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4 min read
Sam North
Taking the first steps into the world of medical cannabis can be slightly overwhelming. With so many new terms to get your head around, the learning curve can feel steep. Don't worry, though - here in our continued "New Patient" guide, we've got you covered.
Terpenes in cannabis play a few key roles, so let's quickly break it all down into manageable chunks.
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis (and many other plants) their distinctive scents and flavours. You can think of them as the building blocks of essential oils, but they do more than just smell great.
Cannabis-derived terpenes act as:
Cannabis terpenes also:
There are over 20,000 terpenes produced by Earth's flora, with the Cannabis sativa L. genus offering up about 400 of them. Some terpenes are found in most medical cannabis strains, while others are a little rarer. Some interact directly with the endocannabinoid system receptors, while others boost the effects of cannabinoids like CBD and THC.
The most commonly found terpenes in medical cannabis are:
Each of these cannabis terpenes has its own set of potential properties and benefits, which we will dive into properly in our upcoming terpene blog series!
For now, just know that different medical cannabis products will contain differing levels and combinations of terpenes, all of which can impact your experience differently. Your prescribing specialist can explain the terpene profile of your prescribed cannabis-based medicine and how it may affect you.
Earlier in our "New Patient" series, we explained the therapeutic importance of cannabinoids (THC and CBD), but the role that cannabis terpenes play shouldn't be overlooked.
The "entourage effect" is a widely accepted theory that states that the various chemical compounds produced by cannabis plants, including terpenes, work synergistically to produce a more significant range of therapeutic effects than any one compound can achieve on its own.
In other words, the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes is what may make medical cannabis an effective complementary treatment option for such a wide range of health concerns and conditions.
Research into the therapeutic role that terpenes play in medical cannabis treatment is still ongoing, and we cannot claim to have a complete understanding of their effects just yet, but the results so far are pretty conclusive.
Right now, we can confidently say that terpenes are essential to the overall medical cannabis picture, and their potential should not be overlooked.
Over the next few weeks, we will be delving more deeply into each of the more common terpenes produced by medical cannabis and what they might mean for you as a patient. Keep an eye on our blog - and check out our free, quick, and easy eligibility checker to see if medical cannabis might be an option for you.
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
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Am I eligible?Sam North, a seasoned writer with over five years' experience and expertise in medicinal cannabis, brings clarity to complex concepts, focusing on education and informed use.
All of our articles are written by medical cannabis experts, guided by strict sourcing guidelines, and reference peer-reviewed studies and credible academic research. Our expert clinical team and compliance specialists provide valuable insights to ensure accuracy when required. Learn more in our editorial policy.
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