Key Points:
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Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in a variety of plants, flowers, and fruits.
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Terpenes are used to tailor the effects of edibles like Camino gummies.
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The most commonly used terpenes in gummies include: limonene, beta-caryophyllene, linalool, alpha-pinene, myrcene, nerolidol, humulene, terpinolene, eucalyptol, and valencene.
When you think of edibles, THC and CBD are probably the only ingredients that come to mind. Those are obviously a pretty darn important part of what makes edibles so magical, but what if we told you that there’s another group of compounds that are just as important?
Let us introduce you to terpenes.
What Are Terpenes?
Simply put, terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in a variety of plants, flowers, fruits, and even animals (hello pheromones). Why do we care? Well, terpenes are responsible for many of the distinct aromas and flavors in all sorts of citrus, herbs, and (of course) cannabis and hemp.
When it comes to cannabis products, different terpenes can influence the type of high you experience. That’s why, with gummies, terpenes are used with a combination of cannabinoids to promote tailored effects.
Fun fact: roughly 150 different terpenes and 100 cannabinoids have been identified in cannabis plants!
Common Types of Terpenes
While you can find a huge list of terpenes that exist, there are a select few that really shine when it comes to their common effects. Below, we’ll take a look at the “star” terpenes, including what makes them distinct.
But before we explore each in depth, here’s a cheat sheet that lists the most common terpenes and the effects they often have.
|
Terpene |
Effect |
|
Limonene |
Helps improve mood |
|
Beta-Caryophyllene |
Promotes physical well-being |
|
Linalool |
Supports restful sleep |
|
Alpha-Pinene |
Enhances mental clarity |
|
Myrcene |
Promotes relaxation |
|
Nerolidol |
Relaxes and soothes |
|
Humulene |
Assists with physical well-being |
|
Terpinolene |
Soothing and calming |
|
Eucalyptol |
Maintains resilience |
|
Valencene |
Supports all-around well-being |
Limonene
Limonene is known for its citrusy aroma and — surprise! — it’s found in a variety of citrus fruit rinds (like lemon and orange). In gummies, limonene is often used in products that are tailored to help improve your mood.
Aroma: Citrus
Effect: Improves mood
Find it in: Camino Wild Cherry ‘Excite’
Beta-Caryophyllene
Found in many spices — like black peppercorn, cloves, and cinnamon — beta-caryophyllene is unique amongst terpenes because it interacts with the same systems in the body that cannabinoids like THC and CBD do. Though instead of getting you high, beta-caryophyllene is thought to promote a sense of balance and well-being.
Aroma: Spice
Effect: Promotes physical well-being
Find it in: Camino Sours Orchard Peach ‘Balance’
Linalool
Outside of cannabis, linalool is most commonly associated with lavender. Because of lavender’s historical use as a sleep support (as well as modern research hinting at the same effects), it’s no surprise that linalool is often used in gummies meant to aid with sleep.
Aroma: Floral
Effect: Supports restful sleep
Find it in: Camino Midnight Blueberry ‘Sleep’
Alpha-Pinene
Found right in the name, alpha-pinene is a terpene found in and associated with pine trees. This terpene plays a part in providing that rich outdoorsy aroma anywhere pine trees grow! In gummies, alpha-pinene is all about promoting mental effects and is commonly used in formulas aiming to provide enhanced mental clarity.
Aroma: Woodsy
Effect: Enhances mental clarity
Find it in: Camino Freshly Squeezed ‘Recover’
Myrcene
The most commonly found terpene in cannabis products, myrcene is famous for its relaxation effects. In fact, when you hear the term “couch lock,” you’d be safe to assume that myrcene is somewhere on the scene. When it comes to aroma, myrcene is largely part of what gives hops (the plant used for beer) its herbaceous smell.
Aroma: Herbaceous and hoppy
Effect: Promotes relaxation
Find it in: Camino Sours Blackberry Dream ‘Deep Sleep’
Nerolidol
While not as common as some of the other terpenes here, nerolidol is known for its presence in a variety of beloved plant scents, including tea trees, roses, jasmine, and lemongrass. If you see this listed in your favorite tin of gummies, expect a soothed and relaxed high.
Aroma: Floral with hints of citrus
Effect: Relaxes and soothes
Find it in: Camino Watermelon Lemonade ‘Bliss’
Humulene
While not as common as myrcene, humulene shares some of the same qualities, particularly when it comes to a notable “hoppy” aroma. If you’re looking for a gummy that offers more of a body high, look for humulene as a listed terpene.
Aroma: Hoppy
Effect: Assists with physical well-being
Find it in: Camino Sparkling Pear ‘Social’
Terpinolene
Despite its name sounding almost exactly like “terpene,” terpinoline is one of the less commonly found terpenes in cannabis. Its aroma is notably fresh, often found in plants and foods like lilac, cardamom, cumin, and apples. As for its effect in gummies, terpinolene is typically found in products that aim for a “chill” vibe.
Aroma: Fresh
Effect: Soothing and calming
Find it in: Camino Wild Berry ‘Chill’
Eucalyptol (aka Cineole)
You probably guessed this one, but eucalyptol gets its name from where it’s most often found: eucalyptus trees. No surprise here, eucalyptol is known for a fresh, minty, menthol-like aroma. When it comes to tailoring the effects of gummies, this terpene is often used for more stabilizing experiences that help users feel an all-around sense of resilience.
Aroma: Minty
Effect: Maintain resilience
Find it in: Camino Freshly Squeezed ‘Recover’
Valencene
Named after Valencia oranges, valencene is a rarer terpene associated with the smell of fresh citrus like grapefruits, tangerines, and oranges. Known for being a more uplifting terpene, valencene can be found in products that aim to give a boost to your overall well-being.
Aroma: Fresh citrus
Effect: Support all-around well-being
Find it in: Camino Tropical Burst 'Energy'
Terepene FAQs
Do terpenes influence my experience?
Yes! That’s why products like Camino gummies use specially tailored combinations of terpenes and cannabinoids to create different products for different vibes.
How do I know which terpenes are in a product?
Many brands will include a list of terpenes somewhere on the product page, but you can also check Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) — a requirement for all legal cannabis products — which will often include a terpene profile.
Do terpenes get you high?
Nope! In isolation, terpenes don’t create any of the effects associated with being high. That said, they do play an important role in something called the “entourage effect.” (More on that directly below.)
Gummies Tailored for Every Occasion
Now that you have a better idea of what terpenes are and what they do, you can leave the rest to the experts and simply enjoy whatever gummy is tailored to your desired vibe. For a whole variety of products that use different combinations of terpenes, check out Camino gummies!
Cyrus Grant is a writer from Southern California with a background in law and dispute resolution. When he isn’t writing, he can be found deep-diving into the latest technology trends or simply spending time at the beach.
Sources
Britannica - Terpene
Healthline - What Is Limonene? Everything You Need to Know
Healthline - The Many Benefits of Lavender for Mood, Sleep, Hair, and Skin
National Library of Medicine - Myrcene—What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent?
MDPI - Comprehensive Profiling of Terpenes and Terpenoids in Different Cannabis Strains Using GC × GC-TOFMS
