The Ultimate Cannabis Terpene Chart: Flavor, Feel & Function Explained
Ever open a jar of flower and get smacked with the scent of citrus, pine, or black pepper? That’s not just dank weed, it’s terpenes doing their thing. Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in the cannabis plant (and in other plants like lemons, pine trees, lavender, and lemongrass).
But terpenes don’t just smell good. They play a huge role in how your cannabis experience feels. Whether you’re vibing on an uplifting sativa or couch-locked with a chill indica, the terpene profile is part of what’s steering the ship. But terpenes don’t work alone- they team up with cannabinoids like THC and CBD to dial in the effects of cannabis you feel.
Want to experience different terpenes for yourself? Check out Cheech and Chong’s legal THCa flower, which is loaded with natural terpenes for the most authentic experience you’ll ever find in a legal smokeable. We put together the ultimate terpene chart below, breaking down flavors, aromas, effects, and which popular cannabis strains each terp shows up in.
The Ultimate Cannabis Terpene Chart
Now that you know terpenes play a key role in how cannabis makes you feel, let’s get to know them by name. Each terpene has its own flavor, aroma, and effect profile, and when they team up with cannabinoids like THC or CBD, they help shape everything from your mood to your munchies.
Below is the terp chart you’ll want to save, screenshot, or tattoo on your forearm (we won’t judge). Get to know the most common terpenes in cannabis and how they influence your experience:
| Effect Type | Terpene | Flavor / Aroma | Common Effects | Helpful for | Strains to Try |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relaxing 💤 | Myrcene | Earthy, musky, mango-ish | Sedating, heavy body high | Sleep, relaxation, Netflix binge | Samoa, OG Kush, Granddaddy Purple |
| Linalool | Floral, lavender | Calming, mildly euphoric | Relaxation, muscle tension, bedtime vibes | Pineapple Express, Do-Si-Dos, Amnesia Haze | |
| Nerolidol | Floral, woodsy, apple | Drowsy, stress melting | Sleep support, antifungal, antioxidant | Barrio, Skywalker OG, Sweet Skunk | |
| Borneol | Menthol, earthy spice | Relaxing, clears mental clutter | Promoting relaxation, analgesic | Golden Haze, K13 Haze | |
| Phytol | Green tea, grass, florals | Tension relief, drowsy | Antioxidant, body decompression | Sour Diesel, Cheese | |
| Energizing ⚡ | Limonene | Lemon peel, citrus fruits | Mood-lifting, energetic | Mental sunshine, energy boost | Super Lemon Haze, Gack Smoothie, Wedding Cake |
| Pinene | Pine needles, rosemary | Alert, focused, sharp | Memory boost, daytime productivity | Blue Dream, Jack Herer | |
| Terpinolene | Piney, citrus, floral | Uplifting, creative | Mental clarity, antioxidant benefits | Ghost Train Haze, Jack Herer | |
| Valencene | Orange citrus, grapefruit, woody | Focused, cheerful energy | Brain boost, skin benefits | Tangie, Agent Orange, Sour Diesel | |
| Ocimene | Fruity, herbal, woody | Uplifting, socially bright | Mood-lifting | Clementine, Dutch Treat | |
| Balanced 🧘 | Caryophyllene | Spicy, black pepper | Relaxed body, mellow mind | Stress, inflammation | Super Boof, Gush Mints, Apple Fritter, Bubba Kush |
| Humulene | Hoppy, woody, herbal | Balanced, tension relief | Anti-inflammatory, appetite suppressant | Biscotti, Skywalker OG, Headband | |
| Bisabolol | Floral, chamomile tea | Mild, soothing | Improved well-being, anti-irritant | Pink Kush, Headband | |
| Geraniol | Rose petals, sweet berry | Mild uplift, calming | Antioxidant, mood lift | Strawberry Diesel, Agent Orange | |
| Eucalyptol | Minty, crisp menthol, eucalyptus | Slightly energizing, mood elevating | Mental clarity, relaxation | Super Silver Haze, GSC | |
| Camphene | Fir trees, herbal sharpness | Light, grounding | Relaxation, inflammation | Strawberry Banana, Mendocino Purps |
This chart isn’t just “fun weed facts” for trivia night (though, you will crush trivia night). It’s a tool for decoding different terpenes so that you can find your ideal cannabis experience:
- Want to relax? Grab something with myrcene and linalool.
- Need energy and clarity? Go for limonene, pinene, or terpinolene.
- Looking for mood support without the full sedative effect? Try caryophyllene or humulene.
Matching Terpenes to the Mood You Want
Look, not every sesh should end with you staring at your toaster thinking about time travel. The beauty of terpenes is that they let you curate your cannabis experience, whether you want deep sleep, social sparkle, or mellow focus with a snack on standby. Let’s break it down and show you which terpenes (and Cheech and Chong products) will get you there.
Wanna Chill the Heck Out?
You’re looking for heavy hitting terpenes that slow the world down, soften the body, and maybe put your phone on Do Not Disturb without asking.
Top terpenes:
-
Myrcene: The original couch magnet
-
Linalool: Lavender-level mellow
- Nerolidol: Soft, sleepy, spa-day vibes
Best for: Nightcaps, body melting, introvert recharge time
Try: Barrio or Gush Mints
Need to Get Sh*t Done?
Coffee’s great, but sometimes you need a little creative chaos with your cannabinoids. These terps bring clarity, focus, and enough buzz to clean your kitchen or write that screenplay you started in 2016.
Top terpenes:
-
Limonene: Bright, citrusy mental sunshine
-
Pinene: Crisp, piney alertness
- Terpinolene: Creative, energetic, mildly chaotic
Best for: Daytime sessions, errands, ideas you might actually follow through on
Try: Samoa or Apple Fritter
Want Body Relief Without the Brain Fog?
You want to feel better, but not too high. These terpenes hit that middle lane: easing tension, lifting your mood, and letting you stay functional without turning into a couch potato.
Top terpenes:
-
Caryophyllene: Spicy and grounding
-
Humulene: Earthy, balanced, and won’t give you the munchies
- Phytol: Chill without the comedown
Best for: Light errands, Sunday scaries, and still making dinner
Try: Super Boof or Gack Smoothie
Bonus Hack: Keep a little “terp journal.” Note how you feel after trying different strains or cannabis products. Over time, you’ll spot which terpenes consistently match your mood, and your stash will start working for you.
How Terpenes Influence Your High
Terpenes don’t just smell good. They literally steer your high.
Terpenes = The Directors of Your High
Think of THC as the main actor delivering the big performance. But terpenes are the director, shaping the tone and the pace of the high. That’s one of the reasons why two strains with the same THC percentage can make you feel completely different. One might make you wanna reorganize your record collection, while the other has you eating cereal out of a measuring cup in your blanket burrito.
It’s All About the Entourage Effect
When cannabinoids (like THC or CBD) and terpenes show up together, they don’t just coexist, they collaborate. Scientists call this the entourage effect, and it’s not just stoner wisdom. It’s backed by legit science. When you consume cannabis, whether you’re sparking a joint, ripping a cart, or chewing on an edible, the terpenes bind to the same receptors in your endocannabinoid system that cannabinoids do (and other neurotransmitter receptors too).
Studies suggest that terpenes can:
- Enhance or modulate THC’s psychoactive effects
- Improve the therapeutic benefits
- Help cannabinoids bind more efficiently to your body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors
So, while isolated THC might get you high, full-spectrum cannabis with active terpenes is what gives that high some personality.
Sativa vs. Indica (vs. Terpenes)
Cannabis is often labeled as indica or sativa (terms that originally described how the plant grows). Sativas are tall with narrow leaves, while indicas are shorter and bushier. Over time, people started noticing that sativas tended to deliver more uplifting, heady effects, while indicas were known for their heavier, body-based relaxation. That’s how we got the old rule of thumb: “sativa = up, indica = down.”
But most modern strains are hybrids, blending genetics from both lineages. And those classic labels don’t always match how a strain will actually hit. You might smoke a strain labeled “indica” that leaves you bouncing off the walls, or a “sativa” that knocks you out. And that's because the terpene profile — not just the plant type — is shaping the experience. Try flipping that bag over and checking the terpene stats.
Same THC, Different Journey
Here’s how this plays out in your actual stash:
-
Jack Herer: You’d expect a cerebral sativa buzz, and that’s exactly what you get. Why? High levels of terpinolene and pinene, which boost alertness and creativity. Feels like mental espresso with a herbal twist.
-
Granddaddy Purple: Also high THC, but totally different energy. Dominated by myrcene, it delivers full-body sedation and “tuck-me-in-now” vibes. It’s the strain version of binge-watching in a weighted blanket.
- Super Lemon Haze: A citrusy, electric burst of limonene and caryophyllene. You’re still stoned, but now you wanna clean your apartment, write a novel, and text your ex “no hard feelings.”
Same THC ballpark, wildly different rides. That’s the terpene effect in action.
How to Read Terpene Labels (and Actually Use Them to Shop Smarter)
Let’s be honest, most people still shop for weed like they’re picking a racehorse (by name and blind hope). But you’re about to graduate, because understanding terpene labels is how you go from guessing your high to designing it. Here’s how to read between the labels (and avoid getting stuck with a strain that smells like promise but hits like disappointment).
1. Look for Lab Results
When you’re shopping Delta-9 flower, vapes, or edibles online, be sure to check the Certificate of Analysis (COA). This is the third-party lab report that lists cannabinoids and terpene content. Cheech and Chong make it easy to find and interpret their lab results (because they’re legends, not amateurs).
2. Start with the “Top 3” Terpenes
Good brands will list dominant terpenes on the label, lab test, or product page. You’re looking for the top three, because those are the ones doing the heavy lifting.
You might see something like:
- Myrcene (0.4%)
- Caryophyllene (0.3%)
- Limonene (0.1%)
That tells you the product is probably mostly relaxing, with some mild uplift. Nice balance. Could be a vibe for a mellow Sunday or movie marathon.
No terpene breakdown? That’s a red flag. If the brand isn’t transparent about what’s inside, you’re shopping blind.
3. Don’t Rely on Strain Names Alone
Names like “Blueberry Diesel"or “Space Cowgirl” sound cool, but they don’t mean much without context. One grower’s “Gelato” could be energetic and citrusy, while another’s could be sleepy and earthy. Same name, different chemotype.
Instead, trust your:
-
Nose: Smell those citrus, pine, pepper, or floral notes? Those are terps.
-
Terpene chart: You printed it out, right? Right?
- Personal experience: Start tracking how certain terpenes affect you, not just what the label claims.
Terpenes Aren’t Just Flavors, They’re Your Formula
From citrusy limonene to peppery caryophyllene, you’ve unlocked a whole new way to experience cannabis— not by guessing, but by knowing. And that’s the whole point: Your best high is the one that matches the mood you want. So whether you’re trying to sink into your couch or float through your to-do list, there’s a terpene combo that’s made for you.
When you’re ready to shop terpene-rich, full-spectrum Delta-9 THC products that hit just right, Cheech and Chong’s lineup has everything you need. Because when your cannabis is built around terpene science, you get more than a high. You get control, consistency, and a feel-good experience that actually fits your lifestyle.
