Do terpenes really have an effect when using cannabis?

A reader asks: Do terpenes really have an effect when using cannabis?

When plants are challenged by weather, or pests (including cannabis consumers), they produce a suite of protective chemicals called secondary metabolites. Sometimes, these secondary metabolites have biological functions.

Well known secondary metabolites are morphine and codeine for pain relief. Terpenes are known as the 'fragrant' class of secondary metabolites.

Cannabis is especially rich in terpenes. There are at least 150 different terpenes in cannabis, although most are lost when the leaves are dried or stored.

The most popular idea about terpenes in cannabis is the 'Entourage Effect'. This theory suggests that terpenes work with cannabinoids to increase their effects. However, this idea isn't scientifically proven yet.

It comes from cannabis users believing that different strains of cannabis produce different effects. One strain is calming and another one excites. In one of the few scientifically conducted studies into the Entourage Effect cannabis terpenes did not enhance pain relief effects of cannabis in rats.

Of the minimal research we have some promising cannabis terpenes are β-caryophyllene, which activates the cannabinoid receptor and enhances your high. α-pinene and β-pinene are thought to directly influence the neurotransmitter pathway for muscle control, learning, memory and attention.

There is absolutely no doubt that some plant terpenes have a medical effect. For example, Taxol, isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew tree, is highly effective in treating many cancer types.

So, it is also likely that some of the 150 terpenes found in cannabis are biologically active. However, more rigorous scientific research needs to be conducted.

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