical pathway and start with the same basic compounds (precursor molecules). Some suggest that terpene and cannabinoid genes work together in a network [18], influencing the final chemical makeup of the plant. Some terpenes may even interact with the endocannabinoid system [19, 20], just like cannabinoids do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This growing knowledge of terpenes suggests that they might play a bigger role in cannabis effects than we once thought\u2014making them just as important as cannabinoids in therapeutic use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Possible Therapeutic Uses of Terpenes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Many terpenes may have health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiseptic, astringent, and digestive properties [11]. For example, humulene appears to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects [21, 22]. Linalool also seems to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties [23], and it may even help with depression [24]. This is one of the reasons why linalool is commonly used in yoga classes. When we clean our homes, we often use products containing alpha- and beta-pinene because of their antimicrobial properties [25].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Questions About Terpenes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One big question I have about terpenes is why Cannabis sativa<\/em> produces so many of these compounds. In other words, what is their ecological purpose? Some scientists believe that the plant makes terpenes to protect itself from UV radiation, while others think they help defend against herbivores [26, 27].<\/p>\n\n\n\n A recent preliminary study found that when cannabis is grown outdoors, it produces a greater amount of terpenes [28]. This might be because outdoor plants face more challenges like temperature changes, sunlight exposure, hail, diseases, and insects. Since outdoor plants must defend themselves from these threats, it makes sense that they might produce more terpenes compared to indoor plants, which grow in stable conditions with controlled light, nutrients, and temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are just some of the questions that could be answered through experiments. I hope you enjoyed this short overview of cannabis terpenes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Demain, A.L. and A. Fang, The natural functions of secondary metabolites.<\/em> History of modern biotechnology I, 2000: p. 1-39.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Vining, L.C., Functions of secondary metabolites.<\/em> Annual review of microbiology, 1990. 44<\/strong>(1): p. 395-427.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Booth, J.K. and J. Bohlmann, Terpenes in Cannabis sativa\u2013From plant genome to humans.<\/em> Plant Science, 2019. 284<\/strong>: p. 67-72.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Gershenzon, J. and N. Dudareva, The function of terpene natural products in the natural world.<\/em> Nature chemical biology, 2007. 3<\/strong>(7): p. 408-414.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Smith, C.J., et al., The Phytochemical Diversity of Commercial Cannabis in the United States.<\/em> bioRxiv, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Bauer, R., K. Woelkart, and O.M. Salo-Ahen, CB receptor ligands from plants.<\/em> Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008. 8<\/strong>(3): p. 173-186.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Gertsch, J., R.G. Pertwee, and V. Di Marzo, Phytocannabinoids beyond the Cannabis plant\u2013do they exist?<\/em> British journal of pharmacology, 2010. 160<\/strong>(3): p. 523-529.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. van Velzen, R. and M.E. Schranz, Origin and evolution of the cannabinoid oxidocyclase gene family.<\/em> bioRxiv, 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. Aizpurua-Olaizola, O., et al., Evolution of the cannabinoid and terpene content during the growth of Cannabis sativa plants from different chemotypes.<\/em> Journal of natural products, 2016. 79<\/strong>(2): p. 324-331.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10. Chen, F., et al., The family of terpene synthases in plants: a mid<\/em>\u2010size family of genes for specialized metabolism that is highly diversified throughout the kingdom.<\/em> The Plant Journal, 2011. 66<\/strong>(1): p. 212-229.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11. Cox-Georgian, D., et al., Therapeutic and medicinal uses of terpenes<\/em>, in Medicinal Plants<\/em>. 2019, Springer. p. 333-359.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12. Davis, E.M. and R. Croteau, Cyclization enzymes in the biosynthesis of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and diterpenes.<\/em> Biosynthesis, 2000: p. 53-95.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 13. Richter, G., et al., Cannabis sativa: an overview.<\/em> Nutraceuticals, 2021: p. 603-624.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 14. Henry, P., et al., Predicting chemovar cluster and variety verification in vegetative cannabis accessions using targeted single nucleotide polymorphisms.<\/em> PeerJ Preprints, 2018. 6<\/strong>: p. e27442v1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 15. Orser, C., et al., Terpenoid Chemoprofiles Distinguish Drug-type Cannabis sativa L. Cultivars in Nevada.<\/em> Natural Products Chemistry and Research, 2017. 6<\/strong>(1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 16. Reimann-Philipp, U., et al., Cannabis Chemovar Nomenclature Misrepresents Chemical and Genetic Diversity; Survey of Variations in Chemical Profiles and Genetic Markers in Nevada Medical Cannabis Samples.<\/em> Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 17. Watts, S., et al., Cannabis labelling is associated with genetic variation in terpene synthase genes.<\/em> Nature plants, 2021. 7<\/strong>(10): p. 1330-1334.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 18. Zager, J.J., et al., Gene networks underlying cannabinoid and terpenoid accumulation in cannabis.<\/em> Plant physiology, 2019. 180<\/strong>(4): p. 1877-1897.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 19. Ferber, S.G., et al., The \u201centourage effect\u201d: terpenes coupled with cannabinoids for the treatment of mood disorders and anxiety disorders.<\/em> Current neuropharmacology, 2020. 18<\/strong>(2): p. 87-96.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 20. LaVigne, J., R. Hecksel, and J.M. Streicher, In Defense of the \u201cEntourage Effect\u201d: Terpenes Found in Cannabis sativa Activate the Cannabinoid Receptor 1 In Vivo.<\/em> The FASEB Journal, 2020. 34<\/strong>(S1): p. 1-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 21. Rogerio, A.P., et al., Preventive and therapeutic anti<\/em>\u2010inflammatory properties of the sesquiterpene \u03b1<\/em>\u2010humulene in experimental airways allergic inflammation.<\/em> British Journal of Pharmacology, 2009. 158<\/strong>(4): p. 1074-1087.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 22. Chaves, J.S., et al., Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of the sesquiterpene \u03b1-humulene in mice.<\/em> Planta medica, 2008. 74<\/strong>(14): p. 1678-1683.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 23. Kamatou, G.P. and A.M. Viljoen, Linalool\u2013A review of a biologically active compound of commercial importance.<\/em> Natural product communications, 2008. 3<\/strong>(7): p. 1934578X0800300727.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 24. dos Santos, \u00c9.R., et al., Linalool as a Therapeutic and Medicinal Tool in Depression Treatment: A Review.<\/em> Current Neuropharmacology, 2022. 20<\/strong>(6): p. 1073-1092.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 25. Salehi, B., et al., Therapeutic potential of \u03b1-and \u03b2-pinene: A miracle gift of nature.<\/em> Biomolecules, 2019. 9<\/strong>(11): p. 738.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 26. Vergara, D., et al., Genetic and Genomic Tools for Cannabis sativa.<\/em> Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, 2016. 35<\/strong>(5-6): p. 364-377.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 27. Kovalchuk, I., et al., The Genomics of Cannabis and Its Close Relatives.<\/em> Annual Review of Plant Biology, 2020. 71<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 28. Zandkarimi, F., et al., Comparison of the Cannabinoid and Terpene Profiles in Commercial Cannabis from Natural and Artificial Cultivation.<\/em> Molecules, 2023. 28<\/strong>(2): p. 833.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Dr. Daniela Vergara Terpenes are natural compounds that give plants their smell, including cannabis. Recently, people have become more interested in their possible health benefits. Terpenes don\u2019t just affect how cannabis smells; they might also change how it makes you feel. This post will introduce you to the fascinating world of terpenes. 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