The Complex Bouquet of Cannabis, Terpenoid Diversity and Abundance

Great article. Got anything about thiols?

Such good stuff here, all of it! Thank you buckaroo and others. I'm a personal use grower in AK and while much of this is fascinating to me I was particularly interested in:

"Certain strains of Cannabis, like Super Lemon Haze, the lemon phenotype of Jack Herer, and Girl Scout Cookies, have elevated levels of a terpene, called Limonene (found in citrus.) This terpene works synergistically with THC, CBD, and the other minor cannabinoids to add an anti-depressant effect to strains high in it. "

I've a small soil med grow with 2 JTR, a Jack Herer and a GSC right now, all from seed. Reading your quote was curious to me, because I didn't really "know" the reason I chose the strains for this run, other than "I like them". So it was a bit startling to see that I may actually be subconsciously selecting which plant to grow based on its high levels of Limonene, a terpenoid I've never even identified!? I realize I won't necessarily get the same phenotypes as I've had prior, but for some reason these are still the strains I selected, and planted... all done without any awareness of their all having high Limonene potential. Funny how that shit works!

I'd say the anti-depressant synergy you mention between limonene and cannabinoids seems entirely possible, just considering personal experience, and that's exciting as I sure hope to find a limonene-rich plant in these 4. It could be a nice option in the dark season here in AK!

Anyway buckaroo do you have a source for limonene's synergy with cannabinoids? I'd like to read it if you do, thank you!

elkamino said:

..... I didn't really "know" the reason I chose the strains for this run, other than "I like them"......

..... I may actually be subconsciously selecting which plant to grow based on its high levels of Limonene......

......I'd say the anti-depressant synergy you mention between limonene and cannabinoids seems entirely possible.......

Anyway buckaroo do you have a source for limonene's synergy with cannabinoids? I'd like to read it if you do, thank you!

Click to expand...

we all 'choose' our medicine based on what "we" like....

i always tell people find which medicine you like best for yourself...

-theres tons of info out there....google is your friend-

"Cannabidiol (CBD) possesses sedative properties, and clinical trials show it reduces the anxiety provoked by THC. Similarly, terpenoids in Cannabis also possess sedative properties when inhaled, such as linalool, citronellol, and a-terpineol. Terpenoids may also mitigate memory loss.

THC causes cholinergic deficits in the hippocampus,

which can be reversed by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase; this inhibition is provided by limonene,

limonene oxide, a-terpinene, g-terpinene, terpinen-4-ol, carvacrol, l- and d-carvone, p-cymene, fenchone, pulegone, and 1,8-cineole.

Inhalation of 1,8-cineole increases cerebral blood flow and enhances cortical activity.

Many aforementioned terpenoids, cannabinoids (CBD, cannabichromene, cannabigerol),

and >flavonoids<
(cannaflavins, apigenin, quercetin)

---have potent antiinflammatory activity or serve as neuroprotective antioxidants.

These same compounds kill bacteria and fungi which may contaminate bacteria, they inhibit the growth of human carcinoma cells, and they serve other useful functions."

Limonene


Aroma: Citrus

Effects: Elevated mood, stress relief

Medical Value: Antifungal, anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic, dissolves gallstones, mood-enhancer; may treat gastrointestinal complications, heartburn, depression

Also Found In: Fruit rinds, rosemary, juniper, peppermint

*High Limonene Strains: OG Kush, Super Lemon Haze, Jack the Ripper, Lemon Skunk

This is particularly true in the case of a very complex plant like cannabis, which produces well over 220 compounds. About 85 of those are cannabinoids, and another 120 are so called terpenes and some 20 are flavonoids.

WHAT ARE FLAVONOIDS?

The unique smell and flavor of a cannabis strain is produced in part by its flavonoids, the aromatic molecules. Some flavonoids, like quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol, naturally appear in many different plants. But flavonoids that are unique to cannabis are called cannaflavins, and they don’t just smell good, they are pharmacologically active. For example, cannaflavin A has been found to to reduce inflammation by inhibiting the inflammatory molecule PGE-2, and it does this 30 times more effectively than aspirin.

Similar to CBD, flavonoids also modulate the effects of THC. Through complex biochemical mechanisms, flavonoids interact on many different sites in the body. Some interact with estrogen receptors, others act as potent antioxidants or inhibit enzymatic processes.

WHAT ARE TERPENES AND TERPENOIDS?

Terpenes appear naturally and abundantly in humans, plants and animals, often to deter parasites. Similarly to flavonoids, terpenes also emit a strong smell and flavor. Terpenes are volatile molecules that evaporate easily and contribute to the aroma of the buds. Research has discovered that terpenes are psychoactive and contribute to the overall effect of a strain. They show a wide range of effects, including sedation, anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and many more. Perhaps surprisingly, up to 30% of cannabis smoke is composed of terpenes and terpenoids.

The difference between terpenes and terpenoids is that terpenes are simple hydrocarbons, while terpenoids consist of additional functional groups. In nature, simple hydrocarbons like terpenes are often the building blocks for larger and more complex molecules, such as steroids, pigments and vitamins. In cannabis, terpenes and THC share a biochemical precursor, geranyl pyrophosphate, which is developed in the resin glands of the plant and then evolves into the cannabinoids and terpenes.

Just like many other strong-smelling flowers and plants, cannabis develops those terpenes to attract beneficial insects and to repel predators. Many factors, including the climate, weather, maturity level of the plant, the used fertilizers, the soil type the plant grows in and even the time of day have influence on a plant’s development of terpenes.

The great variety of aromas in cannabis strains is already impressive, but the most fascinating property of terpenes is their ability to interact with the other active compounds in the plant. Terpenes can modify how much THC passes through the blood-brain barrier. But their influence reaches even as far as to regulate neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, altering their rate of production and decomposition, their movement and availability to receptors.

While well over 100 different terpenes and terpenoids have been identified in cannabis, we are summarizing below some of the most prominent ones. Here a short list of terpenes, their aroma and medicinal benefits.

-----
-Borneol-

Aroma: Spicy, menthol, camphor

Effects: Sedative, calming

Medical value: Used in traditional Chinese medicine as moxa, also to reduce stress.

Also found in: Cinnamon, galanga, and wormwood

Strains high in Borneol: The church, Diamond Girl, Green-o-matic

------
-Carene-

Aroma: Sweet, cedar, pungent

Effects: Unknown

Medical value: In aromatherapy used to dry excess fluids, tears, running noses, excess menstrual flow and perspiration

Also found in: Cedar, pine, rosemary

Strains high in Carene: El Niño, Lemon Skunk, King’s Kush

-------
-Caryophyllene-

Aroma: Spicy, warm, sweet, woody

Effects: Unknown

Medical value: anti-inflammatory and analgesic. In high doses a calcium and potassium ion channel blocker. One of the compounds that contributes to the spiciness of black pepper.

Also found in: Black pepper, hops, lavender, rosemary, cloves, oregano.

Strains high in Caryophyllene: Arjans Haze #2, Super Silver Haze, Nevilles Haze

-----
-Eucalyptol-

Aroma: Spicy, minty, camphor

Effects: Centering, balancing and stimulating

Medical value: Used as a cough suppressant. Antibacterial, used in mouthwash and body powder.

Also found in: Rosemary, sage, wormwood, basil, tea tree, camphor laurel

Strains high in Eucalyptol: Kings Kush, ChemDawg, Bubba Kush

-----
-Limonene-

Aroma: Sour, citrus (lemon, orange, grapefruit)

Effects: Uplifting, refreshing

Medical value: Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-carcinogenic, enhances the mood

Also found in: Citrus fruits, rosemary, peppermint

Strains high in limonene: OG Kush, Damn Sour, Diamond Girl, Super Lemon Haze, Jack the Ripper, Lemon Skunk

----
-Linalool-

Aroma: Sweet, flowery, citrus, candy like

Effects: Uplifting and sedating

Medical value: Helps with anxiety, elevates the mood

Also found in: Over 200 plants produce linalool; Lavender, mints, rosewood, citrus fruits, birch trees, and even some fungi.

Strains high in linalool: Amnesia Haze, Grape Ape, G-13, Lavender, Deep Purple, LA Confidential

-----
-Myrcene-

Aroma: Sweet, fruity, green vegetative, tropical, earthy

Effects: Sedation and relaxation

Medical value: Antimicrobial, antiseptic, analgesic, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, elevates the mood.

Myrcene is also found in: Mango, hops, lemon grass, thyme, guava, East Indian bay tree, verbena and mercia

Strains high in myrcene: White Rhino, Sweet Mango Auto, K. Train, El Niño, Skunk #1, White Widow

-----
-Pinene-

Aroma: Pine

Effects: Mental Focus, alertness, aids memory, counteracts some of the effects of THC

Medical value: Bronchodilator, helps with asthma, acts antiseptic, antibiotic, insect repellant

Also found in: Pine needles, rosemary, basil, parsley, dill

Strains high in pinene: Trainwreck, Cheese, ChemDawg, Super Critical, Jack Herer, Bubba Kush, Super Silver Haze

-------
-Terpineol-

Aroma: Sweet, floral, citrus, lilac

Effects: Strongly physically relaxing, responsible for the couchlock?

Medical value: Unknown

Also found in: Apple blossoms, orange

Strains high in Terpineol: Money Maker, White Rhino, Superbud

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difference between shwagg-----good medicine....and best

-Esoteric knowledge-

-the trick tho is how do you 'raise' the turpene profile.....

...for you elkomino-man the trick will be to either test or find the plant in your garden that has the highest limonene content-

im not even sure most here in michigan even look or get turpene profile results on their 'tests'--
....nor do they care-

Good luk--

"google is your friend-"

D'oh!

Thanks for the beta, and the nudge... it'll keep me busy for a bit!