If you’ve spent any time reading about different strain profiles or even chatting it up with a budtender, you may have heard the word “terpenes.” They’re crucial components of cannabis, so it’s no surprise that the word has gained traction in recent years. But what are terpenes, exactly?

Ever notice how different cannabis strains have vastly unique smells from one another? One strain may smell strongly of grape while another smells exactly like garlic. And then there are the citrusy strains and the diesel-y strains and all of the other unique scents in between. These distinct flavor profiles come from terpenes, aromatic compounds found in cannabis and other plants that boast unique scents and flavors.  

What’s a terpene?

Terpenes are present in more than just cannabis—in fact, they’re all over the natural world. Aromatic plants like lavender, pine, and citrus all owe their unique scents to the volatile little chemical compounds known as terpenes. 

Let’s look at lemons, for example. We all know that lemons have a strong, distinct smell that gets more intense the closer to the rind. That’s because they’re loaded with a specific terpene called limonene. Limonene is the most abundant terpene found in citrus fruit and is easily identifiable in lemons, limes, and oranges. Citrusy cannabis strains get their flavor and aroma from large concentrations of limonene. 

As another example, let’s look at lavender. This plant’s unique scent stems from a terpene called linalool. In many floral, earthy strains, linalool is often found in abundance. 

The cannabis plant has been found to contain hundreds of terpenes per strain. Certain strains have higher concentrations of certain terpenes, which contribute to each variant’s unique aromas and flavors. All strains contain a variety of different terpenes, but they always contain a handful of dominant terpenes that play a large role in the strain’s specific effects. 

What do terpenes do?

Terpenes aren’t just in cannabis and other plants to add flavor and smell. They’ve also been shown to have unique medical benefits in some cases. Much of the therapeutic benefits terpenes can provide are still in early stages of research, but we do know that there has been documented potential for medical uses. 

However, there are some noticeable ways terpenes impact cannabis experiences. Along with terpenes, the cannabis plant is filled with organic compounds that all work together to create unique effects. By looking at the terpene profile of a given strain, you can get a good idea of how it may affect you, even more than looking at terms like “indica” or “sativa.”

For example, some terpenes are suggested to help with sleep due to their sedative effects. One commonly suggested sleep terpene is linalool. Another popular terpene found in cannabis is caryophyllene, a spicy and peppery compound that may help reduce pain and stress, which can improve sleep. If you’re looking for a cannabis strain to improve sleep, you may want to focus on strains with terpene profiles that include well-known sleep enhancers. 

Terpenes are suggested to work synergistically with other cannabis compounds. This theory, dubbed the “entourage effect” suggests that each chemical compound found in the plant is made stronger and more effective by its relationship with the other compounds. 

Other common terpenes in cannabis

We’ve already mentioned a few, but here are a couple other common terpene names you may see when reading product labels:

Myrcene 

The most commonly found terpene in cannabis is myrcene. It’s found in most strains and is also abundant in hops. (Which explains why some people find cannabis and beer to smell and taste similar.)

Pinene

Another popular cannabis terpene is Pinene. As the name suggests, this terpene is rich in pine scents and flavors and is responsible for the distinct scent of many coniferous trees. In fact, it’s one of the most abundant terpenes in nature. 

How to shop for cannabis using terpene profiles

Fortunately, as more consumers become aware of how they can fine-tune their cannabis experience with terpenes, more companies are prioritizing thorough product labeling. Many brands will now list the dominant terpenes in their products, allowing customers to choose based on more specific terms than indica, hybrid, or sativa. 

If you’re looking to shop for certain terpenes in Snoqualmie, we have you covered. We are happy to show you different terpene profiles listed on product labels. Additionally, our eastside dispensary menu has an option for selecting preferred terpenes when browsing the online menu. Our knowledgeable staff is happy to discuss terpenes with you as well.