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Wellness

What is Pinene?

A good terpene profile is a key to success for every cannabis strain since they are the ones carrying more than one normally knows about. After all, it is not only about cannabinoids like CBD or THC. Terpenes interact to give their signature flavor profile and smell to every weed strain in existence. Nevertheless, these are not the only relevant characteristics that terpenes contribute to weed.

To alter how each strain stimulates the brain, terpenes pair up alongside cannabinoids. As they bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in our endocannabinoid system (ECS) inside our brains, terpenes and cannabinoids produce diverse results. Every compound’s combination and volume matters. To make it much more complex, the brain of everyone responds to every substance depending on the individual.

In the case of pinene, research shows a lot of promising conclusions and encouraging possibilities for the industry, and high hopes for many patients dealing with conditions that deteriorate their quality of life. However, because of the complicated nature of terpenes, there’s more to discover and test before giving the green light.

Pinene is one of the most common terpenes found in the cannabis sativa L. flower along with caryophyllene. It is an aromatic compound that smells exactly as its name clearly suggests ⎯⎯a forest full of pine trees. The best thing about terpenes like pinene is that they will bring you more than flavor and aroma when you’re smoking or enjoying your strain in any form.

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What Does Pinene Do?

Pinene offers the potential to increase the high sensation of a strain, which turns it popular among smokers. It also has significant medical applications, being of huge importance for those who use cannabis as alternative medicine. In addition to offering delicious flavors and aromas sensations to different cannabis strains, pinene has been described as a potent anti-inflammatory and as a great option for many other health problems or in the medical field in general.

For instance, pinene is known to increase alertness and has also been signalled to reduce the potential loss of short-term memory, often caused by high THC intake. When a person has smoked much more than they can tolerate, it can also help to counteract negative sensations, such as panic, and anxiety.

Difference Between Alpha-pinene and Beta-pinene

Pinene, one of the simplest terpene forms, is a monoterpene. It comes in the form of alpha-pinene and beta-pinene and has the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆. These terpenes take the form of enantiomers that are positive and negative. This implies that each molecule has two forms, which are mirror copies of one another.

Both molecules grow in varying amounts in various types of plants. An example of this is that the negative enantiomer is more common in European pines. And in the same way, its positive equivalent is more prevalent in North American plants.

In mortal words, the distinction between Alpha Pinene and Beta Pinene basically comes down to variations in isomer subtypes called “entanisomers”, mentioned above. This is just a nice way of saying that α-pinene and β-pinene are molecules made of the same type and number of atoms (isomers) and are shaped like exact images of each other (enantiomers), equivalent to the differences between THC and CBD.

A-pinene and B-pinene

Though they are two different types, the properties of the alpha and beta-pinene monoterpenes are quite similar as well.

As a racemic combination, A-pinene and B-pinene are frequently found together. A racemic combination in chemistry is when equivalent parts of both components are detected. They balance and communicate with each other. In a couple of places we know about, this racemic combination is present, like rosemary.

On the other hand, they can also be found separately. In Sassafras and Bergamot, alpha-pinene is typically found in high concentrations. Beta-pinene in hops and cumin is typically found in abundance.

What is Alpha-pinene Good For

SiraNaturals highlight Alpha-pinene as the most notable for its anti-inflammatory benefits, much like its sibling, beta-pinene. These are good for conditions like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and Crohn’s disease. Other properties are:

  • Acting in harmony with THC due to the ‘‘entourage effect’’, alpha-pinene works as a bronchodilator to improve conditions such as asthma by opening up the respiratory tract at low levels of exposure.
  • It has a wide range of antimicrobial properties, interacting with CBD and CBN, which protect against diseases such as MRSA.
  • Alpha-pinene can also mitigate undesirable THC side effects, such as short-term memory and paranoia. It serves by suppressing the brain’s activity of acetylcholinesterase, which lets you maintain memories easily.
  • Euphoria, increased mental clarity, greatly reduced oil production in oily skin, and, most impressively, anti-cancer qualities are other advantages. Research shows that alpha-pinene can stop the growth of tumors and boost treatments for chemotherapy.

There is no reason to deny that alpha-pinene packs a medical plus with all its abilities to treat inflammation, pain, memory, and respiratory issues, bacteria, viruses, and tumors.

Beta-pinene Uses

For multiple purposes, both alpha and beta-pinene are used, with household cleaning solvents such as turpentine-based being the most common example. According to PubChem the processing of beta-pinene is used as an ingredient for perfumes and flavorings, in polyterpene resins, and as a fragrance ingredient.

A broad range of pharmacological activities has also been identified, including modulation of antibiotic resistance, anticoagulant, antitumor, antimicrobial, antimalarial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-Leishmania, and analgesic effects, according to one study conducted by multiple investigators. And the list of possibilities continues.

Pinene Effects

Just as multiple cannabinoids have different effects, terpenes do too. These unique features add value to a strain’s entire structure, bringing an element to the individuality of each one. While research continues to validate the effects and benefits of pinene, the uses listed throughout this article are currently being investigated.

B-pinene Effects

Beta pinene will make you focus while clearing your mind and boosting your creativity. It also has antidepressant effects once it is consumed, giving you an elevated sensation of euphoria.

A-pinene Effects

Pain relief is the main reason why users like alpha-pinene so much since it acts stronger and faster than beta-pinene. Besides, it is useful for patients going under cancer treatment who are struggling with harsh symptoms.

Alpha-pinene Smell

The fragrance of pine needles and rosemary carries the alpha type.In the cannabis flower, the alpha-pinene form is slightly more prevalent and usually, the variant is listed if no distinction is made between the two.

Beta-pinene Smell

Beta-pinene conveys an aroma of basil, dill, hops, and parsley. Even though it is not as frequent as its twin, it still has many benefits and it gives unique features to the flower.

Foods High in Pinene

This terpene is present mainly in basil, parsley, dill, ginger pine nuts, lavender, mace, orange peels, and turpentine (a distilled fluid made of the resin typically taken out of pines). It can also be found in needles of pine that can be filtered and drunk as tea in hot water.

Strains High in Pinene

A number of growth factors and environmental circumstances highly affect the production of any given terpene, but there are strains that seem to generate on average elevated levels of pinene. Next, see the strains that usually produce pinene with the highest relative abundance. Bear in mind that pinene-dominant strains are unusual, meaning it is seldom the most prevalent terpene in a strain, but it is usually seen in the terpene content of a strain as the second most abundant terpene.

You can find an elevated pinene profile in Kosher Tangie, Cannatonic, Cotton Candy Kush, Big Smooth, Blue Dream, Island Sweet Skunk, Strawberry Cough, and OG Kush. These to name a few of the most popular, but there are certainly more out there.

Strains High in Pinene and Limonene

Limonene is a terpene that helps give lemons, oranges, grapefruits, limes, and other fruits a heavy citrus smell and taste. Technically speaking, it is also a monoterpene just like pinene. Now, imagine these two terpenes filling the trichomes of a particular strain; the mix between both would only produce a top-rated flower due to their features and benefits.

Actually, limonene and pinene are for sure the user’s favorite terpenes thanks to what they do and offer. Fortunately, you can find strains high in limonene and pinene, so if this is something that calls your attention and you want to try someday what would it be to smoke these terpenes together, check the following list:

  • Strawberry Banana
  • Giesel
  • Sunset Sherbet
  • Super Lemon Haze
  • Cinex
  • Jack the Ripper
  • Girl Scout Cookies (GSC)
  • Blueberry Kush

Where to Buy Alpha-pinene

If you’re interested in buying alpha-pinene online, you can click here. It is available as an isolated terpene you can use as a medicine when you don’t want the other effects of consuming cannabis.

Terpenes such as pinene are an important part of cannabis therapy. They will improve the efficacy of cannabinoids and reduce the risk of having adverse effects. The great advantage of strains with a copious amount of pinene is that they always taste great. These strains have a new, herbal flavor that resembles walking in a dense evergreen forest. Now it is up to you. Go on and see yourself what pinene can do for you.

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