When it comes to the cannabis plant, cannabinoids get most of the attention. There’s plenty to be said for the heady buzz of THC and the soothing calm of CBD, but all of those effects are enhanced thanks to another important cannabis compound: terpenes.
Terpenes are the essential oils that give plants and trees their distinct flavors and fragrances. It’s the potent, sometimes sticky resin you can smell on your hands after you touch cannabis buds or the leaves of fragrant plants like rosemary and basil. The primary function of terpenes is to attract pollinators and repel harmful pests in the wild, and more than 200 types of terpenes have been found to exist in cannabis plants.
The specific terpene content of a plant can vary as widely as its cannabinoid content, all of which can significantly alter the flavor, aroma, and even the physical effects of your bud. These combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes are as diverse as our endocannabinoid systems, so what works for you might feel different for another person.
Terpenes and the Entourage Effect
The entourage effect is a synergistic process that happens in the endocannabinoid system when you consume cannabis in its “whole plant” form. When you consume a plant that still contains all of its naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes, you’ve got hundreds of molecules working together to amplify each other’s effects and produce better results than you’d get with one chemical that’s been isolated.
Terpenes have been shown to have different physical effects from sedative properties to anti-inflammation, so many people buy strain-specific terpenes to supplement their cannabis and enhance the overall experience, whether medicinally or recreationally. The entourage effect is why full-spectrum CBD products are often preferred over CBD isolate.
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Most Common Cannabis Terpenes
Although there have been more than 200 terpenes found in cannabis plants, some are much more common than others.
Limonene
Limonene smells like citrus and is commonly found in plants like peppermint, juniper, and rosemary, plus the rinds of fruit like lemons and oranges. Strains with fruit in the name like Lemon OG and Strawberry Banana are known for their limonene content, and its contribution to the entourage effect is to help boost your mood and alleviate stress. You’ll find limonene in mostly sativa strains, but plenty of hybrids and indicas contain limonene as well.
Myrcene
Myrcene is common in fragrant herbs and plants like basil, mangos, hops, bay leaves, lemongrass, and thyme. If you’ve ever heard the rumor that eating a mango before you smoke can heighten the psychoactive effects of weed, the theory is that it’s because of its myrcene levels. This terpene is known for its sedative effects, and you can find high levels of myrcene in strains like Granddaddy Purple and Trainwreck.
Pinene
Pinene smells exactly like you think it smells. You’ll find its earthy, herbal pine aroma in plants like rosemary, pine needles, dill, parsley, and basil, and strains like AK-47 and Purple Kush. It’s said to counteract some effects of THC, so if you’re prone to anxiety when you smoke, pinene strains could help keep you calm.
Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene is another earthy terpene you’ll find in plants like cloves, cinnamon, basil, hops, oregano, and black pepper. Its fragrance is part of the reason you might sneeze when sniffing cracked pepper, and it’s the only known terpene known to work directly with endocannabinoid receptors, specifically CB2 receptors that help relieve pain and inflammation. In a rodent study, caryophyllene was shown to help reduce alcohol intake, suggesting it can help with addiction struggles. Cannabis strains high in caryophyllene usually have a clove or peppery smell like Girl Scout Cookies, Bubba Kush, and Fire OG.
Linalool
Linalool has a strong floral, woody, lavender-like scent, and you’ll find the highest levels of it in lavender plants. It is often used as a food additive to enhance flavor, and has shown therapeutic potential due to its anti-microbial properties and potential in helping to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s. You can find linalool in cannabis strains like Lavender.
Humulene
Humulene is another earthy, subtly herbal terpene found in plants like basil, hops, cloves, and of course, cannabis. It’s demonstrated anti-inflammatory abilities and can be found in strains like Girl Scout Cookies and Skywalker OG.
Ocimene
Ocimene is a sweetly herbal and citrus-like terpene found in plants like mint, basil, mangoes, pepper, parsley, and orchids. Its scent is known to repel aphids, a common pest that can destroy cannabis crops. Ocimene can be found in strains like Durban Poison, White Fire OG, and Super Lemon Haze.
Terpinolene
Terpinolene exists in cannabis in the smallest quantities, but still plays an important role in its smell and the entourage effect. Terpinolene has hints of floral herbs and pine in its fragrance, and you’ll find it in plants like apples, cumin, tea tree, lilac, and nutmeg. Its fresh scent makes it a popular choice for perfumes and soaps, and its known to have calming sedative effects when inhaled or consumed. Cannabis strains high in terpinolene include Super Lemon Haze and Tangie.
Where to Buy Cannabis Terpenes Online
Food-grade, strain-specific terpenes can be added to your food, drinks, or cannabis oil concentrates for an enhanced flavor-filled experience. Brands like Terpene Botanicals and True Blue sell organic terpene blends extracted from popular cannabis strains, so if you know which strain makes you feel your best, you can browse their selections and find your ideal blend. If you care more about the flavor and less about the strain, you can also shop for specific flavor blends and add a couple of drops to anything you desire.
Terpene Botanicals also has recommendations for how much you should add to your product. It’s recommended to start low, around 1-3%, and gradually increase as needed. They recommend keeping the concentration below 10% because too much can go from tasty to irritating in a couple drops, and you don’t want to overwhelm your senses when you’re just trying to get a nice buzz.
Have you tried adding terpenes to your cannabis oil? What’s your favorite combination?