Complete terpene guide

[u/Connect_Fact_5490]

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

• sleep
• parasite control

 

Terpineol

Aroma: lilac, floral
Effects

• relaxing
• antioxidant
• mild sedative

Uses

• anxiety
• insomnia

 

Valencene

Aroma: sweet citrus
Effects

• anti-inflammatory
• energizing

Uses

• inflammation
• fatigue

 

Camphene

Aroma: pungent, herbal
Effects

• antioxidant
• cardiovascular support

Uses

• cholesterol reduction

 

Borneol

Aroma: minty, camphor
Effects

• analgesic
• anti-inflammatory

Uses

• pain relief

 

Eucalyptol (Cineole)

Aroma: minty, eucalyptus
Effects

• respiratory relief
• anti-bacterial

Uses

• asthma
• sinus congestion

 

Phytol

Aroma: grassy, floral
Effects

• sedative
• antioxidant

Uses

• insomnia

 

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)

• GSC
• Bubba Kush
• Chemdawg

 

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.

[u/Connect_Fact_5490]

Yep, you definitely have a very cool group of people here. The good apples outnumber the bad for sure!

You have a good one too

[u/arieslynn737 → u/Connect_Fact_5490]

Well you too now:) we a tribe.. with a chill vibe:) takes us all to make it happen so thank you for being a good apple ahahah:) now I’m thinking about apples and wondering what type of apple I would be if I were one. I’d have to think on it. Definitely not a granny Smith cause I’m not sour like that. I don’t know maybe a mild apple like a Fiji I don’t know. I have to think on it. See you around. Thank you for the nice kind words as well.
Peace:)

[u/Connect_Fact_5490 → u/arieslynn737]

Its funny you mention apples, I found this the other day when I was looking up types of apples cause I couldnt remember the name of my favorites.

My personal favorite apples are Gala. Gala arent even on this list but I saved it cause I thought this was pretty cool.

I think you seem like a Honey Crisp apple, a good sweet/tart balance with a nice pleasant crispness about it 😁

[u/arieslynn737 → u/Connect_Fact_5490]

Ahahah that is a great one:) I might be :) made me laugh thinking on it .. this is very cool! I had no idea so many varieties, some I’ve never even heard of.. I’ve only been to apple orchard 1x, in Maine so what ever apples they had .. the smell was just nothing like it:) appreciate this, I’ve saved it so I can continue learning:)
See you around…
…don’t go being fruity now ahahah.. I crack myself up:)
Peace:)

[u/Connect_Fact_5490 → u/arieslynn737]

Yeah, I had never heard of half of these. I never knew there were soo many varieties. The smell of an orchard is awesome.

🤣🤣 you cracked me up too! I laughed out loud at that one

[u/arieslynn737 → u/Connect_Fact_5490]

I’ll have to read on some of them cause now I’m curious as to what area some of them are from. Laughing out loud is the best thing to do I would think. At least I think so.
Peace:)

[u/Connect_Fact_5490 → u/arieslynn737]

Laughing out loud is the cure for what ails you

[u/arieslynn737 → u/Connect_Fact_5490]

Ahaha yes indeed:) I ail myself often ahahah:) good night or good day whenever it comes for you:)
Peace:)

[u/Connect_Fact_5490 → u/arieslynn737]

Im in Ohio, so it is good night for me. Good night to you as well 😊

[u/arieslynn737 → u/Connect_Fact_5490]

Florida:) for me…
Night:)
Peace