Myrcene — earthy, musky, with a clove edge
Myrcene is the most common terpene in cannabis and the one behind that earthy, musky, slightly-fruity smell. It is associated with a heavier, more physically relaxing character — the classic “sink into the couch” note.
Limonene — bright citrus — lemon and orange peel
Limonene is the citrus-peel terpene, the zesty top-note you smell in lemons and oranges. In cannabis it tends to show up in bright, sociable cultivars, and is commonly associated with an elevated, mentally light mood.
Caryophyllene — peppery and spicy, like cracked black pepper
Caryophyllene smells of cracked black pepper and warm spice, and it is chemically unusual — it is the one terpene that interacts with the body’s CB2 receptors. People often associate it with a calm, stress-softening feel rather than a heady one.
Linalool — soft floral lavender
Linalool is the lavender terpene — the same soft, floral compound that makes lavender smell calming. In cannabis it is associated with winding down and a gentle, settled mood.
Pinene — fresh pine forest
Pinene smells exactly like it sounds: pine needles and fresh forest air. It is one of the few terpenes associated with feeling clear-headed and alert rather than foggy.
Humulene — woody and hoppy, like a fresh IPA
Humulene is the hops terpene — earthy, woody and a little bitter, the smell of a fresh IPA. It tends to round out spicier, grounded profiles.
Carene — sweet, piney, cedar and cypress
Carene (delta-3-carene) smells of sweet pine, cedar and cypress — a dry, woodsy sweetness that adds depth to forest-leaning profiles.
Terpinolene — fresh, herbal-floral with a piney lift
Terpinolene is the bright, hard-to-pin-down terpene — fresh and herbal with floral and piney edges. It shows up in many heady, up-tempo cultivars.
Phellandrene — minty, peppery, citrus-herbal
Phellandrene is a cooler, minty-peppery terpene with a citrus-herbal edge — a crisp, slightly medicinal freshness.
Ocimene — sweet, herbal, a touch of citrus
Ocimene carries a sweet, herbal aroma with a light citrus lift. It is an uplifting, fresh top-note that brightens a strain’s overall character.
Geraniol — sweet rose and fresh geranium
Geraniol is the rose terpene — the sweet, floral compound found in roses and geraniums. It brings a delicate, perfume-like sweetness.