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Dr. Cannabis

Bright citrus, lemon and orange rind

Limonene

One of the three terpenes that define a major commercial chemotype. Mood and anxiety claims are exploratory only.

Preclinical onlySupported only by laboratory or animal studies, frequently at doses far above what a cannabis product delivers. No human clinical evidence.
Aroma
Bright citrus, lemon and orange rind
Also found in
Citrus peel, Juniper, Peppermint

The largest analysis of commercial cannabis chemistry to date — nearly 90,000 flower samples across six US states — identified high beta-caryophyllene plus limonene as one of three distinct terpene chemotypes among THC-dominant products. Crucially, that chemotype cut across indica, hybrid, and sativa labels.

A 2024 systematic review classed D-limonene as an analgesic under exploratory evidence. Mood elevation and anxiolysis are commonly claimed and not clinically established.

What marketing claims

  • • Mood elevation
  • • Anxiety relief
  • • Pain relief

What the evidence supports

Preclinical and exploratory only. No adequately powered human trials at cannabis-realistic exposures.

Conditions where Limonene shows up in the suggested profile

Sources

  1. Smith CJ, Vergara D, Keegan B, Jikomes N. The phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States. PLOS ONE. 2022;17(5):e0267498.(DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0267498)Accessed 2026-08-15.
  2. André R, Gomes AP, Pereira-Leite C, et al. The Entourage Effect in Cannabis Medicinal Products: A Comprehensive Review. Pharmaceuticals. 2024;17(11):1543.(DOI 10.3390/ph17111543)Accessed 2026-08-15.