Terpenes

A large class of aromatic compounds produced by many plants (and some delicious smelling insects!) that impart their distinctive scents and flavors. In cannabis, terpenes are found in the resinous trichomes alongside cannabinoids, like THC and CBD—and dozens can appear in combination.

They’re the reason your bud might smell like a forest floor, a fruit basket, or a skunk in a sweater.

Quite delicate, terpenes evaporate at relatively low temps, which is why vaporizing at controlled heat can unlock more flavor and fewer fumes. That’s also why live resin and other terpene-rich extracts are prized for taste: they’re basically the fresh-squeezed juice of cannabis.

In addition to contributing to each strain’s sensory profile, terpenes may also help shape the cannabis experience by working in concert with cannabinoids—a collaboration known as the entourage effect, where THC is the star, but terpenes are the directors, lighting techs, and backing band.

Of course, “may” is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.

Current research on terpenes’ effects is quite sketchy, and human trials are just beginning, so take what you read with a hefty grain of salt.

One small Johns Hopkins study, however, found that the citrus-scented terpene, limonene, reduced anxiety when subjects were exposed to high doses of THC (15mg and 30mg); a finding that could open the door to greater therapeutic uses of THC with additional research.

In short, terpenes are the plant’s perfume—and in many cases, literally perfume. The same molecules that give oranges their zest and lavender its calm show up in your bud, too—and in everything from citrus colognes to pine-scented soaps. There’s buzz about them tweaking your high, but for now, the science is still a heady mix of aromatherapy and ambition.

What we do know for sure: they smell fantastic.

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