How to Use Terpenes

Learn the best way to use terpenes so you can infuse a variety of products with the flavors and aromas consumers love!

Learning how to use terpenes takes years of studying under a mentor who’s dedicated their lives to terpenes...just kidding! A steady hand and basic science knowledge will get you started, and first-hand experience will teach you a LOT. 

The most basic instructions would be to combine a certain amount of your preferred terpenes to your carrier substance. But how much should you use? WHICH terpenes should you use? Does it matter if you’re adding terps to cannabis or non-cannabis products? Are the instructions different for vapes and gummies?

Take a deep breath. It can feel overwhelming, but we’ve got your back. Read on and learn how to use terpenes safely and efficiently so you can create products that smell and taste amazing!

Terpene FAQs

There’s a lot of information about terpenes, and it can get overwhelming fast. With that in mind, let’s cover a few of the most common questions so you have a better understanding of 

What Are Terpenes?

You might think essential oils are a pure substance that accurately captures the scent of a plant, but that's not the whole story. Essential oils are a mixture of MANY terpenes and other aromatic compounds (esters, alcohols, flavorants, and more). When those oils are distilled even further, scientists can extract terpenes.

Most plants, and some insects, naturally produce terpenes, and they’re responsible for the natural taste and aroma associated with many plants and flowers. Terpenes are important in nature for more than just pleasing scents, though. Plants develop terpenes for sun protection, to attract pollinators, repel predators, and more.

Terpenes are in the spotlight lately because of how their presence can affect the aroma, potency, and effects of many cannabis strains, but that’s just the start. Yes, botanical terpenes can be used to recreate the aroma profiles of cannabis, but they can also be used to recreate non-cannabis aromas or even the flavors and aromas of candy, baked goods, herbs, spices, and more!

Are Terpenes Legal?

Yes. Our botanically derived terpenes are 100% legal and they don't contain cannabis in any form. 

Our terpene isolates and profiles are sourced from everyday botanicals like flowers, fruits, and spices. They don’t contain CBD, THC or any illegal substances, meaning they’re not limited by supply, they don’t cost your firstborn child, and they’re legal worldwide.

Can Terpenes Get You High?

On their own, terpenes don’t have any psychoactive properties. So, no. Terpenes CAN’T get you high.

As mentioned above, our terpenes are NON-Cannabis derived and therefore have no psychoactive effects. They’re sourced from naturally derived ingredients and do not contain CBD, THC or any illegal substances. 

Terpenes CAN promote certain sensorial effects with their unique properties. For example, the Limonene terpene is found in many citrus fruits and is known to elevate mood. Pinene, found in pine trees, is mentally invigorating. The list goes on, but basically terpenes do amazing things…they just don’t get you high.

Can You Smoke Straight Terpenes?

NO. Do NOT smoke, vape, eat, drink, apply, or otherwise consume terpenes by themselves.

When botanical terpenes are used correctly, they can be safely consumed in a variety of products including vapes and cartridges. However, they are highly concentrated and should NOT be consumed by themselves. So, anytime we mention vaping terpene profiles or isolates, it is always with respect to terpenes in a solution of other compounds, a carrier, and/or a cutting agent.

Step-by-Step Guide to Use Terpenes in Your Product Formulations

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get started! Adding terpene isolates, blends, and profiles to your products is an efficient way to add flavor and aroma and enhance the overall consumer experience. 

Infuse products with true-to-type cannabis terpene profiles like King Louie XIII or Blue Dream, classic flavors like Mango, or even high-intensity confections like Molten Chocolate Cake or Peachberry Pear. So, how do you get started?

Using Terpenes Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

This might seem like an obvious step, but it’s important enough that it’s worth reiterating.

• Syringe - We’d recommend a glass syringe with a larger tip. Glass is nonreactive with terpenes and can easily be reheated if necessary. If your syringe tip is too small it can clog, so larger tips will save you a lot of time and frustration. You’ll use the syringe if you don’t have a filling machine.

• Pipette - The pipette helps you measure out any carriers, diluents, and/or terpenes. They can come in a variety of sizes, so choose one that fits your needs.

• Digital Scale - Working with terpenes requires precise measurements, so select a digital scale that can measure .01 grams. Digital scales come in different sizes, so choose one that fits your production needs.

• Mixing Containers - Choose a glass container of your choice that’s large enough to accommodate your mixing needs.

• Hot plate/Magnetic Mixer - These are used to keep glass containers warm. If you opt for the magnetic mixer it essentially does the same thing, but it also stirs the liquid using a bar spun by a magnet. And yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.

• Rotor-Stator Homogenizer - This is a high powered immersion blender used to ensure your products are completely blended. They each have different minimum and maximum volume requirements, so shop around until you find one that fits your needs.

• Mixing Tool - Honestly, just some sort of glass or stainless steel mixing device. You’ll use this when mixing terpenes into extracts and carriers.

• Diluents and Carriers - Make sure you have your terpene of choice (your diluent) and your carrier of choice. For carriers, we recommend Tec Temper. When selecting carriers, just remember that they all have different qualities, so your choice will be determined by the types of products you're making.

Using Terpenes Step 2: Review Your Science Knowledge

Don’t worry, there won’t be a test. Well, at least WE won’t give you one. The real test will be when you give your product a try for the first time. Will it blow your mind with an alluring aroma and flavor? Or will you get one whiff and hide it somewhere that, hopefully, no one will ever find it?

To avoid the latter, you’ll want to be familiar with the following pieces of information.

Carriers and Diluents

Diluents are added to a large amount of another substance to minimize its strength, whereas carriers (sometimes called bases) are added to a small amount of another substance to minimize its strength. So they accomplish the same thing, but they ARE different.

Technically, terpenes are diluents when they’ve been combined with an extract or oil and should make up no more than 10% of your finished solution. Your carrier oil, on the other hand, should make up between 90-99% of your finished solution.

So as much as you may want to dump an entire bottle of your favorite terpene profile or blend into your product...please don’t. It will be far too powerful and won’t be nearly as enjoyable as you think. 

Know Your Conversions

Yes, there’s math involved, but believe us when we tell you it’s VERY necessary. 

Some products will list their mass by kilogram (kg), milligram (mg), and some by gram (g). 

1000 mg = 1 g

 1 g = 1/1000th kg 

The same goes for volume. You’ll find yourself running into measurements using microliters (ul), milliliters (ml), and even just liters (L). 

1 ml = 1000 ul

1 ml = 1/1000 L

When determining how many grams or milliliters of a terpene to add to your oil (when measuring your oil in grams) to reach a certain percentage, remember:

1 g of oil + .0105 g of terpenes (or .0126 ml) = 1%

1000g of oil + 111.5 g of terpenes (or 133.8 ml) = 10%

And if you’re trying to determine how many grams are in something that’s measured in milliliters, remember:

.5 ml = .415 g

30 ml = 25 g

or

1 gallon = 3,785 ml = 3215 g

Using these conversions will help you determine how much to use of your diluents and carriers. It will take some basic algebra (I know...sigh), but once you have your measurements figured out you’ll be good to go!

Pssst! We’ve also got a handy TERPENE MIXING CALCULATOR to make some of this a LOT easier.

Terpene Liquifiers/Diluents and Solubility

Solubility is how well a substance can dissolve in a solvent. That’s important here because terpenes are oils. As a general rule of thumb, terpenes dissolve well in oils and alcohol. For any other products like edibles, drinks and other foods, you should use water-soluble terpenes.

Whether you’re using a terpene profile, blend, or an isolate, they’re pretty potent. So potent that you MUST dilute them before use. It’s always best to follow this rule, “start low and go slow.” Start with a concentration of 1% and slowly add more until you’re happy with the result.

Using Terpenes Step 3: Get Creative and Start Mixing!

Any product that could benefit from a pleasing aroma or flavor can benefit from terpenes in some way! Here are just a few ways you can start getting creative with terpenes:

• Terpenes in Vapes

Making a disposable vape pen? A THC distillate for cartridges or a high-potency dab pen? Whether you want a true-to-type cannabis aroma that’s ultra gassy OR a nostalgic candy-inspired flavor, adding terpenes to vape products is a no-brainer. 

Check out our Best Terpenes for Vape Pens and Cartridges for inspiration!

• Terpenes in Edibles

It’s just common sense that anything designed to be eaten should taste great, and terpenes can help! You can infuse non-inhalable cannabis products like gummies, hard candies, chocolates, and savory snacks with terpenes to enhance their flavor, aroma, and overall experience.

• Terpenes and CBD Products

Sure, combining terpenes with cannabis is awesome, but you can add terpenes to non-cannabis products too! Non-psychoactive CBD products can also benefit from terpenes, regardless of whether they're vape, edible, or topical. Speaking of which…

• Terpenes and Personal Care Products

From CBD topicals and balms to everyday lotions, hair care, and lip products, terpenes can add phenomenal aromas consumers love.

• Terpenes and Aromatherapy

Terpenes create sensational experiences, so they’re the perfect addition for candles, bath oils, and more. 

This is just the start! Curious about terpene infused cocktails? Want to enhance your culinary horizons with terps? Anything is possible!

Abstrax Tech | The Possibilities with Terpenes are Endless

At Abstrax Tech, we conduct industry-leading, peer-reviewed research on cannabis to push the industry forward with better education, collaboration, and products. We’re passionate about the cannabis industry and will continue promoting excellence in research and innovation. 

Looking for expert assistance developing the right aroma, flavor, and effects for your products? We’re here to help.

Contact us today, and let’s get to work!