If you've ever popped open a bag of hemp flower and noticed it smells like citrus, or pine, or fresh earth — that's terpenes. They're the aromatic compounds that give plants their character. Not just hemp. Lavender, lemon peel, black pepper, even pine trees all carry terpenes.
Customers who are new to CBD sometimes assume the smell comes from flavoring added during production. It doesn't. When you're smelling a well-grown hemp strain, you're smelling what the plant made on its own.
What Terpenes Are
In the plant, terpenes serve a practical purpose — attracting pollinators, deterring pests, signaling stress. In the hemp plant specifically, they're produced in the same resin glands as cannabinoids like CBD and CBG. They're neighbors in the plant, and that proximity matters.
Some terpenes show up across multiple plant species because they seem to have consistent properties. Linalool, found in lavender and hemp, is associated with a calming, floral character. Limonene, from citrus fruits, tends toward something more uplifting and bright. Myrcene — earthy, herbal, slightly musky — is one of the most abundant terpenes in the hemp plant.
Why They Matter for CBD Products
Where it gets interesting for CBD users is the relationship between terpenes and cannabinoids. There's a growing body of research around what's called the entourage effect — the idea that the whole plant's compounds may work better together than any single compound in isolation. Terpenes are a significant part of that equation.
This is one reason we pay attention to how products are processed. When you see "broad spectrum" or "full spectrum" on a label, part of what that signals is that the extraction process was designed to keep the plant's terpene content intact alongside the cannabinoids. Isolate products don't — they're just the single compound in a carrier oil, which can be exactly what some people want, but it's a different experience.
What You'll Find on Our Shelf
Terpenes are most front-and-center in CBD flower, where you're working with the unprocessed plant. Lyfter by Colorado Fresh CBD ($12) is the daytime flower we reach for most often right now — USDA Organic, with a bright and uplifting character that comes directly from its terpene profile. If you've never paid attention to terpenes before, picking up a small amount of flower is the most direct way to experience what they actually smell and feel like.
For people who prefer an oil, the CBDfx CBD + CBG Oil Wellness Tincture ($55) is a broad-spectrum formula that pairs CBD and CBG with curcumin, CoQ10, and a targeted terpene blend. You can smell the difference compared to a plain isolate oil when you open the bottle. That complexity isn't accidental — it's what broad spectrum is supposed to do.
When You're Shopping, Here's What to Look For
Full spectrum and broad spectrum products generally preserve more of the plant's terpene content. Isolates offer a cleaner, more neutral profile. Neither is wrong — it depends on what you're going for and whether you want the full plant experience or something simpler.
If you want to talk through the options, stop by. We're happy to walk you through what's on the shelf and what might be the right fit. You'll find us at 677 E. Eisenhower Blvd. in Loveland, Monday through Saturday 11am–6pm and Sunday noon–5pm.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
