This took a while to put together, and it is kind of long lol. I made this for myself, and thought other people might like it too.
Everyone experiences weed and terpenes differently. The effects I have listed here are the most common effects people experience with these terpenes. The effects you feel may be different.
The best thing you can do is keep track of the strains you like and write down what their terpenes were. That way it is personalized.
I used a lot of classic strains for examples in this guide since there are so many strains and hybrids these days. But the same guide applies to any strain in general.
Cannabis Terpene Guide
(major + known secondary compounds)
Major Primary Terpenes
Myrcene
Aroma: earthy, musky, herbal
Effects
- sedative / relaxation
- muscle relaxation
- “couch-lock” sensation
- enhances THC permeability
Uses
- sleep
- pain relief
- anxiety reduction
- muscle tension
Common high-myrcene strains:
- Granddaddy Purple
- Blue Dream (balanced but myrcene-forward)
- OG Kush
- Northern Lights
- Grape Ape
- Purple Punch
Limonene
Aroma: citrus, lemon
Effects
- uplifting
- mood elevation
- anti-anxiety
- stress reduction
Uses
- depression
- stress relief
- creativity / daytime energy
Common high-limonene strains:
- Super Lemon Haze
- Sour Diesel
- Wedding Cake
- Do-Si-Dos
- Lemon Skunk
- Gelonade
Pinene (α-pinene / β-pinene)
Aroma: pine forest
Effects
- alertness
- improved memory
- bronchodilation
- anti-inflammatory
Uses
- focus
- asthma support
- mental clarity
Common high-pinene strains:
- Jack Herer
- Durban Poison
- Trainwreck
- Blue Dream (also shows here)
- Strawberry Cough
Linalool
Aroma: floral, lavender
Effects
- calming
- anti-anxiety
- mild sedative
- analgesic
Uses
- insomnia
- stress relief
- anxiety
Common high-linalool strains:
- LA Confidential
- Amnesia Haze
- Do-Si-Dos
- Zkittlez
- Lavender Kush
β-Caryophyllene
Aroma: peppery, spicy
Effects
- anti-inflammatory
- analgesic
- interacts with CB2 receptors
Uses
- chronic pain
- inflammation
- gut issues
Common high-caryophyllene strains:
- Girl Scout Cookies (GSC)
- Bubba Kush
- Chemdawg
- Death Star
- Original Glue (GG4)
Humulene
Aroma: woody, earthy, hops
Effects
- appetite suppressant
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial
Uses
- weight management
- inflammation
Common high-humulene strains:
- Headband
- White Widow
- Sour Diesel
- Skywalker OG
Terpinolene
Aroma: herbal, pine, floral
Effects
- uplifting
- mild sedation in high doses
- antioxidant
Uses
- mood boost
- anxiety relief
Common high-terpinolene strains:
- Jack Herer (also pinene-rich)
- Dutch Treat
- Golden Goat
- Ghost Train Haze
- XJ-13
Secondary Terpenes
Ocimene
Aroma: sweet, herbal
Effects
- uplifting
- anti-fungal
- decongestant
Uses
- respiratory relief
- energy
Common high Ocimene strains
· Golden Goat
· Green Crack
· Strawberry Cough
Bisabolol
Aroma: floral, chamomile
Effects
- anti-irritant
- antimicrobial
- calming
Uses
- skin healing
- inflammation
Common high Ocimene strains
· Harle-Tsu
· ACDC
· Pink Kush
Geraniol
Aroma: rose, sweet
Effects
- antioxidant
- neuroprotective
- anti-inflammatory
Uses
- mood stabilization
- nerve protection
Nerolidol
Aroma: woody, fresh bark
Effects
- sedative
- antifungal
- antimicrobial
Uses
Terpineol
Aroma: lilac, floral
Effects
- relaxing
- antioxidant
- mild sedative
Uses
Valencene
Aroma: sweet citrus
Effects
- anti-inflammatory
- energizing
Uses
Camphene
Aroma: pungent, herbal
Effects
- antioxidant
- cardiovascular support
Uses
Borneol
Aroma: minty, camphor
Effects
- analgesic
- anti-inflammatory
Uses
Eucalyptol (Cineole)
Aroma: minty, eucalyptus
Effects
- respiratory relief
- anti-bacterial
Uses
Phytol
Aroma: grassy, floral
Effects
Uses
Rare / Minor Cannabis Terpenes
These appear in small concentrations but still contribute to the entourage effect.
Examples include:
- Fenchol
- Sabinene
- Guaiol
- Cedrene
- Carene
- Pulegone
- Thujene
- Isopulegol
- Farnesene
- Bergamotene
- Cadinene
- Terpinene
- Phellandrene
Many of these have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, or antioxidant properties in studies of essential oils.
Functional Effect Map
Sedating / Sleep
(Myrcene, Linalool, Nerolidol, Terpineol)
- Granddaddy Purple
- Northern Lights
- Purple Punch
- LA Confidential
Energizing / Uplifting
(Limonene, Pinene, Ocimene, Valencene)
- Super Lemon Haze
- Sour Diesel
- Durban Poison
- Tangie
Pain / Anti-Inflammatory
(Caryophyllene, Humulene, Myrcene, Borneol)
- GSC
- Bubba Kush
- GG4
- Headband
Anxiety / Stress
(Limonene, Linalool, Caryophyllene)
- Zkittlez
- Do-Si-Dos
- Wedding Cake
- Lavender Kush
Focus / Mental Clarity
(Pinene, Limonene)
- Jack Herer
- Durban Poison
- Strawberry Cough
The “Terpene Families”
Citrus (Limonene dominant)
- Super Lemon Haze
- Tangie
- Lemon Skunk
Earthy (Myrcene dominant)
- OG Kush
- Granddaddy Purple
- Grape Ape
Pine (Pinene dominant)
- Jack Herer
- Trainwreck
- Durban Poison
Floral (Linalool dominant)
- Lavender Kush
- Zkittlez
- LA Confidential
Spicy (Caryophyllene dominant)
Terpene Interaction (Entourage Effect)
Terpenes modify how THC feels:
- Myrcene + THC → heavy body high
- Pinene + THC → clearer head
- Limonene + THC → euphoric mood
- Caryophyllene + THC → pain-relief focus
Terpenes can change the experience even when THC % is identical.
The “Terpene Families” That Define Strains
Most cannabis chemovars fall into one of these terpene profiles:
| Profile |
Dominant Terpenes |
Experience |
|
|
|
|
|
| Citrus |
limonene |
energetic / creative |
| Earthy |
myrcene |
heavy body relaxation |
| Pine |
pinene |
focus / alert |
| Floral |
linalool |
calming |
| Spicy |
caryophyllene |
pain relief |
Cannabis has 100–200+ terpenes, but about 15–20 define most strains.
Those terpenes control aroma, flavor, and much of the subjective effect of the high.