You’ve probably heard a whole lot about terpenes and their ability to enhance taste and flavor.
But did you know that they do so much more?
At Elevate Holistics, we believe in providing marijuana patients and cannabis enthusiasts with a richer knowledge of cannabis and cannabis components. That’s why, today, we are beaming the light on terpenes: more specifically, the best terpenes for focus and energy.
What Are Terpenes?
Although we mostly associate terpenes with scents, cannabis science indicates that terpenes are a lot more than just smells and tastes.
When we talk about terpenes, our attention shifts to plants — and rightly so. They are aromatic compounds found in plants, often expressed as an odor or scent released to protect the plant against attackers (herbivores, especially) or attract pollinators. In many scientific circles, cannabis is considered the plant species with the most abundant supply of terpenes.
Terpenes are linked to hormones, such as male sex hormones and pheromones in animals. In the human sphere, though, we’ve mastered utilizing terpenes within cosmetics, vapes, edibles, beverages, perfumes, topicals, various food products, and essential oils.
Over the centuries, humans have been using essential oils to ease the effects of various ailments through aromatherapy.
Irrespective of the type of essential oil you may pick off the shelf today, one of the most significant components in it would be terpenes. Studies have shown that terpenes in essential oils have beneficial physiological and psychological impacts on humans.
For more information on terpenes and what they do, watch our short video below!
Terpenes and Cannabis
Before we discuss the best terpenes for focus and energy, let’s talk about their relationship with cannabis in general.
In cannabis, terpenes are vital players in ensuring the entourage effect. This idea states that cannabis’s properties work best synergistically. Thus, when we enjoy CBD alongside THC and terpenes, the impact you get from the product will be much stronger than if you just wanted CBD alone. Therefore, terpenes are essential in helping you get the most out of your canna-experience.
Cannabis terpenes provide an array of beneficial properties. Just a few (no, seriously) of these include:
- Antioxidant
- Analgesic
- Sedative
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anticarcinogenic
- muscle relaxant
- Antifungal
- Anxiolytic
- Antiproliferative
- Antipsychotic properties
Researchers consider cannabis one of the most common sources of medicinal terpenes.
With this lineup, you can see why terpenes are gaining more traction in the scientific community and why more studies are in progress to determine their full potential.
READ MORE: Finding the Perfect Terpenes for Nausea and Inflammation | What Are Terpenes? Why Should You Care?
The Best Terpenes for Focus, Energy, and Clarity
Whether you are a patient looking for the best terpenes for ADHD or looking to make some products with the best terpenes for energy, we’re here to help. Below, we’ve listed the three best terpenes for focus, energy, and clarity.
Alpha Pinene
Alpha pinene is the most abundant terpene in nature. As the name suggests, it’s commonly found in pines and conifers and orange peels, sage, and rose. It has a distinct scent that crosses a turpentine blend and a woody smell with sweet, piney scents.
Research has shown that this terpene plays a role in combating memory deficits in patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Furthermore, a review of phytotherapeutic agents found that alpha-pinene has similar characteristics with calamus. Scientific analysis has found it to be potent in enhancing clearer thinking and improving memory. To get technical, alpha-pinene influences the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme essential in neurotransmitters’ functions.
All of this makes alpha-pinene a great terpene for ADHD, as well as other focus and energy complications. Some strains that contain significant amounts of alpha-pinene include Island Sweet Skunk, Romulan, Dutch Treat, and Jack Herer.
Limonene – Best Terpene for Energy
Most citrus fruits – oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits – have a high concentration of limonene. You’ll find this fruity terpene in rosemary, pepper, ginger, turmeric, and even fennel, too.
You’ve likely heard someone mention happy hormones and dopamine. Happy hormones are also known as “feel–good” hormones, and dopamine stands out among the rest for motivating the brain’s reward system. It drives a burst of energy and excitement when we experience something pleasurable.
What has this piece of information to do with limonene? Limonene counts as the best terpene for energy because it modulates adenosine receptors, and these receptors are responsible for kickstarting the release of dopamine and increasing serotonin levels.
Also, the Code of Federal Regulations certifies d-limonene as a safe substance for use as a flavoring agent in food items. If you are looking for terpenes for energy, get yourself some cannabis limonene isolates and experience the best citrusy flavors and bursts of energy.
Strains with high concentrations of limonene include Lemon G, Emerald Jack, and Liberty Haze.
Beta-caryophyllene
Beta-caryophyllene is the spiciest terpene. You can find it in black pepper, oregano, black caraway, and cloves. This terpene has a sharp woody-spicy aroma with hints of sweetness. It’s one of the most common terpenes you will find in food products, as it’s generally regarded as safe to consume by the FDA.
In the science community, beta-caryophyllene has picked up a lot of interest due to its therapeutic effects. Amongst its many physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, it stands out as one of the best terpenes for focus and energy.
Studies suggest that it helps improve cognition and boost clarity by reducing neuroinflammation, also known as brain inflammation. Neuroinflammation is a leading cause of brain fog, brain fatigue, and unclear thoughts — it’s also a risk factor for ADHD. Invariably, this makes beta-caryophyllene one of the best terpenes for ADHD.
Neuroinflammation is also known to inhibit dopamine release, leading to fatigue. Additionally, beta-caryophyllene boosts glutathione levels in the body, reducing oxidative stress.
In all, when it comes to terpenes for energy and focus, beta-caryophyllene packs both like a pro. Cannabis strains known to have a reasonable concentration of beta-caryophyllene include GG4, Purple Punch, White Widow, and Blueberry Cheesecake.
To sum it all up:
| Terpene | Primary Sources | Aroma | Key Benefits | Notable Strains |
| Alpha Pinene | Pines, Conifers, Orange Peels, Sage, Rose | Turpentine blend, Woody, Sweet | Combat memory deficits in Parkinson’s/Alzheimer’s, improves memory, inhibits acetylcholinesterase | Island Sweet Skunk, Romulan, Dutch Treat, Jack Herer |
| Limonene | Citrus Fruits, Rosemary, Pepper, Ginger, Turmeric, Fennel | Fruity | Modulates adenosine receptors, boosts dopamine and serotonin levels, FDA-approved as flavoring agent | Lemon G, Emerald Jack, Liberty Haze |
| Beta-caryophyllene | Black Pepper, Oregano, Black Caraway, Cloves | Woody-spicy, Sweet | Reduces neuroinflammation, improves cognition, increases glutathione levels, FDA-approved for consumption | GG4, Purple Punch, White Widow, Blueberry Cheesecake |
READ MORE: The Nose Knows: Picking Up Cannabis Terpenes
Get it Right With Terpenes (and Elevate Holistics)
If you are a patient looking for the best terpenes for ADHD or you have problems focusing, you should consider looking for beverages, vapes, topicals, or edibles that have a blend of these tasty, smelly terpenes. You can also buy terpene isolates and use them to flavor your homemade edibles!
Here at Elevate Holistics, we understand that cannabis can be confusing. With all of its components and different benefits, keeping track of it all is tough. But that’s exactly why we’re here.
Along with helping you get your medical marijuana card recommendation, we also offer special services to help you create a personalized health and wellness plans — including ideal terpene suggestions. Elevate Holistics is more than just cannabis recommendations: we’re your go-to wellness experts.
