Medical use
Effect, use & why terpenes are so important.
Cannabis is used in Germany and many other countries to support the treatment of numerous ailments – from chronic pain and nausea to neurological disorders. But it’s not just about THC or CBD: terpenes also play a decisive role in the therapeutic effect.
What does medical use of cannabis mean?
The medical use of cannabis refers to the use of the plant to treat certain health complaints. Cannabis is cultivated, processed and tested under controlled conditions. In contrast to recreational use, high standards of purity, active ingredient content and microbiological safety apply to cannabis used for medical purposes.
Typical areas of application are, for example
- Chronic pain
- Spasticity in multiple sclerosis
- Loss of appetite and nausea (e.g. after chemotherapy)
- Sleep disorders
- States of anxiety
- Tourette syndrome and epilepsy
Note: Use only on medical recommendation or prescription.
Effect of cannabinoids and terpenes
The medicinal effect is based on the interaction of numerous plant substances. The most important are
Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD (cannabidiol)
Terpenes, which are not only responsible for smell and taste, but also have medically relevant effects
Exemplary terpenes and their effects:
- Myrcene: Calming, sleep-promoting
- Limonene: Mood-enhancing, anxiety-relieving
- Pinenes: Anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator
- Linalool: Anxiolytic, calming
These substances act synergistically with THC/CBD – this effect is called the entourage effect.
Why drying has an impact on medical use
Terpenes are volatile and sensitive to heat. Drying too quickly or incorrectly can:
massively reduce the terpene content
weaken the medical effectiveness
destroy the flavor profile
It is therefore particularly important to dry therapeutically used cannabis under controlled conditions. This preserves the therapeutic ingredients in the best possible way.
