Cannabis Terpenes Guide

Myrcene is the most common terpene in cannabis, responsible for the earthy, musky, herbal aroma of many indica-leaning strains. It is widely associated with sedating, body-heavy effects, and is also found in mango, hops, and lemongrass. Cannabis with myrcene above roughly 0.5% is often described as having a "couch-lock" character.

Beta-caryophyllene is a peppery, spicy terpene found in black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon. It is the only common cannabis terpene that binds directly to the body's CB2 cannabinoid receptors, giving it cannabinoid-like behavior and notable anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in research.

Limonene is a bright, citrus-forward terpene most associated with lemon, orange, and other citrus rinds. In cannabis it is often linked to mood-elevating, anxiolytic effects, and it is the second most common terpene after myrcene. It also shows up across the food and cosmetics industries as a natural citrus flavoring.

Linalool is a floral, lavender-like terpene best known as the active compound in lavender essential oil. In cannabis it is associated with calming, sedating, and anxiolytic effects, and it shows up prominently in strains used for relaxation and sleep. It is also widely studied for its role in aromatherapy.

Pinene is a fresh, conifer-like terpene that smells exactly as the name suggests — pine forest, rosemary, and basil. It is one of the most abundant terpenes in nature and is being studied as a bronchodilator and a possible counter to THC's short-term memory effects. Cannabis chemovars high in pinene often share a clear, focused profile.

Terpinolene has a complex aroma — fresh, herbal, slightly floral, with hints of citrus and pine. It is less common as a dominant terpene, but when it is dominant, it tends to appear in sativa-leaning chemovars like Jack Herer and Dutch Treat. It also occurs in nutmeg, tea tree, and lilacs.