Week 12: Introduction to Cannabis Terpenes

If you've ever noticed the distinctive smell of cannabis—or wondered why different products seem to produce different experiences even with similar cannabinoid content—terpenes are likely part of the answer.

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found throughout nature, not just in cannabis. They're responsible for the scents of lavender, citrus fruits, pine trees, and countless other plants. In cannabis, they contribute to each variety's unique aroma and may influence the overall experience.

Understanding terpenes adds another dimension to cannabis education beyond simply knowing about cannabinoids.

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are organic compounds produced by many plants as part of their natural chemistry. They serve various functions in nature:

Attracting pollinators. Pleasant aromas draw bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to flowers.

Repelling predators. Some terpenes deter insects and herbivores that might damage the plant.

Protection. Certain terpenes have antimicrobial properties that help protect plants from pathogens.

In cannabis, over 400 terpenes have been identified, though a smaller number occur in significant quantities. These compounds are concentrated in the same resinous glands that produce cannabinoids.

Terpenes are what make cannabis smell like cannabis—and what differentiate the scent of one variety from another.

Terpenes Beyond Cannabis

Terpenes aren't unique to cannabis. You encounter them constantly:

Limonene gives lemons and oranges their citrus scent.

Linalool is the primary aromatic compound in lavender.

Pinene is responsible for the fresh scent of pine forests.

Myrcene contributes to the earthy aroma of hops and mangoes.

This ubiquity means you've been experiencing terpenes your entire life, even if you've never used a cannabis product. The same compounds that make lavender smell calming or citrus smell uplifting exist in various cannabis varieties.

How Terpenes Are Preserved (or Lost)

Terpenes are volatile compounds, meaning they evaporate relatively easily. This affects how they're preserved in cannabis products:

Fresh plant. Living cannabis plants contain the full spectrum of terpenes they've produced.

Harvest and curing. Some terpenes are lost during the drying and curing process. Careful handling preserves more terpene content.

Extraction. Extraction methods vary in how well they preserve terpenes. Some methods retain more aromatic compounds than others.

Product formulation. Some products add terpenes back after extraction, either cannabis-derived or from other botanical sources.

This is why full-spectrum products from quality sources tend to have more complex aromatic profiles than heavily processed products.

The Entourage Effect and Terpenes

Terpenes are central to discussions of the entourage effect:

Beyond cannabinoids. The entourage effect theory suggests that the full range of cannabis compounds—including terpenes—work together to create the overall experience.

Terpene contributions. Each terpene has its own characteristics. When combined with cannabinoids and other terpenes, they may contribute to a more nuanced experience than isolated compounds alone.

Whole-plant philosophy. This concept underlies the preference some have for full-spectrum products that retain natural terpene content.

While the entourage effect remains a topic of ongoing discussion, terpenes clearly contribute something to the cannabis experience, even if only in terms of aroma and flavor.

How Terpenes Affect Your Experience

The wellness community discusses terpenes influencing cannabis experiences in several ways:

Aroma and flavor. Most directly, terpenes determine how a product smells and tastes. This sensory experience is part of the overall experience.

Aromatic associations. We already have associations with many terpenes from other contexts. The calming association with lavender (linalool) or the uplifting association with citrus (limonene) may carry over.

Potential synergy. Some suggest terpenes may interact with cannabinoids or your own biological systems in ways that influence the overall experience.

Individual responses to terpenes vary, and much remains to be understood about exactly how they contribute to cannabis experiences.

Common Cannabis Terpenes

While cannabis contains many terpenes, a handful dominate most discussions:

Myrcene. The most common cannabis terpene, with an earthy, musky, herbal aroma. Often associated with relaxing experiences.

Limonene. Bright citrus aroma. Often associated with uplifting experiences and mood.

Pinene. Fresh pine scent. Sometimes associated with alertness and focus.

Linalool. Floral, lavender aroma. Often associated with calming experiences.

Caryophyllene. Spicy, peppery scent. Unique among terpenes for potentially interacting with CB2 receptors.

Humulene. Earthy, hoppy aroma (also found in beer hops). Sometimes discussed in relation to appetite.

Each of these terpenes—and many others—contributes to the complex aromatic profiles of different cannabis varieties.

Reading Terpene Information

As terpene awareness grows, more products provide terpene information:

Terpene profiles. Some products list specific terpenes and their concentrations.

Dominant terpenes. Products may identify the one to three most prevalent terpenes.

Total terpene content. Expressed as a percentage, this indicates overall terpene presence.

Lab testing. The most detailed terpene information comes from third-party lab tests, similar to cannabinoid testing.

Not all products provide terpene information, but it's becoming more common as consumer interest grows.

Practical Terpene Considerations

When thinking about terpenes in your cannabis exploration:

Trust your nose. Aroma preference is personal. If a product smells appealing to you, that's relevant information.

Consider the source. Full-spectrum products from quality sources typically retain more natural terpenes than heavily processed products.

Notice patterns. As you try different products, notice if certain aromas or terpene profiles seem to produce experiences you prefer.

Keep perspective. Terpenes are one factor among many. Cannabinoid content, consumption method, individual biology, and numerous other factors all contribute to your experience.

Key Takeaways

• Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis and many other plants
• They're responsible for cannabis's distinctive smells and flavors
• The same terpenes in cannabis exist in lavender, citrus, pine, and other plants
• Terpenes may contribute to the entourage effect alongside cannabinoids
• Common cannabis terpenes include myrcene, limonene, pinene, and linalool
• Full-spectrum products typically retain more natural terpene content

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