CBD Terpenes 101

These compounds— found naturally in hemp and other plants—provide a wide array of health benefits

- Vera Tweed

The popularity of CBD supplements—cannabidiol from hemp that can’t get you high—has attracted attention to a related category of natural substances: terpenes. Pronounced “ter-peenz,” the word probably isn’t part of your daily conversation, but the effects of terpenes are very familiar to all of us. When you walk in a forest and the air seems fresher, or you walk along a tree-linedstreet and feel more relaxed, you’re experiencing the effects of terpenes released by the trees. The distinctive aromas of lavender, pine, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other plants, as well as the unique tastes of spices, come from the terpenes within these plants. And terpenes in essential oils give each one its unique characteristics and aromatherapy benefits.

A type of natural plant chemical, terpenes can be found in food additives for flavor and in cosmetics for pleasant scents. In addition, these plant compounds offer a variety of health benefits. Studies have found that the effects of terpenes include calming inflammation; relieving anxiety, depression, and pain; calming allergies; protecting the brain and nervous system; preventing the growth of cancerous tumors; killing harmful bacteria; stopping convulsions; and improving sugar metabolism.