There are about 200 different terpenoids identified in cannabis, and breeders have pushed terpene levels in some flowers above 3.5 percent of total weight, which is a big reason the same THC percentage can feel very different from strain to strain.
Key Takeaways
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are terpenes in cannabis? | Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give each strain its smell, taste, and part of its overall effect profile. For a deeper overview, visit our guide What Are Terpenes in Weed? |
| Do terpenes change your high? | Yes, terpenes influence how THC and other cannabinoids feel, a concept often called the entourage effect, which is why concentrates like cannabis concentrates can feel unique even at similar potency. |
| Which terpenes are common in weed? | Myrcene, limonene, pinene, caryophyllene, linalool, humulene, ocimene, and terpinolene show up most often and drive many classic cannabis aromas like citrus, pine, and fuel. |
| Are terpenes only in flower? | No, they are found in vapes, concentrates, and edibles too, especially products designed around flavor such as TERP TANKS disposable vapes. |
| How do I choose strains by terpene profile? | Start with aroma families you like, then pay attention to how citrus, earthy, floral, or gassy terpenes line up with how relaxed or energized you feel after each session. |
| Can terpenes be strong in concentrates? | Yes, terpene-rich concentrates like Mojito Diamonds and other strain-specific extracts often have higher terpene concentration than raw flower. |
What Are Terpenes And Why Do They Matter In Weed?
Terpenes are a large family of aromatic compounds that plants produce to communicate with the world around them, and cannabis happens to be especially terpene rich. In weed, terpenes create the loud citrus, fuel, pine, fruit, or dessert aromas that instantly separate one strain from another.
In cannabis science, we talk about more than 200 cannabis terpenoids, with total terpene content in flower historically around 1 percent and in trichomes up to 10 percent. With modern breeding, some flowers now exceed 3.5 percent terpenes, which is a major driver of both flavor intensity and nuanced effects.
We focus on terpenes because they do more than smell good. They appear to interact with THC, CBD, and minor cannabinoids, shaping how fast effects come on, how long they last, and even whether you feel more calm, creative, or clear headed.
This combined interaction is often called the entourage effect, and if you care about how your cannabis feels in real life, terpenes are just as important as the listed THC percentage.
How Terpenes Work In The Cannabis Plant And In Your Body
Inside the cannabis plant, terpenes form in the same trichomes that produce THC and other cannabinoids. The plant uses them as a natural defense system and a communication tool, attracting pollinators while discouraging pests and mold.
These aromatic molecules evaporate easily, which is why you smell a jar of flower as soon as you crack the lid. When you inhale or ingest cannabis, those terpenes move from the plant into your body alongside cannabinoids.
Once inside, terpenes appear to act on multiple targets, including olfactory receptors, serotonin receptors, and other signaling systems. They may modify how THC binds to CB1 receptors or how your nervous system responds, which can shift the feel of a session from racy to relaxing.
Limonene, for example, is being studied for its potential to soften THC-induced anxiety in humans, which lines up with many people reporting that bright citrus strains feel more upbeat and less edgy.
Different terpenes also vaporize at different temperatures, which is why temperature control on vapes can noticeably shift flavor and effect. Lower temps tend to preserve lighter citrus and floral terpenes, while higher temps lean into heavier, spicier notes.
For us as a retailer, this is why we care about how concentrates and vapes are made, since extraction methods that protect terpene structure usually deliver better, more strain-accurate experiences.
Major Cannabis Terpenes And What They Smell And Feel Like
While cannabis can contain around 200 different terpenoids, a smaller group of terpene families shows up most often and defines the classic profiles people recognize. Knowing these gives you a quick language to describe what you like and what your body responds to best.
Below is a simple overview of eight of the most discussed cannabis terpenes and how people usually describe them.
| Terpene | Typical Aroma | Common Associations* |
|---|---|---|
| Myrcene | Earthy, musky, herbal | Heavy body feel, “couchy” vibes |
| Limonene | Lemon, orange, citrus peel | Bright mood, mental clarity |
| α‑Pinene | Pine needles, forest | Alertness, “outdoor” feel |
| β‑Caryophyllene | Pepper, spice, woody | Grounded, body-focused |
| Linalool | Lavender, floral | Relaxation, evening use |
| Humulene | Hops, woody, earthy | Balanced, herbal feel |
| Terpinolene | Sweet, herbal, slightly floral | Often in energetic sativas |
| Ocimene | Sweet, green, sometimes fruity | Lively, daytime lean |
*These associations come from user reports and emerging research, not medical claims, and individual responses vary.
When you explore new strains, smelling first and asking about dominant terpenes can tell you more about how it will feel than just reading indica or sativa on a label. That is especially helpful with hybrids and concentrates where traditional categories can blur.
Explore five essential facts about terpenes. Learn what terpenes are and their roles in plants and products.
The Entourage Effect: How Terpenes Change Your High
Terpenes do not act alone, they work alongside THC, CBD, and minor cannabinoids to shape the overall effect of a strain. This combined action is often called the entourage effect, and it explains why two products with the same THC percentage can feel completely different.
For example, a myrcene-heavy cultivar with the same THC as a limonene and pinene dominant one may feel heavier, more sedating, and more body focused. The citrus and pine profile, on the other hand, often feels cleaner, brighter, and better suited for daytime use.
Practical tip: When you find a product that feels right, note the dominant terpenes and look for other strains with similar profiles instead of chasing THC numbers alone.
Research is starting to back up what many people already report in practice. One human study found that vaporized d‑limonene, a citrus terpene common in cannabis, could reduce THC‑induced anxiety, which supports why some people prefer lemon and orange profiles when they want a smoother mental experience.
We keep this in mind when we choose which carts, disposables, and concentrates to carry. Terpene rich extracts tend to deliver more rounded, strain-faithful highs, while flat-tasting distillate with added generic flavoring often feels more one note.
Understanding the entourage effect helps you build a more intentional routine, whether you are reaching for a calming evening dab or a focused daytime vape.
Did You Know?
There are about 200 different terpenoids identified in cannabis, with terpenoid content historically around 1% in flowers and up to 10% in trichomes, and selective breeding has pushed terpene levels in some flowers above 3.5%.
Terpenes In Concentrates: Flavor And Potency In Smaller Doses
Concentrates take the natural resin from cannabis and condense it, which often means terpenes become more intense too. Products like live resin, rosin, and terp diamonds are popular because they capture both cannabinoids and the full terpene fingerprint of the strain.
On our concentrates menu, you will see strain specific options like Amnesia Haze, Lemon Flakes, Mojito Diamonds, and more, each with different terpene ratios. These differences explain why a citrus-forward dab can feel sharply different from a deep, earthy one, even at similar THC levels.
| Concentrate | Price | Likely Terpene Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Amnesia Haze | $40.00 | Citrus, haze, daytime leaning |
| Lemon Flakes | $40.00 | Limonene heavy, bright lemon |
| Mojito Diamonds | $50.00 | Mint, lime, cocktail like aroma |
Because terpene levels can be higher in concentrates, we always recommend starting with a smaller amount than you would expect from flower. The flavor can be richer, and onset can feel faster, especially with uplifting terpene blends.
Some infused syrups and cakes also play with terpenes for flavor, combining cannabinoids with dessert style terp profiles for people who prefer not to inhale their cannabis.
When you browse concentrates, think in terms of terpene families, not just strain names. Citrus, mint, gas, dessert, and classic earthy profiles will each bring a different style of session, especially in dab or vape form.
If you like one concentrate’s feel, look for others with similar tasting notes and you will often find they agree with you too.
Vapes And Carts: Terpenes On The Go
Vapes are one of the easiest ways to experience how terpenes change cannabis flavor and feel because extraction can preserve delicate aromatic compounds. Terpene rich cartridges typically advertise live resin, live rosin, or cured resin, signaling a focus on preserving natural strain character.
TERP TANKS: 2 Grams Of Cured Resin + Liquid Diamonds
Our TERP TANKS are a clear example of terpene focused hardware, combining 2 grams of cured resin and liquid diamonds in a premium disposable. Priced at $86.00, these offer multiple indica, sativa, and hybrid options with robust, strain-specific terpene profiles designed for flavor first.
Derb & Terpys 1G Carts: Live Resin Terpenes In A 510 Format
Derb & Terpys Carts feature 1 gram of live resin oil per cartridge and are priced at $50.00. Live resin means the plant was frozen fresh before extraction, which typically keeps the terpene spectrum closer to how the strain smells on the plant.
Dual Strain Carts: Comparing Two Terpene Profiles In One Device
Our 2 Different Strain Half + 1 Cart, priced at $185.00, gives you two premium strains in a single cartridge, so you can experience back to back how different terpene profiles feel. This format is useful if you are still mapping out which terp categories work best for different times of day.
Portable carts like these make it easy to notice how citrus dominant profiles compare to gassy or floral ones when everything else, including device and intake method, stays the same.
When you evaluate a vape, look beyond THC to ask what kind of extract is inside, which strain it comes from, and whether it uses natural cannabis terpenes instead of just added flavor. That information will tell you how close to a full strain experience you are actually getting.
We aim to stock devices that respect the plant’s terpene complexity so on the go sessions can still feel nuanced and flavorful.
Strains, Categories, And Terpene Profiles: Indica, Sativa, Or Something Else?
Many menus still lead with indica, sativa, and hybrid labels, but in practice terpenes often tell you more about how a product will feel. Indica leaning options frequently lean into myrcene, linalool, and caryophyllene, while some classic sativas lean toward terpinolene, limonene, and pinene.
That said, modern hybrids cross these lines constantly, which is why learning to read and smell terpenes is more reliable than relying only on a category name.
- Earthy, musky, and heavy aromas often signal more relaxing terpene blends.
- Citrus, pine, and mint notes are common in more uplifting, daytime friendly profiles.
- Dessert, cake, and candy strains usually mix sweet fruit terpenes with gas or earth for balanced effects.
Concentrates like Shark Shock and White Gorilla deliver some of these traditional profiles in more potent formats. As you explore, pay attention to how these signature smells map to how your body actually feels thirty to ninety minutes later.
Categories like syrups and edibles may highlight flavor terpenes more than effect terpenes, but the same logic still applies. If you enjoy a lemon, grape, or tropical profile in one format, you will likely enjoy similar terp families in others.
Our role is to connect these dots for you, so you can shop concentrates, vapes, and edibles with a better sense of what each terpene driven experience might feel like.
Did You Know?
Approximately 200 terpenoids have been identified in cannabis, and eight predominant terpene super classes — including myrcene, limonene, α-pinene, linalool, and β-caryophyllene — account for many of the smells and effects people associate with different strains.
How To Read Terpene Forward Product Descriptions
When you see a product description that highlights cured resin, live resin, or specific terpenes, that usually signals a focus on preserving or recreating the plant’s natural aroma profile. For example, our Terp Tanks and Flower Dept. disposables both emphasize terpene driven flavor as a key feature.
Here are a few phrases that often signal a terpene conscious product:
- Live resin / live rosin – extracted from fresh frozen material to keep terpenes closer to how the plant smells.
- Cured resin – uses dried flower but still aims to keep a robust terpene spectrum.
- Strain specific terpenes – references a single cultivar’s natural terpene fingerprint.
- Full spectrum – often indicates an extract with cannabinoids plus native terpenes.
Price can also reflect terpene quality, since preserving delicate aromatic compounds requires more careful processing. A live resin cart at $50.00 can offer a very different experience than a cheaper option that only uses distillate with generic flavoring.
As you read labels and online menus, try to connect descriptions like “citrus and pine” or “gassy and earthy” with the terpenes we walked through earlier. Over time, you will be able to predict more accurately how a product will taste and feel before you try it.
We design our product pages to include this kind of sensory and terpene focused context whenever possible, so you can make informed choices instead of guessing.
Terpenes, Tolerance, And Personal Preference
Terpenes interact with your own biology, so two people can have very different reactions to the same strain or product. One person may find a myrcene heavy concentrate perfect for sleep, while another feels it is too sedating for their liking.
Similarly, some people report that limonene forward products help them feel clearer and happier, while others find that too much citrus terpene content feels a little stimulating late at night. Your experience, tolerance, and context all matter.
Here is a simple way to dial in terpene preferences:
- Pick a few strains or products with clearly described aromas and effects.
- Write quick notes on smell, taste, and how you feel 30, 60, and 120 minutes after use.
- Look for patterns in which aroma families line up with the experiences you enjoy most.
Over time, you will build your own internal terpene map, which you can use to navigate menus faster and avoid products that do not fit your goals, regardless of THC percentage.
We are here to help you interpret those patterns too. If you know you like “lemon and pine, not too sweet” or “gas and dessert, relaxing but not sedating,” we can point you to options that match that terpene wish list.
Understanding what terpenes are and how they work is the fastest way to personalize your cannabis experience in a consistent, repeatable way.
Conclusion
Terpenes are not a small detail in cannabis, they are the core reason each strain smells, tastes, and often feels unique, even at the same THC percentage. With about 200 cannabis terpenoids identified and breeding pushing terp levels higher than ever, these compounds now play a central role in how people choose flower, vapes, concentrates, and edibles.
As a cannabis retailer, we focus on terpene rich products because they offer fuller, more predictable experiences that match what our community is actually looking for. When you understand what terpenes are, which ones you prefer, and how they interact with cannabinoids, you can shop more confidently and build a routine that matches your real life, not just the numbers on a label.
