Q: What are Terpenes?

Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in plants and are responsible for the aromas, flavors, and even colors associated with various types of vegetation. In terms of cannabis, they are what make certain strains smell or taste different from others. There are more than 150 different terpenes that have been identified in cannabis and every strain has its own profile. Terpenes are aromatic oils that lend flavors such as berry, citrus, mango, orange, cinnamon, hops, lavender, pine to different cannabis strains. They are also responsible for the skunky, diesel, cheese, and earthy scents of some strains. Researchers and consumers are increasingly looking at terpenes to predict a strains effect. The main theory is that the terpene profile of a strain works together with the cannabinoid content to produce the effects people associate with different strains. When combined with CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids and our personal biological makeup they interact in synergy resulting in the entourage effect or state of balance. Smelling particular essential oils, ingesting terpene-rich plants or spending time in areas with high terpene presence may provide health benefits to humans. Studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of terpenes and could serve as alternative medicine or therapies. A cannabis plant’s terpene profile appears to have a great deal to do with the plant’s medicinal qualities. To understand their potential therapeutic and medicinal uses fully, research must continue in this area.

Q: What are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that occur naturally in the mammalian body (endocannabinoids) and in the cannabis plant (phytocannabinoids). Two of the most well-known major cannabinoids found in cannabis are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), and up to 100 cannabinoids have been found in the cannabis plant. There are three main types of cannabinoids: endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids. Compounds that have similar effects of cannabis but are not cannabinoids are referred to as cannabimimetic. Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids that the body naturally produces and serve as neurotransmitters that send signals between nerve cells carrying instructions on pain, pleasure, and other sensations. These endocannabinoids bind to phytocannabinoids when a person consumes cannabis. Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that the cannabis plant produces. They bind to endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) where they affect the immune system, cognitive functions and many other components of the brain and body. Synthetic Cannabinoids are lab-made cannabinoids. Cannabimimetic are compounds that have similar effects to cannabinoids but are not cannabinoids. Echinacea, black pepper, rosemary, and chocolate are examples of cannabimimetic. Major cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant are THC and CBD and are derived from their acidic precursors THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid). There are many minor cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant including CBC (cannabichromeme), CBG (cannabigerol), CBDV (cannabidivarin), CBN (cannabinol), THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin), and many others. The collaborative actions of cannabinoids (major and minor), along with terpenes and flavonoids maximize the therapeutic potential through the entourage effect (state of homeostasis or well-being).

Question 1

What is an Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

Accepted Answer

The Endocannabinoid System, otherwise known as ECS, is present in all mammals.  Endocannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body and play a part in many of the body’s psychological and physiological processes including appetite, digestion, mood, stress, anxiety, sleep, pain, inflammation, memory, and immune function. The main function of the Endocannabinoid System is to maintain bodily homeostasis, or to keep the body in balance as the environment changes.

Question 2

What does Full Spectrum CBD mean?

Accepted Answer

Full spectrum CBD, often called “whole plant”, refers to a hemp extract that has all the naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds found in hemp plant. Full spectrum CBD is used to designate a product that does contain trace amounts of THC (<0.3%), and that it is not an isolate or a broad spectrum product. 
Studies have shown that full spectrum CBD products that include all the naturally occurring compounds of the hemp plant provide the most beneficial effects. The cannabinoids in full spectrum CBD products work together with the body’s endocannabinoid system to create the “entourage effect”, which helps bring many of the body’s systems into balance.

Question 3

What are Terpenes?

Accepted Answer

Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in plants and are responsible for the aromas, flavors, and even colors associated with various types of vegetation. In terms of cannabis, they are what make certain strains smell or taste different from others. There are more than 150 different terpenes that have been identified in cannabis and every strain has its own profile. Terpenes are aromatic oils that lend flavors such as berry, citrus, mango, orange, cinnamon, hops, lavender, pine to different cannabis strains. They are also responsible for the skunky, diesel, cheese, and earthy scents of some strains.

Researchers and consumers are increasingly looking at terpenes to predict a strains effect. The main theory is that the terpene profile of a strain works together with the cannabinoid content to produce the effects people associate with different strains. When combined with CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids and our personal biological makeup they interact in synergy resulting in the entourage effect or state of balance.

Smelling particular essential oils, ingesting terpene-rich plants or spending time in areas with high terpene presence may provide health benefits to humans. Studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of terpenes and could serve as alternative medicine or therapies. A cannabis plant’s terpene profile appears to have a great deal to do with the plant’s medicinal qualities. To understand their potential therapeutic and medicinal uses fully, research must continue in this area.

Question 4

What are Cannabinoids?

Accepted Answer

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that occur naturally in the mammalian body (endocannabinoids) and in the cannabis plant (phytocannabinoids). Two of the most well-known major cannabinoids found in cannabis are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), and up to 100 cannabinoids have been found in the cannabis plant.

There are three main types of cannabinoids: endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids. Compounds that have similar effects of cannabis but are not cannabinoids are referred to as cannabimimetic.

Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids that the body naturally produces and serve as neurotransmitters that send signals between nerve cells carrying instructions on pain, pleasure, and other sensations. These endocannabinoids bind to phytocannabinoids when a person consumes cannabis.

Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that the cannabis plant produces. They bind to endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) where they affect the immune system, cognitive functions and many other components of the brain and body.

Synthetic Cannabinoids are lab-made cannabinoids.

Cannabimimetic are compounds that have similar effects to cannabinoids but are not cannabinoids. Echinacea, black pepper, rosemary, and chocolate are examples of cannabimimetic.

Major cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant are THC and CBD and are derived from their acidic precursors THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid). There are many minor cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant including CBC (cannabichromeme), CBG (cannabigerol), CBDV (cannabidivarin), CBN (cannabinol), THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin), and many others. The collaborative actions of cannabinoids (major and minor), along with terpenes and flavonoids maximize the therapeutic potential through the entourage effect (state of homeostasis or well-being).

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