CBD with vs. Without Terpenes

CBD is expected to become a $17 billion industry in the United States by 2025. As it expands, the CBD market is also maturing.

Consumers are no longer willing to purchase run-of-the-mill CBD products just because they contain cannabidiol. With so many options on the market, increasingly educated CBD consumers demand products that exceed their quality expectations.

Once overlooked, terpenes are now taking the spotlight within the CBD industry. CBD products without terpenes will soon be ignored, and adding terpenes to CBD products is one of the best ways to remain competitive.

What is CBD oil with terpenes?

CBD oil with terpenes is CBD that contains added terpenes. You can add terpenes to CBD tinctures, capsules, edibles, drinks, vapes, or any other types of products that contain CBD.

Some CBD products naturally contain terpenes. No CBD products, however, naturally contain enough terpenes to fully exploit the benefits these non-intoxicating compounds provide.

Is CBD oil with terpenes better?

CBD oil that contains terpenes is unquestionably better than CBD oil that does not contain terpenes. Here are some of the categories in which CBD oil with terpenes surpasses conventional CBD oil:

  • Aroma
  • Flavor
  • Effectiveness
  • Range of effects
  • Distinctiveness

How do terpenes affect CBD?

Just as every terpene has a distinct chemical structure, each terpene also offers unique effects. These effects simultaneously boost the benefits of CBD and provide their own distinctive benefits.

Research indicates that CBD is more effective when this cannabinoid is ingested in combination with the other substances found in Cannabis sativa. So far, this research has mainly raised awareness about the important roles minor cannabinoids (CBG, CBN, CBC, etc.) play in CBD products.

Even with the help of minor cannabinoids, however, CBD can’t provide its full range of effects without terpenes. Consumers are starting to become aware of the unique value terpene-boosted CBD products provide.

What does entourage effect mean?

The entourage effect is a theorized form of synergy that may occur when CBD is ingested in tandem with the other substances that naturally occur in Cannabis sativa flower. Ingesting CBD with minor cannabinoids and terpenes appears to boost the effects of this cannabinoid.

Consumers want their CBD products to be as effective as possible. As a result, they increasingly seek out CBD products that offer the entourage effect.

It’s impossible to provide the full benefits of the entourage effect, however, without terpenes. As a result, some hemp producers emphasize the terpenes naturally present in their full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD extracts.

Even CBD products that naturally include terpenes, however, usually contain total concentrations of terpenes under 1%. It’s possible that boosting the concentrations of terpenes present in CBD products could enhance the benefits of the entourage effect.

What do terpenes do in the body?

All terpenes are alike in that they are non-intoxicating. Each terpene, however, offers unique benefits. Let’s examine the benefits of five of the most common and popular terpenes you can add to CBD:

What is pinene used for?

Also found in: Pine, rosemary, herbs

Aroma/taste: Mint, pine

Naturally present in a wide variety of plants, the alpha and beta forms of pinene both appear to have anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective properties.

What are the effects of myrcene?

Also found in: Mango, hops, lemongrass

Aroma/taste: Dank, sweet, musky

Myrcene is one of the most abundant terpenes in cannabis. This terpene has been investigated for its potential to treat pain and prevent DNA damage.

What is limonene used for?

Also found in: Citrus peels, juniper

Aroma/taste: Citrus

Limonene is responsible for the distinctive aroma of citrus peels. It appears to be one of the most anti-inflammatory terpenes, and limonene may also have cardiovascular benefits.

What is caryophyllene used for?

Also found in: Clove, black pepper

Aroma/taste: Spicy, musky

Caryophyllene is the only known terpene that interacts with the brain’s cannabinoid receptors. This terpene stimulates your CB2 receptors, which appear to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory benefits.

What is linalool used for?

Also found in: Lavender

Aroma/taste: Floral, hints of citrus

Linalool is responsible for the distinctive smell of lavender. This terpene has antimicrobial properties, and linalool may also help with depression, anxiety, and sleep.

female hand holding terpene product

Does all CBD oil have terpenes?

Certainly not. Some types of CBD oil don’t contain any terpenes at all, and no CBD extracts naturally contain as many terpenes as they should.

CBD isolate

CBD isolate consists solely of the cannabidiol molecule. It doesn’t contain any terpenes whatsoever.

 

As a result, CBD isolate can’t provide the entourage effect, and this type of CBD is rapidly losing popularity. It’s possible, however, to boost the effects of isolate CBD by combining this type of extract with terpenes.

Broad-spectrum CBD

Broad-spectrum CBD is a newer type of CBD extract that contains all the substances naturally found in hemp flower without including any THC. Depending on the process used, however, producing broad-spectrum CBD can oxidize the terpenes present in this extract, reducing its potency.

Full-spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD is similar to broad-spectrum CBD, but it contains up to 0.3% THC. In many cases, full-spectrum CBD is minimally processed, resulting in higher concentrations of terpenes.

Can I add terpenes to CBD oil?

Absolutely. We strongly encourage that you add terpenes to CBD oil to maximize the potential benefits this cannabinoid can provide.

It’s best to add terpenes to CBD oil during the product formulation process. Adding terpenes to individual products is inefficient and makes it difficult to deliver repeatable results.

For more information on how to add terpenes to CBD oil, CBD edibles, and other CBD products, view our terpene mixing guide  and terpene mixing calculator. With the right bulk terpenes and a few simple calculations, it’s easy to add terpenes to CBD products.

How do you add terpenes to CBD flowers?

CBD flower naturally contains reasonably high concentrations of terpenes. You can make CBD flower taste better and offer improved effects, however, by spraying it with additional terpenes.

All you need to get started is bulk quantities of your favorite terpenes and an industrial sprayer. Depending on the situation, you may want to dilute your terpene blend. Or, you can simply spray terpenes lightly enough that they don’t accumulate on your flower in excessive concentrations.

There are a variety of ways to spray terpenes on CBD flower. Experiment to develop the method that works best in your situation and contact us if you have any questions.

Why you should add terpenes to CBD products

CBD works best when it’s kept in the form nature intended. Not even nature, however, can always be trusted to unlock the full benefits a substance like CBD has to offer.

With added terpenes, you can make up for the weaknesses of CBD extracts that don’t contain any. You can also boost both the effectiveness and the range of effects of types of CBD that already contain terpenes to some degree.

Adding terpenes to CBD product formulations is easy, and the benefits are immense. Choose an ideal terpene blend today to start capitalizing on the unique benefits that terpenes add to CBD products.

 


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