π¬οΈ Terpene Index: What they do & how they taste
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Terpenes are the invisible directors of the cannabis experience.
They not only influence smell and taste β but also how the trip feels.
Here is an overview of the most important terpenes found in cannabis β compact but tailored for effect.
π Lemons
Effect: mood-enhancing, activating, antidepressant
Flavors: Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit
Typical in Zkittlez, Tangie, Super Lemon Haze
πΏ Myrcen
Effect: sedative, relaxing, increases THC
Aromas: earthy, musky, sweet
Couchlock factor. Often dominant in Indica-dominant strains
π² Ξ±-Pinen
Effect: enhances concentration, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator
Aromas: Pine, Eucalyptus, Rosemary
Clarity & Focus β often in Jack Herer, Blue Dream
πΆοΈ Ξ²-Caryophyllen
Effect: anti-inflammatory, stress-reducing, antioxidant
Aromas: black pepper, wood, spicy
Binds to CB2 receptors β often found in GSC, Cookies, Sour D
πΈ Linalool
Effect: calming, anxiolytic, sleep-inducing
Aromas: Lavender, floral notes
In Amnesia, LA Confidential β makes mellow
π Terpinolen
Effect: slightly sedative, antibacterial, cell-protective
Aromas: Apple, mint, wood, citrus
Less common β e.g. in Jack Herer, Ghost Train Haze
π° Humulen
Effect: appetite suppressant, antibacterial
Aromas: Hops, earthy, woody
Often combined with pinene β e.g. in OGs
π§Ό Ocimen
Effect: energizing, antimicrobial
Aromas: sweet, floral, fresh
Less common β e.g. in Mimosa or Wedding Cake
π Valencene
Effect: mood-enhancing, antioxidant
Aromas: sweet orange, resin, slightly spicy
Often underestimated β appears in modern orange strains
πΏ Camphen
Effect: expectorant, anti-inflammatory
Aromas: camphor-like, herbal bitter
Hardly dominant, but often in traces of Haze genetics
π₯ Geraniol
Effect: soothing, antimicrobial
Aromas: rose, sweet-floral
Floral factor in fruit & exotic strains
π― Nerolidol
Effect: calming, antifungal, anxiolytic
Aromas: Tea, tree bark, apple
Occurs in lavender and banana strains
π§ Farnesen
Effect: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial
Aromas: sweet, slightly spicy with apple notes
Occurs, for example, in Green Apple & Kush lines
𫧠Bisabolol
Effect: soothing, skin-caring, antioxidant
Aromas: chamomile-like, gently floral
In Lemon strains & exotic crosses
πͺ΅ Cedren
Effect: calming, slightly hypnotic
Aromas: woody, cedary, warm
Occurs in Afghan landraces & rare Kush phenotypes
π« Borneol
Effect: relaxing, antiseptic
Aromas: camphor, mint, cooling
Rare, but typical in Thai genetics or traditional landraces
π₯¦ Isopulegol
Effect: anxiolytic, antispasmodic
Aromas: green, slightly minty, herbal
Precursor of menthol β occurs in βgreen strainsβ (e.g. Green Crack)
π« Geranyl acetate
Effect: mood-enhancing, balancing
Aromas: blueberry, pear, floral-sweet
Gives many Fruit Cakes & Zkittlez hybrids their typical sweet scent
π§ Sabines
Effect: slightly anti-inflammatory
Aromas: fresh, woody, slightly peppery
Also found in carrots and bay leaves β only in very low concentrations
𫧠Phytol
Effect: sleep-inducing, calming
Aromas: freshly cut grass, green
Formed during the breakdown of chlorophyll β dominant in fermented flowers
π΅ Eucalyptol (Cineole)
Effect: mentally focusing, expectorant
Flavors: Eucalyptus, Menthol
Typical in certain Hazes & in medically oriented varieties
π§ Allium-related terpenes (e.g. diallyl disulfide)
Effect: antibacterial
Flavors: onion, garlic
Occurs in strains with βGMOβ, βGarlicβ, βChemβ or βSkunkβ profile
π Alpha-Terpineol
Effect: soothing, antimicrobial
Aromas: Lilac, apple, delicately sweet
Clearly noticeable in some Runtz and Berry phenotypes
π₯₯ Valerenic acid derivatives
Effect: relaxing, sleep-inducing
Aromas: coconut, leather, balsamic
Rather rare, but interesting for medicinal breeding
π§ Conclusion
THC is the accelerator β terpenes are the steering wheel.
The right terpene combination determines:
- Effect (active vs. calming)
- Taste (gas, citrus, sweet, funk)
- Brand identity (terpene profile = recognition value)
Anyone selecting, breeding, or selling strains should take terpenes just as seriously as THC percentages .