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Cannabis Terpenes: How Do They Work & What Are the Effects?

Cannabis Terpenes: How Do They Work & What Are the Effects?

One of the most notable characteristics of marijuana is the smell. You know it when you smell it – often skunky, sometimes fruity, and possibly even cheesy! That strong, delicious aroma is an indicator of quality bud, and can be a little intoxicating in and of itself.

The source of this smell is the terpenes found in cannabis plants. When you buy weed online in British Columbia or from a dispensary, you will see a description of the smell and flavour, or even a specific list of terpenes. If that list has ever confused you, read on to find out just what terpenes are and why they are a desirable attribute in a good-quality bud.

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are aromatic oils that produce the pungent smell and flavour found in marijuana. Terpenes are not unique to cannabis – strong-smelling plants, such as cedar, pine, sage, tea (black), and citrus, contain easily recognizable terpenes. Their purpose in the plant world is to attract pollinators and repel predators. The smell, flavour, and colour of plants are all due to terpenes.

There are tens of thousands of known terpenes, and about a hundred of those can be found in cannabis plants. Strains of marijuana are selectively bred to build the potency of certain terpenes. This is often reflected in the name of the bud (think Kushberry, a cross between OG Kush and Blueberry – noted for its blueberry flavour).

What are the Expected Effects of Terpenes?

Terpenes work in the body much more subtly than cannabinoids. While it is still debated whether they work psychologically or pharmacologically, it is clear they interact with the body in many ways.

Each terpene has individual effects that are sought after depending on the user’s intentions. If you buy weed online in British Columbia, some of the most common terpenes you might see listed are:

  • Myrcene: promotes a sensation of relaxation/sedation. Considered anti-inflammatory and has anti-tumor properties. Has an earthy flavour and is found in other plants such as thyme, juniper, and fennel.
  • Caryophyllene: a terpene unique in the way that it also acts upon the endocannabinoid system. Has anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties, as well as sedative effects. The flavour is spicy. Found in black pepper, cardamom, and cumin, to name a few.
  • Pinene: useful for memory retention, alertness, and counteracting an overdose of THC. Potential for treating, pain, inflammation, and asthma. Described as having a “woodsy” flavour. It is the most common terpene in the plant kingdom and is found in such strong-smelling plants as pine and rosemary.
  • Linalool: promotes mood elevation and a sense of calm. Considered useful for anxiety and depression, insomnia, pain, and inflammation. Has a floral aroma and is also found in soothing plants like lavender and chamomile.
  • Limonene: provides relief from stress and anxiety. Has potential for cancer treatment, as well as anxiety, depression, pain, and inflammation. Has a citrus aroma and is found in plants like citrus fruit peels, peppermint, and rosemary.

As you can see, terpenes have many different effects that often overlap between varieties.

What’s the Difference Between Terpenes and Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ES) by activating the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Your body naturally produces endocannabinoids that work within the ES to maintain balance in your body. When you introduce cannabinoids from an external source, the effect on your body can be quite strong.

THC is the cannabinoid responsible for getting you high, as it floods your ES and enhances the cannabinoid-receptor function. CBD works on different receptors and is credited with such effects as relieving pain, inflammation, insomnia, and anxiety. Cannabinoids are exclusive to cannabis plants.

Terpenes, however, are absorbed by the body and utilized in different ways. They aren’t considered psychoactive the way THC is but are believed to have many more subtle effects. Since they are found in so many other plants, we inadvertently consume terpenes every day in foods we regularly eat.

Terpenes and cannabinoids work together within the body to provide a range of experiences. This symbiotic partnership is referred to as the entourage effect.

All of the compounds that enter our bodies upon consuming marijuana give a variety of effects depending on the specific combination of terpenes and cannabinoids. The entourage effect is still considered theoretical, though in-depth studies have shown proof of this theory.

Are There Any Medical Benefits from Terpenes?

As mentioned above, the beneficial effects of terpenes are innumerable. They are anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, anti-anxiety, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-cancer. These effects contribute to positive impacts associated with reducing stress, insomnia, and depression. It is even theorized that some terpenes assist in reducing memory loss associated with chronic consumption of THC.

To gain the maximum benefits from terpenes, they are best consumed in a low-heat form. Vaporizing is the fastest way to get the compounds from cannabis into your body relatively intact. Some terpenes are more effectively taken as edibles, while others work best applied topically.

High-Terpene Products

Suppose you’re on the lookout to buy weed online in British Columbia that is high in terpenes. In that case, you should familiarize yourself with the cannabis grading system. If you take a look at our list of flowers, you’ll notice that each type has a grade: from AAAA down to A.

As you may have deduced, AAAA is top-quality bud. This indicates that the aroma, flavour, and appearance of the strain have all come together to form a nearly perfect product. The terpene content is high, making for a potent and pleasant smell. The trichomes are readily seen, giving an eye-catching cover of crystals, and the buds are dense and well-formed.

AAA grade herb would be considered standard for purchasing marijuana – still of excellent quality, but slightly less perfect than AAAA grade. The smell and flavour should still be strong and enjoyable with relatively dense buds. The colour may not be as vibrant, but as long as it isn’t showing any signs of browning it can still achieve an AAA grade.

AA and A grade weed are cheaper and of lesser quality, though it is still possible to find decent AA grade bud.

You may also see products listed with the letters HTFSE in the name. This stands for High Terpene Full-Spectrum Extract, a high-tech product created with the intention of preserving the terpenes and eliminating the waxes, lipids, and fats. The term “full-spectrum” refers to keeping most of the compounds intact. HTFSE products are typically 13 to 40 percent terpenes.

Live resin is another high-terpene form of cannabis. It is made from fresh green marijuana that has never been dried or cured. A flash-freezing process is used to extract the oils, which keeps them intact for maximum potency. Live resin is typically dabbed.

Take A Look At Terpenes

Hopefully you have learned enough about terpenes to pique your curiosity! Keep an eye on flavour descriptions to get an idea of what kind of terpenes are present in strains you enjoy. Take a moment to appreciate the smells and flavours and recognize the beautiful role of your new friends, terpenes.

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Does CBD oil stop panic attacks?

Does CBD oil stop panic attacks?

For those who haven’t heard, cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in cannabis that doesn’t get you high. Unlike it’s better-known cousin cannabinoid THC, this newly popular compound delivers medicinal relief without intoxication.

CBD makes cannabis-based medicines easier and more useful for daily relief. But what is this revolutionary cannabinoid used for? CBD has massive potential to reduce anxiety and calm panic attacks (among many other applications).

Although the study of CBD for panic attacks and anxiety is ongoing, the preliminary evidence is strong and extremely convincing. Especially when combined with the sheer number of people who report positive results for their own anxiety, there has to be something to these anti-anxiety reports.

What is Anxiety, Panic, and Panic Attacks?

People often conflate stress with anxiety, but while former is a universal human experience, anxiety is a chronic mental health condition. Anxiety may be a result of chronic stress, develop following trauma, come from a genetic basis, or for some, have no known cause. Anxiety impacts people on a profound level, across all areas of their life.

According to the ADAA, an organization that researches and provides resources for anxiety and depression, the symptoms of anxiety are as follows:

  • Nervousness
  • Irritability
  • A sensation of oncoming doom or panic
  • Increased heart rate
  • Hyperventilation and sweating
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Upset stomach and gastrointestinal issues

The most common form is called generalized anxiety disorder, which the ADAA defined as “persistent and excessive worry about a number of different things.” Furthermore, the ADAA says people with generalized anxiety ” may worry more than seems warranted about actual events or may expect the worst even when there is no apparent reason for concern.”

For some, generalized anxiety disorder is just the start. It may spin out into a condition known as panic disorder. When anxiety reaches a more elevated phase, it can develop into full-blown anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks. People with panic disorder “experience spontaneous seemingly out-of-the-blue panic attacks and are very preoccupied with the fear of a recurring attack,” as per the ADAA.

Currently, the conventional approach to treating anxiety and panic disorders are pharmaceutical-based. That means SSRIs and benzodiazepines, both of which have serious side effects and may be addictive for some people. It’s why people are turning to a natural option — CBD for panic disorders.

The Scientific Evidence Behind CBD for Anxiety

Before we dive into CBD for panic disorders, let’s cover the basics of CBD for anxiety disorders. Surprisingly the anti-anxiety properties of CBD were only first discovered thanks to their relationship with THC. CBD works to counterbalance the strong psychoactive intoxication of THC. Essentially THC reduces the strength and duration of a high and calms associated anxiety and paranoia. Importantly, CBD is non-intoxicating, and we now know it’s anti-psychoactive as well and may be useful for the treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia.

A 2011 study from Brazil also reported the positive benefits of CBD for social anxiety. Social anxiety is the fear of social situations, which in this study was modeled based on simulated public speeches. Researchers gave the participants either CBD or a placebo, then asked them to give a speech. They rated their experiential anxiety as well as their heart rate, blood pressure, and more.

Based on the total assessment, people who took CBD had measurable lower levels of anxiety than those who didn’t. Even people who didn’t have social anxiety disorder felt calmer thanks to CBD in this experiment.

Since this study on CBD and social anxiety, there has been an intense continuation of research. According to the authors of one literature review, “We found that existing preclinical evidence strongly supports CBD as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder when administered acutely.”

The Science of CBD Oil for Panic Disorder

Here we begin to see CBD’s role for treating panic attacks. While less understood compared to CBD for anxiety disorders, there is still mounting evidence about CBD’s efficacy for panic disorder.

Most of the evidence comes from brain imaging done on patients with panic disorder. In one case, patients dosed with CBD had decreased activity in the area of the brain responsible for emotional activation. This meant they had a decreased fear-based response to images of fearful faces.

Other studies relying on brain scans have determined “that CBD can alter the activity of brain areas such as the medial and left temporal lobes, prefrontal cortex and insula, regions that were also found to be modified in [panic disorder] patient.” This means, in areas of the brain that are altered by panic disorder and elevated levels of anxiety, acute CBD administration seems to reduce their heightened activity.

Can CBD Oil Stop Panic Attacks?

As anyone who experiences panic attacks knows, it can be impossible to stop the onset of an anxiety attack once the wheels are in motion. Even traditional pharmaceuticals don’t always do the trick. Yes, CBD is good to reduce anxiety and the frequency of panic attacks, but don’t expect a magic pill to make one disappear a few minutes beforehand.

CBD will not stop a panic attack if taken as an acute treatment right before onset. But, CBD can offer a general reduction in anxiety, especially when taken daily. Over time, as your general sense of worry and anxiety lessens thanks to a daily CBD dose, the severity, and frequency of panic attacks will also lessen. CBD works best to reduce your baseline anxiety, not to prevent the onset a few minutes before.

Patients have fallen in love with this option for anxiety and panic because it offers a safe, nonsedative alternative to pharmaceuticals. As the above scientific review concluded, “CBD does not present psychoactive effects; it is safe and well-tolerated via the oral route (up to 1,500 mg/day). Moreover, because this compound does not induce dependence, tolerance and abstinence symptoms, it can be, in the future, a good alternative as a substitute for high potency benzodiazepines and antidepressant drugs.”

A Daily Dose of CBD for Panic and Anxiety

If you have anxiety and struggle with panic attacks on a routine basis, why not give CBD a try? If you experiment for a few weeks, you will likely experience a slow decrease in the daily simmer of anxious thoughts, and perhaps a reduction in panic attacks. If you can combine with healthy eating habits, exercise, and therapy, CBD works well in a holistic treatment plan for panic disorder.