Terpenes are a large and diverse class of aromatic organic compounds produced by various plants, including cannabis.
Terpenes are primary essential oil components responsible for the cannabis aroma and flavor. How they interact with cannabinoids also influences the effects of cannabis. Terpenes give the various flavors that cannabis consumers want, whether it is citrus, pine, berry, or skunk.
Apart from providing aroma and flavor to cannabis, terpenes interact with cannabinoids and support other compounds to produce the so-called entourage or ensemble effect. Depending on the cultivar’s combination and the consumer’s response, they may either suppress or exaggerate specific effects.
There are over 100 different terpenes that have been identified in cannabis, and each offers a unique benefit. A few of the most popular are myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, pinene, and limonene.
Terpenes also temper the THC and increase the therapeutic value of cannabinoids. Terpenes can be found in the trichomes, and each content is distinct in every cannabis cultivar.