Terpenes + CBD 101: What Are Terpenes and How Do They Affect CBD Products?

When faced with aches and pains, anxiety, or another sleepless hour creeping by past bedtime, an increasing number of people are now reaching for CBD products. This popular hemp-derived ingredient can be found in more products than ever, from edible wellness supplements to vapes or topicals applied to the skin. 

In recent years, the number of CBD brands and products has skyrocketed, with CBD or cannabidiol ranking as the top-selling herbal supplement ingredient in natural retail stores. That widespread availability has done a lot to perpetuate awareness of CBD and its benefits, but it’s also made it more difficult to know what to look for in a CBD product, and what sets certain formulas and brands apart from one another.

CBD products come in many different forms, and depending on how the CBD was extracted from the hemp plant, may contain anything from pure CBD, to CBD alongside the other beneficial compounds in the cannabis plant like Terpenes. Many shoppers looking for CBD products aren’t familiar with terpenes, or how these distinctive botanical compounds can enhance the effects of cannabinoids like CBD. It’s important to understand how terpenes and CBD work together—because terpenes significantly impact all the different ways CBD can be used for health and wellness. Here’s a closer look at some of the scientific research around these fascinating natural compounds.

 

What Is CBD and How Does It Work?

 

CBD is part of a category of chemical compounds called cannabinoids. Some cannabinoids are produced by plants, like the cannabis plant and are called phytocannabinoids. Whereas other cannabinoids are produced by our body which are called endocannabinoids. Both act in similar ways on the same receptor system called the endocannabinoid system or ECS.  Some of the best-known phytocannabinoids include:

• Cannabidiol (CBD)
• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
• Cannabigerol (CBG)
• Cannabichromene (CBC)
• Cannabinol (CBN)

These compounds play a key role in helping to regulate our endocannabinoid system, which is a body-wide network of cannabinoid receptors that interact with major organs and other major physiological networks like your endocrine, immune, digestive, circulatory and reproductive systems. Each cannabinoid produces distinctive responses in the CB1 and CB2 receptors, leading to unique benefits depending on the type of extracts and formulations. 

Is CBD Psychoactive?

CBD does bind to and interact with receptors in the brain, however, unlike THC it won’t make you feel high. CBD, like other cannabinoids, meets the World Health Organization’s definition of a psychoactive substance, meaning it affects “mental processes, e.g. perception, consciousness, cognition or mood and emotions.” Unlike other cannabinoids, however, CBD is not considered intoxicating—it doesn’t produce the euphoric “high” sensation that THC does. This is because THC and CBD have different targets in the body. While THC activates the cannabinoid 1 receptor, known for inducing that euphoric feeling, CBD does not. CBD plays on a symphony of other receptors that have additional benefits without the high. 

It is important to note that hemp products are legally allowed to have small levels of THC present (< 0.3%). This low level of THC may be noticeable for some people, and may also offer great benefits to applying microdoses of THC alongside the larger doses of CBD.

 

Is CBD Legal?

 

Yes, CBD is legal to use and to purchase in person or online. A sea change happened with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, creating a legal distinction in the U.S. between cannabis and hemp plants, the latter of which is now defined as containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. That differentiation, along with other scientific and regulatory developments, has led to the widespread availability of cannabinoid products, specifically CBD, made from hemp. Non-intoxicating CBD is the best-known and most ubiquitous of these newly legal cannabinoids. 

 

What Is Full-Spectrum or Broad-Spectrum CBD?

 

All CBD is not created equal, however. You might see references to different types of CBD, including:

• Full-Spectrum CBD: These are extracts that include the full benefits of other compounds also present in hemp, including terpenes, extremely low levels of THC and a host of other beneficial minor cannabinoids, making it the most medicinally impactful extract.

• Broad-Spectrum CBD: These are extracts that have all residual THC levels removed, but still retain other botanical compounds, limiting the full potential of the entourage effect when compared to Full-Spectrum CBD.

• CBD Isolate: These are extracts from a process that fully isolates the CBD molecules from all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and botanical compounds, making it the least medicinally impactful extract.

 

Does CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?

 

Although CBD is part of the same family of chemical compounds as THC, all cannabinoids have distinct molecular structures—which means that a drug test designed to detect THC won’t react to CBD. 

That said, someone may test positive for THC if they are using CBD products derived from cannabis rather than hemp, or if they are using full-spectrum CBD products that have trace amounts of THC. It depends on many factors, including the sensitivity of the drug test and the administration method (hair, urine, or saliva). 

Another factor is how the CBD product in question has been consumed. Consumable and smokable cannabis products, whether they contain CBD, THC or other cannabinoids, are processed by the body differently than topicals like CBD creams, lotions and salves. Even topical products that contain THC greater than the 0.3% are less likely to result in a positive drug test than other consumption formats. All Entourus topicals are formulated to contain less than 0.3% THC, minimizing the chance of a positive drug test result.

 

How Do CBD Topicals Work?

 

CBD can be consumed in a variety of ways, whether through inhalation by smoking or vaping, consuming gummies or tinctures, or by applying CBD-infused topicals like creams, lotions, salves and ointments. 

When cannabinoids of any sort are consumed internally through inhalation or ingestion, those cannabinoids eventually enter the bloodstream and are distributed throughout the body, including to the brain. Although inhalation of CBD and other cannabinoids has a relatively fast uptake, edibles can take a long time, depending on an individual’s metabolism and speed of digestion—not to mention other factors like what else they’ve eaten that day. 

When cannabinoids are applied topically,  they interact with receptors in the part of your skin where the cream or salve is applied and rubbed in for a much more localized effect. This makes topicals a popular, low risk, way to try CBD and other cannabinoids if feeling high or the possibility of drug testing is a concern.

CBD topicals are also popular as a means to provide fast relief right where you need it, without waiting for an edible to kick in or for the CBD in your bloodstream to be distributed to, say, a sore tennis elbow. That’s the same reason why many people reach for topical analgesics like muscle rubs or menthol-based sports creams instead of over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. 

 

What Are Terpenes? 

 

You may be familiar with the soft, herbal notes that waft up when you brush past a sage or rosemary plant, or the sweet funk of a freshly squeezed mango. Maybe you enjoy a hike through pine forests or the scent of a real Christmas tree during the holidays. What all these distinctive smells have in common, is that they are the same type of plant aromatic compounds called terpenes. Beyond smell, these molecules have effects on the body that go far past your five senses.

Terpenes naturally occur in the essential oils found in a variety of plants: They’re present in the hops that make IPAs and pale ales so bitter, and contribute to the astringent flavor of tea and the zingy scent of a freshly peeled orange. Terpenes also naturally occur, in relatively high amounts in Cannabis sativa.

Terpenes are what give each strain or cultivar of cannabis it’s unique aroma — a little herbal, earthy, gassy, or even fruity depending on the variety. But it’s a common misconception that terpenes only serve up appealing scents. Researchers have studied how different terpene profiles are behind why the scent of lavender isn’t just nice, but also relaxing, or why varieties that smell like lemons are more uplifting, based on how the terpenes interact with receptors in the body. Having a diversity of terpenes and cannabinoids present in a cannabis product enhances the potential for synergies.

 

How Are Terpenes Extracted? 

 

There are a few different ways to extract terpenes from the plants in which they naturally occur. Terpenes can be isolated through steam or hydrodistillation, or extracted with the use of solvents such as CO2, butane or ethanol. Mechanical extraction is one of the oldest and widely used methods for getting terpenes out of plants, such as using pressure and heat to pull oil and liquid from plant matter.

 

How Terpenes Affect CBD Products

 

Now that you understand what CBD is and what terpenes are, you might be wondering how they affect one another. There’s a term for how cannabinoids interact with other botanical extracts like terpenes: the entourage effect.  

The entourage effect isn’t limited to products that contain THC, although it’s most often discussed in the context of medical and recreational cannabis. The “entourage” simply refers to that combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds playing off one another to create more pronounced or synergistic effects than any individual ingredient could on its own.

Combining Full-Spectrum CBD with different terpenes, whether in essential oil form or from an extracted blend of selected terpenes, results in a product that provides the full medicinal benefits associated with the entourage effect in cannabis medicine. 

Scientific studies of CBD alone suggest efficacy for wide-ranging conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, appetite stimulation, Tourette's syndrome, multiple sclerosis, nausea and more. Additionally, the distinct effects that terpenes offer also enhance interactions of CBD with the human body’s ECS. When cannabinoids such as CBD are combined with terpenes, as it occurs naturally in the cannabis sativa plant, potential medicinal effects and applications expand. 

 

Terpenes Found in Cannabis: A Closer Look

 

What we call essential oils are just extracts of different types of terpenes, specifically a combination of terpenes of different sizes including mono, sesqui and di-terpenes. That’s why citrus fruits and herbs tend to have their own similar categories of scent. And many of the terpenes commonly found in cannabis are also found in other familiar plants, too.

• Limonene: Also known as d-limonene, this terpene is notably found in citrus as well as cannabis. Some animal studies have associated limonene with anti-inflammatory, wound healing and anticancer effects. d-Limonene has also been found to improve transdermal drug delivery by decreasing resistance in the skin’s natural barrier.

• β-Pinene: Beta-pinene, true to the name, is found in pine trees, as well as chamomile, frankincense and turpentine. Studies have shown it can have topical effects like speeding recovery from UVB exposure and photoaging through anti-inflammatory effects.

• Linalool: Widely found in plants from citrus to lavender to hops and roses. Linalool studies have found it may have anticonvulsant properties when consumed internally and antimicrobial and antifungal properties when applied externally. In the context of cannabinoid pharmacology, linalool has established sedative, antidepressant, anxiolytic, and immune-boosting effects.

• β-Caryophyllene: The only terpene to be classified as a “dietary terpenoid” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you probably know caryophyllene best from pantry ingredients like cloves and rosemary. Research into caryophyllene was a gateway to better understanding of the entourage effect and how cannabis terpenes interact with the same endocannabinoid receptors as classical cannabinoids like CBD. This terpene can bind directly to the cannabinoid 2 receptor, which may help with chronic inflammation. 

 

What Are the Best Terpenes for Pain Relief?

 

When a CBD topical is Full-Spectrum and includes natural terpenes, that broadens the range of effects produced by the CBD. Many terpenes have been shown to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can complement similar effects from cannabinoids—particularly for topical applications. 

It is our philosophy that a CBD infused balm with terpenes can provide more effective relief than one with CBD alone. So how do terpenes affect the endocannabinoid system? In a few ways.

Scientists have been studying transdermal applications of terpenes since the 1960s, and have found them to be a safe and effective means of increasing the penetrative effects of topical treatments, particularly when it comes to anti-inflammatory and wound healing purposes. 

One study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that not only do terpenes like myrcene work to control joint inflammation and pain, they do so by interacting with the same endocannabinoid receptors that respond to CBD. Recent research commissioned by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and reported in bioRxiv in 2023 found that  “select terpenes from cannabis sativa”relieved neuropathic and inflammatory pain in mice by acting as agonists of certain spinal cord receptors. 

Some of the terpenes most associated with pain relief and reduced inflammation are the most prominent in cannabis and hemp, including the monoterpenes β-myrcene, α-pinene, limonene, and linalool, as well as the sesquiterpenes β-caryophyllene and α-humulene. That’s especially true in formulations like Entourus’ proprietary blends, which intentionally combines these terpenes specifically to relieve physical discomfort.

 

How to Choose the Right CBD Product

 

With thousands of CBD products on the market, you might be wondering how you know you’re choosing something that’s actually going to meet your needs. A 2020 FDA study found that nearly 20% of the 102 CBD products the agency tested had a lower percentage of CBD than advertised, while the NIH found that 26% of the products tested were mislabeled with a higher CBD percentage than was actually present in the formula.  

That’s why it’s so important to buy CBD products from a reputable source. The quality range in this sector is immense, and there are a lot of factors that can influence the quality and efficacy of a CBD product. 

Cultivation and extraction methods and the type of CBD included can all influence your experience—not to mention whether the topical you’re purchasing is a cream, lotion or salve. While these terms are used interchangeably, they each have a different technical definition, and can work rather differently on the skin.

 

Why Entourus CBD Products Rise Above

 

At Entourus we use the highest quality ingredients. All our CBD is sourced from vertically integrated hemp farms in Oregon that retain their own in-house genetics specialists to select and cultivate only the highest quality natural hemp plants. Our cultivation partners use only non-GMO farming methods and techniques. They also test their hemp plants from seed-to-sale—a strict quality control approach that aligns with the highly regulated cannabis industry. Additionally, the CBD extracted from those plants is Full-Spectrum, meaning it retains its entire natural terpene and cannabinoid profile and provides the full extent of the entourage effect 

All Entourus topicals contain our Full-Spectrum CBD, paired with a distinctly formulated proprietary blend of terpenes. These terpenes are offered in our topicals through one of two distinct formulations: Whole Plant Essential Oils (found in our CBD Essentials salves) or our Scientifically developed blend of Terpene Isolates (found in our CBD + Terpenes salves).

Our CBD Essentials salves only use cold-pressed and steam distilled oils, which are always solventless, providing clean and pure isolated essential oils for our salves.

Our CBD + Terpenes salves contain a proprietary blend of 50 botanically derived, isolated terpenes. This unique blend of terpene oils was scientifically formulated, working in synergy to act upon receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system, and allowing our salves to last for long durations after application. 

Our products are heavily researched to include the most impactful combination of cannabinoids and terpenes, with formulations that ensure the bioactive ingredients get to the target in your body.

 

Make an Informed Choice in CBD Topicals

 

A 2022 Forbes Health survey found that 64% of U.S. adults have tried at least one CBD product, and interest in cannabidiol just keeps growing. With that increased awareness comes the need for increased education. As more people learn about why CBD can be so effective—particularly full-spectrum CBD extracts with terpenes—they’ll have naturally have other questions like how to use CBD muscle cream?

Scientists are making new discoveries every day about our endocannabinoid system and the unique ways that cannabinoids like CBD and associated compounds like terpenes can affect the human body. As that research continues, CBD shoppers can rest easy knowing they’ve chosen the best CBD cream from a reputable source that takes consumer safety seriously—and understands how their products can make a real difference in our everyday lives.