Terpinolene is one of the many terpenes in the terpinene and pinene family. While they all share the same molecular formula, weight, and construction, the placement of the double carbon bond differentiates them. This defines their unique synergistic qualities when combined with CBD products for therapeutic benefits.1
Terpinolene, like its cousin a-pinene, is commonly found in many household products while its pure isolated properties go unrecognized. Terpinolene’s scent is more complex than many more well-known terpenes. It can be smoky, woody, floral, herbal, and occasionally citrusy, and is often used for these aromatic qualities in soaps, perfumes, and some insect repellents.
Terpinolene by any other name is still terpinolene. Because of its wide use, terpinolene is called by many names depending on the industry and application. Below are a few other names used for terpinolene which you may have encountered in many household products:
Terpinolene is popular in the scientific community for its antioxidant,2 antibacterial,3 and antimicrobial4 properties in addition to the growing evidence for potential use in fighting cancer,5 treating anxiety, and improving cholesterol levels.2 Terpinolene also has notable sedative and sleep aid qualities.6
While most commonly found in a variety of botanicals such as lilac, tea tree, nutmeg, pine trees, apples, and cumin, terpinolene can also be found in an array of cannabis plants that have sativa dominance.
Popular terpinolene-dominant cannabis strains include Dutch Treat, Sensi Star, J1, Super Jack, Lemon Sour Diesel, Afghani, Jean Guy, Super Lemon Haze, Arjan’s Haze #3, Sour Tangie, Snowcap, Shipwreck, and Sour Tsunami. Terpinolene is often present in lower ratios than other terpenes in a specific strain, making it perhaps the least common terpene.
Terpinolene, at least from botanical sources like sage, has been known for years to practitioners of traditional herbal medicine. Its biological activities are known to produce a range of effects on humans and other mammals.
Research shows that terpinolene may have anticancer properties, capable of inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. In addition to antiproliferative effects against brain tumor cells, this terpene also has antibacterial effects, antimicrobial activity, antifungal effects, and antioxidant properties.
Derivatives of the terpene have been shown to have strong antimicrobial and antibacterial activity against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. The potential benefits for pharmacological development are unlimited.
In rat studies, terpinolene was found to show antioxidant activity in brain cells and be an anticancer agent. Terpinolene and other terpenes also showed antibacterial properties in studies of bacterial growth, such as E. coli, C. perfringens, B. bifidum, B. breve, B. infantis, B. thetaiotaomicron, C. butyricum, C. difficile, C. paraputrificum, C. utilis, and B. longum.
Lab Effects is a trusted source for all terpene categories (CDTs, BDTs, flavors, therapeutics, water-soluble, flowable powders, etc.) and is available in every format suitable for various manufacturing processes. Terpinolene has shown much therapeutic potential for medical applications in experimental studies. Isolated terpenes purchased from Lab Effects are guaranteed pure, 100% botanically derived, and free from chemical adulterants such as synthetic flavorants, industrial odorizers, solvents, pesticides, and metals.
Terpinolene could hold a lot of potential in the field of neuroscience. In addition to being an antiproliferative agent, it has also been found to help protect PC12 cells from damaging oxidative effects in preclinical studies. As an agent for brain tumor suppression, its biological properties hold great promise for future neuroscientific deployment. The monoterpene terpinolene also has other therapeutic effects. It has been found to have antiviral properties.
Terpinolene isn’t a strain of cannabis, or a type of cannabis. It is a terpene that certain strains of cannabis produce as part of a more extensive phytochemical profile. With that said, terpinolene seems more common in sativa-dominant strains like Orange Cookies.
While feelings are wholly subjective and vary from person to person, anecdotally, terpinolene is said to have sedative effects rather than energizing effects. Like many cannabis terpenes, effects will vary from person to person based on a wide range of factors.
Inhaled terpinolene is known to have sedative properties, so you may feel sleepy if you're using a cannabis or botanical product containing terpinolene. Again, this is subjective, and how you react will also depend on your unique physiology.