What Do Terpenes Do in Gummies?
Terpenes are an important part of the cannabis plant that don’t lose their importance when included in edibles. In fact, the benefits of terpenes may become even stronger when ingested orally, which is also the primary way that these beneficial plant compounds are administered in scientific studies.
In this guide, begin by familiarizing yourself with what terpenes are, and then discover what they do when included in cannabis edibles. By the end, you’ll fully understand why gummies with live resin terpenes are better than edibles that don’t contain these incredible natural compounds.
What are terpenes?
Terpenes are bioactive and aromatic compounds found in a diverse array of plant species, including Cannabis sativa. The terpenes found in cannabis are echoed elsewhere in nature: Myrcene is present in mangoes, linalool in lavender, and limonene in citrus fruits.
Most terpenes have antioxidant properties, which means they counter inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Every terpene has different biochemical attributes, though, and some terpenes are believed to have benefits as wide ranging as:
- Neuroprotection
- Mood improvement
- Sleep facilitation
- Pain reduction
- Digestive efficiency
- & much more
Are there terpenes in gummies?
The best cannabis gummies contain terpenes alongside cannabinoids, but many gummy edibles on the market do not meet this premium standard. Gummies that contain terpenes are usually listed as “live resin,” or you might find terpenes referenced in the labeling.
Not only do terpenes make cannabis gummies more effective, but they also provide natural flavoring, removing the need to use a non-cannabis ingredient. Live resin terpenes, which are cold-extracted, are also strain-specific, meaning they offer the exact benefits and flavor profile of celebrated cannabis strains.
How to know if your cannabis edibles contain terpenes
Most companies that offer cannabis gummies with terpenes make no effort to hide it. Companies that don’t include terpenes in their gummies, though, won’t go out of their way to advertise it. Here are three of the places you should look when determining if a cannabis edible product you’re considering contains terpenes or not:
Packaging
Usually, there will be a clear indicator somewhere on the packaging or labeling that a cannabis gummy product contains terpenes. The presence of terpenes (especially live resin terpenes) has rapidly become a selling point in the industry, so brands usually make a point of drawing attention to the terpenes present in their gummies.
Lab reports
If you aren’t sure whether a cannabis edible product contains terpenes, the next step is to consult that product’s batch-specific lab report. These reports should be easy to find online, and they should each include a section where the terpene concentration in the tested product is listed out.
Contact the manufacturer
If all else fails, you can always contact the manufacturer of the gummies to ask them if their product contains terpenes or not. If you had to go this far to get an answer, however, chances are that the gummies you’re interested in do not contain any terpenes at all.
What do terpenes do?
What’s so important about terpenes that make them essential to include in cannabis edibles and other products? First of all, each terpene has individual benefits that make them credits to any products in which they’re included.
Even more impressive, though, is the role that terpenes play in the entourage effect. Most people know the entourage effect as a form of synergy that occurs between cannabinoids, but this synergy only becomes stronger when terpenes are added into the equation. Put plainly, terpenes strengthen the benefits of cannabinoids above and beyond what cannabinoids can accomplish on their own.
What do terpenes do in edibles?
In edibles, terpenes add natural flavoring that’s specific to cannabis strains. They also make gummies and other edibles stronger, providing fuller effects that last longer. Perhaps most importantly, terpenes are entirely natural and can be derived from the same plant used to make the cannabinoid extract used in edibles. Deriving cannabis products from a single source is an important goal that live resin terpene edibles make it easier to achieve.
Why gummies with terpenes are better
Why are cannabis gummies that are infused with terpenes better than gummies that aren't? Let’s explore the three main reasons in a bit more detail below:
Better flavor
Terpenes are commonly used in other industries for their flavor and aromatic qualities. They are considered one of the best flavoring ingredients in nature, and in gummies, they provide an authentic cannabis taste that can be tailored to fit the sensibilities of even the most-refined cannabis connoisseurs.
Better effects
Terpenes synergize with cannabinoids, providing the effects of famous strains and making the benefits of cannabis more complete. Users report that terpene-infused gummies provide longer-lasting effects that are more similar to the benefits of smoking specific cannabis strains.
Better quality
It’s no guarantee, but a gummy product that contains terpenes was likely also crafted thoughtfully and responsibly in other areas. Especially if gummies contain live resin terpenes, there’s a high likelihood that the company behind them has mastered the art of cannabis production.
Try cannabis gummies with terpenes today
If you’ve never tried gummies infused with cannabis terpenes, it’s hard to describe what you’re missing. The closest example would be the difference between dabbing live resin extract and dabbing pure THC isolate — some vital je ne sais quoi is missing, a void that can only be filled by the joyous symphony of terpenes.
Terpenes are the reason that the taste of cannabis smoke delights the tongue. They’re what makes a dab dank, and they’re even what makes perfume smell delicious and floral. In fact, terpenes are all around us, so when we consciously come across them in the products we use, it’s certainly prudent to take notice.
Gummies & terpenes FAQ
Why do gummies and terpenes go so well together? Deepen your understanding of the question in the following FAQ section:
Do terpenes in edibles matter?
Yes, terpenes matter in edibles just as much as they do in any other kind of cannabis product. In fact, it could be argued that terpenes matter more in edibles since an edible is a type of cannabis product that is explicitly tasted. Due to their impressive flavor attributes, it’s certainly hard to miss the vital role that terpenes play in any tasted cannabis experience — edibles especially.
Do terpenes make edibles stronger?
Yes, terpenes make edibles stronger both due to their impressive individual benefits and due to the entourage effect, the synergy that occurs when terpenes and cannabinoids are used together. Users report that terpene-infused edibles provide effects that both feel stronger and last longer than the effects of other edibles — not to mention the fact that edibles with terpenes are the only types of cannabis edibles capable of offering strain-specific effects.
What happens when you eat terpenes?
When you ingest terpenes orally, they slowly absorb through your digestive tract, providing benefits that gently spread across your entire body. The experienced effects of terpenes may be diminished when eaten in the form of cannabis edibles, but the body-wide benefits they provide might be greater.
Do terpenes actually affect your high?
Yes, terpenes certainly augment the nature of your cannabis experience or high, even if they do so subtly. The distinctions “sativa” and “indica” may not always tell the full story, but it’s a fact that some cannabis strains offer different effects than others. That’s because of the terpenes they contain, the exact ratio of which is not exactly the same in any two cannabis strains.
Are terpenes healthy?
Yes, terpenes should be considered healthy. In the naturally low concentrations in which they’re found in cannabis, these volatile compounds are non-toxic, and they appear to have considerable beneficial effects.
