What’s the difference between CBD and terpenes? This is a common question we get asked here at Hemponics.
When talking about cannabis, CBD oil, terpenes and hemp, we know the lines can get blurred and it can become a little confusing, so we’re here to break it down.
Let’s start with terpenes.
What are terpenes?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in about 30,000 plants that create the characteristic scent and flavour of a plant. Commonly sourced terpenes come from lavender, pine, lemon and orange peels – just to name a few.
In recent years, terpenes have become increasingly popular for their therapeutic effects. While more clinical research is required to establish the levels of therapeutic efficacy, some noted effects include:
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-anxiety
- anti-stress
- anti-depressive
- anti-insomnia
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidol, is an active ingredient found in the cannabis (or marijuana) plant. However, it is important to note that CBD is only found in significant amounts in certain parts of the plant, such as the flowers, leaves, and stalks. It is not found in the seeds of the plant, which is where hemp protein is derived from. Hemp and hemp seed oil do not contain CBD.
This also means that CBD, hemp and hemp seed oil are all THC deficient ie. they do not contain the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol found in marijuana that produces a high. However, as with any dietary supplement, it is always a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider before adding hemp or terpenes, to your diet.
Currently, CBD products cannot legally be bought in Australia without a prescription from a doctor.
Now that we’ve established what CBD is, let’s focus on terpenes; why they are important and the most common types.
Why are terpenes important?
We’re still discovering and learning more about terpenes each day, but what we do know is that terpenes can help bring homeostasis to the body: the biological process by which your body maintains its stability and equilibrium.
How do they do this? Terpenes achieve homeostasis by binding to CB1 receptors working in harmony with your endocannabinoid system (ECS). Terpenes can affect how we feel when applied to the skin, inhaled, or consumed and they have also been found to help carry out necessary biological functions that produce vitamins, hormones and pheromones.
When it comes to cannabis-derived terpenes, these continue to be researched extensively by today’s scientific community as they are at the cutting edge of new applications for medicinal marijuana.
The 6 most common terpenes
There are about 30,000 terpenes in existence. The cannabis plant itself has just over 100 terpenes, but these are out of bounds in Australia at the moment. If you wish to find out more about the legalities, head to our blog here (link to ‘are terpenes legal’ blog).
We know there are a lot of terpenes, so we’re just going to focus on the most common terpenes in circulation, including their location and their therapeutic effects.
Myrcene: found in hops, lemongrass, basil, ylang ylang, and mango; helps promote sleep, reduce pain, and inflammation
Linalool: found in jasmine, lavender, rosewood, and thyme; helps reduce pain, inflammation, stress, and convulsions
Limonene: found in lemon, lime, and orange; helps reduce inflammation, stress and anxiety, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux, eases metabolic disorders, promotes weight-loss, soothes skin, and boosts your immune system
Pinene: found in pine trees, orange peel, rosemary, and basil; help as an anti-inflammatory in the lungs and airways
Humulene: found in hops, black pepper, and ginseng; helps as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and promotes weight loss
Geraniol: found in rose oil, citronella, lemongrass, and lavender; helps as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antioxidant.
The terpenes we use at Hemponics
To keep it simple, we have created a chart to show each of the terpenes that we use in our Rise & Shine and Sleep Eazzzy Duo Pack.
All our terpenes are combined with hemp seed oil. Why do we use hemp seed oil?
It is used because it supports both brain function and the effects of the terpenes. Hemp seed oil delivers vital nutrients such as magnesium and amino acids to your brain, helping to minimise stress and anxiety, improve your memory, and support neurotransmitter function in your brain.
Looking for a natural solution that will help with stress, anxiety, and sleep? Want to give our terpenes a try? To find out all the product details and benefits of our Rise & Shine and Sleep Eazzzy Terpenes, head to our online store.
