From ripe stonefruit to resinous pine, pungent fuel oil to soothing lavender, the spectrum of fragrances and flavors you can detect in high-quality cannabis is astonishingly complex. How are there so many variations in scent? In large part, it’s due to a family of aromatic oils known as terpenes.
They play various roles in many plants, including our beloved cannabis. Ever smelled a citrusy sativa? A pungent indica-leaning hybrid? That’s all thanks to terpenes. If you’ve been curious about where certain strains get their signature scents, you’re right where you need to be. Follow along as we cover all the aromatic dramatics, including:
- What are cannabis terpenes?
- Why are the terpenes in weed important for you?
- Do terpenes affect your high?
- How do I find strains with specific terpenes?
…and so much more! Ready your taste buds and nostrils because we’re diving into something truly mouthwatering. Let’s roll!
What Are Terpenes in Weed, Exactly?
Here’s one of the many fascinating paradoxes of cannabis: While all the cannabis we consume comes from the same plant species—cannabis sativa—there’s no end to the bewildering array of flavors and aromas associated with different strains. OG Kush gives off skunky diesel and spice whiffs, while Jack Herer is beloved for its bright and piney scent.
How is this possible? It all comes down to the terpenes, a family of fragrant hydrocarbons called “essential oils.” Plants produce different terpenes for various reasons, including as plant-based chemical warnings to repel insect predators, which makes sense from a sensory standpoint—for a tiny bug, high concentrations of terpenes can be unpleasant.
While researchers have identified at least 150 types of terpenes in cannabis, these oils aren’t limited to the cannabis plant. The list of terpenes runs to at least 20,000, and they’re found in various plants, trees—even some insects and animals! In fact, terpenes are the largest and most diverse group of naturally occurring compounds on the planet.
What Do Terpenes Do For the Plant?
From an evolutionary standpoint, it makes sense that flowers should delight us with their fresh aromas and appearances, as there’s a greater chance that gardeners (human and otherwise) will save and replant their seeds, either intentionally or by consuming and excreting them later. But in the ecosystem of the cannabis plant, terpenes also serve as a defense mechanism, repelling insectile, microbiological, and fungal predators from consuming or colonizing the plant.
Where do the terpenes in weed come from? They’re produced by the trichomes, the tiny resinous glands that appear like a fine silvery dusting on high-quality flower. Trichomes are a vital part of the cannabis ecosystem and an absolutely fascinating topic in their own right.
Why Terpenes Are Important For You
One lingering mystery about cannabis is why different strains can elicit such different effects on our bodies and minds, given that the major cannabinoid found in virtually all of them is THC, the one most associated with the plant’s intoxicating effects. But modern clinical studies demonstrate what early folk healers already knew: Terpenes may have huge potential healing properties.
For example, one study published in 2011 suggests that the terpene alpha-pinene interacts with THC to moderate its intoxicating effects and increase its therapeutic ones. Echoing these findings, another study suggests that certain terpenes, including linalool and humulene, appear to have the opposite effect, potentiating the effects of cannabinoids to impart even greater medicinal benefits.
The terpenes in weed, in other words, do a whole lot more than just contribute to those pretty smells. Plus, it’s long been suspected that the terpenes, cannabinoids, and other compounds in cannabis work in partnership for our benefit—something known as the “entourage effect.” While researchers are still working to decode the specific workings of the entourage effect, it’s clear that it’s a key to understanding the many ways cannabis partners with our bodies and our minds—and that the terpenes in weed play a starring role.
Do Terpenes Affect Your High?
How might terpenes alter the high of certain strains? As it turns out, in a variety of ways. For instance, caryophyllene—a distinctively spicy and peppery terpene—may help control inflammatory and nociceptive pain as well as fight anxiety and depression. Limonene, a citrusy compound found in many fruits as well as cannabis strains, is believed to impart powerful antidepressant effects.
Our point? Terpenes are a big deal when it comes to how cannabis interacts with our bodies, supporting the cannabinoids to produce effects we’re only now beginning to understand.
The Most Abundant Terpenes in Weed
If you’ve spent any time exploring cannabis strains, you probably have a head start on terpene identification! The scents of spicy cloves, earthy linalool, and zingy lemon come from various terpenes. Here are the most abundant terpenes that may take your cannabis experience to the next level:
Myrcene
- Found In: Mangoes, hops, and lemongrass
- Smells Like: Earthy, fruity, and slightly dank
- Potential Effects: Besides its potentially gentle sedative effects, myrcene helps coordinate the actions of cannabinoids and terpenes, among other compounds.
Limonene
- Found In: Citrus fruit, especially oranges and lemons
- Smells Like: The unmistakable scent of fresh lemons
- Potential Effects: Long known for its uplifting effects, limonene is also believed to help reduce stress and anxiety. Other studies suggest this terpene may help regulate our immune system and potentially even play a role in controlling the spread of certain cancers.
Linalool
- Found In: Lavender, rose, and pineapple
- Smells Like: Earthy, floral, and slightly tropical
- Potential Effects: Like many other terps, linalool may have anti-inflammatory properties, but it has also been associated with its potential to help ease insomnia.
Ocimene
- Found In: Basil, orchids, and tarragon
- Smells Like: Sweet, floral, and woodsy
- Potential Effects: Studies suggest ocimene may act as an antimicrobial and antifungal agent.
Alpha-pinene and Beta-pinene
- Found In: Pine trees, rosemary, dill, and tea trees
- Smells Like: The resinous aroma of fresh-cut pine
- Potential Effects: Studies suggest that pinene may function as an antidepressant; inhaling pinene may also help reduce inflammatory responses such as asthma.
Humulene
- Found In: Hops flowers, sage, black pepper, and basil
- Smells Like: A rich, herbal, and beery aroma
- Potential Effects: Humulene functions as a potential anti-inflammatoy for sore muscles. Studies suggest it may also function as an analgesic to reduce pain.
Caryophyllene
- Found In: Black pepper and sage
- Smells Like: Spice, cloves, and cinnamon
- Potential Effects: Studies suggest caryophyllene may deliver powerful analgesic and anti-anxiety properties. It’s often found in anti-inflammatory topicals, thanks to its unusual binding properties.
Terpinolene
- Found In: Rosemary, apples, and lilacs
- Smells Like: A uniquely subtle blend of floral and citrus aromas
- Potential Effects: Research suggests that terpinolene may be a powerful antioxidant with slightly sedative properties.
How Do I Find Strains With Specific Terpenes?
If you’re curious about how to find weed strains with specific terpenes, the good news is that it’s easier than you might think. With advancements in cannabis in testing and labeling practices, many products now list their dominant terpenes and percentages right on the packaging.
This shift has made it a lot more accessible for consumers to choose strains based on the effects, flavors, or aromas they’re looking for. Whether you’re chasing a calm, sleepy vibe or something more uplifting and energizing, terpene info can help you fine-tune your experience with a lot more intention.
Shop Flavorful Strains at Mission
Terpenes are the major aromatic compounds in cannabis, giving each strain its signature scent—from citrusy and sweet to earthy and piney—but their role goes way beyond smell. Early research suggests terpenes may influence everything from mood and stress levels to inflammation and sleep, making them true heavy hitters in the overall cannabis experience. So, when it comes to your favorite nugs and buds, terpenes matter!
Ready to take your cannabis knowledge to the next level? Visit our cannabis blog, where you’ll find deep dives on all things cannabis, including our guide on how (and why) to decarb cannabis.
Want to stock up on some seriously flavorful strains with unique terpenes? Start your journey at the Mission dispensary closest to you in Illinois or Massachusetts.
