If you’ve spent any time in a dispensary, you’ve probably heard discussion of terpenes before. Whether it was a budtender running down what’s dominant in a certain strain, or someone asking which product has a high concentration of their favorite, this part of the plant is the cause of a good deal of chatter. And as we continue to legalize and destigmatize cannabis, interest in this part of the plant only continues to grow and become a bigger focal point of the conversation. But if you don’t know what terpenes are or how they affect you, this all might sound a bit confusing. So what are they, and what do they do?

Biological Basics

We’re not going to go too deep into chemistry or biology here, but it’s important to know a little bit to understand just how vast the world of terpenes is. At its most basic, a terpene is any hydrocarbon with this basic structure: (C5H8)n where n≥2. This means that while some terpenes have a formula of C10H16 (monoterpenes), another may be C15H24 (sesquiterpenes), or C20H32 (diterpenes). At first glance, this could make it seem that there are only a few possible terpenes, but that’s not the case. While all terpenes have this particular ratio of atoms, there’s a varied way that these molecules can be arranged to allow for a large number of different terpenes to exist within each sub-group. In fact, there’s over 20,000 variations known to naturally occur.

Not Just Cannabis

Given the huge number of terpenes known to naturally exist, it’s not surprising that they aren’t unique to cannabis, although that’s the plant that most often dominates the conversation. If you’ve ever stopped to smell the roses (literally) you’ve experienced terpenes without even knowing it. That pine smell that we all love when walking through a Christmas tree farm? Yup, terpenes as well.

Almost all plants create terpenes, and a lot of the time, they’re responsible for the pleasant smells that they have. While this is a great side effect for us humans, terpenes serve many different purposes for plants that have helped them evolve and proliferate over the years. Here’s a few ways that plants use terpenes to ensure they have the greatest chance of survival:

Repel Predators: Often times, the scents plants give off that we love so dearly are unattractive to other organisms. Plants have evolved to exhibit certain terpenes that repel insects and animals that would otherwise eat them. They either smell bad, taste bad, or a combination of both that make the plant unappetizing and can even harm the predators.
Attract Pollinators: On the other side of the coin, plants have also evolved to produce terpenes that attract certain insects. Turns out that the pleasant smells we enjoy are also very attractive to bees, wasps, butterflies, and many other pollinators. This helps encourage these insects to land on these flowers and pollinate others to aid in reproduction.
Antimicrobial Function: many terpenes help plants repel and stay clear of certain fungal infections that could threaten their health.
Stress protection: Plants can produce certain terpenes to help them deal with certain environmental factors, such as drought or excessive heat.
Communication: As crazy as it sounds, plants use terpenes to communication with each other. Terpene communication is pretty much the most widespread communication system in the world. In response to stressors, like the previously mentioned predators, and more, plants begin producing higher concentrations of terpenes that are then picked up by nearby plants, in turn helping prepare them for the stressors to come. When you get a whiff of that wonderful fresh-cut grass smell, that’s really just one blade of grass releasing terpenes, screaming out to the others that a very stressful situation is coming its way.

The Terpenes You Should Know

As we mentioned above, there’s a LOT of terpenes out there in the world, and almost all plants create and use them in difference concentrations. We don’t have the space (or time, or patience) to list out all 20,000. And you probably wouldn’t read that anyway. So here’s a few terpenes that are more widely known and experienced. It also just so happens that these terpenes are the ones most commonly found in cannabis, as well (we’ll get to the weed in a bit, don’t worry).

Pinene: Pinene is the most common terpene in the world. Can you guess where it’s found?
Yup, pine trees. But also, it’s found in other plants as well, such as rosemary and basil. The smell of this terpene is, for lack of better words, piney.
Limonene: Another very common terpene, limonene is also a pretty easy guess as to where it’s found and what it smells like. Common in citrus fruits, limonene is responsible for that lemony, citrus smell that we all know and love.
Myrcene: This one isn’t as easy to guess as the others. Myrcene is commonly found in mangoes, thyme, lemongrass, hops, verbena and more. Myrcene has a bit of a spicy, musky, earthy smell that also has some sweet notes.
Beta-Caryophyllene: Another one that you probably can’t guess. This one is found in cinnamon, cloves, and peppercorns. It has a peppery, warm smell, that really comes through in the plants where it’s highly concentrated.
Linalool: Linalool is a favorite as far as smell is concerned. Found in plants like lavender and lilacs, it has a floral, sweet aroma.
Humulene: This one has an herbal, somewhat spicy aroma and is found in ginger, ginseng, and other similar plants.

Terpenes in Cannabis

While the terpenes above are some of the more well known and expressive ones found in nature, they’re also the most common terpenes found in cannabis as well. As you can probably imagine after reading this far, the terpenes are what gives cannabis its characteristic smell. Strains that have a bit of a more lemony smell have a higher concentration of limonene, while a more spicy smelling strain would be higher in beta-caryophyllene.

With all the talk going on about terpenes, though, there’s no way it’s just about the smell. Just as terpenes have an effect on the plants and animals in their ecosystem, terpenes have distinct effects on humans as well. In fact, a lot of the different experiences one may have from one strain to another is linked directly to the concentration of specific terpenes exhibited in each.

If a certain strain makes you sleepy, it’s likely that it’s high in myrcene, which is known for its sedating effects. If another strain stimulates you and gives you a burst of energy or creativity, it’s likely that this strain is high in limonene.

The terpenes aren’t just valued for their psychoactive effects, however. They also have some other benefits that speak to the medicinal nature of cannabis as well. For example, pinene has anti-inflammatory effects when consumed, which can make it a valuable terpene for consumers using cannabis to treat symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress or joint pain. Beta-caryophyllene has pain relieving effects making it extremely valuable for a variety of medical cannabis patients. While these terpenes have these effects, it’s important to know that they’re beneficial in conjunction with other molecules of the plant, such as CBD and THC, and how those molecules affect the body.

While these terpenes have the above stated effects, it’s important to know that not all effects are beneficial or sought after. The reason many people are discerning about terpenes is because they have dialed in which provide them the effects that they are after. On the flip side, it’s important to be aware of which terpenes to stay away from on a personal basis. For example, one terpene called terpinolene is commonly known to have a higher potential to cause anxiety. If you’ve ever consumed cannabis and gotten a little paranoid or freaked out, you’ll know why it’s important to understand which terpenes may have the potential to do this, and steer clear of them.

As studies continue to uncover further understanding of why cannabis works, there’s been a more tacit understanding of the huge role that terpenes play. Some connoisseurs may even argue that terpene concentration is the most important factor considered when purchasing weed. It’s become so important that brands are openly advertising their terpene concentrations for each product, allowing the consumer to make as informed a decision as possible. It’s also a convenient way to show off high terpene concentration, which is now becoming a sign of quality in cannabis products.

This Time, It’s Personal

So how do you choose your terps? At the very beginning, it’s important to talk to a budtender. The reason they ask you what you’re looking for and what you want out of your purchase isn’t just to see if you need an 18% THC strain or a 30% strain, but to also help you find the bud that suits your needs the most. If you tell them you’re looking to treat anxiety, they might recommend one with a high linalool and myrcene concentration. If you want to get into a relative headspace, they might recommend a strain with limonene or pinene as a dominant terp.

Once you have your first recommendation, it’s time to test it out. As you consume, take note of how the strain makes you feel. This way you have a bit of a baseline understanding of how you react to terpenes, because everyone reacts differently! If it hits the spot, then you can have a good idea of what terpene mix you like. If not, understand how that strain made you feel and what you would have preferred instead. Take that knowledge, and look to dial up one and dial down another terp next time you make a purchase. This will help you find your ideal strain.

Conclusion

If there’s anything to take away from this article, it’s that there’s more to cannabis than just potency. The complicated array of molecules extends far beyond THC and CBD. Terpenes are an integral part of our global ecosystem, and are just as important to your enjoyment of this plant. Next time you smell some exceptional bud, take a moment to try and pick apart the different scents you’re getting and guess at what the terpenes are. Remember to take note of which ones you like and which ones you don’t. Use that info to set yourself up with the best bud for your needs. Your selection can be a very personal one if you use the tools available to get yourself a bespoke experience. Let the terpenes do the work for you!

Terpenes Demystified