What Are Terpenes?  Common Terpenes Explained

Novice cannabis shoppers often look at the THC level of a product first, before anything else on the label. And while THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive effect, there’s a lot more happening once other cannabinoids and terpenes enter the picture, shaping the full experience in ways a single number can’t capture.

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Understanding Cannabis Terpenes

Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds that give cannabis and many other plants their distinctive aromas and flavors. They are responsible for familiar scents like citrus, pine, lavender, spice, and earthiness. In cannabis, terpenes help shape each product’s sensory profile and may also influence how the overall experience feels when they interact with cannabinoids such as THC and CBD.

Because every strain and product can contain a different combination of terpenes, shoppers often have questions about what they do, which ones are most common, and how terpene information can help when choosing cannabis. The answers below cover the basics, including how terpenes may affect the experience, which terpene names you are likely to see on product labels, and how to use those details while shopping.

Answers to FAQs About Terpenes 

Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear about terpenes.

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are chemical compounds found in fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other plants that make life interesting with their flavor and aromas. Terpenes are what make our food flavorful through herbs and spices. You’ll also see terpenes added to household products to add a pleasant scent and help with cleaning.

Cannabis terpenes not only enhance the sensory experience, but they also act as modulators in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to help cannabinoids work more efficiently.

Do terpenes really affect the experience?

Terpenes can significantly affect the experience by adding aroma and flavor. But as modulators, they also accelerate the activation of the cannabinoids as they work with the ECS. Along with secondary cannabinoids, terpenes contribute to what is known as the entourage effect.

What are some common terpenes to know?

There are thousands of different terpenes. Here are some of the most common terpenes you’ll find repeatedly in the terpene profiles of cannabis products:

• Pinene is being studied for its inflammatory and antibacterial properties and is known for its earthy and pine-like aroma.
• Limonene has shown potential in fighting anxiety and depression and has a bright citrusy aroma.
• Myrcene is commonly associated with total body relaxation and has fruity and clove aromas.
• Humulene has demonstrated potential appetite-suppressing effects and is known for its woodsy scent.
• Caryophyllene is also found in black pepper, cloves, and rosemary. It is both a terpene and a dietary cannabinoid.
• Linalool is prominent in lavender and widely associated with calming effects.

How can I use terpenes to choose a product?

When selecting a product in person at a dispensary, you’ve got a few solid options: ask a budtender for guidance, trust your nose to find a terpene profile that pleases you, or simply read the labels closely. Shopping online works a little differently, letting you filter by desired effects and review terpene profiles right from your couch before you ever step through the door.

Terpene-Forward Product Picks at Honey Dispensary

• Perpetual Cherry Pie Pre-roll is an indica-dominant hybrid with a terpene profile starring limonene, linalool, and caryophyllene.
• Baby Jeeter World Cup Mexico Mangonada Infused Pre-roll is a sativa strain with lots of citrusy and peppery notes and a very complex terpene profile.
• Select 510 Berry Gelato is an indica strain vape kit with a healthy terpene level of 4.89 mg, with limonene and caryophyllene at the top of the list.
• High Supply Project Purple Flower is an indica-dominant strain featuring limonene, caryophyllene, and linalool.
• Baked Beans Highlighter is a balanced hybrid with a bright terpene profile highlighted by limonene, caryophyllene, and linalool.
• Treeworks Canna Cream Sport is a therapeutic topical that also contains camphor and black pepper oil.
• Camino Freshly Squeezed Recover are delicious gummies that offer anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety effects to help you stay centered. You’ll enjoy what the terpenes eucalyptol, beta-caryophyllene, nerolidol, and valencene contribute.

Let Terpenes Guide Your Next Choice

From neighbors right here in town to visitors passing through from elsewhere in Massachusetts, we’d love to have you stop by and visit Honey Dispensary on Strong Avenue. We’ve built an inclusive, low-pressure environment, and we take real pride in the trusted, carefully sourced cannabis products we carry.

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