Limonene
Limonene gives citrus peel its scent. A 2024 human study found it reduced THC-induced anxiety; most other evidence on its effects is preclinical.
What people report
- In a 2024 human trial, vaporized d-limonene reduced THC-induced anxiety and paranoia ratings (Spindle et al.)
- Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and gastroprotective activity in preclinical studies (Vieira et al., 2018)
Reported associations, not proven effects. Most research on limonene comes from lab and animal studies, and the amounts in cannabis are small. How a strain feels depends on its whole profile, the dose and the person.
About limonene
Limonene is the main aroma compound in citrus peel and takes its name from the Italian for lemon. The common (+)-form, d-limonene, smells of fresh orange; the less common (−)-form, found in caraway and dill, is more piney. In cannabis, Leafly describes it as a citrus-scented terpene, and its lab data shows limonene leading Hindu Kush and running high in OG Kush, Sour Diesel, Headband and Bubba Kush. DNA Genetics also names it as Tangie's dominant terpene.
Limonene is one of the few cannabis terpenes tested alongside THC in people. In a 2024 double-blind study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 20 healthy adults inhaled vaporized THC with and without d-limonene. Limonene alone felt no different from placebo, but 15 mg of limonene given with 30 mg of THC significantly lowered ratings of "anxious/nervous" and "paranoid" compared with THC alone, without changing other effects or THC levels in the blood. That is a single small trial, and it does not mean a limonene-rich strain will feel calmer at typical doses. A 2018 review in Chemico-Biological Interactions summarizes anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and gastroprotective activity, mostly from preclinical work.
PubChem lists a boiling point of about 175–178 °C.
Strains where limonene leads · 2
Dominant terpene, most popular first
indicaHindu Kush
Pure indica landrace from the Hindu Kush mountains, maintained as an inbred seed line
THC18–20%Limonene · Beta-Caryophyllene · Alpha-Pinene
- Sleepy
- Relaxed
- Hungry
hybridPink Runtz
Phenotype of Runtz (Zkittlez × Gelato); AllBud also reports Rainbow Sherbet × Pink Panties
THC23–25%Limonene · Beta-Caryophyllene · Linalool
- Tingly
- Talkative
- Happy
Also present in · 28
As a secondary or minor terpene
- indicaNorthern LightsTHC 16–21%
- hybridSour DieselTHC 19–22%
- hybridOG KushTHC 18–25%
- sativaPurple HazeTHC 16–20%
- hybridSuper Lemon HazeTHC 19–26%
- hybridAmnesia HazeTHC 19–24%
- hybridSkunk #1THC 15–20%
- hybridBubba KushTHC 15–22%
- hybridChemdawgTHC 18–24%
- hybridHeadbandTHC 17–24%
- sativaAcapulco GoldTHC 18–24%
- hybridRainbow BeltsTHC 20–24%
- hybridWhite RuntzTHC 18–24%
- hybridWhite WidowTHC 15–25%
- sativaDurban PoisonTHC 15–25%
- hybridBlue DreamTHC 17–24%
- hybridGranddaddy PurpleTHC 17–23%
- hybridAK-47THC 13–21.5%
- sativaHazeTHC 14–23%
- hybridTrainwreckTHC 17–25%
- hybridPineapple ExpressTHC 20–25%
- hybridGreen CrackTHC 15–25%
- sativaMaui WowieTHC 19–20%
- hybridStrawberry CoughTHC 15–20%
- hybridHarlequinTHC 4–7%
- hybridACDCTHC 1%
- hybridCharlotte's WebTHC 0.3–1%
- hybridCannatonicTHC 4–8%
Sources
- Spindle TR et al. (2024), Vaporized D-limonene selectively mitigates the acute anxiogenic effects of THC, Drug and Alcohol Dependence · checked Sep 2026
- Vieira AJ et al. (2018), Limonene: aroma of innovation in health and disease, Chemico-Biological Interactions · checked Sep 2026
- PubChem — (+)-Limonene (CID 440917) · checked Sep 2026
- Wikipedia — Limonene · checked Sep 2026
- Leafly — strain pages, terpene descriptors (e.g. Jack Herer) · checked Sep 2026