With the recent growth in the CBD oil industry, more and more people are giving it a try. With use permitted on a federal level and states laws following suit, CBD oil is becoming available to more and more Americans.
This accessibility has lead to a number of questions regarding the duration of effects, CBD oil dosage, and some of the other ingredients that can be found in CBD oils.
To stand out in a crowded field of products, many CBD vape companies are using terpenes and other naturally occurring parts of the cannabis plant to improve their product offerings. By adding terpenes to CBD vape oil, the flavor profile can be changed and even some of the purported benefits will be different.
Much research has been done on terpenes and their potential benefits. To understand how terpenes can improve your CBD vape oil, first, it is helpful to understand just what terpenes are.
Here’s an in-depth look at what terpenes are, as well as what ways they may improve your CBD vape oil:
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are a type of organic hydrocarbon that can be found in a variety of different plants. Also referred to as essential oils, terpenes occur naturally and are believed to be what both attracts pollinators and keeps away common pests.
Terpenes are what give many plants their specific scents, and some research suggests they may be what give them their reported beneficial effects.
Cannabis is just one plant that contains many terpenes. The cannabis plant is comprised of thousands of different compounds including THC, CBD, and terpenes, and it is the specific composition of these that give different cannabis strains their distinct characteristics.
The Most Prominent Terpenes Found in Cannabis & CBD
While there are literally thousands of different kinds of terpenes out there, for the purposes of this article, we will be on those found most commonly in cannabis plants. These specific terpenes are well-researched and have many different characteristics which may work to improve your CBD vape oil.
Some of the most common terpenes found in the cannabis plant include:
Myrcene:
Myrcene lends its citrusy, herbal scent to CBD vape oil when included. Myrcene content is what the cannabis industry uses to gauge and categorize whether a specific strain is either an indica or a sativa.
Besides being found in the cannabis plant, myrcene is also found in mangos. Myrcene in isolation was found to have potential analgesic, as well as anti-mutagenic properties in some studies.
Limonene:
Limonene is another terpene found in cannabis and has a distinct, lemony, citrus scent, which works well to improve the flavor of a naturally flavored CBD vape oil. Other plant sources of limonene include lemons, oranges, and grapefruit.
Limonene is used as a common additive in cleaning products due to its pleasant scent as well as its antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Linalool
In some studies, linalool was observed to have sedative, anti-anxiety, and even antidepressant effects. This terpene, which is responsible for lavender’s relaxing aroma, may hold great potential when added to your CBD vape oil.
While researchers have not looked specifically at linalool added to CBD vape oil, anecdotally, some users have reported increased calming effects when the two are combined.
Beta-caryophyllene:
Beta-caryophyllene is a terpene found in some strains of cannabis, as well as some herbs including cloves, oregano, and rosemary. Beta-caryophyllene in isolation was found to have potential anti-inflammatory effects. While it’s up in the air whether or not these effects carry over to vaping, the presence of this terpene to your vape oil may improve its taste by adding a spicy, peppery flavor and aroma to it.
Pinene:
The terpene pinene is found naturally in plants and trees including pine trees, dill, basil, and, of course, cannabis. Pinene may be used to add a pleasant woody aroma to your CBD vape oil, reminiscent of pine needles or rosemary.
Researchers have studied pinene extensively, and some believe it may hold potential as an effective bronchodilator for people with asthma.
Terpenes, CBD Vape Oil, & the “Entourage Effect”
One way in which combining CBD vape oil with terpenes can improve things is through the entourage effect.
The entourage effect is at the heart of all whole plant medicines. Simply put, it is believed that the individual elements of the whole hemp or cannabis plant work better together than they do when isolated and used on their own.
By including terpenes in CBD vape oils, it is possible that the potential benefits of that CBD oil will be increased.
Research into the potential benefits of cannabinoids (like CBD), terpenes, and other parts of the cannabis plant is ongoing. To date, the research indicates may positive potential avenues for further exploration.
It will take time, but it seems, at least anecdotally, that using a CBD vape oil that includes naturally occurring terpenes can improve your overall experience.
