Since most hemp plants have a multitude of these terpenes in different amounts, we call all the terpenes that exist in a single plant a “terpene profile”. This terpene profile shows the different ratios of terpenes that exist within a single hemp plant, which helps give us a better understanding of the beneficial effects of each individual hemp strain.

Each of these terpene profiles has a unique beneficial effect that helps with certain ailments more than others. It is this diversity of terpenes in each hemp strain that gives cannabis its extreme natural diversity in nature and is the reason for its ability to treat different medical conditions. The common myth about marijuana and hemp is that the higher the cannabinoids they have (both THC & CBD), the better the medicinal effect will be. In reality, a hemp plant that has high amounts of terpenes tends to have the same or better effect than just the cannabinoid percentage alone.

One of the most recognizable tastes and flavors of cannabis is OG Kush, whose popularity has led to the creation of many famous marijuana strains such as Death Star, Bubba Kush, and Sour Diesel, just to name a few. These marijuana strains have similar terpene profiles that mainly contain Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Myrcene. This terpene profile is so popular that many new marijuana and hemp strains carry the OG tag at the end of their name to signify this unique terpene profile. But what makes this terpene profile so famous? The answer is more complicated than any single solution, however the individual cannabinoids represented in OG Kush’s terpene profile can explain its desirable effects.

Caryophyllene is the highest occurring terpene in OG Kush and its relatives. It is also found in common spices such as clove, Mexican oregano, black pepper, and cinnamon. Caryophyllene naturally exists in other forms such as of (E)-β-Caryophyllene and (-)-trans-caryophyllene. (E)-β-Caryophyllene has been shown to directly affect the body’s cannabinoid receptors in the brain called CB1 and CB2. This terpene variant of Caryophyllene specifically effects the CB2 receptors and can help with a multitude of diseases involving inflammatory and oxidative stresses such as cancer, pain, depression, and microbial attacks.

What makes this terpene so unique is that (E)-β-Caryophyllene is the only known terpene in nature that effects the CB2 receptors in the brain, and in certain medical circles is considered an additional cannabinoid to the likes of THC, CBD, CBN, CBC, etc. This amazing quality of (E)-β-Caryophyllene, plus the additional terpenes of Limonene and Myrcene, is what gives OG Kush its unique beneficial effects.

Another beneficial terpene that exists in many hemp strains is Humulene, which in recent studies has been proven to fight cancer cells as well as having possible anti-tumor capabilities. It is easily recognizable as the main flavor of hops, an ingredient in beer making and other famous marijuana strains like Girl Scout Cookies (GSC) or Sherbert.

Terpenes in a hemp strain can change drastically whether you are smelling a hemp plant, the dried buds, or the processed CBD oil. “Live Resin” CBD Oil products are known for having that “fresh plant” smell because the terpenes and CBD oil are extracted from fresh frozen hemp material, leaving most of the plant’s terpenes intact.

When hemp buds are dried out, the terpene profile changes because some volatile terpenes degrade while other terpenes have a longer shelf life. Once the hemp buds are dried and start the curing process, the terpene profile can change once again for the same reasons and can also be used to enhance certain terpenes while changing or eliminating other less desirable terpenes.

There are many other additional factors that control the terpenes in hemp such as light, temperature, or the altitude at which the plant is grown. All of these factors can have an effect on the different terpene profiles in hemp. This is what makes cannabis truly unique in the ways in which the end consumer gets to choose how they would like to experience the wide variety of different hemp products such as CBD tinctures, lotions, and smokable hemp buds.

On average, terpenes in hemp buds represent two to three percent of the total weight of the plant, while CBD oil extracted from the same hemp plant can contain up to three times more terpenes because of the concentrating effect during the extraction process. The increase of terpenes in the CBD oil extract can be an added benefit because it can enhance the medicinal effects. This is a major contributing factor to why most people prefer terpenes from “Live Resin” CBD Oil products for dabbing compared to dried hemp buds for smoking.

There are many different hemp strains available today, as well as many more to come, that have different and unique terpene profiles. The proper first step is to find the right hemp strain that has the best terpene profile to fit your needs. Then the decision has to be made whether that preferred terpene profile is best suited for you in a CBD oil extract, hemp bud, or edible (consumable) format.

As a side note, CBD isolate products contain no natural hemp terpenes unless they are reintroduced in the post processing phase. Only a full spectrum CBD oil contains the original terpenes of the hemp plant because they have not been refined out of the CBD oil during processing.

You have completed your search once you have decided on your favorite hemp (or marijuana) strain’s terpene profile that best suites you. This can either be in a smoke, dab, or consumable format like a CBD tincture. Now you may have found the best way to help with any of your ailments including anxiety, depression, pain, tumors, cancer, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, just to name a few. Hemp terpenes paired with full spectrum cannabinoids can truly be the natural help you may need!

If you are looking for a CBD product that has full spectrum cannabinoids and a terpene effect and has also been lab tested for potency and accuracy, then Eureka Effects’ 500 mg CBD Tincture is a great place to start. Eureka Effects grows their own hemp legally in the USA, processes the organic hemp into full spectrum CBD oil, and expertly infuses their products to create a full line of CBD tinctures, lotions, capsules and salves that may be right for you.