Terpinolene is a common terpene found in cannabis that is known for both a woody and citrusy aroma and for having a mild to moderate sedative effect on consumers. Throughout nature, you’ll find it in sage, lilac, rosemary, conifer trees, apple trees, and tea trees. Benefits from terpinolene may include antifungal and antibacterial properties (which tea tree oil is known for) – and it can also calm our central nervous systems.
Essential oils products that claim to calm you down, such as lilac lotions, likely contain terpinolene. Terpinolene is in the same “terpene family” as another popular terp, pinene, which is similar in weight and molecular structure. The relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties of terpinolene are enhanced when combined with CBD or Cannabidiol products, as CBD has similar effects albeit through different mechanisms in the body.
Terpenes are fragrant oils found in many plants throughout nature, and in cannabis they are secreted by the frosty-looking trichomes alongside cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Terpenes not only determine the smell of a cannabis strain, they may also modify its effects either through aromatherapy, directly interacting with our endocannabinoid system, or both. Terpinolene in particular is used as a fragrance found in soap, lotion, and insect repellant. This herb also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can improve the healing properties of Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
While terpinolene found in cannabis serves as a sedative, terpinolene likely won't "knock you out" because its found in relatively smaller amounts vs some of the other more dominant terps.
Here are the TribeTokes CBD Vape Strains that contain therapeutic doses of Terpinolene - definitely check them out if you think this terpene can benefit you!
Terpinolene: Relaxing Effects
It is likely that the cannabis plant produces terpinolene for its antifungal and antibacterial activity - it can ward off bacteria that can hurt the plant, and us humans can benefit from terpinolene because of these properties as well! Tea tree oil, which is one the msot popular plant-based antifungals, is very high in terpinolene.
Terpinolene is known to help consumers with anxiety, migraines and stress. It's also found to be an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. A 2013 Turkish study results found that terpinolene defends against inflammation and oxidative damage, which are both associated with many diseases
Terpinolene also relaxes you. The Journal of Natural Medicines featured a 2013 study conducted on animals in which the subjects inhaled an essential oil high in terpinolene and subsequently experienced a sedative effect from nasal absorption. Cannabis also has anti-inflammatory and relaxing effects, so combining CBD with terpenes such as terpinolene greatly enhances the overall therapeutic benefit - also known as the entourage effect.
