The cannabis plant is an impressive alchemist, capable of producing hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes. Some, such as THC and CBD, are widely known outside the cannabis community. Others, including terpenes like the woodsy alpha-pinene and the citrusy limonene, are just entering the mainstream cannabis lexicon, helping consumers understand what gives cannabis its distinctive taste and smell.
RELATED STORY
What Are Cannabis Terpenes and What Do They Do?
Terpinolene, meanwhile, is a lurker. It’s found in plenty of cannabis strains, but it’s usually present only in small amounts. It may, in fact, be the least-common common terpene—often among a strain’s cast of characters, but rarely in a leading role.
That’s not to say it’s unimportant. Terpinolene plays a key role in defining the taste and smell of many cannabis strains, including the immensely popular, terpinolene-dominant strains Dutch Treat and Sensi Star. It’s also likely to affect a strain’s therapeutic and experiential qualities.
Click to enlarge. (Elysse Feigenblatt/Leafly)
The Smell and Taste of Terpinolene
Terpinolene’s aroma is more multidimensional than some other cannabis terpenes. Linalool smells like flowers. Limonene smells like citrus. Pinene? It smells like—surprise!—pine. Terpinolene, though, carries an array of smells you might find in cannabis: It’s piney, floral, herbaceous, and even a little citrusy.
One word that comes up often when describing terpinolene’s taste and smell: fresh. It’s part of the reason terpinolene shows up as an additive in soaps and perfumes (though the terpene’s other qualities, which we’ll get to, also help).
Click to enlarge. (Elysse Feigenblatt)
Like most terpenes, terpinolene isn’t unique to cannabis. It also shows up in lilacs, tea tree, nutmeg, cumin, and apples.
Potential Benefits and Effects
According to scientific research, inhaled terpinolene can create a sleepy, sedative effect in mice. In cannabis, then, it may contribute a relaxing, calming quality to certain strains—though it could also exacerbate couchlock.
As an essential oil, terpinolene may have antibacterial and antifungal qualities, according to a 2005 study—which could be another reason, besides its fresh scent, that it’s a common additive in soaps and cleaning products. Other research suggests it can help repel pests like mosquitoes and weevils.
RELATED STORY
Which Cannabis Terpenes Reduce Anxiety & Where Can You Find Them?
Emerging research is also looking at terpinolene’s potential to reduce the risk of heart disease when used in concert with other nutrients, and its possible role in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
Keep in mind, researchers are still teasing out the possible effects of terpinolene. In addition, many scientists believe that terpenes and cannabinoids work in tandem to create a strain’s overall effect—so don’t expect a strain that contains terpinolene to necessarily have relaxing, sedative properties.
Which Cannabis Strains Contain (Lots of) Terpinolene?
Terpinolene can be found in a lot of cannabis strains, but only a small number are terpinolene-dominant. Some that are include Dutch Treat, Sensi Star, Super Lemon Haze, Sour Tangie, Snowcap, Shipwreck, and—in terms of high-CBD strains—Sour Tsunami.
Click to enlarge. (Elysse Feigenblatt/Leafly)
It’s important to note that cannabis strains that are related to one another don’t necessarily share a family resemblance when it comes to terpenes. Sour Tangie is terpinolene-dominant, but its parent, Tangie, isn’t particularly high in terpinolene—its main terpenes are myrcene and alpha-pinene. And while both Sour Tangie and Sour Tsunami are both terpinolene-dominant, many other “sour” strains—including Sour Diesel, Sour Bubba, Sour Kush, and Sour Apple—are not.
Another thing to observe is that while terpinolene-dominant strains can be classified as indicas, sativas, or hybrids, nearly all are THC-dominant. In other words, there currently aren’t many high-CBD strains that have a ton of terpinolene. Why is that? Likely, it’s simply because cannabis breeders have yet to fully explore the full array of terpenes with CBD-dominant and balanced strains. THC historically has been the cash-cow cannabinoid for most breeders. As CBD rises in prominence, that may change. Terpinolene-dominant CBD strains remain rare, but more could certainly be made.
Leafly writer Patrick Bennett contributed reporting.
