Terpenology Terpenes · Conditions
Monograph No. 15Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis

Monoterpene · C₁₀H₁₆

Terpinolene

pronounced ter-PIN-uh-leen · found in nutmeg

Vintage botanical plate of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), a plant rich in terpinolene
Plate · Myristica fragrans
The Terpinolene molecule · drag to rotate
Source plant
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
Family
Myristicaceae
Class
Monoterpene
Formula
C₁₀H₁₆
Molar mass
136.23 g/mol
Aroma
Lilac, apple, nutmeg, tea tree

Floral, fruity, layered. The reason a haze smells like a haze.

Worth knowing

The defining note in haze strains, found in lilac, apple, nutmeg, and tea tree, which is why it reads ‘perfumed’ rather than weedy.

Did you know?

Despite defining haze, terpinolene is one of the least-studied major terpenes, and the one lab study on record (2013) found sedation, not the buzzy lift it’s famous for.

How it tends to land

Commonly reported as bright and heady. Tendencies, not promises. Your body writes the last word.

Examined for these conditions

No condition has research pointing specifically to this terpene yet. Browse all conditions

Where the evidence stands

Ranked by how much each finding can actually tell you, strongest first. A trial in people outranks a study in cells, including when the answer is no.

Animal studies

Sedative effect when inhaled

Sedation in mice. Using mice with an impaired sense of smell, the researchers showed it works after being absorbed through the nose into the body, not merely by smelling it. Ito K, Ito M. (2013). Journal of Natural Medicines, 67(4). PubMed 23339024

Animal studies  ·  not established

An energizing, uplifting effect

The reputation that defines haze strains. The one laboratory study on record found sedation instead, and direct human evidence is essentially absent, which may be why patient reports vary so widely here. PubMed 23339024

Chemical identity, formula and molar mass: PubChem CID 11463, National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Terpenology is educational, not medical advice. Terpene effects are tendencies commonly reported by patients and early research, never guaranteed outcomes. Work with your certifying physician and pharmacist.

Terpenology
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