The Difference Between Cannabinoids and Terpenes

Becoming a cannabis consumer is a great first step toward becoming a happier, healthier you, especially if your life has already been negatively impacted by traditional pharmaceutical treatments. However, you shouldn’t just stop there. Better health is a journey, not a destination, and empowering yourself with knowledge about precisely what types of cannabis products are actually best suited to you will help you go further than you ever thought possible in finding relief. For example, what is the difference between cannabinoids and terpenes, and what does that mean for you, the patient?

What Are Terpenes?

While you may not realize it, you actually encounter terpenes every day. The fresh, sweet smell of an orange as you cut it open for breakfast, or the gentle, relaxing scent of lavender wafting from your garden during the summer – you’re experiencing the terpenes. Terpenes refer to the chemicals that determine a natural substance’s aroma, such as herbs or plants, and can even be responsible for physical stimuli, such as the way cinnamon warms and uplifts you, giving you a natural sense of coziness and joy, or the way peppermint is great for getting rid of stomach aches! Some of the most common cannabis terpenes include myrcene, Limonene, Pinene, Linalool, Caryophyllene, and Humulene.

What Are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids, on the other hand, act as sort of other side of the same coin, operating symbiotically with the various terpenes to help reinforce the physical healing powers of all the different cannabis strains. CBDA, for example, is a specific compound that works with the bodies endocannabinoid system to hinder COX-2 enzymes that cause pain and inflammation, while cannabinoids like CBD affect a much wider range of systems to support a myriad of medicinal benefits.

The Entourage Effect

The entourage effect refers to the incredibly complex and unique balance that cannabinoids and terpenes maintain – essentially, how they all work together. With countless different terpenes and cannabinoids in existence, the number of potential combinations is virtually limitless, which is why no two strains of cannabis are exactly alike!

Patient Perks

With so many different types of cannabis products available, each capable of affecting the body differently, patients are able to find relief with medical marijuana like never before. Have a painful or debilitating condition costing you precious moments in life? Simply speak with any of our knowledgeable budtenders at The Woods and we can figure out exactly what terpenes and cannabinoids are best suited to treat your unique systems and help you live the pain-free life you’ve been dreaming of!