Do Terpenes Matter in Cannabis Edibles?
What Are Terpenes and Their Benefits
It’s all about the terps (terpenes) in the current cannabis culture. I would be surprised if you have not at least heard someone in passing talk about terpenes. But what are they really? And, what do they do? How do terpenes work in edibles?
Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in the trichomes of the cannabis plant (and other fruits, veggies, etc.). They are, at least in part, responsible for the flavor and aroma of the cannabis flower you are enjoying.* In cannabis, there are over 200 terpene varieties. Combinations of these terpenes with the cannabinoids like THC and CBD work synergistically to produce the effects felt after smoking cannabis flower.
There are not as many studies that look at the effects terpenes have on the body when consumed, but there are a promising few that describe potential benefits such as aiding memory, decreasing cognitive dysfunction, being an antioxidant and anticarcinogen. The catch here is that all these effects are produced when cannabis is consumed with aromatherapy (smoking, vaporizing, essential oils). If and how terpenes work with the body when consumed in edibles is something entirely different.
How Do Terpenes Work in Edibles?
As little studies as there are on terpenes in general, there are even less on how terpenes work with the body when consumed via edibles or sublinguals. We do know that terpenes, like cannabinoids, change forms, and therefore change effects, based on how they are treated. Terpenes will become different forms if they are smoked, vaporized, extracted, metabolized, ingested, or just exposed to heat and air.
This is comparable to how THC enters the body depending if it is smoked or eaten in an edible. When delta-9 THC is eaten and metabolized, it converts into 11-hydroxy-THC which is much stronger than delta-9 THC and lasts twice as long in the body.* This is why edibles seem to have more potent effects than smoking cannabis.
This means that the limonene and other terpenes you enjoy in your cannabis flower will not be the same limonene your body interacts with when eating an edible made from that flower. Not only this, but the bioavailability of terpenes is much different in flower that is smoked than in edibles. Bioavailability means how much of the terpene your body is actually interacting with. Eating edibles means the terpenes are subjected to the digestive system and this process significantly lowers the amount of terpene available. It has been shown that very little terpene content ends up in blood plasma when consumed with an edible.
This does not mean that terpenes have no use in edibles. The terpenes might interact with receptors in the body before digestion, like in the digestive tract. This is a bit of speculation as there are no studies as of yet that look deeply into this subject. Terpenes may also play an important role in the flavor of your edible. From a chef’s perspective, it could be beneficial to consider terpene content to make your edibles stand out taste-wise.
Are Sativa and Indica Edibles Real?
Our current understanding of terpenes in edibles suggests that there is no distinction between sativa and indica edibles. Terpenes degrade so much when going through the digestive system that they are barely found in blood plasma. This means that the only things interacting with your body from an edible are the cannabinoids like THC and CBD. THC and CBD themselves are neither sativa or indica. They are just cannabinoids. This leads us to believe that edibles should not be classified as sativa or indica because there are no terpenes present to make the distinction.
Summary of How Do Terpenes Work in Edibles
Terpenes are molecules found in the trichomes of cannabis flower. They are responsible for the flavor and scent of the flower. Not only that, but they also have potential therapeutic benefits including anti-inflammation, antioxidation, memory aid, and more. The caveat is that all these benefits take place after terpenes are used with aromatherapy like smoking, vaporizing, or essential oils.
When consumed in edibles, terpenes degrade very quickly going through the digestive system. Barely any make it through and into the blood. This means that terpenes have very little effect on your edible experience. This also means that there is no distinction between “sativa” and “indica” edibles.
Much of this is based on the limited scientific studies available for review. To better understand how terpenes interact with the body via edibles, more studies must be conducted.
