Introduction to the Uses and Benefits of Terpenes
Cannabis plants consist of wide variety of compounds and chemicals. About one hundred forty of these are part of a huge class of terpenes (pronounced as tur-peens) or also known as aromatic organic hydrocarbons. Aside from that, you might have also heard some individuals talk about the terpenoids. The words terpenoid and terpene are common used interchangeably, even though these words are different from each other. As a matter of fact, the primary difference between these two is that the terpenes are hydrocarbons which means that the only elements found there are hydrogen and carbon. While, on the other hand, the terpenoids have been already denatured by oxidation (curing and drying the flowers) or the chemicals have been modified.
In addition to that, the Denver terpenes are produced in secretory cells of cannabis inside the glandular trichomes and the synthetization is raised with some exposure to light. These terpenes are usually found in greater concentrations in an unfertilized female cannabis flowers before the senescence (a process or a condition of aging). The essential oils are produced from plant materials by the process of vaporization or steam distillation. A lot of terpenes vaporize at a similar temperature as the THC (which boils at 157°C), however, most terpenes are more volatile compared to the others. The terpenes also play a very vital role by giving the plant the natural protection from insects, fungus, bacteria and other stresses in the environment.
It’s well established that the cannabis is able to affect a person’s behavior, emotions and mind. The primary psychotropic cannabinoid known as the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or the THC has been vigorously studied but still, a lot of the other flavonoids, terpenoids and cannabinoids are found in the therapeutic marijuana which play a large role in increasing its therapeutic effect remain understudied and do not have concrete evidence.
The terpenes are the usual constituents of flagrances and flavorings. Unlike the cannabinoids, the terpenes are responsible for the sweet scent of the cannabis. Other agencies such as the FDA have basically recognized terpenes to be safe. Terpenes act on neurotransmitters and receptors. They are prone to integrate with or melt in fats or lipids. In addition to that, they also act as the serotonin uptake inhibitors (same as Prozac, an antidepressant). They also enhance norepinephrine activities (similar to Elavil, a tricyclic antidepressant).
What are the Flavonoids?
The flavonoids are large nutrient families that are known to most scientist and include more than 6,000 identified family members. About twenty compounds included such as orientin, luteolin, kaempferol, isovitexin, vitexin, ?-sitosterol, quercetin, cannflavin A and B (unique to cannabis) and lastly, the apigenin have already been named in the cannabis plants. The flavonoids are well-known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant therapeutic effects and also their condition of energetic color to some of the foods we ingest (red in raspberries or blue in blueberries).
Some of the flavonoids that are extracted from a cannabis plant have been proven for pharmacological effects and most of the clinical findings are incredibly promising.
