What terpenes are good for anxiety?

Terpenes do far more than create distinctive scents and flavors of plants. Certain cannabis terpenes have powerful anxiety-relieving and calming properties that ease mental and physical tension. They work in sync with the body's nervous system to promote relaxation and emotional balance, quieting those anxious thoughts and soothing stress responses.

You can find anxiety-relieving terpenes in indica and sativa strains, but hybrids pack the widest variety of terpenes. 

Our low-dose hybrid gummies combine specific anxiety-relieving terpenes with balanced THC and CBD ratios to make you feel calmer without impairment.

What do terpenes do in cannabis?

Terpenes are organic molecules that give cannabis its distinctive smells and flavors. These aromatic compounds are produced in the plant's trichomes, those tiny, crystal-like glands covering cannabis flowers and leaves. They're found in many plants throughout nature, but cannabis contains a particularly rich and diverse array of terpenes.

The reason you can smell cannabis and different strains is because of the terpenes’ volatile nature: they easily evaporate at room temperature, releasing their aromas into the air. This property also means they're easily absorbed by our bodies when we consume or inhale them, which makes them effective therapeutic compounds.

In the cannabis plant, terpenes perform several functions:

• They protect the plant by deterring pests and helping it cope with environmental stress.
• They attract beneficial insects for pollination.
• They provide direct therapeutic effects such as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
• They support better sleep.
• Some act as bronchodilators, helping to open airways.
• Many have antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage.
• Some terpenes can enhance memory and cognitive function.
• They boost mood and soothe symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• They reduce muscle spasms and tension.
• They can relieve anxiety and stress by interacting with the body's nervous system.

Terpenes interact with cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) to cause the entourage effect; these cannabis compounds create stronger therapeutic benefits than any element could achieve alone. 

This cannabis synergy is particularly effective in hybrid cannabis strains. Hybrid weed combines the best properties of indica and sativa strains to provide more balanced therapeutic benefits. 

Our hybrid gummies and low-dose THC drinks are infused with a harmonious blend of THC, CBD, and abundant terpenes to maximize the entourage effect. Elevate your experience with our Buzz Drops™—perfect for enhancing your favorite mocktail with a touch of mild euphoria and calming relaxation.

“I love the fact that you can adjust as to how you’re feeling. One dropper, two droppers, or three droppers depending on what you are needing. Very convenient and tasteless.”

—Lonnie S.

Do terpenes relax you?

Many terpenes found in cannabis interact directly with your brain's neurotransmitter systems and neural pathways to reduce anxiety. Unlike cannabinoids that primarily work through the endocannabinoid system (ECS), terpenes influence a wide range of biological systems simultaneously, which explains their powerful anxiety-reducing effects.

Here's how terpenes work to calm anxiety:

• Terpenes boost GABA activity to calm your anxious mind.
• They balance serotonin to stabilize your mood.
• Anti-inflammatory terpenes reduce anxiety-triggering brain inflammation.
• Terpenes regulate cortisol to lower your stress response.
• They maintain a healthy brain chemistry balance.
• Terpenes help your brain build better stress-coping patterns.
• Terpenes in cannabis shift your system from stress to relaxation mode.

GABA system enhancement

Certain terpenes, such as linalool, directly activate GABA receptors in your brain. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is your primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that slows down neural activity and reduces anxiety. Milanos, et. al. explain that linalool enhances the activity of this calming neurotransmitter that naturally slows down neural activity. This interaction with GABA helps quiet excessive thoughts and reduce nervous system activation.

Serotonin modulation

Disrupted serotonin signaling often causes or makes anxiety worse. Serotonin is another neurotransmitter that maintains emotional balance and regulates mood. According to a 2022 study, terpenes boost serotonin activity by increasing its production and slowing its breakdown, which helps stabilize your mood and reduce anxiety.

Inflammatory response regulation

Anxiety often involves neuroinflammation. Brain inflammation can trigger or worsen anxiety symptoms. Many terpenes found in cannabis reduce inflammation by interacting with specific immune system receptors. Israeli researchers propose that terpenes lower inflammation and protect brain cells through their antioxidant properties. By reducing overactive immune responses, this interaction disrupts the connection between brain inflammation and anxiety symptoms.

Cortisol control

Several terpenes directly influence your body's stress hormone production. They can regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which controls cortisol release. Lower cortisol levels mean reduced physical stress responses and decreased anxiety. 

Neurotransmitter balance

Beyond GABA and serotonin, terpenes maintain overall neurotransmitter balance. They influence dopamine, norepinephrine, glutamate, and other chemical messengers in your brain. This balancing effect on brain chemistry, particularly through compounds such as linalool, geraniol, and limonene, creates a calming effect without the drawbacks of conventional anxiety medications.

Neural plasticity support

Terpenes promote neuroplasticity, your brain's ability to form new connections and adapt. A 2021 study provides evidence that terpenes increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its TrkB receptor in the hippocampus. The ability to rewire the brain and form healthier stress response patterns supports anxiety management over time, rather than just temporarily masking symptoms.

Autonomic nervous system regulation

Terpenes can balance your autonomic nervous system. They reduce overactivity in the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) system while supporting the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) system. A 2021 review article explains that cannabis essential oil containing terpenes calmed the nervous system. The subjects in the review reported feeling more relaxed and showed brain wave patterns similar to those seen during meditation.

For complete, balanced stress and anxiety relief, try our Relax Plus gummies. 5 mg THC and 25 mg CBD work together to ease anxiety and promote restful sleep, without feeling heavy or foggy. Each gummy is enriched with calming terpenes to harness the soothing power of hemp to help your mind and body find that sweet spot of relaxation.

Which terpenes are best for anxiety relief?

Here are eight anxiety-relieving terpenes found in cannabis:

1. Linalool is a floral terpene that activates GABA receptors to quickly calm anxiety and promote deep relaxation. It also increases serotonin to improve mood.
2. Beta-caryophyllene is a spicy, peppery terpene that works with your endocannabinoid system to reduce stress and inflammation. It calms physical tension and nervous system activation.
3. Limonene has a bright citrus scent and mood-enhancing properties that reduce stress hormones in the body. It can quickly ease anxiety and lift depression.
4. Pinene improves mental clarity while reducing anxiety through its effects on GABA. This fresh, pine-scented terpene helps you feel alert but calm.
5. Myrcene is the most abundant terpene in most cannabis strains. Its sedative properties regulate stress response and promote relaxation through GABA modulation.
6. Terpinolene, found in plants such as tea trees and nutmeg, produces gentle sedative effects that can quiet racing thoughts without causing drowsiness.
7. Nerolidol is a floral terpene that directly reduces anxiety and aids sleep through its natural calming properties.
8. Geraniol reduces anxiety and stress by calming the nervous system and promoting emotional balance. It also has mood-lifting properties.

You'll find these therapeutic, soothing terpenes in our Bliss gummies. Each melon-flavored treat combines anxiety-relieving terpenes with a balanced blend of CBD and THC (5 mg each) to help quiet your mind, ease tension, and lift your mood. Take one delicious edible in the evening to drift into a deeper, more restful sleep as your racing thoughts melt away.

“I only bite off 1/4 of one and it's enough to take the edge off without feeling too "blissful." They taste good and arrive on time.”

—Mike H.

What terpenes are good for sleep?

Terpenes that promote sleep work in harmony with your body to help you drift off and stay asleep longer. They directly influence sleep-wake cycles while reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, so you can quiet your mind at bedtime. 

It's no surprise that many of the terpenes that ease anxiety also improve sleep quality. Sleep-promoting terpenes found in cannabis are:

• Myrcene
• Linalool
• Terpinolene
• Nerolidol
• Beta-caryophyllene

It’s the entourage effect all over again. Paired with the soothing effects of cannabinoids, flavonoids, and other cannabis compounds, terpenes enhance the sleep-promoting properties of cannabis. Individual terpenes can relax you, but their combined effects create a more profound sense of calm and deeper sleep. 

Experience the natural power of sleep-promoting terpenes in our Sleep Plus gummies. Each delicious gummy combines calming cannabinoids and soothing terpenes in the perfect balance to help you drift into deep, restorative sleep.

Can terpenes cause anxiety?

Terpenes can have different, even opposite effects depending on how much you consume. Too much of any terpene can trigger the symptoms you're trying to relieve.

Take limonene for example: at moderate doses, this citrusy terpene reduces stress hormones and promotes a gentle mood lift. But in higher amounts, its energizing effects might make some people feel jittery. Similarly, pinene maintains mental clarity at lower doses but could increase alertness to an uncomfortable degree in larger quantities.

This is why microdosing cannabis is the way out of feeling overly intoxicated or anxious. Small, therapeutic amounts of THC, CBD, and other compounds allow you to maintain control over your experience. 

Read more about the benefits of microdosing cannabis.

Worst terpenes for anxiety

Here are some terpenes to approach with caution if you're prone to anxiety:

• High doses of limonene can be overstimulating and trigger jitters.
• Too much pinene may increase alertness to uncomfortable levels.
• Concentrated terpinene can be too mentally stimulating and worsen anxiety.
• Excess eucalyptol might feel too stimulating.
• Large amounts of camphene can make users feel jittery and anxious.
• Concentrated ocimene could amplify alertness.

Everyone's body chemistry responds differently to these powerful plant compounds. Some of these terpenes can soothe anxiety at appropriate doses, so it's all about finding the right amount that works for your body's chemistry and sensitivity level. 

Start low and go slow with our perfectly balanced edibles. They contain just enough of these powerful plant compounds to help you feel better, without overdoing it.

Order our soothing-terpene rich gummies

At nama™, we specialize in crafting premium cannabis edibles to promote calm and relaxation. Our THC gummies and cannabis-infused beverages harness the power of nature's most soothing terpenes to ease anxiety and quiet racing thoughts.

We thoughtfully combine anxiety-relieving terpenes such as calming linalool, soothing myrcene, and stress-reducing beta-caryophyllene with perfectly balanced ratios of CBD and THC. Each product is carefully formulated to help you find that relaxation sweet spot without feeling heavy or foggy.

We use only the highest-quality, hemp-derived extracts, and each product is rigorously tested for purity and potency. Don’t worry, all our edibles are federally legal in the U.S.

With nama™, you're not just consuming cannabis—you're savoring an artfully crafted experience. Order from our collection of cannabis products and discover how the perfect blend of a therapeutic terpene profile can help you find your calm.

Resources

Milanos, S., Elsharif, S. A., Janzen, D., Buettner, A., & Villmann, C. (2017). Metabolic Products of Linalool and Modulation of GABAA Receptors. Frontiers in Chemistry, 5, 46. https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2017.00046

Mony, T. J., Elahi, F., Choi, J. W., & Park, S. J. (2022). Neuropharmacological Effects of Terpenoids on Preclinical Animal Models of Psychiatric Disorders: A Review. Antioxidants, 11(9), 1834. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11091834

Ferber, S. G., Namdar, D., Hen-Shoval, D., Eger, G., Koltai, H., Shoval, G., Shbiro, L., & Weller, A. (2020). The “Entourage Effect”: Terpenes Coupled with Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders. Current Neuropharmacology, 18(2), 87. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X17666190903103923

Weston-Green, K., Clunas, H., & Naranjo, C. J. (2021). A Review of the Potential Use of Pinene and Linalool as Terpene-Based Medicines for Brain Health: Discovering Novel Therapeutics in the Flavours and Fragrances of Cannabis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 583211. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.583211

Surendran, S., Qassadi, F., Surendran, G., Lilley, D., & Heinrich, M. (2021). Myrcene—What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent? Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 699666. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.699666

Further reading

Microdosing cannabis for pain relief

What are the adverse effects of hybrid weed?

The anti-inflammatory properties of hybrid weed

Does CBN offer therapeutic relief from anxiety?

What are the benefits of hybrid cannabis?

Hybrid cannabis relieves symptoms of stress and anxiety

Best calming strains for social anxiety

Best CBD gummies for anxiety relief

What is the best type of hybrid weed for anxiety?