Terpene atlas
The eight molecules that decide what you smell, taste, and feel.
THC and CBD get the headlines. Terpenes are why two strains at the same THC% feel completely different. Here's a working grower's reference.
Myrcene
- Aroma
- Earthy, herbal, hop-like, slightly clove-y
- Effect notes
- Sedating, muscle-relaxing — the classic 'couch-lock' terpene
- Found in nature
- Mango, hops, lemongrass
- Dominant in
- Northern Lights · Granddaddy Purple · Mekong Mist
Limonene
- Aroma
- Bright citrus peel — orange, lemon, grapefruit
- Effect notes
- Mood lift, anti-anxiety, focus
- Found in nature
- Citrus rinds, juniper, peppermint
- Dominant in
- Super Lemon Haze · Wedding Cake · Phuket Sunrise
Caryophyllene
- Aroma
- Black pepper, warm spice, light wood
- Effect notes
- Anti-inflammatory — uniquely binds to CB2 receptors
- Found in nature
- Black pepper, cloves, cinnamon
- Dominant in
- GG #4 / Gorilla Glue · Bubba Kush · Siam Trichrome
Pinene
- Aroma
- Fresh pine forest, rosemary edge
- Effect notes
- Alertness, bronchodilation, memory support
- Found in nature
- Pine needles, rosemary, basil
- Dominant in
- Jack Herer · Blue Dream · Doi Pui Royal
Linalool
- Aroma
- Lavender, floral, slightly sweet
- Effect notes
- Calming, anti-anxiety, sleep support
- Found in nature
- Lavender, mint, cinnamon
- Dominant in
- LA Confidential · Granddaddy Purple · Naga Velvet
Humulene
- Aroma
- Woody, earthy, hops
- Effect notes
- Appetite suppressant, anti-inflammatory
- Found in nature
- Hops, sage, ginseng
- Dominant in
- Sour Diesel · Original Glue · Headband
Terpinolene
- Aroma
- Floral-fruity, slightly piney, complex
- Effect notes
- Uplifting, sometimes psychedelic-leaning
- Found in nature
- Lilac, apples, conifers
- Dominant in
- Dutch Treat · Jack Herer · Mekong Mist
Ocimene
- Aroma
- Sweet herbal, tropical, mint-edged
- Effect notes
- Decongestant, antiviral notes
- Found in nature
- Mint, parsley, mango
- Dominant in
- Strawberry Cough · Clementine · Chao Phraya Gold
The entourage effect — the part nobody can quantify yet.
Cannabinoids and terpenes interact synergistically — a cocktail effect that no single molecule can reproduce in isolation. This is why a Limonene-dominant 18% THC sativa feels nothing like a Myrcene-dominant 18% THC indica. The percentages on the package are the floor, not the ceiling, of what determines a high.
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