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Medical Cannabis Terpenes: Profiles and Therapeutic Potential

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    • Overview

      Terpenes are plant-based compounds responsible for a plant's aroma,¹ likely contributing to pigmentation and offering protection against environmental threats, such as predators or adverse weather conditions.² They may also provide therapeutic effects when ingested or applied topically, although in some cases, they can cause side effects.¹

      While research on terpenes is still in its early stages, some studies suggest they may influence and enhance mood, potentially through interactions with body systems like the endocannabinoid system.³ Cannabis plants are particularly rich in terpenes, with over 150 types identified across various cannabis cultivars.⁴

      Emerging evidence also indicates that terpenes might interact with other compounds, such as cannabinoids and additional terpenes, to produce synergistic or cumulative effects.⁵ However, this area of study remains in its infancy.⁶

      These findings highlight the diverse therapeutic potential of medical cannabis cultivars, shaped by their unique compound profiles and effects.⁶ A deeper understanding of terpenes' therapeutic potential can help health practitioners make informed clinical decisions, tailored to each patient's individual needs, preferences, and overall well-being.

      Preview this module by watching the video above.

      Estimated Duration: 1 hours

      Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase

      Learning Outcomes

      Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to:

      • Define terpene
      • Explain terpenes' functions in plants
      • Discuss terpenes' hypothesised general functions in the body and potential interactions with other compounds
      • Define terpenoid
      • Explain the difference between terpenes and terpenoids
      • Identify and describe characteristics of key terpenoid subclasses
      • Explain the relevance of target boiling points for terpenes and terpenoids during medical cannabis administration
      • Identify and describe key terpenes' and terpenoids' characteristics, mechanisms of action, therapeutic potential and target boiling point
      • Identify current gaps in research and their implications for the clinical use of terpenes and terpenoids

      References:

      1. Paduch, Roman, et al. “Terpenes: Substances Useful in Human Healthcare.” Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis, vol. 55, no. 5, Oct. 2007, pp. 315–327, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00005-007-0039-1.
      2. Yang, Jianming, et al. “Enhancing Production of Bio-Isoprene Using Hybrid MVA Pathway and Isoprene Synthase in E. Coli.” PLoS ONE, vol. 7, no. 4, 27 Apr. 2012, p. e33509, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0033509.
      3. Christensen, Catalina, et al. “Decoding the Postulated Entourage Effect of Medicinal Cannabis: What It Is and What It Isn’t.” Biomedicines, vol. 11, no. 8, 21 Aug. 2023, pp. 2323–2323, https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11082323.
      4. Booth, Judith K., and Jörg Bohlmann. “Terpenes in Cannabis Sativa – from Plant Genome to Humans.” Plant Science, vol. 284, July 2019, pp. 67–72, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.03.022.
      5. LaVigne, Justin E., et al. “Cannabis Sativa Terpenes Are Cannabimimetic and Selectively Enhance Cannabinoid Activity.” Scientific Reports, vol. 11, no. 1, 15 Apr. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87740-8.
      6. Sommano, Sarana Rose, et al. “The Cannabis Terpenes.” Molecules, vol. 25, no. 24, 1 Jan. 2020, p. 5792, www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/24/5792, https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25245792.

    Overview

    Terpenes are plant-based compounds responsible for a plant's aroma,¹ likely contributing to pigmentation and offering protection against environmental threats, such as predators or adverse weather conditions.² They may also provide therapeutic effects when ingested or applied topically, although in some cases, they can cause side effects.¹

    While research on terpenes is still in its early stages, some studies suggest they may influence and enhance mood, potentially through interactions with body systems like the endocannabinoid system.³ Cannabis plants are particularly rich in terpenes, with over 150 types identified across various cannabis cultivars.⁴

    Emerging evidence also indicates that terpenes might interact with other compounds, such as cannabinoids and additional terpenes, to produce synergistic or cumulative effects.⁵ However, this area of study remains in its infancy.⁶

    These findings highlight the diverse therapeutic potential of medical cannabis cultivars, shaped by their unique compound profiles and effects.⁶ A deeper understanding of terpenes' therapeutic potential can help health practitioners make informed clinical decisions, tailored to each patient's individual needs, preferences, and overall well-being.

    Preview this module by watching the video above.

    Estimated Duration: 1 hours

    Access Duration: 12 months from date of purchase

    Learning Outcomes

    Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to:

    • Define terpene
    • Explain terpenes' functions in plants
    • Discuss terpenes' hypothesised general functions in the body and potential interactions with other compounds
    • Define terpenoid
    • Explain the difference between terpenes and terpenoids
    • Identify and describe characteristics of key terpenoid subclasses
    • Explain the relevance of target boiling points for terpenes and terpenoids during medical cannabis administration
    • Identify and describe key terpenes' and terpenoids' characteristics, mechanisms of action, therapeutic potential and target boiling point
    • Identify current gaps in research and their implications for the clinical use of terpenes and terpenoids

    References:

    1. Paduch, Roman, et al. “Terpenes: Substances Useful in Human Healthcare.” Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis, vol. 55, no. 5, Oct. 2007, pp. 315–327, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00005-007-0039-1.
    2. Yang, Jianming, et al. “Enhancing Production of Bio-Isoprene Using Hybrid MVA Pathway and Isoprene Synthase in E. Coli.” PLoS ONE, vol. 7, no. 4, 27 Apr. 2012, p. e33509, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0033509.
    3. Christensen, Catalina, et al. “Decoding the Postulated Entourage Effect of Medicinal Cannabis: What It Is and What It Isn’t.” Biomedicines, vol. 11, no. 8, 21 Aug. 2023, pp. 2323–2323, https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11082323.
    4. Booth, Judith K., and Jörg Bohlmann. “Terpenes in Cannabis Sativa – from Plant Genome to Humans.” Plant Science, vol. 284, July 2019, pp. 67–72, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.03.022.
    5. LaVigne, Justin E., et al. “Cannabis Sativa Terpenes Are Cannabimimetic and Selectively Enhance Cannabinoid Activity.” Scientific Reports, vol. 11, no. 1, 15 Apr. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87740-8.
    6. Sommano, Sarana Rose, et al. “The Cannabis Terpenes.” Molecules, vol. 25, no. 24, 1 Jan. 2020, p. 5792, www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/24/5792, https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25245792.