What are Terpenes, How do they affect you, and Will you fail a Drug test?
- Oct 18, 2022
- 6 min read
The general public is more widely beginning to understand the variety of benefits CBD can offer from the relief of Pain, Anxiety, Depression, and even select Epilsey Syndromes. As of 2021, The global CBD market size was estimated at USD 5.18 billion and is expected to reach USD 6.36 billion in 2022. Now, those who begin to research about CBD, especially CBD oil offered in tinctures, eventually arrive to a type of CBD called “Broad Spectrum”. The benefits of this type of oil are that it has 0% THC and still provides many of the health benefits of CBD.
However, one aspect of CBD oil that many stumble upon is that Terpenes are added to enhance flavor and boost potential health benefits. Terpenes, terpenoids, terps. Whatever you call them, these compounds in cannabis that give it distinctive aromas and flavors are popping up in consumer products everywhere
But what are Terpenes? How do they affect my health? And will it make me fail a drug test?
Let's dive deeper into the topic to learn more about the Type, Benefits, and if any, risks of Terpenes in your CBD.
WHAT ARE TERPENES?
If you’ve never heard of terpenes, you’d be surprised to know they’re everywhere in your daily life. Think of the enticing aroma of flowers from your garden, the smell of fresh fruits in your kitchen, or your body fragrance of choice. (Here’s how to sharpen your sense of smell and taste.)
Terpenes, “terps” for short, are pungent compounds that plants produce to repel pests and attract pollinators. They’re responsible for the uplifting scent of citrus from fruits and the soothing aroma of lavender. Terpenes are also antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. (Learn more about CBD and inflammation.)
One of the richest sources of terpenes in the plant kingdom: Cannabis sativa, the plant that includes both marijuana and its related cousin, hemp. (They are different varieties of the same plant.)
Every chemovar—the botanically correct term for a cannabis “strain”—has a different terpene profile, which influences its effects, says Bonni Goldstein, MD, medical director and owner of Cannacenters, a medical practice in Los Angeles, and author of Cannabis is Medicine: How Medical Cannabis and CBD are Healing Everything from Anxiety to Chronic Pain.
The response to terpenes varies from person to person.
Knowing the terpene profile of a CBD oil or a CBD edible lets you know what effects to expect, and can also help you narrow down what works for you, Dr. Goldstein says.
Here’s what you need to know about CBD terpenes, whether they can get you high, and their overall effect on health.
TERPENES IN CBD OIL
There’s a difference between terpenes and terpenoids. Terpenes are the natural compounds in the flower or bud of the cannabis plant. Terpenoids, meanwhile, are terpenes that have been chemically altered. The process of drying and curing a cannabis flower leads to the formation of terpenoids.
CBD oil that is full- or broad-spectrum—meaning it contains other components of the cannabis plant besides CBD—will contain terpenoids. CBD isolate doesn’t, but some product makers will add terpenes back in to allegedly enhance the effects of CBD. (More on this later.)
“It’s better to get oils that are less processed because that means it’s closer to the original that’s in the plant,” says Martin A. Lee, the founder and director of Project CBD and author of Smoke Signals: A Social History of Marijuana–Medical, Recreational, and Scientific.
THE EFFECTS OF TERPENES
Terpenes don’t produce the “high” associated with delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), although some have sedative, anxiety-reducing properties. Here are the main terpenes found in CBD oil.
Myrcene: This type of terpene is named after a Brazilian shrub, Myrcia sphaerocarpa, that’s used in traditional medicine to treat diarrhea, high blood pressure, and even diabetes. Myrcene has a sedative effect. It’s found in most cannabis chemovars, as well as hops, mangoes, lemongrass, and basil.
Beta-caryophyllene: The unique scent of black pepper comes from this terpene, which is also present in most cannabis plant varieties. It was recently shown to interact in the body with cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), suggesting it can reduce pain and inflammation. A study, published in an October 2020 issue of Neuropsychopharmacology, found that beta-caryophyllene reduced addictive behavior in mice.
Alpha-humulene: Most cannabis chemovars contain this earthy, fruity-smelling terpene, which is also found in hops, sage, and ginseng. Alpha-humulene has anti-inflammatory effects. There’s some evidence it may help suppress appetite.
Limonene: Found in citrus rinds, limonene is used to add a lemony aroma to many products including foods, perfumes, and household cleaning products. It’s also an effective pesticide and solvent. A study, published in April 2020 in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, suggests that limonene also has anti-anxiety effects.
Linalool: This terpene is responsible for the scent of lavender, and is also found in spices like cinnamon and coriander. It has sedative and relaxing properties and is an anticonvulsant, meaning it may help to prevent seizures.
Pinene: This type of terpene is found in pine needles and a number of citrus fruits. Pinene is popular in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-cancer agent that suppresses cancer cells, according to a study published in 2019 in Biomolecules. It’s also believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties.
TERPENES AND THE “ENTOURAGE EFFECT”
CBD products with these types of terpenes are believed to help create what’s known as the “entourage effect.”
This theory holds that substances in cannabis, like CBD and THC, have synergistic effects that make the overall CBD product more effective.
For example, cannabinoids and terpenoids may work together to provide pain relief, reduce inflammation, and alleviate mental health issues like anxiety, and even bacterial infections.
SO, IF I TAKE TERPENES, WILL I FAIL A DRUG TEST?
The short answer is no!
As for terpenes, although they interact with THC and CBD, they do not contain any cannabinoids and do not make you high. Terpenes will not cause you to fail a drug test.
Now, here is another 3 reasons why you won't fail a drug test.
1) MOST TERPENES COME FROM NON-CANNABIS SOURCES
Did you know that there are over 20,000 different terpenes in nature? That's right and you can get them from your favorite fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Cannabis by itself only produces about 100 terpenes. This is less than 0.5 percent of the total terpenes in existence. Drug testing for terpenes is highly impractical and everyone would fail the test. Because anyone who eats fruits, vegetables, and smell flowers would test positive for terpenes.
2) TERPENES DO NOT CAUSE PSYCHOACTIVE EFFECTS
Terpenes are not a known drug because they do not get anyone 'high' or cause psychoactive effects.If you know someone who claims to have gotten high from terpenes then they must have had something more.Terpenes are natural hydrocarbon compounds that are responsible for producing a plant, fruit, or vegetable's unique aroma and flavor. Because terpenes are harmless no one is testing for them. Drug tests simply do not test for terpenes because there is no point. And, it would be a total waste of resources to develop a drug test for terpenes.
3) DRUG TESTERS DO NOT TEST FOR TERPENES
Terpenes are non-psychoactive meaning they do not get you 'high'. Terpenes are not classed as a drug on any prohibited drug list. Most people engage with terpenes on a daily basis than they realize but in more dilute forms. And, terpenes are more abundant in nature as a whole than the singled-out cannabis plant. Henceforth, there exists no reason to drug test for terpenes. Plus, there is no reason or incentive to develop drug tests that target terpenes. Thus, you will not fail a drug test if you're taking terpenes in either concentrated or dilute forms.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We understand now how common Terpenes are, why they are mixed with CBD, the effects they have on us, and that we are more than likely to NOT fail a drug test.
Now, it's a question of looking for a brand that has YOUR HEALTH as its first priority. At TAYCO FARMS, we proudly stand by our commitment to producing CBD oil of the highest quality and free of harsh solvents like carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, propane, butane, and ethanol.
Furthermore, our Broad Spectrum (THC-FREE) products are mixed with terpenes that have specific flavor profiles, they aren’t very strong flavors, but our edibles overpower them, so you get the effects rather than the flavor profile.
You can click on the PDF link below to explore some of our Terpenes Flavors, descriptions, uses, and benefits to your health.
If you have any questions about Terpenes, what type of CBD oil or products to use, or simply want to discuss a tailored plan and dosage for your health regimen, contact us via phone at 281-324-2850 or email at
Taycofarms@tayco.net
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