What are Terpenes?

You may have noticed that different cannabis strains have different scents, ranging from earthy pine and floral notes to sweet, spicy, and fruity fragrances. These unique aromas come from natural oils called “terpenes”. Terpenes are not unique to cannabis; in fact, they make up the largest percentage of aromatic oils contained in most plants, foods, and herbs.

Where do Terpenes Come From?

Cannabis terpenes are naturally occurring oils found in the ‘Trichomes’ of the female cannabis plant. Trichomes are small, translucent hair-like structures that cover the cannabis plant. Trichomes are also the reason why cannabis can be sticky to the touch.

Sometimes, terpenes are extracted from other botanical sources, such as clove, citrus, lavender, and pine needles, and added to cannabis products to enhance their therapeutic benefits, taste, and smell.

The Endocannabinoid System

The human body produces endocannabinoids, which activate our CB1 and CB2 receptors within our endocannabinoid system. Cannabis generates phytocannabinoids that stimulate these same receptors.

The activation of these receptors causes the therapeutic effects in the body that cannabis is known for, such as pain relief, nausea relief, and appetite stimulation. Terpenes interact with our endocannabinoid system and assist cannabinoids in entering the bloodstream in a process called the entourage effect.

The Entourage Effect

Terpenes provide a variety of aromas and flavors to your flower, but also provide a range of effects on their own that can modify or alter your cannabis experience. Contrary to common belief, THC isn't solely responsible for the type of high you experience when using cannabis.

The reality is that cannabinoids and terpenes work together to produce different effects in varying cannabis strains. This is what is known as the “Entourage Effect”. Cannabinoids alleviate symptoms by attaching to specific receptors in your body, and so do terpenes! For example, the terpene Linalool can attach to your serotonin receptors to help treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Most Common Terpenes Found in Cannabis

Myrcene Terpenes

Myrcene is the most commonly found terpene in cannabis and is known for providing an overall feeling of relaxation. This is thought to be the main terpene responsible for that “couch-lock” feeling.

Aroma: Herbal, Earthy, Pepper

Effects: Sedating, Relaxing

Medical benefits: Sedative, anti-inflammatory, anti carcinogenic, analgesic, muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, antioxidant

Possible treatment for: Multiple sclerosis, insomnia, arthritis, inflammation, general pain

Commonly found in: Sweet Basil, Thyme, Hops, Lemongrass, Parsley, Mango

Dominant Strains: Blue Dream, OG Kush, Mowie Wowie, Green Crack

Limonene Terpenes

Limonene has the ability to promote stress relief and is believed to be responsible for the “cerebral and euphoric” feelings that some strains provide. This terpene is also believed to be a permeation enhancer for oral and topical products formulated using nanoemulsion technology.

Aroma: Citrus, Lemon, Orange

Effects: Elevated mood, stress relief

Medical benefits: anxiolytic, antidepressant, antibiotic, chemotherapeutic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immune stimulant

Possible treatment for: multiple sclerosis, Crohn's, GERD, anxiety, depression, inflammation, pain, asthma, obesity, arthritis, cancer (particularly skin, breast, prostate, and glioblastoma)

Commonly found in: Citrus fruit rinds, Rosemary, Peppermint

Dominant Strains: Do-Si-Dos, MAC, Banana OG, Berry White

Pinene Terpenes

Pinene is the most common terpene in nature and occurs in two forms: Alpha-Pinene and Beta-Pinene. Alpha-Pinene is the most common form of this terpene found in cannabis. Pinene can potentially help with the short-term memory loss associated with THC.

Aroma: Pine, Wood

Effects: Alertness, memory

Medical benefits: anti inflammatory, bronchodilator, antibiotic, anxiolytic and analgesic

Possible treatment for: arthritis, dementia, asthma, SARS, acne, cancer (particularly neuroblastoma, melanoma, and hepatic carcinoma)

Commonly found in: Pine needles, Rosemary, Dill, Sage

Dominant Strains: Jack Herer, Strawberry Cough, Dutch Treat, Romulan

Ocimene Terpenes

Ocimene is an uplifting terpene commonly found in basil, mango, mint, and orchid flowers, and is commonly used in perfumes and cosmetics. While this terpene is understudied compared to other cannabis terpenes, scientists have suggested that Ocimene could hold promise for seizure-related disorders while also exhibiting antifungal and anti-inflammatory characteristics.

Aroma: Floral, sweet, woody

Effects: uplifting, stimulating

Medicinal benefits: anticonvulsant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antifungal, decongestant, expectorant

Possible treatment for: seizure disorders, ringworm, SARS

Commonly found in: mint, mango, basil, lavender, hops, parsley, orchid flowers

Dominant Strains: Afgoo, Super Lemon Haze, Space Queen, Strawberry Cough

Linalool Terpenes

Linalool is a common terpene found in over 200 different species of plants, and every person, regardless of whether they use cannabis, consumes about 2 grams of linalool per year through food. Linalool, most commonly found in lavender, is known for its calming and relaxing effects.

Aroma: Floral, Sweet, Citrus

Effects: Calming, Anxiety relief, sedation

Medical benefits: anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, relaxant, analgesic, sedative, anti-depressant, and anxiolytic agent

Possible treatment for: anxiety, stress, depression, insomnia, pain, seizures

Commonly found in: Lavender, Mint, Laurel, Roses

Dominant Strains: Granddaddy Purp, Lavender Kush, Candy OG, Wedding Mints, Durban

Beta-Caryophyllene Terpenes

Beta-caryophyllene differs in molecular structure from other terpenes. Caryophyllene is the only known terpene that can also act as a cannabinoid and activate our endocannabinoid receptors. This terpene exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Aroma: Pepper, Wood, Spicy

Effects: Acts like a cannabinoid by binding and activating CB2 receptors

Medical benefits: cardioprotective, analgesic, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, antioxidant, anti inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulator

Possible Treatment for: Crohn’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, anxiety, depression

Commonly found in: Cinnamon, Black pepper, Thai Basil, Cloves, Oregano

Dominant Strains: Sour Diesel, Cookies and Cream, Chemdog, Death Star

Humulene Terpenes

Humulene is known for its similarity to hops and is found in the flowering cones of the hop plant. Humulene has been shown to function as a natural defense mechanism in the cannabis plant against pests, animals, and bacteria.

Aroma: Spicy, Earthy, Hops

Effects: Appetite suppressant, sedation

Medical benefits: Antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and possible appetite suppressant

Possible Treatment for: obesity and other metabolic conditions, inflammatory and systemic pain

Commonly found in: Coriander, Ginger, Sage, Ginseng, Hops

Dominant Strains: Headband, Girl Scout Cookies, Super Lemon Haze, White Widow

Teripinolene Terpenes

Terpinolene is a floral-scented terpene that shows sedative properties in mice, but consumer reports suggest that it can be stimulating in humans. The Entourage Effect–THC and terpinolene combined–may be the reason for this inconsistency.

Aroma: floral

Effects: focused, relaxed

Medical benefits: sedative, antioxidant, antiproliferative, cardioprotective, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory.

Possible Treatment for: hypertension, inflammatory pain, cancer (particularly neuroblastoma and chronic myelogenous leukemia)

Commonly found in: Parsnip, Apples, Pines, Turmeric leaf, Sage

Dominant Strains: XJ13, Chernobyl, Durban Poison, Dutch Treat