CBD products, including CBD oil are now more popular than ever. A recent poll done by Colorado Botanicals revealed that 1 in every 7 Americans use them to treat an array of issues including anxiety, pain, and poor sleep. Experts project that in the US alone, the CBD industry is expected to produce over $23.7 billion annually. Even though this industry is growing at an alarming rate, there is a lot that consumers don’t know about CBD products. In particular, most of them don’t know that there are some essential ingredients added to CBD oil to make it more effective. There is one ingredients that demands attention – Terpenes.
Today, terpenes are being added to various CBD products to enhance their flavor and improve potential health benefits. But what are Terpenes and how do they enhance the effectiveness of CBD oil? Read on to find out!
What Are Terpenes?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds that are found in various species of herbs and plants. Basically, these are compounds that give different plants their characteristic smells. They are the elements that make orange peels smell like orange peels and garlic smell like garlic. They are often used to manufacture flavors in many consumer-grade products including lotions, fragrances, and some foods. They are, however, more associated with cannabis because over 200 terpenes are found in cannabis plants in higher concentration than in other plants.
There is no shortage of research that shows terpenes lay a major role in protecting plants against predators and attracting pollinators. They also boost plants’ immune function, and helps them recover from damage. But when used in CBD oil and other CBD products, terpenes can have immerse potential benefits in humans too.
How Do Terpenes Make CBD Oils More Effective?
Terpenes are bioactive compounds. This means that when ingested, they can have significant effects on the body. Since these compounds bind to the human’s brain receptors, they help produce a psychological response that influences the production of various neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Therefore, when they are added to CBD oil, they can have a positive impact on the user’s mental, emotional, and physical health.
To better understand how Terpenes can make CBD oil more effective, let’s look at some of the terpenes found in CBD.
Alpha-pinene: This is one of the most common terpenes. Apart from CBD, they are also found in rosemary, basil, and pine needles. When added to CBD oil, they work as a bronchodilator, which can help open up airways during an asthma attack and other medical emergencies. This is mainly because of their anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects. They also useful in aiding memory, pain relief, and boosting energy levels.
Myrcene: This terpene is found in modern commercial cannabis. It contains antibacterial, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It is also analgesic, which makes it highly effective in reducing inflammation and pain. When added to CBD oil, it Myrcene gives this product sedative effects which could potentially block some cancer-causing properties.
Limonene: This is a terpene found in cannabis and in rinds of fruit. Apart from offering a pleasant smell, limonene could enhance the antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of CBD oil. It also helps in combatting depression, weight loss, and when combined with healthy living, it could aid weight loss.
