Last reviewed October 18, 2026
Linalool is a floral terpene best known as the main scent of lavender. In cannabis, it adds a soft, flowery, slightly spicy note. It’s found in more than 200 plants and is common in perfumes and soaps. Strains with a lot of it are often described as calming, but there’s little research on what it does in people at cannabis levels.
| Aroma | Floral, lavender, slightly spicy or citrusy |
|---|---|
| Also found in | Lavender, coriander, basil, birch, mint |
| Boils at | About 198 °C (388 °F) |
| Often described in cannabis as | Calm, smooth, mellow |
| Everyday uses | Perfume, soap, lotions, food flavouring |
What research says
Linalool has been studied mostly in animals and in aromatherapy settings, not in cannabis users. That’s why it’s associated with relaxation, but the evidence doesn’t show that a linalool-rich strain will feel a particular way.
Terpenes don’t get you high: THC does. And no single terpene reliably predicts how a strain will feel; the whole mix of cannabinoids and terpenes, your dose and your tolerance all play a part.
Tasting linalool
Linalool needs a bit more heat than lighter terpenes, so it comes through at medium vaping temperatures. Look for flavour notes like floral, lavender or sweet.
Why the amount varies
Terpene levels change with genetics, growing conditions, drying and curing, and storage. Two batches with the same strain name can smell quite different, so the nose, and a lab report when there is one, beats the name.
Common questions
What does linalool smell like?
Lavender: floral, sweet and slightly spicy.
Is linalool a sedative?
It’s often described as calming, but there’s little evidence for that in people at the levels found in cannabis.
Does linalool get you high?
No. Terpenes aren’t intoxicating.
Is linalool only in lavender?
No. It’s in over 200 plants, including coriander and basil.
