Terpenes are common constituents of flavorings and fragrances. Terpenes, unlike cannabinoids, are responsible for the aroma of cannabis. The FDA and other agencies have generally recognized terpenes as “safe.” Terpenes act on receptors and neurotransmitters; they are prone to combine with or dissolve in lipids or fats; they act as serotonin uptake inhibitors (similar to antidepressants like Prozac).

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Terpenes have different properties and can affect your high in various ways. Someterpenes can increase the potency of your high while others can mitigate it. While some terpenes may not directly influence the psychotropic aspects of cannabis, they certainly play a role in how the plant makes you feel.

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Certainly, terpenes from non-cannabis plants are unquestionably legal. However, the real issue is the legal status of terpenes derived from the cannabis plant… Specifically, terpenes derived from marijuana are illegal because they fall within the CSA’s broad definition of “marijuana.”

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Most of us have probably heard of aromatherapy — the therapeutic practice of using aromatic compounds to improve physical and psychological well-being. Well, the aromas secreted from terpenes work the same way.

When we smell the fragrances secreted from terpenes, it activates receptors in our olfactory system — the membranes, neurons, and nerves that control our sense of smell. Our olfactory system then communicates with receptors in the limbic system of our brains, which includes the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus. This system controls upper-level functions of our brain such as emotions, reactions, stress regulation, and memory recall. The activation of these receptors, which would have otherwise been dormant, opens the door to a wide variety of health benefits.

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