I don’t generally do conspiracy theories, but I have a couple. The first is a “terp fuzziness” here in Utah’s state-run dispensary system. Approximately five (maybe seven, I’m not sure) growers move their product through maybe ten dispensaries state-wide. And each dispensary is supposed to showcase the terp profile of each strain on their websites. The problem is, the websites disagree. The second conspiracy theory I’m brewing is far more volatile, and probably downright heretical… I’m not sure MOST terps make a giant difference to vaporists using the one and done sorts of sessions that ball vapes and larger volume bongs kind of push toward. There, I said it. 
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Terps start to get destroyed at 345f, so I’m sure of that. If I really want to Pokemon the terps, I start low and end high.
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That makes a lot of sense. I intuitively set a portable to 349f when brand new and learning the heater temps. On topic for the Readers. I hope this makes a link and not wall of txt https://sci-hub.ru/storage/moscow/7213/a14dda75033d9e1dab8a5d89957c8156/nuutinen2018.pdf?fbclid=IwRlRTSARp18RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR6bNjM2djtZgPghH8ShEdsI9wthLFjrspEd118fs74JxHCFOrVDNNYMDZ4DAg_aem_25d59lNeMP7Dzv4ZHTrotA
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One of the reasons I went full force on Vaping decades ago now is that not only is combustion destroying your THC levels but obliterating the “entourage affect” you get from terpenes.
When my state first went medical every dispo touted their high THC testing bud.
Since I was vaping though it became clear quickly that flower thought of as “mid” was in fact great flower depending on your needs it’s just that folks who smoked were burning the good stuff out of it AND creating 30 plus carcinogens.
I have too many strains I like to mention them all but currently I’m enjoying “Stay Puft”, “Pie Crust”, “Cherry Limeade” and “GSC”
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on the flip side of the “capture all the terpenes” … terpene exposure can be harmful, especially in concentrated or repetitive form.
i noticed this years ago when Live Resin became the top tier cannabis concentrate. Dabbing live resin, or other similar products like terp sauce, literally hurt. I moved to rosin because the terps in live resin were overwhelming and painful.
Powerful vapes with pure vapor paths deliver similar discomforts. Tinymight, Arizer Solo 3, DTO Frolic - these vapes drive tears to the eye from terp exposure.
It’s not ‘universally good’ though
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Too much of anything is usually bad.
This thread has taken a turn I didn’t anticipate: discussion of terpenes themselves, rather than comparing and contrasting different terpene effects and mixes prevalent in the thc products we imbibe.
I find it really interesting that’s where we ended up. To illustrate what I mean, if this conversation had been about hamburger condiments, I was expecting people to discuss the merits of ketchup versus mustard versus mayonnaise, and instead, we’re talking about what stores disclose what condiments end up on their burger and the overall amount of condiments.
No judgment or anything whatsoever - I’m just legitimately surprised.
Keep it going.
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I have a working theory… linalool makes me edgy and uncomfortable, the exact opposite of what many experience. I think it’s a low-grade allergy or sensitivity that turns on an “incorrect” response.
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Ahh I see
Well I like most Terp for different things but I guess Limolene is one I like because it’s in a few strains I really enjoy for different needs.
I like it in Lemon Skunk and Purple Punch - 2 very different strains but good uses of Limolene and both help with anxiety
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I kind of pay attention, but I don’t look at labels. Missouri allows “alacarte” where they weigh your flower out of a big jar, and you can smell the jar. During the day I lean to citrus scents, and until recently I I chose fruity smells for evening, but lately I’m drawn to the heavy kind of gasoline smell for some reason.
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Ahhh lemon skunk…my favorite.
@Charles I can’t remember clearly but there used to be a strain called gasoline or something like that.
smell the jar…that should be a marketing tagline.
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@GreyBeard - “smell the jar” should be a marketing line. As near as I can tell it’s the best way to pick a strain that works for you.
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A jar full of nose germs. I think I’ll pass on that one. 
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Cool discussion. I’ve heard of “Forest Bathing” before which is supposed to confer some healing benefits from the air (and terpenes) in a typical Forest environment. I asked Gemini about terpenes in general and the parallels with Forest Bathing and the answer was long, but interesting. I thought I’d share it here.
Yes, there is a fascinating and rapidly growing body of scientific literature on how inhaled terpenes affect the human body.
Here is how the science breaks down regarding their effects, and how a deep breath in a pine forest compares to a hit from a cannabis vape.
1. The Science of Inhaled Terpenes
When you inhale terpenes, they don’t just hit your olfactory receptors (giving you a pleasant smell); they actually enter your lungs, cross into your bloodstream, and can pass the blood-brain barrier to interact directly with your central nervous system and immune systems.
A lot of this research stems from studies on “Forest Bathing” (Shinrin-yoku in Japan), where scientists track the physiological impact of breathing in forest aerosols (specifically tree-emitted terpenes called phytoncides ). Key scientific findings include:
- Anxiety Reduction (Anxiolytic Effects): A clinical study published by Italy’s National Research Council tracked individuals exposed to forest monoterpenes (primarily $\alpha$-pinene). They found that once a specific threshold concentration of these terpenes was inhaled, participants’ anxiety levels dropped significantly, regardless of other environmental factors. It is believed they interact with neurotransmitters like GABA, serotonin, and dopamine to calm the nervous system.
- Immune System Boost: Research has shown that breathing in forest terpenes like pinene and limonene significantly increases human Natural Killer (NK) cell activity. NK cells are crucial for fighting off viral infections and tumor growth. This immune boost was shown to last for days after the initial exposure.
- Anti-inflammatory and Respiratory Benefits: Terpenes like $\beta$-caryophyllene and d-limonene have well-documented anti-inflammatory properties. Inhalation of these compounds has been shown to down-regulate inflammatory pathways in the lungs, which is why some studies show notable improvements in asthma symptoms for people spending time in dense forests.
2. Forest Air vs. Marijuana Vapor: Are the Terpenes the Same?
On a purely chemical level, yes, they are identical. A molecule of $\alpha$-pinene created by a Scotch Pine tree has the exact same atomic structure as a molecule of $\alpha$-pinene synthesized by a Cannabis sativa plant. If you isolated them in a lab, they would be indistinguishable.
However, your experience inhaling them in a forest versus a cannabis vape differs dramatically based on three main factors:
Concentration (The Dosage)
The difference in concentration is monumental.
- In a forest: You are breathing in microscopic, highly diluted amounts of ambient monoterpenes floating in the atmosphere (often measured in mere nanograms or micrograms per cubic meter).
- In a cannabis vape: The terpenes are highly concentrated. Cannabis flower itself can be made up of 1% to 5% pure terpenes, and concentrated vape oils can sometimes have terpenes reintroduced at even higher percentages. You are getting a massive, acute dose all at once.
The Terpene “Profile” (The Blend)
Forests and cannabis strains have completely different terpene “recipes.”
- Forests are heavily dominant in pinene (the classic pine smell) and borneol, with bits of limonene depending on the flora.
- Cannabis, on the other hand, is uniquely dominant in myrcene (earthy/musky), $\beta$-caryophyllene (peppery/spicy), and linalool (floral/lavender). While cannabis absolutely contains pinene and limonene, the ratios are heavily skewed toward a different aromatic profile.
The “Entourage Effect”
This is the biggest differentiator. In a forest, you are inhaling pure botanical terpenes mixed with oxygen.
In a cannabis vape, you are inhaling those terpenes alongside highly potent cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Terpenes act as chemical modulators; they change how cannabinoids interact with your endocannabinoid system. For example, myrcene is believed to increase cell membrane permeability, potentially allowing THC to cross the blood-brain barrier more efficiently, while linalool can soften the anxiety-inducing side effects of heavy THC.
In short: The building blocks are exactly the same, but walking through a forest is a gentle, therapeutic microdose of anti-inflammatory and calming molecules, while hitting a cannabis vape is a concentrated, heavy dose engineered to radically alter a psychoactive experience.
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Terpines have natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties so as long as the weed is fresh, I’m down to smell it. 
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The stank gives me the same vibes of fermented yogurt. There is just something about it that tickles me. Also when I smell a good terpene rich strain I almost act out like a cat sniffing catnip.
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Haven’t made a systematic study of what terps my strains have. In PA (Medical) every strain/grow has a lab analysis of terp content. Having that info is really helpful! I like to pick strains in general that have higher overall terp concentrations. Total terps isn’t included in the data but I just add up the top few to get a rough idea.
I seem to gravitate toward b-caryophyllene and, to a lesser extent humulene (not many strains have that though). I used to think I liked myrcene best but high myrcene strains aren’t typically what I choose.
@Jedster thanks so much for posting that link. I knew there was research on terps but I had no idea there was that much evidence for their health benefits! Now I’m thinking of several non-users in my life who could potentially really benefit from weed. Not sure I’m gonna convince my 83 yo dad to hit my solo 3 though 
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My favorite strain for smell and flavor is Wedding crashers x runtz. Smells like vanilla and caramel, very little skunk. Effects are low-anxiety, relaxing, blissful. Terp breakdown:
Limonene 1.33%, β-Caryophyllene 0.83%, Linalool, 0.46%, α-Pinene 0.24%, Humulene 0.19%, β-Pinene 0.18%, β-Myrcene 0.10%, α-Bisabolol 0.05%, Caryo Oxide 0.02%, Terpinolene 0.01%.
Another recent favorite was Papaya cake which was much more rotten fruit funky, head rush effects that ease into body relaxation:
β-Myrcene 1.29%, Limonene 0.67%, β-Caryophyllene 0.62%, Humulene 0.27%, Linalool 0.15%, β-Pinene 0.05%, α-Pinene 0.04%
Some flavors and smells in cannabis are not terpenes and I don’t think they’re as popularly understood but they add a lot to the scent and flavor, and perhaps effects. I think the various cannabinoids have most of the impact
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Have you guys tried any Terpene drops or sprays?
In my area the University of Maryland has a cease and decist again a company in Colorado essentially using the college moniker “Terps” logo colors and all.
Never seen the sprays in my local dispos
Anyone have any experience with them?
I got liquid terps playing with filling carts. And I infused some buds with pineapple and blueberry by using a cotton ball in the jar, on its side so it wasn’t touching the weed.
I didn’t like it. I don’t really like carts either. I think the sprays maybe best suited for people that grew up on carts.