Cannabis terpenes

12 terpene profiles with aroma, effect, scientific sources and strain lookups.

• Myrcene — the most common cannabis terpene

  Myrcene (β-myrcene) is an acyclic monoterpene with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆ and is frequently the quantitatively dominant terpene in cannabis. Chemically it is an open-chain compound built from two isoprene units, oily and colourless at room temperature. Outside cannabis, myrcene occurs at high concentrations in hops (Humulus lupulus) — hence the well-known aromatic kinship between cannabis and beer — as well as in mango, lemongrass, bay laurel and thyme. In cannabis flower, multiple GC-MS analyses of the Swiss and European market report typical values of 0.1 % to 2.5 % dry weight, with chemotype I and II material reaching the highest levels.

• Limonene — the citrus terpene of cannabis

  d-Limonene is a cyclic monoterpene with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆ and, after myrcene, the second most common terpene in many cannabis chemovars. Chemically it has two enantiomers; the (+) form dominates in citrus and cannabis. Outside the plant, limonene is concentrated in the peels of lemon, orange, mandarin and grapefruit — the main component of their essential oils. In Swiss batches, typical values range from 0.05 % to 1.6 % dry weight, with sativas such as Amnesia Haze, Super Lemon Haze or Sour Diesel reaching higher levels.

• Caryophyllene — the CB2-active cannabis terpene

  β-Caryophyllene (BCP) is a bicyclic sesquiterpene with the molecular formula C₁₅H₂₄ and a scientific peculiarity: it is the only known cannabis terpene that binds directly and selectively to the CB2 receptor of the endocannabinoid system (Gertsch et al. 2008). It is therefore formally a "phytocannabinoid" — without psychoactive effect. Outside cannabis it occurs in black pepper, clove, cinnamon, hops and rosemary. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.05 %–3.5 % dry weight, with the highest values in "gassy" chemovars such as GSC, Original Glue or Bubba Kush.

• Pinene — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Pinene is a monoterpene with molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆ and a boiling point of 156 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.05–1.2 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in pine needles, rosemary, sage, eucalyptus, basil. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Pinene is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Jack Herer, Blue Dream, Chemdawg, Haze. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Linalool — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Linalool is a monoterpene with molecular formula C₁₀H₁₈O and a boiling point of 198 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.05–0.8 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in lavender, basil, coriander, rosewood, bergamot. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Linalool is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Amnesia Haze, LA Confidential, Do-Si-Dos, Zkittlez. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Humulene — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Humulene is a sesquiterpene with molecular formula C₁₅H₂₄ and a boiling point of 106 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.05–1 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in hops, sage, ginger, ginseng, basil. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Humulene is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as White Widow, Original Glue, Skywalker OG, Sour Diesel. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Terpinolene — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Terpinolene is a monoterpene with molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆ and a boiling point of 186 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.05–1.5 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in nutmeg, apple, tea tree, cumin, lilac. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Terpinolene is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Jack Herer, Ghost Train Haze, Dutch Treat, XJ-13. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Ocimene — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Ocimene is a monoterpene with molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆ and a boiling point of 175 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.05–0.7 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in basil, mint, orchids, mango, tarragon. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Ocimene is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Strawberry Cough, Clementine, Green Crack, Dream Queen. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Bisabolol — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Bisabolol is a sesquiterpene with molecular formula C₁₅H₂₆O and a boiling point of 153 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.02–0.5 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in chamomile, candeia tree, sage. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Bisabolol is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Harle-Tsu, ACDC, Pink Kush, Master Kush. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Nerolidol — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Nerolidol is a sesquiterpene with molecular formula C₁₅H₂₆O and a boiling point of 122 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.02–0.4 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in jasmine, lemongrass, tea tree, ginger, lavender. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Nerolidol is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Skywalker OG, Sweet Skunk, Jack Herer, Blue Dream. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Camphene — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Camphene is a monoterpene with molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆ and a boiling point of 159 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.01–0.3 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in fir, cypress, nutmeg, rosemary. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Camphene is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Ghost OG, ACDC, Strawberry Banana, OG Kush. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Eucalyptol — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Eucalyptol is a monoterpene with molecular formula C₁₀H₁₈O and a boiling point of 176 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.01–0.3 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, bay laurel. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Eucalyptol is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Super Silver Haze, Girl Scout Cookies, Headband, Bubba Kush. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Geraniol — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Geraniol is a monoterpene with molecular formula C₁₀H₁₈O and a boiling point of 229 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.01–0.4 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in roses, geraniums, lemongrass, palmarosa, nutmeg. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Geraniol is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Amnesia Haze, Great White Shark, Master Kush, Headband. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• α-Terpineol — the cannabis terpene in depth

  α-Terpineol is a monoterpene with molecular formula C₁₀H₁₈O and a boiling point of 217 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.02–0.5 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in lilac, eucalyptus, pine, petitgrain, marjoram. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, α-Terpineol is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Jack Herer, White Widow, OG Kush, Sour Diesel. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Borneol — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Borneol is a monoterpene with molecular formula C₁₀H₁₈O and a boiling point of 210 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.01–0.3 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in rosemary, sage, ginger, camphor tree, valerian. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Borneol is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Amnesia Haze, K13 Haze, Golden Haze, Silver Haze. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Fenchol — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Fenchol is a monoterpene with molecular formula C₁₀H₁₈O and a boiling point of 201 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.01–0.25 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in fennel, basil, cypress, aster, nutmeg. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Fenchol is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as OG Kush, Banana Kush, Skywalker OG, Headband. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Sabinene — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Sabinene is a monoterpene with molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆ and a boiling point of 164 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.01–0.3 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in black pepper, nutmeg, juniper, tea tree, carrot. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Sabinene is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Super Silver Haze, Green Crack, Chocolope, Lamb's Bread. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Farnesene — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Farnesene is a sesquiterpene with molecular formula C₁₅H₂₄ and a boiling point of 260 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.02–0.4 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in apple skin, hops, ginger, sandalwood, gardenia. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Farnesene is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Sour Diesel, GG4, Dogwalker OG, Girl Scout Cookies. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Guaiol — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Guaiol is a sesquiterpene with molecular formula C₁₅H₂₆O and a boiling point of 92 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.02–0.3 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in guaiac wood, cypress, mugwort, neroli, juniper. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Guaiol is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Jack Herer, Chocolope, White Widow, Liberty Haze. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.

• Phytol — the cannabis terpene in depth

  Phytol is a sesquiterpene with molecular formula C₂₀H₄₀O and a boiling point of 204 °C. In cannabis, typical levels are 0.01–0.2 % dry weight. Outside the plant it is found in green tea, jasmine, chlorophyll degradation products, spinach, sunflower. Within the cannabis aroma landscape, Phytol is an important contributor, dominant in chemovars such as Sour Diesel, OG Kush, Cheese, Blue Dream. It shapes overall character via the entourage effect.