Terpenes 101
Cannabis terpenes: the smell is the point
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds behind a strain’s smell — pine, citrus, pepper, lavender. They’re also why two strains with the same THC can feel different to people. Here’s what each one smells like, where else it turns up and which strains in the guide it leads.
Beta-Caryophyllene
Smells like: Spicy, peppery and woodyBeta-caryophyllene is the peppery terpene of black pepper and cloves and a dietary cannabinoid that activates the CB2 receptor without causing a high.Also found in: black pepper, cloves, hops, rosemary32 strains · dominant in 7Myrcene
Smells like: Earthy, musky and herbal, with a ripe-fruit edgeMyrcene is the most common terpene in cannabis: earthy and musky, also found in hops and mango. Animal studies suggest sedative effects; human data are scarce.Also found in: hops, lemongrass, bay leaves, verbena31 strains · dominant in 21Limonene
Smells like: Bright citrus peel; the rarer (−)-form smells piny and turpentine-likeLimonene gives citrus peel its scent. A 2024 human study found it reduced THC-induced anxiety; most other evidence on its effects is preclinical.Also found in: orange peel, lemon peel, other citrus rinds, caraway30 strains · dominant in 2Alpha-Pinene
Smells like: Fresh pine needles and resinAlpha-pinene (with its isomer beta-pinene) gives conifers their pine scent. Preclinical studies report anti-inflammatory and anxiety-reducing effects.Also found in: pine and other conifers, rosemary, frankincense, mastic27 strainsHumulene
Smells like: Woody, earthy and herbal — the "hoppy" note in beerHumulene (alpha-humulene) is the woody, hoppy terpene named after hops, an isomer of caryophyllene with anti-inflammatory activity in animal studies.Also found in: hops, sage, spearmint, ginger-family plants24 strainsLinalool
Smells like: Floral and lavender-like with a touch of spiceLinalool is the floral terpene of lavender and basil. Mouse studies link its scent to reduced anxiety, but human evidence is still limited.Also found in: lavender, sweet basil, bay laurel, coriander10 strainsTerpinolene
Smells like: Herbal, floral and piney, with a sweet citrus edgeTerpinolene is the fresh, herbal-piney terpene that dominates Jack Herer and Durban Poison; the main effect research is a mouse study on sedation.Also found in: allspice, nutmeg, apples, lilac5 strains · dominant in 4Ocimene
Smells like: Sweet, herbal and floralOcimene is a sweet, herbal-floral terpene named after basil and used in perfumery; it appears as a secondary terpene in Durban Poison and Big Bud.Also found in: basil, various plants and fruits4 strainsBisabolol
Smells like: Delicate, sweet and floral — the scent of chamomile, sometimes likened to apple and honeyBisabolol (alpha-bisabolol) is the gentle floral terpene of chamomile, widely used in skincare; it occurs in some medicinal cannabis cultivars.Also found in: German chamomile, candeia tree (Eremanthus erythropappus), Myoporum crassifoliumNot yet linked to strainsEucalyptol
Smells like: Fresh and camphor-like, with a spicy, cooling tasteEucalyptol (1,8-cineole) is the cool, camphor-like terpene of eucalyptus oil, studied clinically for airway inflammation; it is a trace terpene in cannabis.Also found in: eucalyptus, camphor laurel, sageNot yet linked to strainsNerolidol
Smells like: Woody and floral, reminiscent of fresh barkNerolidol is a woody, floral sesquiterpene alcohol found in neroli, ginger and jasmine; it is used in fragrances and studied mainly in the lab.Also found in: neroli (bitter orange blossom), ginger, jasmine, lavenderNot yet linked to strainsValencene
Smells like: Sweet, fresh citrus with woody, orange notesValencene is a sweet, orange-scented sesquiterpene named after Valencia oranges; it is a flavoring ingredient with early anti-inflammatory research.Also found in: Valencia oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, nectarinesNot yet linked to strains
Effects listed for terpenes are what people report or what early (mostly lab and animal) research suggests — not medical claims. Research on terpenes in people is still limited.