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

Limonene

Dominant terpene in 615 strains · typical level when dominant 0.50% of flower weight

Aroma: pleasant lemon-like / citrus (HSDB), citrus, mint (FEMA flavor profile, D-limonene), sweet, citrus taste (HSDB)

Also found in: orange, lemon and grapefruit oils, bergamot, caraway, dill, peppermint and spearmint oils, juniper, black pepper, cannabis (Cannabis sativa)

Boiling point: 178 °C (760 mmHg)

Reported effects and how strong the evidence is

  • moderateVaporized d-limonene (15 mg) co-administered with 30 mg vaporized THC reduced 'anxious/nervous' and 'paranoid' ratings vs THC alone in a double-blind crossover (n=20; the 15 mg arm n=12); d-limonene alone did not differ from placebo; other THC effects unchanged (human RCT)
  • anecdotalCitrus fragrance given to 12 depressed patients allowed lower antidepressant doses — uncontrolled, citrus fragrance rather than pure limonene (none)
  • preclinicalMuscle relaxation and potentiated barbiturate sleep in mice at high i.p. doses; no anxiolytic effect (slight anxiogenic-type effect) (animal)
  • contestedNo activation of human CB1/CB2 and no change to THC's CB1/CB2 response; no effect on TRPA1/TRPV1 (in vitro)

Not supported: Limonene-dominant strains are 'uplifting' or 'energizing' — not tested; de la Fuente 2020 found only weak terpene–effect-tag associations in unblinded user reports; Limonene is an antidepressant in people — rests on an uncontrolled 12-patient citrus-fragrance report

Highest-testing strains (≥10 lab tests)

  1. 1Grape Bubblegum1.14%n=12
  2. 2Head Cracker1.13%n=28
  3. 3Bubblegum Gelato1.12%n=23
  4. 4Blob Og1.07%n=21
  5. 5Face Slapper1.02%n=13
  6. 6Sun Cake1.02%n=97
  7. 7Blue Kiss0.98%n=11
  8. 8First Class Funk0.98%n=514
  9. 9Los Muertos0.97%n=12
  10. 10Future0.94%n=11
  11. 11Mac V20.91%n=32
  12. 12Afternoon Delight #40.90%n=25
All Limonene-forward strains