Cannabis is a beautiful, complex plant. It’s so much more than just THC and CBD — although they’re quite important, of course. As you explore the variety of options for cannabis products at dispensaries, there’s a lot to remember. But with knowledge comes power – the power to make informed choices and tailor your experience.
That journey begins with terpenes. These are the organic aromatic oils found in every plant in the world, and cannabis is no different. They’re the reason cannabis can smell like lemons, cheese, blueberries, pine trees, or even gasoline. Beyond scent, terpenes are also believed to affect how a strain makes you feel.
What are some of the most common terpenes found in cannabis? This guide breaks down what you need to know.
Why Should We Care About Cannabis Terpenes?
Understanding cannabis terps and their effects can help you better tailor your consumption to your needs. That’s because the terpenes present in your weed affect the high you have. If you want to have an energizing experience, terpenes that may help you fall asleep may not be the right product for the moment. The opposite is true: avoiding terpenes associated with focus and energy is the right move if you just want to zone out and watch a movie.
Most cannabis strains have a terpene profile, a combination of terpenes with one or two dominant terpenes (and most campers prefer certain terpenes over others). Which terpenes are present, and how much of each terpene is present, makes a difference in how you feel, too, and is important to learn. This phenomenon is called the entourage effect.
Finally, understanding terpenes plays a role in how you consume. Terpenes are highly sensitive compounds that evaporate or boil off the plant quite easily. That’s why terpenes are present in smaller quantities — they are sensitive to the elements and are difficult to preserve. Each one has its boiling point at which the compound begins to degrade.
If you want to embrace the full experience of a certain terpene, you may want to skip the lighter or blowtorch next time you go to inhale cannabis flower. Instead, opt for a vaporizer with adjustable temperature settings, where you can tune the temp just hot enough to experience all the cannabinoids and terpenes without any of the burnt taste.
The 13 Most Common Cannabis Terpenes Explained
| Terpene | Main Aroma | Reported Benefits |
| Myrcene | Herbal | Sedating, relaxing |
| Beta-Caryophyllene | Spicey | Relaxing, enhancing |
| Limonene | Citrus | Energizing |
| Pinene | Woodsy | Energizing |
| Linalool | Floral | Relaxing |
| Terpinolene | Fresh | Uplifting |
| Humulene | Hops | Sedating |
| Bisabolol | Sweet | Calming |
| Eucalyptol | Woodsy | Enhancing |
| Geraniol | Floral | Enhancing |
| Borneol | Woodsy | Relaxing |
| Ocimene | Fruity | Energizing |
| Farnesnene | Herbal | Calming |
Myrcene
Myrcene is the most common terpene found in commercially cultivated cannabis strains. It’s thought to be a sedating terpene and may increase sleepiness, relaxation, and the famous “couch-lock” effect. This terpene is being studied for potential pain-relieving and antioxidant effects. If your plans include staying put on the couch, myrcene is a great companion.
The main aroma of myrcene is herbs, and it’s found in many: wild thyme, lemongrass, parsley, mangos, and bay leaves to name a few, as well as hops, which are a close relative of cannabis. Myrcene may also smell musky and earthy.
Common strains: White Widow, Skunk XL
Beta-caryophyllene
Beta-caryophyllene, or caryophyllene as it’s often called, is very common in the cannabis strains you’ll find at dispensaries like Boone Town. It holds the unique honor of being the only terpene to bind with receptors in your endocannabinoid system (CB2, to be specific). Caryophyllene can be quite relaxing, but it’s best known for acting as an enhancer to the effects of a given strain. Research on this terpene includes possible antioxidant and organ-protecting effects.
The main aroma of beta-caryophyllene is spice. It’s not a hot spice, but flavorful, as found in black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and oregano.
Common strains: GSC, GG#4
Limonene
Limonene is one of the three most common terps in cannabis plants, alongside myrcene and caryophyllene. It’s known for its invigorating, energizing effects and is traditionally associated with sativa strains, although it’s not a hard and fast rule.
Some people enjoy a cerebral and highly euphoric experience with limonene, although others don’t like it in higher quantities. It’s thought to help with anxiety and depression and is being studied for a host of other potential benefits, including immune system support, neuroprotection, and pain relief.
Limonene smells like citrus, bright and fruity. You’ve probably come across this terpene before in cleaning products and throughout your kitchen.
Common strains: Lemon Berry Kush, Do-Si-Dos
Pinene
Pinene is the single most abundant terpene in nature, thanks to its two forms: alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. Alpha-pinene is more common, but beta-pinene is not unusual in smaller quantities.
This terpene is beloved by cannabis consumers who swear it delivers a cerebral, but focused effect. Studies on these terpenes have uncovered potential neuroprotection and antioxidant properties. Pinene may also help you breathe better, as anyone who has wandered into a pine grove can attest to because it’s a bronchodilator.
The main difference between the two forms of pinene is the smell. Alpha-pinene has a fresh and earthy scent that you’ll immediately recognize from majestic pine trees in the woods or the winter holidays, while beta-pinene is more woody and spicy, like basil or dill.
Common strains: OG Kush, Blue Dream
Linalool
Aromatherapy’s favorite terpene is commonly found in cannabis as well. Linalool is loved in cannabis for the same reason it’s loved in spas across the world, for its calming, relaxing effects that may help stress melt away. There are dozens of studies exploring linalool’s potential effects, including as an antidepressant, for pain relief, and neuroprotective effects.
Linalool’s main aroma is strongly floral, most similar to lavender. It’s that strong scent that helps with relaxation.
Common strains: Lavender Kush, Amnesia Haze
Terpinolene
Terpinolene is a rare but highly sought-after terpene that typically occurs in smaller quantities in cannabis. It may have a sedating effect, but usually delivers more of a calm, relaxed, and lifted vibe, rather than a couch-locked feeling. Research on terpinolene in cannabis plants is limited but suggests this terpene may enhance the effects of a given strain and provide antioxidant effects to boot.
Terpinolene has a complex scent that is best described as fresh and floral but woodsy. It’s found in apples, sage, and most abundantly, parsnips.
Common strains: Jack Herer, Durban Poison
Humulene
Humulene, while less common, can be found in small quantities in cannabis products. It’s slightly sedating but is best known for its pain-relieving qualities. Humulene is thought to work best when paired with caryophyllene.
Humulene is often described as smelling like hops, which makes sense given the plant’s high concentration of these terpenes. It’s an earthy and herbal aroma with a hint of spice that can be found in basil black pepper, ginseng, and ginger as well.
Common strains: Sour Diesel, Gelato
Bisabolol
Bisabolol is a lesser-known terpene that is common in lower percentages in cannabis and is popular in skincare products, thanks to its potential antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It’s also known for being relaxing and calming.
Unlike some of the other terpenes on this list, bisabolol has a softer scent, sweet like honey and freshly floral. It’s found in chamomile and often smells similar to that tea.
Common strains: ACDC, Harle-Tsu
Eucalyptol
Eucalyptol, sometimes described as a minty terpene, is not common in cannabis plants but can still be found in certain cultivars. It may have a similar effect in cannabis products to the leaves you can hang in your shower, opening the airways and helping you breathe better. It’s also thought to enhance the effects of a given strain and may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Eucalyptol is most abundant in the eucalyptus tree and smells like the plant: a woody yet cool aroma that smells almost refreshing. This terpene is popular with skin brands and is commonly found in lotions and balms.
Common strains: Headband, Super Lemon Haze
Geraniol
Often found in small amounts in cannabis, geraniol may act as an enhancer to strain effects due to the entourage effect. It’s being studied for its possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties.
Geraniol has a floral aroma similar to that of geraniums, roses, and rose oil. You can also find it in lavender and coriander.
Common strains: Agent Orange, Black Cherry Soda
Borneol
Borneol is a terpene with a long history of medicinal use, thanks to its prevalence in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs like valerian root. It’s thought to reduce stress levels and fatigue and is being studied for pain-relieving effects.
Borneol has a fresh and woodsy scent that can be compared to walking through balsam fir trees. This terpene can also be found in camphor, thyme, and rosemary.
Common strains: Hindu Kush, Golden Pineapple
Ocimene
Ocimene is commonly found in smaller quantities in cannabis plants. It’s thought to have an energizing effect and is a known expectorant.
Ocimene has a floral and fruity scent not unlike mandarin oranges. This terpene is also found in mint, orchids, and mangoes.
Common strains: Pink Lemonade, Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Farnesene
Farnesene is a lesser-known terpene; it’s more commonly found in outdoor-grown plants than indoor-cultivated ones. This terpene is thought to have calming effects that help muscles relax. It’s also believed to play a role in regulating mood.
Farnesene has a sweet and herbal aroma and can be found in nutmeg, green apple, and ginger.
Common Strains: Cherry Punch, Zookies
How to Choose Cannabis Products Based on Terpenes
Most cannabis products have terpenes. A notable exception is products made with isolate or a cannabis extract that contains only a single terpene, like THC or CBD. So as you’re shopping, ask yourself a few key questions to help narrow down your choices.
- What kind of experience do I want to have? Choose products that contain the terpenes most closely associated with how you want your sesh to go.
- What type of product do I want? Some products, like cannabis flower or prerolls, have the terpene that naturally occurs during the plant’s growth cycle. Concentrates like live rosin and hash perfectly preserve terpenes during the extraction process, while many edibles and vapes have terpenes added back into the final product.
- How do I know which terpenes are in my product? Check the record! Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) are the lab results from the testing that all legal cannabis products must undergo. These results often include the terpene profile of the product, which can help you dive into the terpene profiles of your favorite strains and products.
- New Jersey requires labs to test for terpenes. The results are presented in two ways: by weight (milligrams per gram) and by percentage, which is easier to understand. Don’t expect to see percentages similar to THC; a terpene percentage of 1% is quite high.
Boone Town is Your Go-To for Terpene-Rich Cannabis in Boonton, NJ
Ready to embark on a terpene-driven adventure? We at Boone Town are here to help. Start by chatting with a budtender about your goals for cannabis consumption and the aromas you’re typically drawn to. From there, keep track of the dominant terpenes in your products and how they make you feel. An informed camper is a happy camper, and we’re here to guide your way! Sign up for our emails to get the latest news, product drops, and more straight to your inbox.
