Myrcene and limonene
Myrcene
Often the top terpene in flower cannabis and scarce in hemp. Think clove, earth, nut, green, or citrus
Also in
Hops, lemongrass, bay, and verbena carry a lot of myrcene
With THC
Myrcene may open membranes so more THC reaches cells, which can make onset feel faster
Limonene
Citrus-rind terpene, often second through fourth in resin. Plants use it as a predator warning
Alert note
Some people report a brighter, more restless head when limonene is high
Caryophyllene and pinene
Caryophyllene
Sweet-woody clove from black pepper and clove. It can dock CB2, the same family of port CBD uses
Pinene
Pine and turpentine note, also in rosemary, sage, and eucalyptus
Lung feel
Pinene can open airways, so smoke or vapor may feel like it expands fast
Memory plants
Rosemary and sage are traditional focus herbs largely because of pinene
Hidden and quieter notes
Terpineol: Lilac, citrus, or apple-blossom smell. Often rides with pinene and can be blamed on the louder pine note.
Couch feel: Terpineol is one candidate for heavy body lock when the nose only reports skunk or pine.
Borneol: Camphor-menthol tone, familiar in some Haze lines, often read as calming.
Carene: Sweet-pungent pine-cedar note. Cypress oils high in it are used to dry excess fluids, which may relate to dry mouth and dry eyes.
Linalool: Floral lily-of-the-valley with spice. Detectable at tiny air levels and common in lavender-type oils.
Reading a terpene chart
Personality
The recipe, not one terpene, sets the direction of the high
Pinene group
Alpha and beta pinene, plus terpinenes and terpinolene, drive many acrid, woodsy smells
Myrcene bands
Wide myrcene often tracks a faster, heavier first wave because more THC can pass membranes
Humulene
The main hops oil. High levels are often linked with a quieter, less social flower
Unlisted spikes
Some varieties, such as Cheese, show terpenes the standard 16-peak tests miss