Terpenes
Terpenes are aromatic compounds produced by thousands of plants. Unlike cannabinoids, they are not unique to cannabis. They help regulate cell growth, provide protection from light and predators, and other functions. Terpenes are comprised of repeating units of isoprene (C5H8), with the number of units impacting the terpene’s classification. Two units is a monoterpene, three is a sesquiterpene, four is a diterpene, and so on. In cannabis, the majority of terpenes are monoterpenes, with some heavier sesquiterpenes.
Basic terpenes only have carbon and hydrogen. Modified terpenes with oxygen added are called terpenoids. Most writers simplify discussion by referring to terpenes and terpenoids as just terpenes.
Essential oils are mainly comprised of terpenes, and have therapeutic benefits in their own rights. When combining terpenes with cannabinoids, the benefits of both may be enhanced, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, analgesic, and anti-anxiety properties.
Attributes of many terpenes are described below. Most information comes from the book:
Raw Cannabis – The Science, Health Benefits, and How to Use It – This resource cites dozens of peer-reviewed journal articles on PubMed.
Limonene
Found in: Lemons, grapes
Mental Effect: Stimulating, energizing
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Nausea
- Sleep
- Pain
- Anxiety/Depression
- Fatigue
- Infections
- Allergies
- Liver protection
- Diabetes
Myrcene
Found in: Mangos, hops, lemongrass, citrus fruits
Mental Effect: Sedating
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Sleep
- Pain
- Infections
- Liver protection
- Dementia
- Asthma
Linalool
Found in: Lavender
Mental Effect: Sedating
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Sleep
- Pain
- Appetite improvement
- Anxiety/Depression
- Fatigue
- Infections
- Parkinson’s
- Morphine-dependence
- Liver protection
- Kidney protection
- Dementia
- Carpal tunnel
Beta-caryophyllene
Found in: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon, oregano, thyme
Mental Effect: Calming, relaxing
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Nausea
- Sleep
- Anxiety/Depression
- Fatigue
- Wound healing
- Obesity
- Seizures
- Infections
- Diabetes
- Heart protection
- Lung protection
- Arthritis
Alpha/Beta-pinene
Found in: Pine trees, rosemary, parsley
Mental Effect: Stimulating, alerting. Alpha-pinene in particular may cause anxiety in some people. Paradoxically, some research shows potential for sleep improvement
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Sleep
- Pain
- Anxiety/Depression
- Fatigue
- Infections
- Bone loss
- Methamphetamine addiction
- Diabetes
- Heart protection
- Liver protection
- Seizures
- Memory issues
Bisabolol
Found in: German chamomile
Mental Effect: Calming
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Gastric lesions
- Heart protection
- Kidney protection
- Skin inflammation
- Infections
- Dementia
- Seizures
Nerolidol
Found in: Lemongrass, tea tree, ginger, lavender, jasmine
Mental Effect: Relaxing, sedative
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Pain
- Anxiety/Depression
- Infections
- Dementia
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Stomach ulcers
- Heart protection
- Lung protection
- Kidney protection
Terpinolene
Found in: Pine, sage, nutmeg, cumin, tea tree, lilac
Mental Effect: Particularly dependent on dose and other terpenes present – may be uplifting and energizing at low doses and sedative at highr doses
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Sleep
- Infections
- Wounds
Eucalyptol/1,8-cineole
Found in: Eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, cinnamon, tea tree
Mental Effect: Alertness, clarity, calm
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Pain
- Appetite increase
- Anxiety/Depression
- Fatigue
- Sleep
Humelene
Found in: Hops, ginseng, black pepper
Mental Effect: Calming, relaxing, mild sedative
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Stomach protection
- Lung protection
- Infections
Ocimene
Found in: Lavender, sage, basil
Mental Effect: Alerting, stimulating, energizing. Despite these widely reported properties, research suggests ocimene may help with sleep, potentially via anti-anxiety effects
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Pain
- Sleep
- Neuroprotection associated with Parkinson’s
- Parasitic infections
Borneol
Found in: Rosemary, thyme
Mental Effect: Sedative, calming
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Sleep
- Pain
- Migraines
- Anxiety/Depression
Phytol
Found in: Green tea, parsnips, nuts, white cabbage, raspberries. Unique for being in meat/dairy products as well
Mental Effect: Sedative, calming
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Nausesa/Vomiting
- Sleep
- Anxiety
Sabinene
Found in: Juniper
Mental Effect: Relaxing
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Sleep
- Pain
- Appetite
- Depression
- Skeletal muscle atrophy
- Salmonella infection
Guaiol
Found in: Cypress pine, guaiacum
Mental Effect: Stimulating, but potentially anxiety-inducing. Paradoxically, may help depression
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Pain
- Depression
Geraniol
Found in: Rose, lemongrass, lavender
Mental Effect: Calming, mood lifting
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Sleep
- Neuropathic pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Anxiety/Depression
- Itch
- Cognitive impairment
- Bacterial infections
- Kidney protection
Cymene
Found in: Thyme, oregano, eucalyptus
Mental Effect: Relaxing
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Bacterial/Viral/Fungal/Parasitic infections
- Sleep
- Wound healing
- Diabetes
- Pain
- Lung protection
- Liver protection
- Dementia
- Atherosclerosis
Camphene
Found in: Cypress, ginger, valerian, mango
Mental Effect: Uplifting
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Lowering cholesterol
- Skeletal muscle atrophy
- Fatty liver
- Insulin resistance
- Inflammatory/Neuropathic Pain
Alpha-phellandrene
Found in: Turmeric, frankincense, eucalyptus
Mental Effect: Energizing, mood-lifting
Benefits Supported by Research:
- Wound healing
- Neuropathic pain
- Hemorrhagic cystitis
- Depression
