what are terpenes?

If you’re new to the cannabis game, you’d be forgiven for thinking the jargon is made up specifically for the industry. How else do you get words like cannabinoid, flavonoid, and terpene? Sounds alien. Almost like someone high made them up…

Nope! More and more folks are coming to view cannabis use for what it is rather than a tired punchline — respected, recreationally and medicinally used worldwide, rooted in science, and nearly as ancient as beer.

Terpenes are a very real, very important part of the cannabis plant and overall experience. Let’s take a whiff, shall we?

explain it like I’m five: what are terpenes?

Terpenes and terpenoids are compounds found in flowers, plants, and fruits, especially conifers, responsible for aromas and flavors. Lavender? Full of the terpene linalool. Turpentine? Loaded with alpha-pinene. Citra? Citrus fruits, baby! You get it. These organic hydrocarbons (​​hydrogen + carbon) are everywhere in the natural world. They’re essential building blocks in biosynthesis, 100% natural, and come in over 30,000 varieties.

Wait, did we say terpenoid back there? Nothing gets past you. These two names describe the same thing with one difference: Terpenes are the natural form of the compound as it lives in the plant. When a plant dries and cures, terpenes oxidize and are called terpenoids.

Fun fact: Terpenes/terpenoids serve so many purposes in nature. They can control cell growth, harvest light, regulate temperature, attract pollinators, defend against disease, and more. Termites, for example, use a horn-like protrusion called a fontanellar gun to shoot (with pinpoint accuracy) a resinous mixture of pinene, myrcene, and limonene terpenes to ward off predators. Ballin’.

terpenes in cannabis

The reason terpenes are often associated (and talked about relentlessly) with cannabis is that the cannabis plant boasts super high concentrations of them. They’re created within specialized secretion cells inside the plant and can be influenced by environmental factors — especially light exposure. This means cannabis connoisseurs who know a thing or ten about caring for the plant are able to fine-tune the terpenes. What a world we live in. 

Cannabis terpenes reach peak production levels alongside the plant’s flower, at which point we can extract essential oils through processes like steam distillation. Terpenes are the primary essential oils component; since cannabis has such high levels, its oil is like aromatherapy on steroids. 

Another thing — the same glands that secrete terpenes also produce cannabinoids (another type of chemical compound) like THC. You may be familiar with that one, which has both mind-altering and medicinal effects when received by our brains. 

Back to terpenes. We distill these into aromatic oils that are as unique as the plant they come from. They bring distinctive flavors like berry, mint, pine, citrus, and gasoline. Because every plant produces a specific set of compounds in different amounts, each strain has its own wonderfully unique aroma, taste, and effects. Imagine the endless world of possibilities that presents for dorks like us who LOVE tinkering with terpenes.

terpenes and turn cannabis oil

Each terpene binds to specific receptors in the human brain in a special way, and though studies are ongoing, purportedly result in certain physical and psychological effects. That can mean increased appetite, focus, relaxation, creativity, a sense of elation, fewer aches and pains, and much more.  

turn’s terpologists have decades of experience in medicinal, scientific, and recreational cannabis, with specialties in growing and tending plants, converting them to highly-concentrated oils safely (no crap, no fillers, no pesticides), and creating bespoke oils using natural botanicals. 

To do that, you have to know your terpenes. 

Take 100% live resin: This concentrated oil comes from a fresh, flash-frozen, uncured plant. To get the strains and extract with the effects and flavor profile you want, you need to know exactly how to grow the plant to influence optimal terpene and other compound production. No easy feat.

Botanica blends get even more scientific. You take a carefully grown and harvested plant, extract the goodness, and turn up the heat to remove everything that impacts potency and flavor. Yup, that includes terpenes and flavonoids. That gives us a blank slate to play with.

We take these single-source, high-potency oils and infuse them with natural botanicals with the terpene profiles we want to achieve the flavor + feeling combination of choice. Holy science, batman.

Because we’re always coming up with new stuff, you’ll often see our botanica blend lineup change, even from store to store. (Psst…subscribe to our emails to keep up with our never-ending cannabis curiosity.) If enough people truly, madly, deeply love a flavor, we just might bring it back. 

common terpenes and their alleged effects

Let’s end on a high note — here’s a lovely list of common terpenes, their properties, and purported effects for your reference. Enjoy!

Pinene Smells and tastes like:  Sharp, sweet, earthy pine Effects like: Sharper memory, increased alertness  Also found in: Pine needles, conifers, sage  Potential for: Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties	Myrcene  Smells and tastes like:  Musky, cloves, herbal, citrus  Effects like: Sedation, relaxation, increased psychoactivity  Also found in: Mango, thyme, citrus, lemongrass, bay leaves Potential for: Antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory uses
Limonene Smells and tastes like:  Citrusy, bright, lemony, orange, acidic  Effects like: Elevated mood, stress relief  Also found in: Citrus rinds, juniper, peppermint  Potential for: Antidepressant, anti-anxiety, gastric reflux, and antifungal applications	Linalool Smells and tastes like:  Floral, spicy, citrus Effects like: Sedation, calm, de-stressed  Also found in: Lavender, citrus fruits, laurel birch, rosewood Potential for: Insomnia, stress, depression, pain, anxiety, and convulsion relief
Phytol Smells and tastes like:  Odorless  Effects like: Relaxing, calming  Also found in: Ginger, jasmine, lavender, tea tree, lemongrass  Potential for: Antioxidant, antifungal, anti-cancerous, and antimicrobial applications	Fenchol Smells and tastes like:  Sweet and herbal  Effects like: No detectable psychological effects Also found in: Basil  Potential for: Antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory uses
Nerolidol Smells and tastes like:  Woody, floral, fruity, citrus, apple, rose  Effects like: Sedation, calming Also found in: Ginger, jasmine, lavender, tea tree, lemongrass  Potential for: Expectorant (mucus clearing), bronchodilator (beneficial to lungs), anti-inflammatory, antiseptic properties	B-caryophyllene  Smells and tastes like:  Pepper, wood, spicy  Effects like: No detectable psychological effects Also found in: Peppercorn, cloves, hops, basil, oregano  Potential for: Antioxidant, anti-inflammation, muscle spasms, pain, insomnia relief
Geraniol  Smells and tastes like:  Floral, passion fruit, peaches, plums   Effects like: Elevated mood, stress relief  Also found in: Geraniums, lavender  Potential for: Antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotectant, antifungal, antiviral, anti-spasmodic uses	Terpinolene  Smells and tastes like:  Sweet, herbal, pine  Effects like: Central nervous system depression, sedation, anxiety relief Also found in: Pine needles  Potential for: Antioxidant, anti-cancerous, anti-heart disease, and antimicrobial properties
Jolene Smells and tastes like:  A breath of spring, soft summer rain  Effects like: Longing, dreamy, rapturous, aroused  Also found in: The Great Smoky Mountains  Potential for: Taking your man

JK about that last one.