When talking about CBD, hemp, full spectrum hemp extract, or anything else that has to do with cannabinoids, the word ‘terpenes’ tends to get thrown around a lot, usually in a positive manner. For example, a certain strain of hemp may boast its terpene content, claiming that it makes the quality of the product higher. All of this is great – but it’s even better if you know what terpenes actually are. This article will give you a rundown of the basics of terpenes and what they bring to the table.
Terpenes are naturally-occurring chemicals that are found in hemp oil, along with CBD and the 140+ other cannabinoids. They play an important role in the pollination of the hemp plant, because they attract insects that spread the pollen around to other plants, and spreading pollen means plant reproduction. They also slow the hemp plant’s maturation, meaning they don’t let it grow too fast, and regulate its metabolism (which also helps with the speed of growth).
Terpenes are also responsible for the unique smells and different flavors of the hemp flower. They’re a big player in essential oils that the hemp plant produces, and are frequently used in aromatherapy treatments.
There are three main benefits when it comes to terpenes being included in hemp products, and those benefits are as follows:
- They improve the body’s ability to absorb helpful chemicals through the blood-brain barrier*. This is the barrier that decides what substances make it into the brain and what ones are kept out. Terpenes encourage the good chemicals to make it inside.
- Terpenes can help get past bacterial defense mechanisms*. For example, when your body mistakenly fights off a foreign substance simply because it doesn’t recognize said substance – terpenes can help prevent this.
- They can also increase how fast the body absorbs cannabinoids and how effective they are in your system.*
Every strain of hemp has a different terpene profile – they’re unique, just like me and you. And these unique terpenes can be found in both full spectrum hemp extract and broad spectrum hemp products, like the CBD Softgels that ICHOR offers.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. ICHOR products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.