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    Terpenes: The Magic in Cannabis
    Terpenes: The Magic in Cannabis
    Terpenes: The Magic in Cannabis
    Ebook145 pages1 hour

    Terpenes: The Magic in Cannabis

    By Beverly A. Potter, Ph.D.

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    About this ebook

    What Are Terpenes?

    Terpenes (pronounced tur-peens), or terpenoids, are aromatic metabolites found in the oils of all plants. Terpenes are chemical oils produced by plants that create the unique flavor, scent and effect of herbs, fruit and flowers. When smelling a flower or herb, your nose actually registers the unique terpene profile of the plant. More than 30,000 unique terpenes have been identified in plants, animals, microbes, and fungi, which create aromas and flavors. Terpenes help carry out biological functions, can serve as vitamins, pheromones, and hormones as well as influence the immune system. When combined, terpenes produce complex profiles. For example, the herb lavender smells pleasant, tastes slightly sweet and floral, and has a relaxing effect.

    Terpenes are secreted along with cannabinoids in the flower’s sticky resin glands. They are responsible for cannabis’ smell, flavor and contribute to its overall sensory effect. Terpenes give the Blueberry cannabis strain its berry smell, Sour Diesel its skunky smell, and Lavender its floral aroma. Over 100 different terpenes have been identified in the cannabis plant, and every strain tends toward a unique terpene type and composition. Terpenes play a key role in differentiating the effects of various cannabis strains. Terpenoid production evolved over time in plants, including cannabis, to attract pollinators and to act as defense compounds. Female cannabis plants produce glandular trichomes, which are glands that look like small hairs or growths that protrude from the flowers and leaves. Trichomes house crucial compounds, including cannabinoids (such as THC and CBD), flavonoids, and terpenes.

    Terpenes and cannabinoids interact synergistically to promote relaxation and stress-relief, while others promote focus and acuity. The effect profile of a given terpene can change when combined with other terpenes and cannabinoids in a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. Research suggests that terpenes offer medicinal value as they mediate our body’s interaction with therapeutic cannabinoids.

    Technology has developed a method of distilling terpenes into highly concentrated forms that can be used individually or in conjunction with other terpenes. Terpene isolates are commonly used in cosmetic products, incense, food flavorings, perfumes, natural medicines and a wide variety of everyday products.

    Pure, isolated terpenes are highly concentrated and may pose health risks if consumed or applied to the skin with out proper dilution. Working with terpenes is shaman-like, calling on an understanding the terpene to safely unlocking their amazing potential. For instance, certain varietals are more potent than others, meaning that one dilution method cannot be applied to every type of terpene. Achieving balance can be tricky but well worth the personal learning needed.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRonin Publishing
    Release dateApr 1, 2019
    ISBN9781579512736
    Terpenes: The Magic in Cannabis

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    • 5/5
      High Tribe
      Tony Terpene here, internet’s most honest cannabis critic, and today I am fantastic and I hope you are too! I’m fantastic because I just finished reading “Tepenes: The Magic Within Cannabis” which means it’s time for a ?Book?Review!
      Before I read “Terpenes” I thought I was a Terpene expert. I mean my whole cannabis career”s namesake is “Tony Terpene”. After reading “Terpenes” my brain is now filled with so much terpene knowledge that I have to sell all my hats. I learned about terpenes I’ve never heard of, how terpenes interact with our physiology, flavonoids (my new middle name, Tony Flavanoid Terpene) and terpene toxicity.
      I think the best part of this book is that the author, Dr. Beverly Potter, does a phenomenal job at explaining every claim she makes about terpenes in a simple way that makes the message very clear. Never during this whole read thru did I ever reread something because I did not understand it! Because Potter is so good at explaining how and why terpenes work I can give this a strong recommendation for experts in the field of cannabis, and for any one new to cannabis who want to step up their connoisseur game.
      This is not a book for general cannabis knowledge, but nor is it supposed to be. The knowledge is more niche but I think that’s what makes this book so valuable. Perhaps we could get a sequel about cannabinoids by Potter in the future?
      TL;DR: Reading “Terpenes: The Magic Within Cannabis” made my terp knowledge go from Harry Potter to Dumbledore.
      This book gets a ?Yay?Terpenes?out of 10.

      1 person found this helpful

    Book preview

    Terpenes - Beverly A. Potter, Ph.D.

    What Are Terpenes?

    Commonly used in aromatherapy and religious practices, terpenes are the aromatic oils that give pine trees, soil, and yes, even cannabis, their unique scents and aromic appeal. Terpenes are fragrant molecules that occur naturally in many plants—especially conifers—and even in some insects. There are thousands of different terpenes, each with its own unique odor and flavor composition.

    The word terpene is derived from the word turpentine because it is a major component of rosin and turpentine used as a solvent for paints, varnishes, and cleaners. Turpentine was traditionally used in Chinese medicine to relieve discomforts like tooth pain and breathing issues. Today it is more commonly used as a thinning agent for paints and varnishes thanks to its powerful solvent properties.

    Terpenes are the aromatic oils that gives cannabis strains their unique aromic appeal.

    Turpentine

    Most turpentine is made from coniferous trees—particularly pine and spruce—and is created one of three ways:

    Gum Turpentine: The oldest procedure for making turpentine involved tapping trees to extract the sap (gum) then distilling the sap using steam to create turpentine.

    Wood Turpentine: Wood turpentine is made with wood chips that are steam distilled to produce a turpentine oil.

    Sulphate Turpentine: The most common turpentine extraction process used today, sulphate turpentine is a by-product of paper-making. Sulphate turpentine is collected from the gas that is produced during the pulping of wood and is often burned on-site as a power source for paper-making facilities.

    Terpenes and Terpenoids

    Terpenes encompasses a large group of unsaturated hydrocarbons that consist of at least one isoprene unit created by the formation of eight hydrocarbon and five carbon atoms—C5H8. Terpenes are classified according to how many isoprene units they composed of; monoterpenes consist of two isoprene units, diterpenes consist of four, triterpenes from six and so on. Though most cannabis-derived terpenes are classified as monoterpenes, some more complex—and less volatile—terpenes can be introduced into cannabis concentrates or otherwise consumed to improve flavor and act therapeutically on the body.

    Though often used interchangeably, the terms terpene and terpenoid refer to slightly different chemical compounds. Basically, terpenes are the backbone, or the precursor, or terpenoids; they contain only their isoprene units—hydrogen and carbon—and nothing else. Terpenoids are terpenes that have been modified—either synthetically or organically—with heat, oxygen, or time. In terms of cannabis, this usually occurs during the curing process which immediately follows harvest.

    Interest in terpenes has grown since cannabis legalization began. Between 2016 and 2018, internet searches for terpene jumped five percent thanks to its regular association with cannabinoids and other alternative medicines. What exactly are terpenes? Are they really as important as everyone seems to think?

    Terpenes are also the precursor of steroids—like hormones—and other chemicals in the body. This explains their profound impact on the body, which will be discussed more in the coming pages.

    Terpenes are extremely volatile and evaporate quickly at moderate temperatures—which is why morning air tends to smell fresher than evening air, because plant terpenes are at their peak of fragrance in the morning before the sun has come out to evaporate them. Cannabis cultivation and extraction experts often choose morning hours to harvest—and in some cases flash freeze—their crops at peak terpene levels.

    Preserving terpenes after harvest is a delicate procedure and absolutely necessary if growers hope to capture the best flavor and scent of the cannabis plants while extending the shelf-life of the products. The process requires careful temperature and humidity control, or direct extraction from fresh or flash-frozen flowers. Terpene and terpenoid extraction will be discussed in further detail in a later chapter.

    Discovery of Terpenes

    Terpenes have been used for religious purposes dating back to Ancient Egypt. In 12th Century Europe, terpene extraction via lipids—oils and fats—was perfected with a focus on herbs like rosemary and sage. By 1589, more than 60 different essential oils were outlined in the book, Dispensatorium Valerii Cordi by Arnaud de Villanosa—up from only three just 44 years earlier—which highlights the interest and understanding of essential oils at the time. Pharmacists spent years perfecting the distillation process after noticing the profound effects these essential oils seemed to have on over-all health and well-being.

    In 1818, the oldest known essential oil of turpentine was submitted for analysis where the isoprene molecule—C5H8—was first discovered. It was later discovered that all terpenes have this same ratio.

    The term terpene was first coined in 1866 by scholar, Fr. A. Kekulé. His work opened the doors to a major discovery by Otto Wallach who noted a pattern of carbon to hydrogen atoms in all essential oils. Though the number of hydrogen and carbon atoms varied, the ratio was always the same: five carbon atoms to every eight hydrogen atoms. This introduction of the isoprene rule later earned Wallach a Nobel Peace Prize and landed him the title of Messiah of Terpenes.

    As more essential oils were discovered—and attention surrounding them grew, their applications expanded. Though their medical properties were still of interest, essential oils became more frequently used as perfumes and food additives. This expansion led to a boom in popularity now referred to as the Elizabethan Age of essential oils. Even today new essential oils are constantly being discovered followed by research into their composition, which helps researchers learn to isolate the aromatic compounds and synthesize them in laboratory settings.

    Oils used in aromatherapy are terpenes.

    Therapeutic Benefits of Terpenes

    Terpenes, or more specifically aromatherapy has been used for centuries for medical and spiritual purposes. While the term itself didn’t originate until 1937, archaeological discoveries suggest that the use of medicinal herbs predates recorded history.

    The use of aromatic plants in medicine dates back to 2800 BC in China. Texts outlining the power of plants, herbs, and spices included the stimulating effects of orange and the healing qualities of ginger. Later, in Ancient Egypt, the first collection of medical knowledge included the benefits of aromatic plants and their extracts on the body—both internally and externally—and on the mind. Plants were often burned as offerings to the gods and oil extractions were used to embalm their royalty.

    Though aromatic herbs are well-known for their impact on the mind, much of this stems from the belief that it is the herbs various scents and not their chemical composition that exert the effects. Because the olfactory receptors are connected to emotion, it stands to reason that stimulation of these receptors would have

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