Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its flavor, aroma, and much of its therapeutic effect. Understanding terpenes is the key to choosing the right strain for your needs.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds produced by cannabis (and hundreds of other plants) in the same glands that produce cannabinoids. They are responsible for the distinctive aromas of different strains — from the piney freshness of Jack Herer to the citrus burst of Tangie to the earthy musk of OG Kush.
Beyond aroma, terpenes have significant pharmacological effects of their own and interact with cannabinoids to shape the overall experience — a phenomenon called the entourage effect. This is why two strains with identical THC percentages can produce dramatically different effects.
Modern cannabis lab testing includes terpene profiles, making it possible to choose strains based on their specific terpene content rather than relying on the often-misleading indica/sativa classification.
Click any terpene for full effects, medical benefits, top strains, boiling points, and research.
Boiling points, primary effects, and top strains at a glance.
| Terpene | Aroma | Primary Effect | Boiling Point | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌿Myrcene | Earthy, Musky | Sedating | 168°C / 334°F | View → |
| 🍋Limonene | Citrus, Lemon | Mood elevation | 176°C / 349°F | View → |
| 🌶️Caryophyllene | Spicy, Peppery | Anti-inflammatory | 160°C / 320°F | View → |
| 💜Linalool | Floral, Lavender | Calming | 198°C / 388°F | View → |
| 🌲Pinene | Pine, Fresh | Alert & focused | 155°C / 311°F | View → |
| 🌸Terpinolene | Fresh, Floral | Uplifting (in cannabis) | 186°C / 367°F | View → |
| 🌾Humulene | Earthy, Woody | Appetite suppression | 106°C / 223°F | View → |
| 🌺Ocimene | Sweet, Herbal | Uplifting | 66°C / 151°F | View → |
| 🌼Bisabolol | Floral, Sweet | Calming | 153°C / 307°F | View → |
| 🍊Valencene | Sweet orange, Fresh citrus | Uplifting | 123°C / 253°F | View → |
| 🌹Geraniol | Rose, Floral | Calming | 230°C / 446°F | View → |
| 🌙Nerolidol | Woody, Floral | Deeply sedating | 122°C / 252°F | View → |
The entourage effect is the theory — supported by growing evidence — that cannabis compounds work better together than in isolation. THC alone produces one set of effects; THC combined with CBD, myrcene, limonene, and caryophyllene produces a fundamentally different experience.
This is why whole-plant cannabis products (flower, full-spectrum extracts) often produce different effects than isolated THC or CBD. It is also why terpene testing is more predictive of a strain's effects than THC percentage alone.
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