Shopping for cannabis today provides previously unprecedented opportunities to seek out strains that will serve your specific demands. Whether you’re in need of a restful nap, a burst of creativity, or a surge of energy, targeting certain terpenes can serve as a shortcut to making sure you get the weed that will help you most.

In nature, terpenes act as aromatic compounds which inform a plant’s scent, taste, and coloring. Found in many plants, the role of terpenes in cannabis is especially fascinating owing to their ability to produce a range of therapeutic and mood-altering effects in humans. As science continues to better understand the relationship between terpenes and humans, we’ve now reached a point where we can accurately connect certain cannabis strains with desired outcomes like relaxation, euphoria, etc.

Overall, there are more than 150 different terpenes found in cannabis, though it’s worth noting that most of these compounds are only found in trace amounts. Additionally, every facet of the cultivation process — including light exposure levels, soil quality, and surrounding temperatures — can influence a strain’s final form. Thankfully, top growers like Glass House Farms have achieved cultivation standards that produce consistent results, ensuring you can always find the flower that works best for you.

From pain relief to creative inspiration, terpenes act like a cipher when it comes to decoding your next favorite cannabis strain. Evaluated in conjunction with the presence and potency of cannabinoids like THC and CBD, consumers can accurately approximate that Glass House Farm’s Maui Gold, for example, will conjure feelings of joy and calm.

In need of weed that can help you feel energized? Below, we’ve highlighted the top five terpenes — and the GHF strains that feature them — to look for when you need some extra pep in your step.

Pungent, citrusy, and abundant in many strains of cannabis, limonene is a terpene most closely associated with, you guessed it, lemons! In addition to its primary characteristics, limonene is also widely used as an aromatherapy aid, which speaks to why cannabis consumers seek this compound out for its properties as a mood elevator and stress reliever. Better moods and lessened stress are a surefire recipe for renewed energy, leading this terpene to be heavily featured in many of today’s most popular cannabis strains.

Do you find the scent of eucalyptus invigorating? Then you’ll love cannabis strains rich with myrcene, a terpene renowned for soothing sore muscles and rattled nerves alike. Also found in hops and lemongrass, you may notice that the musk and spice of myrcene reminds you of the taste of certain beers. In the natural world, you can also find it in mangoes, while its reputation as the most common terpene found in cannabis ensures there are plenty of great strains packed with myrcene to choose from.

Owing to its trace presence in most strains, terpinolene is sometimes known as the “least- common” common terpene. Usually serving in a supporting capacity, you won’t find strains dominant in terpinolene but you can definitely still enjoy its varied benefits by targeting the right types of flower. Unlike limonene or myrcene, it’s difficult to offer a concise description of the tastes and smells associated with this terpene, but you’ll find it featured in essential oils and cannabis for its energizing properties.

Getting back to terpenes that are clearly associated with a specific taste and smell, we have the pine-fresh characteristics of pinene. Just as the smell of Douglas Firs can provide a welcome burst of energy, pinene-rich cannabis strains can provide the same, in addition to encouraging research suggesting this terpene’s benefits as an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, and bronchodilator. Put it all together and it’s easy to see why strains packing pinene are always hot sellers and dependable buys.

Think herbs and spices and you’ll have a good idea of what beta-caryophyllene brings to the table. Found in oregano, rosemary, and cloves, this terpene delivers as a relaxation aid to help you replenish energy and feel ready to tackle whatever comes next. Featuring a flavor profile in the realm of cinnamon and black pepper, beta-caryophyllene is also unique as the only terpene that can double as a cannabinoid owing to its ability to activate humans’ endocannabinoid systems.

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