Terpenes are so abundant that they can be found in every plant on earth and even in some insects. But just how many terpenes are there? Here's everything you need to know.
How many terpenes are there?
Terpenes were first discovered in the 1800s, though we've been aware of them since the dawn of human history. Terpenes are found everywhere plants are in their scents and flavors, which is why so many holistic medicines utilize plants. However, the discovery of terpenes is still ongoing today.
While a handful of terpenes, Like Limonene and Linalool, have become household names thanks to the popularity of cannabis and essential oils, we've only begun to scratch the surface when it comes to identifying them all.
As it stands, scientists have discovered over 20,000 different terpene isolates, with over 150 of them being found in cannabis alone. Cannabis isn't the only plant that contains terpenes though, even though they're associated with cannabis more commonly than any other plant.
We've discovered 20,000 different terpene isolates so far, but we've only identified around 20% of the plant species on earth. If undiscovered plant species contain different terpenes, there could still be 80,000 to100,000 terpenes left to be discovered.
Where to find terpenes
Any time you taste or smell anything, you're experiencing terpenes at work. Terpenes can be found in cannabis and in all other plants on earth. Some insects even produce their own terpenes to help them avoid predators, find mates and leave notes for their peers. You can also find terpenes added to all sorts of products, including vapes, soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning agents, foods, beverages, and aromatherapy infusions.