A beginner’s guide to terpenes (and how research helps us understand them)

“Ter-what?” If that was your reaction to the title, no worries—this article will unlock the mysteries of one of the most important components of cannabis. Indeed, terpenes are the main factor determining the plant’s aromatic profile. We have known about the impact of grape varieties on the appreciation of wine for years, but we are just beginning to grasp the importance of terpenes.

What we know about terpenes
For those of you who took Advanced Chemistry in school, terpenes are aromatic hydrocarbons (or C5H8) produced predominantly by plants. In layman’s terms, terpenes are what give cannabis its character. They can be compared to essential oils, in the sense that they occur naturally in plants and have high concentrations of aromas and flavours. There are thousands and thousands of terpene types in nature—their initial purpose is to attract or repel insects—but around a hundred have been associated with the different varieties of cannabis. They are mainly found on the plant’s trichomes, in other words, on the flower.

Psst! Want to brush up on the plant’s anatomy? Just click here. Don’t worry, no one will know!

A few well-known terpene profiles

Myrcene: Found in hops, as well as in mango, thyme, and lemongrass, this terpene gives beer a slightly peppery taste and is one of the most common terpenes in the cannabis world. Myrcene is also known for its soothing effects.

Linalool: Can you detect the mint and lavender aromas? If so, you’ve got a great sense of smell! Known for having a soothing effect and promoting sleep, linalool is also used in other industries for its calming properties.

Pinene: With the pine scent and woody notes of pinene, you’ll feel as though you are taking a nice long walk in a coniferous forest. A common terpene in cannabis, pinene is said to have stimulating effects.

Humulene: This terpene’s woody, earthy aroma is similar to that of ginger, ginseng, or cilantro. On the medicinal side, soothing properties have been attributed to humulene.

Terpineol: This one is something of a tropical cocktail, with lilac and citrus aromas dominating, and may help users achieve a state of deep relaxation.

Farnesene: Farnesene is naturally present in apple peels, giving green apples their characteristic smell. In addition to its sweet profile, farnesene possesses sedative properties which may help calm down.

These are just a few of the terpenes found in cannabis. What you need to remember is that a cannabis strain can contain various combinations of terpenes.

What’s the entourage effect?
Our current knowledge of terpenes tells us that those molecules could have various therapeutic functions. Studies suggest that terpenes could interact with the cannabinoids (CBD and THC) present in the cannabis plant and potentially boost its effects. This phenomenon is called the entourage effect. There is still much left to explore about the fascinating relationships of synergy between the different cannabis components—and that’s kind of our passion at Origine Nature at the moment.

Investing in R&D to better understand the role of terpenes
In 2021, Origine Nature obtained a research and development license, enabling us to launch our own R&D program, and we’re currently working on—you guessed it!—improving our collective understanding of the interactions, combinations, and effects of terpenes.

We’re impatient to unveil the innovations that will result from our efforts!