Limonene: Know The Effects, Benefits, And Uses

By Author: Sativa Bliss Canabis
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Let's be candid: the language of the cannabis industry is unique. You may have overheard your budtender or a canna-connoisseur pal discussing strains with limonene as an example of a terpene. There was no typo there; limonene is a real terpene found in some types of marijuana. Our goal for today is to assist you in learning more about this terp.

Read on this article to know the effects, benefits, and uses of limonene.

What Is Limonene?

Terpene limonene, or d-limonene due to its chemical structure, can be found naturally in the rinds of citrus fruits like oranges, limes, and lemons. These compounds are found in a variety of plants, including citrus fruits, cannabis, and other herbs.

As their name suggests, terpenes play a major part in the aroma of plants. As part of a phenomenon known as "the entourage effect," terpenes in cannabis work to amplify the effects of other compounds like THC. As a result, the next step is an improvement for the customer. Together, cannabinoids and terpenes create a potent and satisfying cannabis experience.

Cannabis is one of the most abundant sources of these ...
... medicinal terpenes, and terpenes have many potential health benefits. Over one hundred different terpenes have been identified in the cannabis plant by scientists. On account of its beneficial effects, limonene is among the three most sought-after terpenes in cannabis.

Effects of Limonene on Cannabis

There is often a subtle lemon aroma to cannabis plants, strains, or products that are high in limonene. However, this is not always the case, and some may have distinctive but elusive citrus aromas. Yet others might not smell like citrus at all. It's all relative!

Limonene's effects in marijuana are tied to the fact that it is a terpene compound and plays a crucial part in the entourage effect. It helps reduce the intensity of the high from cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) while still providing the benefits of smoking marijuana. In addition, the body rapidly absorbs limonene into the bloodstream after ingestion, which can affect the rate of absorption of other compounds. It's possible that this would hasten the onset of marijuana's full effects. Really, who wouldn't want that?

Uses and Benefits of Limonene

Since limonene has many potential health benefits, it is likely to be a popular choice in the growing field of medical marijuana. There are many advantages, including:

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties

Researchers have found that limonene is effective at lowering both acute and chronic inflammation. In addition, limonene has been shown in a number of studies across a variety of contexts to have antioxidant effects, suggesting it may be useful for mitigating the effects of oxidation-induced DNA damage. There is strong evidence that terpenes, like limonene, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Capable of Relieving Both Anxiety and Depression

Cannabis strains high in limonene have been promoted by dispensaries and consumers in the medical marijuana industry for their potential to improve mood and reduce stress. This theory is supported by additional research showing that limonene can improve mood by directly influencing the serotonin system in the brain.

Inhibitory Effects on Plasmodium

Researchers have found that limonene actively inhibits malaria parasites by blocking the biological processes that are necessary for parasite growth. Therefore, the terpene is used by some experts in the production of antimalarial drugs.

Inhibitory Effects on Cancer

The anticancer effects of limonene are comparable to those of medical cannabis, and it stands out among the many types of terpenes that scientists have discovered and studied. It is unclear why limonene is so effective in preventing cancer, but numerous studies have shown that it does. Thus, it is commonly included in chemopreventive drugs for a wide range of cancers, including breast, lung, brain, and others.

Additional limonene advantages include:

Inhibition of fungal growth and bacterial growth
Ability to dull pain

Uses for Limonene

Limonene has been used to improve mood, reduce pain, and calm anxious patients for a long time because of its many therapeutic benefits. In the medical field, limonene is used in a wide variety of applications, including cancer treatment, bronchitis treatment, weight loss promotion, and many others. It also improves the circulation of other terpenes in the body.

Some cannabis cultivators also add limonene to their crop for use in adding flavor to the finished product. If your bud has an unusually strong lemon flavor, it could be due to the addition of limonene.