Pinene

Definition: Pinene is a terpene that gives cannabis, pine needles, rosemary, and basil their sharp, fresh pine aroma. It comes in two forms, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, and alpha-pinene is the most widely found terpene in nature. Early research suggests pinene may have anti-inflammatory and memory-supporting properties.

What Is Pinene?

Pinene is a bicyclic monoterpene with the formula C10H16. Plants produce it to repel insects and fight off microbes. In cannabis, pinene forms in the resin glands, or trichomes, alongside cannabinoids like THC and other terpenes.

What Does Pinene Smell Like?

Pinene smells like a pine forest: crisp, woody, and slightly sharp. Alpha-pinene leans toward pine needles, while beta-pinene carries more of a herbal note, closer to dill, parsley, or hops.

What Are the Effects of Pinene?

Most pinene research comes from lab and animal studies, so treat these findings as early. In a widely cited 2011 review, neurologist Ethan Russo noted that pinene inhibits acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down a chemical messenger tied to memory. He suggested this could help offset the short-term memory fog some people get from THC. Researchers have also studied pinene for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. None of this has been confirmed in human cannabis trials.

Where Is Pinene Found?

Outside cannabis, you’ll find pinene in pine and fir trees, rosemary, basil, dill, parsley, and orange peel. In cannabis, pinene levels vary by plant and growing conditions, so the only reliable way to know a product’s pinene content is a lab-tested terpene profile.

Want the bigger picture? See our guide to the top 5 terpenes in cannabis and their effects.

Related terms: Terpenes, Caryophyllene, Humulene, Entourage Effect

Sources: Russo EB, “Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects,” British Journal of Pharmacology, 2011; PubChem: alpha-Pinene.