Terpenes are the new buzz word in the marijuana industry, almost like what CBD was eight-or-so years ago. As more and more states – and soon, hopefully, the federal government – give the thumbs-up to medical marijuana, there are a growing number of studies into the minute components of marijuana. What researchers and enthusiasts are finding is that terpenes are an important part of the plant, giving cannabis its unique smell but also aiding in some of the better-known physiological effects of marijuana.
With all the buzz around terpenes, most folks know that they are what give marijuana their aroma and taste. One ‘terpene profile’ (or unique combination of the hundred-plus terpenes out there) can give a marijuana strain its earthy, woody aroma, while another terpene profile might give a fruity, sweet flavor. But as marijuana growers and product manufacturers are tweaking the finished product, discussions are popping up about the more subtle effects terpenes can have on medical marijuana, specifically edibles.
Terpenes: more than just a tasty additive
We know more about terpenes in general now thanks to the research that is going into the marijuana. But what we are learning more and more about terpenes in regards to marijuana is how the entourage effect impact feelings that marijuana creates. First it was just THC that was all the rage, then people started to see that THC combined with CBD will give a whole new range of effects. Now we are learning that terpenes play an equally important role in the benefits of cannabis.
Especially in edibles, we are learning that the varying amounts of terpenes – and more specifically, the terpene profile – can enhance cannabis’ effect. A balanced amount of myrcene and limonene, for example, can help with the uplifting feeling from certain strains (like Fire OG), while a combination of myrcene and linalool can help keep the anxious feelings of some stronger strains (like some Kush strains) at bay.
But I heard through the grapevine …
But what about the actual process of making the edibles? What about the processing and, especially, the heating up of all the ingredients? Won’t the high heat essentially burn off the terpenes? Yes and no.
Since components in marijuana – and all plants – have a boiling point where chemical breakdown occurs, care obviously must be taken in making edibles. The widely accepted boiling point of THC is around 300-315 degrees Fahrenheit; this is around the same temperature range as most terpenes – though some have boiling points much higher than that. As long as product manufacturers do not exceed 300 degrees Fahrenheit (we went on the lower end of the range, just to be safe), then the terpenes will not break down or burn off. Adding terpenes (and other ingredients) at the end of the heating process can further safeguard them from boiling away.
So to answer the question: does the heating process during the marijuana product manufacturing kill off any effects terpenes might have? Yes, but only if you really turn up the heat. Keep the heat under 300 or, to be doubly safe: keep it under 250 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 120 degrees Celsius).
Evaporation?
Great, you can keep terpenes’ contribution to the entourage effect going by just keeping the heat down when making edibles. But since terpenes are liquids, won’t the simple process of evaporation take away some of their wonder? Again, yes and no – and it depends on the manufacturer.
If terpenes are infused into a distillate and then added to the edible mixture, there is no (or very little) exposure to air, which is what triggers the evaporation process. As long as the terpenes are not out in the open air, uncovered edible makers should be OK.
Everything’s a process
Keep in mind that everything is a process and all processes will take a certain toll on any ingredient – for marijuana edibles and really, with any food. Ingestion, digestion and assimilation are processes that can have an effect on the potency of any edible. If you vape, the process of heating the herb until it’s vaporized will have an effect on potency. Combusting and inhaling the smoke into the lungs to get into the bloodstream will also have an effect. Sublingual tinctures will deliver the components almost directly to the bloodstream.
What marijuana product manufacturers are trying to do is minimize the number of processes the plant goes through before the final edible product gets to the human body and its process to get the components to our bloodstreams.
