Terpenes and Terpenoids

Terpenes and Terpenoids

“ You smell what you smell due to terpenes”

Terpenes are naturally occurring hydrocarbons through the combination of isoprene units as their building blocks. Terpenoids are the oxygenated form of terpenes.

Terpenes and terpenoids are primarily found in various higher plants, some insects and in marine organisms. The name Terpene is derived from the word “TURPENTINE“ a product of CONIFEROUS OLEORESINS

Terpenes and terpenoids are classified and grouped according to many Isoprene units found in the parent nucleus, ranging from one to many

Structural Arrangement

These natural hydrocarbon metabolites are built from Five Carbon Isoprene units linked together, most commonly in a head to tail arrangement. It also can be constructed in other configurations with varying degrees of oxidation, unsaturation, functional groups and ring closures, giving rise to a rich diversity of structural classes. The modified hydrocarbons are referred to as terpenoids.

The classifications

Hemiterpenes

Monoterpenes

Sesquiterpenes

Diterpenes

Sesterpenes

Triterpenes

Tetraterpenes

Polyterpenes.

Among all the different major classes of terpenoids, the Diterpenes are structurally the most diversified, with at least 6 broad structural groups.

As we know, terpenoids are modified terpenes, not genetically modified but oxidised terpenes.

Cannabis Leaf

Cannabis and Terpenes

Why do different types of cannabis have different smells ?

As terpenes are naturally occurring, hydrocarbons found in different types of plants, insects and rarely in animals.

Even though Terpenes composes up a small amount of Cannabis profiles but it still can have profound effects. Terpenes are mainly responsible for Cannabis Aroma. Terpenes may induce “ The Entourage Effect ”. Combinations of both Terpenes and Cannabinoids are known to enhance the therapeutic effects of the Cannabis Plant.

Terpenes are essentially the oils that give the plant ( including the Cannabis Plant ) their specific smell. They interact with our EndoCannabinoid System like Cannabinoids and even can influence Nuero transmitters like Dopamine and Serotonin, Slowing or Increasing the production, depending on the specific terpenes

Terpenoid increases with light exposure and decreases with soil fertility

Types of terpenes found in Cannabis

The different types of Terpenes found in Cannabis Plants are as follows

• Myrcene
• Beta Caryophyllene
• Borneol
• Carene
• Eucalyptol
• Limonene
• Linalool
• Pinene
• Terpineol

Mango

Myrcene

It is one of the most common types of terpenes found in Cannabis Plants.

Myrcene has the ability to induce the Blood — Brain barrier more penetrable and thus it can attenuate the speed with which chemicals like THC might have an effect.

Myrcene itself is not psychotropic and it is also found in the oils of Hops, Mangoes, Bay Leaves, Eucalyptus, Wild Thyme and Lemongrass.

Mango smells like mango due to Myrcene

Most common terpenes and its effects