What are Terpenes?
If you have ever walked through a forest or wooded area, chances are you’ve experienced the invigorating scent of pine, engaging your olfactory senses. Even strolling through a farmers market, you’ll find terps emanating from lemons, oranges, and a variety of sources. Terpenes are present all around us, in trees, fruits, shrubs, spices, and the list goes on! These aromatic compounds surround us more than we might realize.
Terpenes are often isolated and used in scented lotions, conditioners, and other scented products. These natural essences add delightful fragrances and have been used in various applications for their aromatic and therapeutic properties. As we become more aware of the diverse range of terpenes and their benefits, they continue to find their way into our everyday lives, enriching our sensory experiences.
“Terpenes are natural chemical compounds that are in flowers, plants and nature. These compounds create a scent such as lemon , piney , lavender , earthy and so on.” (Peak Scientific, Why do pine trees smell so good? 2022)
How do they effect the human body?
Terpenes are bioactive compounds that interact directly with the body, potentially promoting various benefits.
“Bioactive compounds have actions in the body that may promote good health. They are being studied in the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and other diseases” (NCI Dictionary of Cancer terms).
It is amazing how our body interacts with the environment around it. However, it is highly recommended, suggested, and advised to always speak with a doctor before making any changes to one’s lifestyle, as more research is needed.
With each passing study, we gain a deeper understanding of how these natural remedies can benefit us medicinally, with minimal side effects. As the research on these remedies continues to unfold, it sheds light on their potential to positively impact our well-being and offers hope for safer and more effective treatment options.
Of course, it’s crucial to prioritize our well-being, and that means always consulting with a doctor before making any significant changes to our lifestyle. While terpenes hold promise, more research is still needed to fully understand their effects and applications.
Some terpenes help aid sleep:
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Caryophyllene
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Myrcene
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Linalool
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Pinene
Some terpenes help energy & mood:
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Terpineol
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Alpha-Pinene
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Limonene
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Beta-Caryophyllene
Thanks for reading!
-Blurry 🙂
References:
NCI Dictionary of Cancer terms. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/bioactive-compound
Peak Scientific. (2022, April 4). Why do pine trees smell so good? PEAK Scientific. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.peakscientific.com/discover/news/why-do-pine-trees-smell-so-good/#:~:text=That%20fresh%20pine%20scent%20comes%20mostly%20from%20chemical%20compounds%20called%20terpenes.%20These%20terpenes%20are%20plentiful%20in%20conifer%20resin%20and%20these%20include%20alpha%20pinene%20and%20beta-pinene%2C%20alongside%20limonene%20and%20bornyl%20acetate%20which%20all%20contribute%20to%20the%20smell%20of%20pine%2C%20spruce%20or%20fir%20trees.
Person. (2021, May 20). Cannabis terpenes: What they are and how they work. Healthline. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/cannabis-terpenes#do-they-make-you-high:~:text=Many%20cannabis%20connoisseurs%20and%20budtenders%20say%20that%20consumers%20place%20far%20too%20much%20emphasis%20on%20THC%20content%20when%20choosing%20a%20strain.%20Instead%2C%20they%20recommend%20focusing%20more%20on%20certain%20terpene%20profiles%20to%20get%20their%20desired%20effects.
Terpenes for sleep and insomnia: Which strains help the most? Finest Labs. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://finestlabs.com/terpenes-for-sleep/#:~:text=1.-,Caryophyllene%C2%A0,-Caryophyllene%20is%20the
Treadwell, J. (2020, October 22). How specific terpenes work on pain, inflammation, anxiety and more. Treadwell Farms. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.treadwellfarms.com/blogs/cbd-education/how-specific-terpenes-work-on-pain-inflammation-anxiety-and-more
What terpenes and cannabis strains give you energy? Inca Trail Terpenes. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://incatrailterpenes.com/blogs/terpenes-us/what-terpenes-and-cannabis-strains-give-you-energy#:~:text=1.-,TERPINEOL,-It%20has%20a
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