What are Terpenes?

TL;DR:

• Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in many plants (not just cannabis) that give herbs, fruits, and flowers their distinctive scents and flavors.

• In cannabis, terpenes contribute to each strain’s unique aroma and may subtly influence the strain’s effects (through the “entourage effect” with cannabinoids).

• Types of terpenes: Hundreds exist, but a few common ones (like myrcene, limonene, pinene, linalool, caryophyllene) are known for specific aromas and potential benefits (e.g. citrusy limonene may uplift mood, floral linalool can relax)​.

• Do terpenes get you high? No, on their own terpenes are non-intoxicating​. They don’t cause a cannabis “high” by themselves, though they can modify how you perceive a strain when combined with THC/CBD.

• Terpenes have many uses: beyond cannabis, they appear in essential oils, perfumes, foods, and even cleaning products. Manufacturers isolate terpenes for fragrances/flavors, and wellness practices like aromatherapy leverage terpene-rich oils for stress relief and mood effects.​

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are a large class of natural compounds produced by plants (and even some insects). They are responsible for the distinct aromas and flavors of countless plants, from the citrus burst of an orange peel to the soothing scent of lavender​. In fact, terpenes are the primary ingredients in essential oils, the oily substances that carry a plant’s scent. Nearly all fragrant herbs, fruits, and flowers owe their smell to terpenes.

In nature, terpenes play an important role for plants. Their strong scents can attract pollinators or repel pests and herbivores, helping plants survive​. Some terpenes even help plants recover from damage or fight off germs​. In other words, terpenes are part of a plant’s built-in defense and communication system.

It’s worth noting the term “terpenoids”: Terpenes and terpenoids are related but not identical. Terpenes refer to the pure compounds in a living plant. Once a plant is dried or cured (for example, drying cannabis flowers), terpenes may oxidize or change, becoming “terpenoids”​. In casual conversation, people often use terpene to refer to both terpenes and terpenoids.

Terpenes in Cannabis

Terpenes are often discussed in the context of cannabis because cannabis plants are rich in terpenes that are produced in the trichomes of the plant. If you’ve noticed different strains of cannabis have different smells (piney, fruity, skunky, etc.), that’s due to their terpene profiles. Each cannabis strain has a unique mix of terpenes (a “terpene profile”), like a fingerprint, which gives the strain its aroma and may influence the character of its effects​.

Cannabis enthusiasts pay attention to terpenes for more than just smell, some believe terpenes also affect how a strain makes you feel. Terpenes don’t get you “high” on their own (they are non-psychoactive in the intoxicating sense)​. However, they can interact with cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) in your body. This interaction is often called the “entourage effect,” meaning the various compounds in cannabis work together synergistically​. For example, two strains might have the same THC level but give a different experience; terpenes could be one reason why​. Some research supports this: studies have observed that whole-plant cannabis extracts (with terpenes included) can produce different effects than isolated THC or CBD alone​.

In practical terms, while terpenes won’t cause a cannabis buzz by themselves, they may influence the tone of the experience. A strain high in a relaxing terpene like linalool might feel more calming, whereas one rich in an energizing terpene like pinene might feel more uplifting. Many budtenders suggest looking at terpene profiles (when available) to choose cannabis products aligned with your desired effects, rather than focusing only on THC percentage​.

What Do Terpenes Do for People?

Outside of plants, do terpenes affect people? In general, terpenes are bioactive, meaning they can have an effect on the human body​. The impact can depend on the specific terpene, its concentration, and how you’re exposed to it. Here are a few key ways terpenes can affect us:

• Aromatherapy and Mood: Because terpenes have strong aromas, they form the basis of many essential oils used in aromatherapy. Inhaling certain terpene-rich scents can influence mood and stress levels​. For example, the terpene linalool (found in lavender) is known for its calming, anti-anxiety effect, that’s why lavender oil is used to promote relaxation. Limonene, the terpene that gives citrus fruits their zesty smell, is often cited for elevating mood or relieving stress. Simply put, our bodies and brains can respond to terpene scents, think of how a whiff of peppermint can make you feel alert, or how pine forest air (rich in pinene) feels fresh and clear.

• Potential Health Benefits: Scientific interest in terpenes is growing because many terpenes show promising therapeutic properties in preliminary research. Some terpenes have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or even anti-bacterial effects in studies.​ For instance, beta-caryophyllene (a spicy terpene found in black pepper and cloves) can bind to certain cell receptors in our body and has been studied for pain and inflammation relief​. Myrcene (found in hops and mangoes) has sedative qualities and might aid sleep or relaxation​. It’s important to note these potential benefits are still being researched, much of the evidence comes from cell or animal studies, and high-quality human research is limited​. So while terpenes show potential (some even being explored as medicine​), any health claims should be taken with caution until more data is available.

• No “High” on Their Own: A common question is whether terpenes are psychoactive or intoxicating like THC. The answer: no, terpenes by themselves won’t get you high. They don’t produce the euphoric, mind-altering effects that cannabinoids like THC do. That said, because some terpenes can interact with our nervous system (even if just through scent), they’re sometimes described as “psychoactive” in a broad sense (for example, a relaxing scent that eases anxiety is affecting your brain, albeit subtly). But any such effect is subtle and indirect compared to the intoxication from THC. So, you could sniff pure pinene or consume limonene all day without any cannabis buzz, at most you might feel relaxed or alert due to the aroma, not stoned. 

Common Terpenes and Their Effects

There are hundreds of different terpenes identified in nature (over 100 have been found in cannabis alone)​. Each has its own distinctive scent and potential benefits. Here are a few common terpenes you might encounter, especially in cannabis, along with their notable aromas and effects:

• Myrcene: Earthy, musky aroma (think cloves or hops). Found in mangoes, hops, and thyme (and many cannabis strains). Myrcene is known for its relaxing, sedative effect; it’s often associated with the “couch-lock” feel of calm, indica-leaning strains. It may also have anti-inflammatory and pain-relief properties​.

• Limonene: Bright, citrusy aroma (like lemons and oranges). Found in citrus peels, peppermint, and juniper. Limonene tends to have an uplifting, mood-elevating effect, many find it stress-relieving or energizing. It also exhibits anti-anxiety and immune-boosting potential in research​.

• Pinene: Sharp, pine forest aroma (imagine fresh pine needles or rosemary). Found in pine trees, rosemary, basil, and dill. Pinene is noted for promoting alertness and focus. It may act as a bronchodilator (helping open airways for easier breathing) and has anti-inflammatory effects​. Ever feel refreshed after a walk in the woods? That could be the pinene in the air.

• Linalool: Floral, lavender aroma with a hint of spice. Abundant in lavender and rosewood, also present in some mint and cinnamon. Linalool is prized for its calming, anti-anxiety properties; it’s the compound largely responsible for lavender’s relaxing reputation. It may also aid with sleep and pain relief, acting as a sedative in higher doses​

• Beta-Caryophyllene: Spicy, peppery aroma (like cracked pepper and cloves). Found in black pepper, cloves, and hops. Uniquely, beta-caryophyllene can interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, it binds to CB2 cannabinoid receptors, which is uncommon for a terpene​. It’s known for anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects, and is being studied for anxiety and depression relief. Essentially, it blurs the line between terpene and cannabinoid in function.

• Humulene: Subtle earthy, woody aroma. Found in hops (it’s partly responsible for beer’s aroma), sage, and ginseng. Humulene has shown anti-inflammatory properties and might act as an appetite suppressant​. It often appears alongside caryophyllene in strains and contributes to calming effects.

Note: These are just a handful of examples. Other notable terpenes include terpinolene (found in lilacs and some sativa strains, with a mixed citrusy and woody scent, often described as uplifting yet calming) and ocimene, geraniol, bisabolol, and many more. The key takeaway is that each terpene has a unique profile, but none are “good” or “bad”, they simply offer different aromas and potential effects. Everyone’s experience can vary, so a terpene that relaxes one person might not feel as notable to another.

Also remember, much of the evidence on terpene effects comes from preliminary research or traditional use (like herbs in folk medicine). These effects aren’t guaranteed in a cannabis setting, but they provide useful clues.

Uses of Terpenes (Beyond Cannabis)

Terpenes aren’t only discussed by scientists and cannabis enthusiasts, they’re very much a part of everyday life and industries. Some common uses of terpenes include:

• Aromatherapy & Wellness: Many essential oils used in aromatherapy are rich in specific terpenes. For example, eucalyptus oil contains eucalyptol (a terpene) which can clear sinuses and calm you; tea tree oil has terpinolene and others that have antimicrobial benefits. People use terpene-rich oils in diffusers, massages, or baths to harness their purported therapeutic effects (relaxation, focus, mood enhancement, etc.)​.

• Flavors & Fragrances: Terpenes are natural flavor and fragrance agents. The food and cosmetic industries isolate terpenes to create food flavorings, perfumes, colognes, and beauty products​. For instance, the limonene isolated from citrus might flavor a lemon candy or scent a household cleaner; menthol (from the terpene menthone) gives minty freshness to toothpaste. Anytime you see “natural flavor” or smell a pine-scented cleaner, terpenes are likely at work.

• Household & Industrial Products: Terpenes find their way into practical uses like cleaning solvents and pesticides​. The solvent called “citrus cleaner” often contains limonene extracted from orange peels, it’s effective at dissolving grease. Some natural insect repellents use terpenes (like citronellol in citronella oil) to ward off bugs. Terpenes’ strong odors and chemical properties can be harnessed for these purposes in place of synthetic chemicals.

• Cannabis Products: In the cannabis industry itself, terpenes have become a focal point. Vape cartridges, oils, and edibles often have added terpenes to recreate or enhance flavors. Some producers use cannabis-derived terpenes to retain an authentic strain profile in concentrates, while others use botanical terpenes (from other plants) to flavor products. Terpenes are also a selling point for consumers seeking certain experiences, e.g., a vape pen advertised as “energizing, citrus flavor” likely has extra limonene. Even outside of consumption, terpenes are used in making cannabis-infused topicals and lotions for their scent and potential skin benefits.

Cannabis-Derived vs. Botanical Terpenes

You might come across the terms “cannabis-derived terpenes” and “botanical terpenes.” Terpenes are terpenes, a molecule of limonene is the same basic structure whether it came from a cannabis flower or an orange peel. However, there are some important differences regarding their source and usage:

• Cannabis-Derived Terpenes: These terpenes are extracted directly from cannabis plants. Essentially, during cannabis processing (like making concentrates or oils), producers capture the terpene profile from that specific strain. Because each cannabis strain has a unique blend of terpenes, using cannabis-derived terpenes can preserve the authentic aroma and flavor of that strain. For consumers, that means a vape or product labeled with “cannabis-derived terpenes” is trying to deliver the true taste/smell of the strain (often called a “full spectrum” experience). However, cannabis-derived terpenes are typically available only in small quantities (you need a lot of plant material to extract a little oil) which can make them more expensive. They also may be subject to cannabis regulations (since they come from the plant). Enthusiasts often prefer these for the most realistic cannabis experience.

• Botanical Terpenes: Botanical (or sometimes called food-grade) terpenes refer to the same kinds of compounds, but sourced from other non-cannabis plants. Terpenes are not unique to cannabis, we can get limonene from lemons, pinene from pine needles, linalool from lavender, etc.​ Companies can extract those terpenes from abundant sources in agriculture and then blend them to mimic a cannabis strain’s profile. For example, to simulate the terpene profile of a strain like Blue Dream, a manufacturer might mix myrcene from hops, pinene from pine, and so on. Botanical terpenes are more readily available in large volume and often cheaper because they come from common plants. They allow cannabis product makers to flavor their oils or edibles without needing cannabis for the flavor component (which can lower costs or avoid legal restrictions). The trade-off is that while the chemical molecules are identical, a formulated blend might not perfectly replicate the subtle complexity of a cannabis plant’s natural terpene mix​. Some purists argue that cannabis-derived terpenes yield a richer, more nuanced effect and flavor, whereas botanical terpenes are mainly for taste and aroma enhancement.

In summary, the difference lies in origin: one comes from cannabis itself, the other from other botanical sources. Chemically, a terpene doesn’t “know” where it came from, limonene is limonene, so both types can smell and taste very similar​. But using all cannabis-derived terpenes keeps a product closer to the original plant’s profile, while using botanical terpenes offers more flexibility and cost-effectiveness (and can still deliver desired flavors)​. Both are widely used in the cannabis industry today. If you’re a consumer, you might see cartridges or tinctures advertising one or the other. Understanding the distinction can help you choose: for a true-to-strain experience you might lean cannabis-derived, whereas for a budget-friendly flavorful vape, botanical-derived terpenes do the job.

Conclusion

Terpenes are fundamental to the character of plants, they’re the reason basil smells like basil, and why a pine forest smells like pine. In the cannabis world, terpenes have taken center stage as we learn how these aromatic compounds might shape not only a plant’s fragrance, but also the experience it provides. While terpenes won’t get you high on their own, they enrich cannabis with a spectrum of smells and may work together with cannabinoids to subtly influence effects. Beyond cannabis, terpenes touch our lives through perfumes, flavored foods, essential oils, and more, often without us realizing it.

As research continues, we’re likely to discover even more about how terpenes can be used for health and wellness, or how specific terpene combinations can enhance therapies (or just make products more enjoyable). For now, knowing about terpenes can help you be a more informed consumer, whether you’re picking a cannabis strain for a desired vibe or choosing a lavender oil to unwind. These aromatic little molecules are powerful players in nature’s chemistry set, bridging the gap between botany and human experience in fascinating ways.