If you’re interested in how cannabis imparts its range of effects, you should know about terpenes, the organic compounds responsible for the plant’s distinctive aroma and flavor. While not as well-known as cannabinoids like THC and CBD, cannabis terpenes are recognized for their potential to modulate and enhance the plant’s effects.
Read on to learn which terpenes to look for, what effects they may produce, and how to find cannabis products with the richest terpene profiles.
Cannabis Terpenes at a Glance: Terpenes are fragrant “essential oils” found in cannabis and a wide range of other plants and natural products. Produced by the same tiny glands (the trichomes) that produce cannabinoids, they add subtle shadings and potential benefits and effects to the overall cannabis experience
What Is a Terpene? Why These Compounds Matter in Cannabis
Terpenes are a naturally occurring class of compounds that lend distinctive aromas and flavors to countless plants, citrus fruits, herbs, and, of course, cannabis. These organic hydrocarbons serve several vital purposes in the plant kingdom by attracting pollinators, repelling predators, and even protecting plants from environmental stress.
In cannabis, terpenes are synthesized within the trichomes, the resinous glands on the plant’s surface, where they play a crucial role in giving each strain its unique characteristics and potential benefits. By understanding the role and significance of terpenes, one can better appreciate their contribution to cannabis’s diverse properties.
Beyond their sensory role, terpenes are increasingly studied for their potential to influence how cannabinoids interact with the body. For consumers, that makes terpene profiles one of the most useful tools for predicting how a strain might feel, not just how it smells.
Common Cannabis Terpenes and Their Potential Effects
Scientists have identified over 200 different terpenes in cannabis plants, each with its unique profile and potential physiological benefits. Here’s a closer look at the ones you’re most likely to encounter.
Myrcene
Myrcene is the most abundant terpene found in cannabis and is well-known for its earthy, musky aroma. This terpene can also be found in other plants such as hops, lemongrass, and thyme. Myrcene is believed to have several potential benefits, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and sedating effects. Additionally, myrcene has been observed to increase cell membrane permeability, potentially enhancing the uptake of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD.
Limonene
Limonene is characterized by its fresh, citrusy scent and is commonly found in citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, as well as in some cannabis strains. This uplifting terpene has been associated with a number of potential benefits, including mood elevation, stress relief, and antibacterial properties. Some studies have also suggested that limonene may possess anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Between strains, limonene is typically associated with sativas, though some sleepy indicas, such as Black Mamba and God’s Gift, also express high limonene levels.
Pinene
As the name suggests, pinene has a distinct pine-like aroma and is the most prevalent terpene found in nature, present in coniferous trees, orange peels, and rosemary. In addition to its signature scent, pinene has been credited with several potential health benefits, such as improving alertness, memory retention, and overall cognitive function.
Pinene has also been reported to have bronchodilatory properties, potentially offering relief to asthma sufferers and enhancing respiratory function.
Linalool
Linalool gives lavender its calming scent and can also be found in some cannabis strains, namely indica, but it’s not restricted to that strain type. Its soothing aroma has been associated with various potential benefits, such as stress and anxiety relief, sedation, and analgesic effects. Additionally, linalool has demonstrated potential as an anti-epileptic and neuroprotective agent in some studies.
Caryophyllene
Known for its spicy, peppery aroma, caryophyllene is found in black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon, as well as many cannabis strains, especially those that lean more savory than sweet. As the only terpene known to interact directly with the endocannabinoid system, where it binds with CB2 receptors, caryophyllene may impart potential anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties.
How Terpenes Shape the Cannabis Experience: The Entourage Effect
Terpene effects play an essential role in shaping the overall experience of cannabis, affecting not only its aromas and flavors but also its subtler subjective effects. Their influence extends beyond basic sensory perception: terpene effects are now believed to include the entourage effect, in which terpenes synergize with cannabinoids such as THC and CBD to modulate and moderate their effects.
For instance, studies suggest pinene, linalool, and other terpenes contribute pain-fighting and related effects in conjunction with certain cannabinoids. In the same vein, some evidence suggests that cannabis strains and products that contain both CBD and THC tend to impart stronger pain-fighting and other effects together than on their own.
These interactions allow for a more tailored experience, with specific terpene profiles potentially influencing the nuances of cannabis, including its intensity, duration, and overall character.
How To Find Quality, Terpene-Rich Cannabis Products
Since cannabis terpenes are such an essential part of the whole equation, skimping just isn’t worth it. If you love full-spectrum effects and a flavorful, aromatic smoking experience, we think it’s worth sourcing the best and most terpene-rich products you can find. Here are some tips on getting only the very best.
- Look for strain transparency: Ask your budtenders for detailed grow info, and check Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for precise stats on which terpenes appear in specific strains and products. Reputable growers like Seed of Life make COAs readily available; if a retailer can’t tell you what’s in their flower, that’s a red flag worth paying attention to.
- Consider how it was grown: Because cannabis is a natural product, how it’s grown has a huge impact on terpene expression. Growing environment, harvest timing, and post-harvest handling, including the curing process, all influence which terpenes develop and how much of them survive to the final product. Craft-grown, small-batch cannabis tends to preserve terpene profiles better than mass-produced alternatives.
- Pay attention to the product format: Certain products, especially concentrates, are specifically designed to preserve terpene profiles through careful extraction techniques. Live rosin and live resin, for example, are made from fresh-frozen cannabis specifically to lock in terpenes that would otherwise degrade during drying and curing, making them some of the most flavorful and aromatic options available.
When in doubt, don’t be shy about asking your budtender. A good cannabis retailer should be able to speak to the terpene profiles of the products they carry and help you find something that fits what you’re looking for.
Shop Fresh Flower, Aromatic Live Rosin & More at Seed of Life
Interested in exploring cannabis products rich in natural terpenes? We’re proud to stock a huge selection of premium Montana cannabis, and yes, we grow much of it ourselves! Our budtenders are here to help you navigate our menu of terpene-rich products.
Come visit us at one of the many Seed of Life dispensaries; you’ll find them all across Big Sky Country—visit the Montana dispensaries page for exact locations. Want to learn more? Deep dive into the foundational information on the cannabis plant and how it pairs with our bodies at our in-depth cannabis blog
Terpene FAQs
Thus far, scientists have identified over 200 different terpenes in cannabis plants, each with its unique profile and potential physiological benefits. Each cannabis strain contains a mix of terpenes in varying proportions; the exact blend helps determine its aromatic and other subjective properties.
Yes. While the terpenes in cannabis are not generally considered intoxicating, many produce potential effects such as mild sedation (myrcene), mood uplift (limonene), and calming effects (linalool).
Myrcene is the most abundant terpene in weed by weight, and it’s believed to play a major role in the overall cannabis experience. Myrcene terpene effects are often described as being relaxing and even sedative; that’s one reason they’re often associated with indica and indica-leaning strains.
While labels on cannabis products aren’t legally mandated to include terpene contents, some growers, including Seed of Life, include terpene profiles. We believe this helps consumers make better-informed shopping decisions and enjoy more consistent and rewarding cannabis experiences.
