Structural formula of terpinolene · C₁₀H₁₆.
Terpinolene
Fresh, woody, sweet
Terpinolene is a monoterpene found in many medical cannabis strains. Aroma: fresh, woody, sweet. In Tier-A literature it is most strongly associated with sleep and relaxation. terpen.cloud lists every currently available pharmacy strain high in terpinolene.
Effect profile
Terpinolene in the cannabis context
Terpinolene is an aroma terpene with a sedative core. Its sleep score of 1.5 rests on a study in which inhaled terpinolene boosted sleep in an animal model, through the same GABA-adjacent pathway as myrcene and linalool. Terpinolene is found in nutmeg, tea tree and cumin.
For anxiety relief there is mechanistic plausibility but no direct behavioral evidence yet (score 0.5, counted in the extended search). Mood, focus, activation, pain and inflammation are not part of its profile. Terpinolene is a sedative-leaning terpene with a narrow range of effect.
In cannabis, terpinolene shows up in strains like Jack Herer, Ghost Train Haze and Chernobyl, rarely as the lead terpene. You recognize it by the fruity-sweet, faintly herbal, nutmeg-like aroma. Higher terpinolene levels signal a sleep-promoting accent in the profile.
Pharmacological notes: Antimicrobial action, antioxidant effects.