Don’t know what it means when someone says terpenes have uplifting, calming, or even euphoric effects? You’re not alone. Read on to answer the question--how do terpenes make me feel?

It’s well known that terpenes are the foundation of scent and flavor, plus a few other neat tricks. They’re the backbone of your favorite candle scent, they can help skincare products absorb more effectively, and they’re even responsible for the flavor of some of your favorite foods and beverages. But what does it mean when someone says a terpene has effects? It’s no wonder people are asking themselves, “How do terpenes make me feel?”

So, today we’re setting the record straight. We’re talking about the vibe, attitude, mood, or any other word you want to use to describe the way terpenes might make you feel. Not only is this information just downright fascinating, it will help you decide which terpenes make the most sense for your products. So, without further ado, let’s talk about the different ways terpenes might make you feel!

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How Do Terpenes Make Me Feel?

In a hurry to experiment with the different terpene effects? We’ve got your back. Here’s the short and sweet of what we’ll be covering today…

• Terpenes influence our mood by interacting with receptors in our brains and nervous systems.
• Uplifting or Euphoric terpenes make us feel happy! These blends are bubbly and promote emotional wellness and good vibes.
• Energizing terpenes give us a boost of motivation and may act as a pick-me-up.
• Terpenes that have focus-enhancing properties help us concentrate and ignore distractions.
• Terpenes that enhance creativity encourage free-flowing thoughts, brainstorming, and out-of-the-box ideas
• Calming terpenes help us wind down and boost feelings of serenity, peace, and may even prepare us for a good night's sleep.

How Do Terpenes Influence Us?

Originally, it was believed that terpenes influenced our moods because our sense of smell is tied to parts of our brains that also control emotion. Honestly, that makes a lot of sense. But the mechanisms involved are quite a bit more complicated than that.

Different terpenes interact with specific brain receptors to have different effects. Some terpenes even affect multiple parts of your brain and nervous system at the same time. That’s why some terpenes have such a long list of effects. Plus, since everyone is slightly different, certain effects might be more pronounced in some people.

The best way to understand this is to look at terpenes and cannabis. First, terpenes have effects without the use of cannabis. For example, lavender is particularly calming because of its high Linalool content. However, when you combine terpenes with cannabis, the effects are multiplied. Still confused?

Imagine you’re driving your car VERY slowly. If you turn the steering wheel just a few degrees, the direction you’re moving won’t change very much. Terpenes are like the steering wheel in this example, and on their own the effects are pretty mild. Now imagine you’re in a speeding sports car. That same small steering wheel adjustment will now completely change the direction you’re driving. Basically, if you add cannabis to terpenes, the effects are amplified.

With that example in mind, it probably makes way more sense that different cannabis strains make you feel different. Strains that have more calming terpenes tend to give people “couch-lock,” while strains that have more energizing terpenes might inspire people to clean their whole house. 

The best part about these terpene effects, is that you don’t have to use cannabis at all to experience this. Sure, if you want to ramp up these effects with cannabinoids, we won’t stop you (we can actually offer a helping hand if you want). But if you’re trying to create a product with mild mood enhancement, terpenes can help without having to include cannabis ingredients whatsoever. 

What Does It Mean When Terpenes Have “Uplifting” or “Euphoric” Effects?

Terpene isolates or blends that are said to have uplifting or euphoric effects are some of the most popular. That’s because they make you feel good! If you’ve ever been stuck in an emotional rut and wished there was a way to lighten the mood, uplifting terpenes will help you feel like the weight of the world isn’t on your shoulders. These effects are motivating and often help people feel more like socializing or engaging in creative activities. Think of it as “emotionally positive and energetic.” One might even use the phrase, “bubbly.”

If you’re looking for a particularly uplifting or euphoric terpene blend, you might reach for White Fire OG or Sweet Backwood. Each of them is known for their uplifting, cerebral effects that leave people feeling light, euphoric, and carefree. 

What Does It Mean When Terpenes Have “Energizing” Effects?

This one should be pretty self-explanatory. Terpenes that have energizing effects help put a pep in your step and give you the drive to get shit done. Terpenes are rarely just energizing though, which is why some uplifting or focus-enhancing terpenes are often also described as energizing.

Mimosa, for example, is an energizing blend that tends to put people in a great mood while enhancing motivation. Energizing terpene blends are great for products designed to be morning or afternoon pick-me-ups.

What Does It Mean When Terpenes Have “Focus” Effects?

Before jumping into this effect, it’s important to understand what we mean by “focus.” The ability to selectively concentrate on something while ignoring distractions is what’s generally thought of us “focus.” It may involve intense concentration, and being able to concentrate on and perform tasks that might otherwise be easy to get distracted from. That means focus requires more than just a boost of energy, it needs a cognitive boost as well.

Many focus-enhancing terpenes are also energizing and uplifting. But to get that cognitive boost, some terpenes enhance memory or even increase oxygen in the brain. Regardless of how, blends like Green Kush #2 and Blueberry Cookies are the go-to option for many who need to hunker down and focus on a task without getting distracted.

What Does It Mean When Terpenes Have “Creative” Effects?

Some of the previous effects can often encourage creativity, so it makes sense that most terpenes labeled “Creative” are often also uplifting, energetic, or focus-enhancing. When describing how these terpenes influence their creativity, many talk about how it helps encourage free-flowing thoughts, brainstorming, and out-of-the-box ideas.

Blue Dream is a favorite blend of artists for its ability to blast creative blockages with focus and motivation. So, if you need inspiration, or if you just want to sink into that creative headspace for fun, terpenes that enhance creativity are a delicious, aromatic way to accomplish it.

What Does It Mean When Terpenes Have “Calming” Effects?

Probably the most well-understood, the calming effects of some terpenes are due to their sedative properties. Some terpenes isolates, like Myrcene, are particularly powerful sleep aids because of their sedative properties. In fact, most Indica-dominant cannabis strains that are known for their calming effects, are particularly high in Myrcene.

Basically, terpenes with calming effects make you feel serene, peaceful, and sometimes even sleepy. With a name like Coma, it’s no surprise that this blend is a go-to for products designed to promote sleep and relaxation. Other blends, like Northern Lights, provide a dreamy state of mind and ultimate mind and body relaxation.

Terpenes Have Us Feeling Some Kind of Way

On top of all these feelings, we think terpenes are just pretty dang exciting! Every day we learn something new about how terpenes influence us. That means YOU will have the edge when it comes to product formulations and customer satisfaction.

If you’re interested in creating consistent flavors, aromas, and effects in your products, then terpenes are the only way to go. We want to remind everyone that our terpenes are cannabis free and 100% legal. However, we do work very hard to isolate the specific terpene profiles of popular strains so both cannabis consumers and non-cannabis consumers can enjoy and benefit from them.

Don’t forget to follow us for all the latest updates, and feel free to contact us for exclusive terpene formulations.