What are terpenes?

Terpenes are organic aromatic compounds that are found in an incredible number of plants. Many people associate them with cannabis because of the high concentration and complex terpene combinations that it contains. Why should you be interested in terpenes as a CBD user? They completely affect your experience – here’s how.

Everyone has a favourite natural smell, ranging from lavender to pine, freshly-cut grass to orange peel – all of these smells are created by terpenes. These distinctive smells are created by plants as a way of protecting themselves from certain herbivores and infectious bacteria. However, these compounds also have a number of benefits for humans, including the management of health issues and stimulation of taste and smell.

If we compare cannabis to wine, terpenes would be the drinking notes – the subtle aromas and tastes which give each strain its unique characteristics. However, unlike wine notes, terpenes have the additional benefit of effecting your visceral (i.e. physical) experience of CBD. Terpenes can make you feel relaxed, energised and everything in between. Here’s a breakdown of the main terpenes to give you some more insight:

Pinene

Found in: Pine, Rosemary, Orange Peel

Anyone that loves a walk in the forest will recognise this terpene. The fresh aroma and taste of pinene is a firm-favourite for a lot of CBD users. It helps to give you alertness and can give you the boost of energy you need to start the day.

Myrcene

Found in: Cloves, Lemongrass, Mango

This earthy and fragrant terpene is found in a number of fruits and spices that you will undoubtedly have eaten or cooked with at some point in your life. Myrcene is thought to re-centre the body and aid your wellness.

Linalool

Found in: Lavender

This terpene is instantly recognisable for people that like the soothing smell of lavender. The sweet floral notes of Linalool are particularly useful as they are effective at calming and rebalancing your emotions.

Limonene

Found in: Peppermint, Juniper, Lemon

This bright and zesty terpene is a scent that provides peppermint, juniper and lemon with their bold and fragrant nature. Limonene is a revitalising terpene that gives users energy, which is great for when you need to focus on a task.

Caryophyllene 

Found in: Black Pepper, Hops, Basil

Caryophyllene is one of the spicier terpenes with a distinctive aroma and flavour that people who like cooking Italian cuisine will recognise – giving black pepper, basil and oregano their distinctive smell and taste. Caryophyllene is also renowned for its soothing effects on the body.

Terpenes are incredibly influential to the CBD experience, affecting the flavour and aroma of each CBD product, as well as the health benefits they can bring to the body. They are natural compounds found in a number of plants but are especially present in the cannabis and hemp plants that we use to create our HighKind CBD products. Take a look at our Terpenes category today.