Terpene explorer
What labs actually measure in flower. Lab data: Smith et al. 2022 (CC0) and 2014–2026 state testing records. Most effect claims about terpenes are untested in people at the doses in smoked flower. We grade each one.
Reference
α-Pinene
Dominant terpene in 35 strains · typical level when dominant 0.47% of flower weight
Aroma: warm, resinous, pine-like (JECFA), cedarwood, pine, sharp (FEMA flavor profile), turpentine (HSDB)
Also found in: turpentine (58–65% α-pinene), pine and other conifers, eucalyptus, rosemary, coriander, cumin, mastic (Pistacia lentiscus), cannabis (Cannabis sativa)
Boiling point: 156 °C (760 mmHg)
Reported effects and how strong the evidence is
- preclinicalWeak in-vitro inhibition of human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (IC50 ≈0.63 mM); authors note no single constituent was potent and in-vivo relevance is undetermined (in vitro)
- preclinicalOral (−)-α-pinene increased NREM sleep and shortened sleep latency in mice via the GABAA-benzodiazepine site (flumazenil-reversible) (animal)
- preclinicalReview: evidence for pinene in brain-health uses is mostly preclinical; well-designed clinical trials are lacking (none)
- contestedNo activation of human CB1/CB2 and no change to THC's CB1/CB2 response; no effect on TRPA1/TRPV1 (in vitro)
Not supported: Pinene counteracts THC-induced short-term memory impairment — proposed by Russo 2011 from in-vitro acetylcholinesterase data; never tested in humans; Pinene is a bronchodilator that makes smoke 'easier' — no human cannabis study found; Pinene promotes alertness — the only in-vivo sleep study found shows sleep enhancement in mice
Highest-testing strains (≥10 lab tests)
- 1Night Cap2.09%n=10
- 2Scarlett1.41%n=92
- 33 Pac #1.00%n=16
- 4Chocolate OG0.96%n=13
- 5White Girl0.85%n=19
- 6Crunch Berries0.79%n=154
- 7Donuts0.78%n=94
- 8Candy Apple0.67%n=22
- 9Willys Wonder0.62%n=30
- 10Garlic Zkittlez0.58%n=61
- 11Purple Alien0.57%n=80
- 12Blue Steel0.56%n=67