Which Terp Science Labs Terpenes Should I Go with?

The more we learn about the hemp plant, the more we discover that each individual compound in the plant’s flowering buds has value to the human body. While we naturally focus heavily on cannabinoids, like cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC) , delta-10-retrahydrocannabinol (delta-10 THC) , THC-O-Acetate (THC-O), tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP) , tetrahydrocannabivarin (THC-V) , and even hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), there is an entirely unique class of compounds that exist alongside them known as terpenes.

Gaining an understanding of the role that terpenes have is important, because it can help us make better decisions when choosing hemp products, to better ensure that a specific product really suits our needs and helps us reach our goals. As you will see, terpenes are quite significant contributors to the properties of the hemp plant as a whole.

What are Terpenes and Why Do They Matter?

Cannabinoids are a class of compounds that are unique to cannabis, the genus responsible for both hemp and marijuana. Terpenes, meanwhile, are not unique to cannabis. Essentially, all plant species contain terpenes.

Terpenes are compounds that exist in the plant’s essential oils, and anyone who has benefited from an essential oil like tea tree or lavender has been benefiting from the terpenes. These compounds exist in plants for primarily because:

• They determine the flavor and aroma of a specific plant breed.
• They serve to protect the plant, with properties that can fight off diseases, keep away pests, and more.

Anyone who has purchased raw flower, or a full or broad spectrum hemp product has noticed a distinctive aroma and flavor, and this is solely due to the terpenes that are in the product. Beyond the fact that these compounds affect how the product tastes and smells, they introduce properties to the product. Terpenes are rich in properties that are useful to the body, including properties that may impact inflammation, mood, digestive function, etc.

For example, a prominent terpene in hemp is linalool, which also happens to be the dominant terpene in lavender. We see that lavender is known for calming the mind and even being useful for sleep. Each terpene in the plant is capable of offering something unique to the body, and many people are surprised by just how much terpenes are affecting them when they consume a hemp product, as there’s a mistaken belief that the only compounds responsible for the effects of hemp are its cannabinoids.

Terpenes and Strains of the Hemp Plant

You have likely heard about strains and their relationship with someone’s hemp experience. The hemp plant’s strain is another term for its breed. And, the strain/breed is largely determined by its terpene profile, as there are over 100 individual terpenes that can occur in hemp, configured in different ways to separate one strain from another.

As each strain has its own distinctive properties, the terpene profile of a specific breed has a lot to do with its effects. Also, each strain has a unique flavor and aroma profile because of the fact that it has a specific terpene configuration. For instance, strains with strong citrusy notes typically feel more energizing, because the terpenes associated with citrus fruits are known for having an uplifting effect on the nervous system.

Overall, there are three specific categories of strains associated with the hemp plant.

• Indica: Have more than 0.5% myrcene in their chemical composition, with myrcene being a terpene associated with more calming effects. This is why indica strains are more mellowing, and more associated with bedtime use.
• Sativa: Contain lower levels of myrcene and are usually associated with daytime use because their effects are less mellowing and more invigorating.
• Hybrid: The result of crossing a sativa with an indica, to create a strain that sits somewhere in the middle. As a result, hybrids usually have a more balanced effect that’s neither too mellowing nor too invigorating.

Are Terpenes Found in All Hemp Products?

Not all hemp products contain terpenes. Extraction methods used today have the ability to remove terpenes from a hemp extract, which is usually done to concentrate the cannabinoid content. That being said, the products that do contain terpenes are raw flower, broad and full spectrum hemp products, and most concentrates including wax and shatter.

Note: Products labeled as “isolate” or “distillate” are terpene-free, concentrated forms of specific cannabinoids. This is why they are flavorless and odorless.

Cannabis Derived Terpenes vs. Naturally Derived Terpenes

Some products on the hemp market combine an isolate or distillate of a cannabinoid with terpenes that are sourced separately, to offer a particularly strong concentration of a cannabinoid alongside terpenes in levels that would naturally occur in the plant material. This is the most common with vape cartridges that feature a cannabinoid that exists only in trace levels in the plant, such as delta 8 or delta 10. These products contain a high concentration of the cannabinoid, and the terpenes are added later.

Products that contain added terpenes can be made with one of two types:

• Cannabis-derived terpenes: Extracted directly from the hemp plant, where they naturally sit alongside cannabinoids.
• Naturally derived terpenes: Each terpene in the hemp plant can be found in other plant life as well, often in more abundant amounts, making it easier and cheaper to extract them. So, they come from non-cannabis plants.

Terp Science Labs: A Dazzling Terpene Experience Awaits!

Terpenes, as you can see, offer tremendous value to a hemp product by adding more properties to the experience, while also giving the product a flavor and aroma. Terp Science Labs is one of the only manufacturers that specializes in isolated terpene profiles that can be added to hemp products that are lacking in effective terpene content.

Since 2014, this California-based brand has been a leader in terpene research, using their findings to craft concentrated terpene profiles free of cannabinoids that can be added to:

• Concentrates
• Oils
• Edibles
• Shatter Emulsifier
• Aromatherapy
• Bath & Beauty

Terp Science Labs’ terpenes come in a wide array of size options, and you can find flavored terpene profiles, as well as an abundance of terpene profiles in specific indica, sativa, and hybrid strains. These products come with clear instructions so that you can dilute the terpenes to get the perfect concentration no matter what type of formula you’re trying to enhance. Their terpenes are plant-derived and extracted using CO2 to ensure a pure and stable product.

Advice: ALL OF THEIR TERPENES ARE LAB GRADE AND SHOULD NEVER BE USED WITHOUT DILUTING 0.5%-13% RATIO OF VOLUME.