Why Does Hemp Produce Cannabinoids & Terpenes?

Cannabinoids and terpenes are widely used by humans to enhance health and wellbeing. But have you ever wondered what purpose these compounds serve for the plant itself?

As much as we would like to believe that the hemp plant is a gift from god to improve our lives, the primary functions of cannabinoids and terpenes are quite different.

Read on to find out why the hemp plant produces cannabinoids and terpenes. If you are already familiar with the hemp plant, cannabinoids & terpenes, skip straight to the last section!

What is Hemp? 

For those of you who don’t know already, Hemp is simply a term used to describe cannabis that contains very low levels of the psychoactive compound: THC.

In recent years, hemp has been primarily used for industrial purposes such as making fibres for the sales of ships, producing hemp seeds for consumption, making construction materials, bioplastics and thousands of other practical uses.

However, before the term ‘Hemp’ was invented, humans had been using & consuming low-THC cannabis for spiritual and wellbeing purposes for thousands of years.

We are now in a phase of a ‘green revolution’, rediscovering the benefits of the plant mainly through the use of products such as CBD Oil.

 

What are Cannabinoids & Terpenes?

 Cannabinoids are a group of compounds that have the ability to interact with the Endocannabinoid System. Which is an internal bodily system that seems to regulate a wide range of functions such as mood, memory, appetite, memory, pain, the immune system and sleep.

Whilst cannabinoids were first discovered in the cannabis plant, research later revealed that cannabinoids are in fact produced within the human body.

Cannabinoids are generally used by humans for enhancing health and wellbeing or for their calming/relaxing effects. Whilst in some cases, people use cannabinoids such as THC to ‘get high’.

Common cannabinoids found in Full Spectrum CBD Oil include CBD, CBDA, CBG, CBC and trace amounts of many other cannabinoids. In fact, the cannabis plant is known to produce over 120 different cannabinoids.

Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give plants, fruits and even some insects their unique scents. They can be seen as the individual components that make essential oils.

As with cannabinoids, terpenes have huge potential when it comes to enhancing health and wellbeing. Some have calming properties, whilst others can have an uplifting effect.

The Cannabis plant produces over 140 different terpene compounds in varying concentrations. The levels of which are determined by factors such as the strain of the plant or growing conditions.

Many of the terpenes found in cannabis can also be found in other common plants. Linalool, for example, is found in cannabis but is also the terpene responsible for the distinct smell of Lavender. Myrcene is a relaxing terpene that is produced in abundance by both cannabis and Hops, the plant used to make Beer.

Common terpenes found in Full Spectrum CBD Oil include: Linalool, Myrcene, Pinene, Humulene. D-Limonene & Beta-caryophyllene. It’s worth researching the benefits of each of these terpenes to gain a full perspective of their benefits.

 

What Purpose do Cannabinoids & Terpenes Serve the Plant Itself? 

Given the wide range and complexity of cannabinoids & terpenes, their exact purpose for plants is yet to be proven.

However, it is theorised that the Hemp plant essentially uses cannabinoids and terpenes as survival tools.

Cannabinoids found in trichomes  on the plant may protect it from UV rays, prevent it from drying out in the sun, or insulate it in colder temperatures.

Both cannabinoids and terpenes are believed to used by the plant to either repel or attract certain insects.

They may simultaneously repel herbivores from eating plants whilst attracting insects that eat such herbivores as a ‘double-edged sword’ defence mechanism (Kessler & Heil, 2011).

Furthermore, terpenes may also help Hemp with reproduction by attracting bees for pollination.

Given that the cannabis plant and humans have essentially evolved together over thousands of years, a final benefit for the plant itself could be that by benefiting the wellbeing of humans with cannabinoids and terpenes, we are more likely to cultivate the plant, thus increasing the plant’s chances of survival. However, this is just a thought from us at BROWN’S CBD, and not-yet scientific.

We hope you have enjoyed learning about the fascinating chemical machine that is Hemp. If you have, please give this article a share on social media!

If you are looking to try any high-quality Full Spectrum CBD products, click the button below and use discount code Summer to save 20% today!

 

Source: http://www.brownscbd.co.uk/blog/2020/08/04/why-does-hemp-produce-cannabinoids-terpenes/