Terpenes
Definition: Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give cannabis, and thousands of other plants, their smell and flavor. Cannabis produces more than 100 different terpenes in its resin glands. They don’t get you high on their own, but many researchers believe they influence how a strain feels, a theory known as the entourage effect.
What Do Terpenes Do?
For the plant, terpenes are a defense system. Their strong scents repel insects and grazing animals, attract pollinators, and help fight off fungi and bacteria. For people, they’re the difference between a strain that smells like lemons and one that smells like diesel or pine.
What Are the Most Common Terpenes in Cannabis?
| Terpene | Aroma | Also found in |
|---|---|---|
| Myrcene | Earthy, musky, herbal | Mango, hops, lemongrass |
| Limonene | Citrus | Lemon and orange peel |
| Caryophyllene | Spicy, peppery | Black pepper, cloves |
| Pinene | Pine, fresh | Pine needles, rosemary |
| Linalool | Floral | Lavender |
| Humulene | Woody, earthy | Hops |
Do Terpenes Affect Your High?
Possibly. In a 2011 review, neurologist Ethan Russo argued that terpenes like myrcene, limonene, and linalool may contribute sedating, mood-lifting, or calming effects alongside THC. Human evidence is still limited. Many experts now think a strain’s terpene profile tells you more about its likely effects than the indica or sativa label does.
Terpenes vs. Terpenoids: What’s the Difference?
Terpenes are the raw hydrocarbons the plant makes. Terpenoids are terpenes that have been chemically modified, usually through drying and curing. People use the two words interchangeably in cannabis.
How Do You Preserve Terpenes?
Terpenes evaporate easily. Heat, light, and air break them down, which is why a slow cure and airtight, cool, dark storage keep flower smelling fresh. Lower vaporizer temperatures also preserve more terpene flavor than combustion.
Go deeper with our guides to the top 5 terpenes in cannabis and how terpene profiles affect your experience.
Related terms: Entourage Effect, Trichomes, Cannabinoids, Strains
Sources: Russo EB, “Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects,” British Journal of Pharmacology, 2011.
