Cannabinoids and terpenes: what actually shapes an experience
THC gets the headlines, but a cultivar's character is written by a whole cast of cannabinoids and aromatic terpenes.
Ask what makes one cultivar different from another and most people will reach for a single number: THC percentage. It is the least interesting answer. A cannabis flower is a small chemistry set, and the experience it gives comes from the whole set working together.
The cannabinoids
The plant makes more than a hundred cannabinoids. A handful do most of the talking:
- THC — the intoxicating one, responsible for the "high".
- CBD — non-intoxicating, and thought to soften some of THC's sharper edges.
- CBG — often called the "mother cannabinoid" because the others are built from it; usually present only in small amounts.
- CBN — appears as THC ages, and is associated with older, more sedating flower.
A cultivar sitting at 18% THC with a little CBD alongside can feel gentler and clearer than one at 22% THC with none — the ratio matters as much as the peak.
The terpenes
Terpenes are the aromatic oils that give cannabis its smell, and they are not unique to it — they are the same family of compounds behind pine forests, citrus peel and lavender. Common ones include:
| Terpene | Also found in | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Myrcene | Mango, hops | Earthy, often the most abundant |
| Limonene | Citrus peel | Bright, zesty |
| Pinene | Pine needles | Sharp, fresh |
| Linalool | Lavender | Floral, soft |
| Caryophyllene | Black pepper | Spicy, warm |
The "entourage effect"
The idea that cannabinoids and terpenes work together — that the whole is different from the sum of its parts — is called the entourage effect. It is a plausible and popular hypothesis, and it is still a hypothesis: the research is ongoing and far from settled.
The practical takeaway is simpler than the science. When you are choosing, trust your nose and your notes over the THC number. The aroma tells you about the terpenes, and your own record of what suited you tells you more than any figure on a label.
