CBD Terpenes – What are They, Their Types, and More in Our Guide

When purchasing CBD gummies or any other CBD products, one important thing to check for is that the CBD is “full spectrum.” Full-spectrum CBD comes from whole hemp, and the extract includes CBD along with all the other cannabinoids in hemp, plus all of the CBD terpenes. 

But what is a hemp terpene exactly? Why are they beneficial? Read on to find out!

What are Terpenes in CBD?

Terpenes are aromatic compounds that are present in every plant on Earth. A simple way to think about terpenes is that they are the essential oils of the plant, although really they are smaller molecules that are just a part of the plant’s oils. But when you think of the smell or flavor of any plant, it is its terpenes that give it that aroma and taste.

When people talk about the distinctions between different strains of cannabis, they are really talking about the differences in their terpene makeup. So terpenes in CBD and THC are the compounds that change their smell, taste, and effects.

So terpenes contribute to the fragrance of hemp and other plants, but what do they do for you?

What do Terpenes Do in CBD? 

Terpenes have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years, even if they weren’t always called by their scientific names. They offer a potential variety of health benefits, so it just makes sense to leave them intact, rather than separating out the CBD extract.

Types of Terpenes

There are over 100 types of terpenes! Each of them has its own distinct aroma, chemical makeup, and effects. There are eight well-known ones that we will focus on in this blog. 

Here is a list of terpenes and benefits, to name a few:

Pinene

As you might guess, pinene is the dominant terpene in pine trees. That strong evergreen aroma is so distinctive! Pinene can help open up your airways. It also has antiseptic properties. In addition to hemp and pine, pinene can also be found in rosemary, basil, and other herbs.

Limonene

Limonene is the most common terpene in lemons, limes, and other citrus fruits. It has a super fresh scent and is a strong antioxidant, antifungal, and stress reliever. Limonene is a major player in hemp and citrus. It is also present in dill and celery seeds.

Myrcene

The prevailing terpene in hemp, myrcene is what gives cannabis that earthy, skunky smell. Antibacterial myrcene can be soothing and may cause drowsiness. Bay leaves, mangoes, and lemongrass also contain a lot of myrcene.

Linalool

The relaxing scent of lavender comes from an abundance of linalool, which is also present in over 200 other plants. 

Caryophyllene

Caryophyllene (also called Beta-Caryophyllene or BCP) is an extra special terpene because it is also a cannabinoid! 

Caryophyllene is the only terpene that can bind directly to your CB2 receptors, helping to balance your endocannabinoid system. Caryophyllene lends its spicy scent to black pepper, hops, cloves, and copaiba.

Bisabolol

Bisabolol is an antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, so it is commonly used in skincare products. The flowery scent and calming properties of chamomile come from bisabolol.

Trans-nerolidol

Found in lemongrass, tea tree, and jasmine, trans-nerolidol also has a floral aroma. Trans-neridol’s benefits include antifungal and antiparasitic properties, as well as acting as a sedative.

Terpineol

Terpineol’s pleasing scent makes it a popular infusion in perfumes and lotions. It is found in lilac blossoms and tropical fruits. Terpineol has anti-oxidative effects.

CBD Terpenes Benefits

As you can see, just these eight terpenes provide an abundance of benefits, including anti-oxidative, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antifungal, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Imagine the power of all the over 100 terpenes present in hemp!

Studies suggest that CBD terpenes benefits may include helping alleviate discomfort, enhancing rest, and promoting balance within your endocannabinoid system.

So a CBD oil with terpenes just makes sense! Many of the benefits of CBD are boosted by the presence of terpenes. Full-spectrum CBD contains all the terpenes that whole hemp contains.

The Entourage Effect

The power of terpenes, along with other minor cannabinoids in whole hemp, make full-spectrum CBD so much more powerful and effective than CBD isolate. This is called the entourage effect.

CBD works best when it is assisted by its superhero team of cannabinoids and terpenes. All of them together have a synergistic power that is much stronger than the sum of its parts.

How to Use Terpenes

How to use terpenes? It’s easy– simply make sure that you are taking CBD with terpenes! 

Check the label of your CBD. It should say “full-spectrum.” This means that your CBD is made with whole hemp extract and therefore contains all the cannabinoids and terpenes in hemp. 

Full-spectrum CBD gives you the power of the entourage effect, which boosts the overall effectiveness of CBD.

Pharma CBD offers only full-spectrum CBD in all of our CBD products. So if you’re looking for CBD terpenes  in vapes, capsules, gummies, flower, skin care, or pet products, you can rest assured that all of Pharma CBD’s offerings are pure, safe, effective, and come with the power of terpenes. Shop now!