Glossary · Chemistry
Terpene
An aromatic compound responsible for the smell and much of the character of a cannabis strain. Terpenes like myrcene, limonene, and pinene also appear in everyday plants and may shape how a strain's effects feel. Many shoppers now read terpene percentages as a better effect predictor than THC alone.
See also
Strain profiles that mention terpene
39 of the 47 strains we profile.
Read more about terpene
Related terms, defined
- Cannabinoid
- One of the chemical compounds produced in cannabis that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system. THC and CBD are the best known, but the plant makes over a hundred, including CBN, CBG, and CBC. Together with terpenes, cannabinoids drive the effects you feel from any given product.
- Entourage effect
- The theory that cannabis compounds work better together than in isolation, with terpenes and minor cannabinoids modulating how THC and CBD feel. It is the main argument for full-spectrum products over pure isolate. The science is suggestive rather than settled, but the idea drives much of today's product design.
- Potency
- How strong a cannabis product is, usually expressed as total THC or combined cannabinoid percentage. High potency is not the same as high quality — terpene content and balance shape the experience just as much. Chasing the biggest number on the jar often leads to a harsher, less nuanced high.
- Live resin
- A premium concentrate made from cannabis that is flash-frozen at harvest instead of dried, preserving the fresh terpene profile lost in normal curing. Live resin is prized for intense aroma and a more flavorful, full-bodied high. It usually costs more than standard concentrates because of the freezing process and yield loss.
Related terms