All about terpinolene, a popular cannabis terpene

Terpinolene is a common terpene that can be found in cannabis and other plants. It smells like citrus and pine and can also have floral or herbal notes. Terpinolene may offer some health benefits, as well, such as anti-anxiety effects. 

What is terpinolene?

Terpinolene is a chemical compound found in cannabis as well as:

• Nutmeg
• Cardamom
• Lilac
• Cumin
• Apples
• Tea tree

Its aroma has notes of pine, herbs, citrus, and flowers. Terpinolene is often used as an insect repellent and as an ingredient in plastic and resin. But it also offers certain health benefits.

What are terpinolene’s effects?

Terpinolene has many possible health benefits. But more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.

Relieves stress and anxiety

A study in mice found that terpinolene may act as a sedative to help produce calming effects. When mice inhaled terpinolene vapor, they became less active. A study in zebrafish found similar results. 

Has possible cancer-fighting effects

According to a lab study, terpinolene may help stop breast cancer cells from growing. In a study on rats, terpinolene was found to help reduce the growth and division of brain cancer cells, and may even offer anticancer properties. However, human studies are needed to confirm these benefits. 

Relieves pain

One study in mice found that terpinolene may have anti-inflammatory effects that can help ease pain. 

Another review of human studies found that terpinolene may help relieve chronic pain by interrupting pain signals in the nervous system. 

Supports heart health

Terpinolene may help prevent heart disease and stroke. According to one study, the terpene may help prevent low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from oxidizing (combining with oxygen) and causing potentially dangerous blood clots.

Helps wounds heal faster

A lab study suggests that applying a combination of terpinolene and phellandrene — another terpene found in cannabis — to the skin can help reduce inflammation and promote wound healing. 

Terpinolene terpene in cannabis

Terpinolene is one of over 150 terpenes found in cannabis. Terpenes affect the smell, flavor, and effects of the plant.

According to anecdotal reports, terpinolene may help:

• Lower stress and anxiety
• Boosts mood
• Improve sleep
• Ease pain and inflammation

Terpinolene levels vary between cannabis strains. To experience the full effects, seek out high-terpinolene strains at your local dispensary. Usually, the product label will indicate its dominant terpenes. 

High-terpinolene strains

Some cannabis strains contain particularly high amounts of terpinolene: 

• Jack Herer is an energizing, mood-lifting strain.
• Ghost Train Haze can help improve focus, mood, and creativity.
• Lemon OG Kush may help relieve anxiety and promote sleep.
• Lemon Haze can help boost energy levels and mood.
• Super Lemon Haze may help lower anxiety and pain levels.
• Blue Dream is a popular strain that’s used to help increase focus, creativity, and mood.
• Orange Cookies is a mild strain that might help ease stress.
• XJ-13 is a popular strain for stress relief.

To learn more about these and other high-terpinolene strains, talk to your local dispensary’s budtender or a Leafwell provider.

The bottom line: Terpinolene plays a role in the aroma, taste, and health benefits of cannabis

Terpinolene is one of many compounds found in cannabis. It offers notes of flowers, herbs, citrus, and pine, and contributes to health benefits including stress relief, pain relief, and antioxidant effects. 

It can be easier to access high-terpinolene strains with a medical cannabis card. Contact Leafwell to obtain your card quickly and easily. 

Resources

• Anticancer and antioxidant properties of terpinolene in rat brain cells. https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/10004-1254-64-2013-2365
• Anticancer effects of Chenopodium ambrosiodes L. essential oil on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in vitro. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/tjpr/article/view/125253
• Cannabinoid type-2 receptors modulate terpene induced anxiety-reduction in zebrafish. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332223015585
• Monoterpenes as perspective to chronic pain management: A systematic review. https://www.benthamdirect.com/content/journals/cdt/10.2174/1389450118666170711145308
• Terpenes in Cannabis sativa — from plant genome to humans. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168945219301190
• Terpinolene inhibits acute responses triggered by different inflammatory agents invivo models of mouse. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212429223002729
• The monoterpene terpinolene from the oil of Pinus mugo L. in concert with α-tocopherol and β-carotene effectively prevents oxidation of LDL. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711305000346
• The sedative effect of inhaled terpinolene in mice and its structure-activity relationships. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11418-012-0732-1
• Wound healing activity of terpinolene and α-phellandrene by attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress in vitro. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965206X18301311