Terpene compounds are specific chemicals that cause many of the strong smells you will find in the plant world such as the scent of a pine tree. Plants can produce terpene compounds to help ward animals that would eat them, keep infectious germs at bay, and discourage other natural predators such as insects. You won’t find caterpillars munching on pine needles. In some plants, they can also attract pollinators and help regulate temperature. Terpenes are the reason that essential oils have a strong scent, and terpenes odors in essential oils are said to promote various health benefits, such as helping you sleep or boosting your energy level. As an example, lavender oil can help you relax and get better sleep. The bottom line for cannabis is that terpenes play an important role in the aroma and flavor of a cannabis strain and they can help trigger certain body responses, and they potentially work in synergy with cannabinoids and other cannabis plant compounds to produce the desired benefits of cannabinoid compounds and/or the nature of the psychoactive effects of THC. As examples of terpenes in cannabis strains, Lemon Kush is high in limonene, a terpene also found in citrus peels that is known for its mood-elevating and antibacterial properties; while Blue Dream is high in myrcene, known for its relaxing and sedative effects. You can find myrcene in hops, lemongrass, mango and thyme, so it’s no surprise to find that lemongrass tea soothes, and beer with an odor of hops will relax you. The presence of terpenes in cannabis and extracts like CBD results in a more complete therapeutic experience for the user, so you may want to consider a terpene profile offered as an important component in a CBD product you want to use, rather than simply refined CBD that has no terpene component at all. Look for the information on a product that tells you what the added affect and benefit a particular terpene(s) present in a cannabis derived product will give you.