Terpenes in Medicinal Cannabis: Why They Matter (and Why Your Vaporiser Temperature Matters Too)

Most people assume THC is what makes one cannabis strain different from another. But if THC were the only active ingredient, every strain would feel the same. The reason one product feels uplifting while another makes you sleepy is because cannabis contains hundreds of other compounds — especially terpenes. This mix of cannabinoids + terpenes + other plant compounds is called the entourage effect.

In other words: it’s not just what you vape — it’s how you vape it. And temperature is a big part of that.

You can read more general info about access and products here:

👉 Medicinal Marijuana in Australia

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds in cannabis that give it its smell — citrus, pine, earthy, floral, spicy. They’re also found in everyday plants like lavender, oranges, rosemary and hops. In cannabis, terpenes don’t just make it smell good — they appear to shape the experience of THC and CBD.

So two products with the same THC strength can feel different because their terpene profiles are different.

You can read our deep dive on one of the most important cannabis terpenes here: Caryophyllene – Terpenes 101, and our follow-up on a classic “sleepy” terpene here: Myrcene in Medicinal Cannabis.

Why vaporising protects terpenes

When cannabis is vaporised, the cannabinoids and terpenes first liquify and then, as the temperature increases, they turn into vapour. Because each compound vaporises at a different temperature, the temperature you set on your device will change which terpenes you actually inhale.

When cannabis is smoked (combusted), much of that nuance is lost — combustion can burn off terpenes, produce unwanted byproducts, and make the flower feel harsher. That’s one reason many Australian prescribers prefer vaporising.

If you haven’t seen it yet, we’ve got a step-by-step guide on device use here: How to Use a Vaporiser with Medicinal Cannabis Flower.

Terpenes and their preferred temperatures

Here are some of the main terpenes found in medicinal cannabis and the temperatures at which they tend to vaporise:

• Pinene (pine scent, alertness, bronchodilation) – boils at ~155°C

• β-Caryophyllene (spicy/peppery, anti-inflammatory, binds CB2) – boils at ~165°C

  → full article: Caryophyllene – Terpenes 101

• Myrcene (earthy/musky, sedative, analgesic, “couch-lock”) – boils at ~168°C

  → full article: Myrcene in Medicinal Cannabis

• Limonene (citrusy, mood elevation, anti-anxiety) – boils at ~176°C

• Terpinolene (complex/floral, can be sedative at higher doses) – boils at ~185°C

• Linalool (lavender/floral, calming, sleep) – boils at ~198°C

• Humulene (earthy/woody, anti-inflammatory) – boils at ~198°C

These are not strict cut-offs — every vaporiser heats slightly differently — but they give you a target range.

So… what temperature should I use?

The useful part about vaporising is that you can change the effect of the same flower by changing the temperature.

Lower temps (about 155–175°C)

• Better flavour and gentler vapour

• Great for highlighting pinene, caryophyllene, and myrcene (depending on the strain)

• Often better for daytime or for people who are sensitive to THC

• Good starting point if you’re following our guide: How to Use a Vaporiser with Medicinal Cannabis Flower

Medium temps (about 176–190°C)

• More complete terpene + cannabinoid release

• Good for pain and anxiety symptom control

• Many patients find this the “sweet spot”

Higher temps (about 190–205°C+)

• Warmer vapour, sometimes a little harsher

• Useful if your strain is rich in linalool or terpinolene, which boil higher

• Can feel more sedating, so often used at night

• Make sure your device is clean — see our vaporiser guide again: How to Use a Vaporiser with Medicinal Cannabis Flower

Example: targeting sleepier effects

Let’s say you have a myrcene-dominant strain. Myrcene boils at around 168°C, so setting your vape to 165–175°C will help express that terpene and may give you a more relaxing or sedating effect. But some other sleep-associated terpenes — linalool (≈198°C) and terpinolene (≈185°C) — need higher temperatures to really come through. That’s why some strains only feel truly sedating once you bump the temperature up.

Want to read more about these specific terpenes?

• Sedating / anti-inflammatory / CB2-binding: Caryophyllene – Terpenes 101

• Classic “chill” terpene: Myrcene in Medicinal Cannabis

Why this matters for patients

• THC % is not everything. Two “20% THC” flowers can feel completely different because their terpene profile + your temperature are different.

• You can personalise it. By adjusting temperature 5°C at a time, you can explore what works best for pain, insomnia, anxiety, or daytime function.

• Medical products are more consistent. Because prescribed products are standardised, it’s easier to tell if changing the temperature actually changed the effect.

If you need help choosing a product or you’re not getting the effect you expected from your current strain, you can book a review with one of our prescribers: Medio Telehealth.

Keep experimenting (safely)

It’s important to say: while these terpene effects have been seen in some studies, we still need more human data. But for real-world patients, temperature-based titration is a very practical, low-risk way to get the most from your prescribed flower.

To learn more about medicinal cannabis generally, visit https://www.medio.com.au/medical-marijuana-australia

To learn how to actually pack, grind, and set up your device, read How to Use a Vaporiser with Medicinal Cannabis Flower

• Caryophyllene – Terpenes 101

• Myrcene in Medicinal Cannabis