Camphene is one of the minor cannabis terpenes: a bicyclic monoterpene (C10H16) with a sharp, earthy, pine-like smell. It occurs naturally in conifers, herbs such as rosemary and sage, and in small amounts in cannabis and hemp. Industrially it is made from alpha-pinene in pine turpentine, so it is bio-derived either way.
Key facts
- Chemical class
- Bicyclic monoterpene (a hydrocarbon), C10H16
- Smell
- Earthy, woody and pine-like, with a camphor-like edge
- Where it occurs
- Fir, spruce, cypress and other conifers, rosemary, sage, ginger, and cannabis and hemp in small amounts
- How industry makes it
- By isomerising alpha-pinene from pine resin and wood pulping with an acid catalyst
- Main uses
- Fragrances and as an intermediate for camphor, isobornyl esters and resins
- Legal status
- Not a controlled substance; it does not cause a high (as of October 2026)
What is camphene?
Camphene is one of the terpenes, the aromatic compounds plants make to attract pollinators and defend themselves. It sits in the shadow of better-known cannabis terpenes such as myrcene and limonene, because it usually occurs in smaller amounts. A review of cannabis chemistry lists camphene among the monoterpenes identified in the plant (Radwan et al., 2021).
Chemically, camphene has two fused rings with one double bond pointing out of the ring structure. Its formula, C10H16, is the same as that of pinene and limonene (PubChem). At room temperature it is a colourless to white crystalline solid with a camphor-like smell.
What does camphene smell like?
Camphene smells earthy, woody and piney, with a cooling edge that reminds many people of camphor or damp forest floor. In cannabis it adds depth to the aroma rather than dominating it. Perfumers use it for fresh herbal and conifer notes.
Is camphene bio-derived or bio-based?
Yes. Natural camphene comes from plants. Most camphene sold for industry is also made from a plant source: alpha-pinene, which is obtained from pine resin tapping, wood pulp papermaking and cellulose production. An acid catalyst rearranges alpha-pinene into camphene (Huang et al., 2020). That makes it a bio-based chemical, even when it is produced in a factory. Read more about the starting material in our guide to pinene.
Where is camphene found?
- Conifers: fir, spruce and cypress needles and resin. Spruce resin also contains delta-3 carene.
- Herbs and spices: rosemary, sage, ginger and nutmeg.
- Mastic gum: the resin of the mastic tree, used in research on camphene (Vallianou et al., 2011).
- Cannabis and hemp: usually as a minor terpene in the flower resin.
How does camphene compare with other cannabis terpenes?
| Camphene | Pinene | Limonene | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formula | C10H16 | C10H16 | C10H16 |
| Rings | Two (bicyclic) | Two (bicyclic) | One |
| Smell | Earthy, woody, camphor-like | Sharp pine | Citrus |
| Typical amount in cannabis | Minor | Often major | Often major |
| Industrial source | Made from alpha-pinene | Turpentine | Citrus peel |
Which cannabis strains contain camphene?
OG Kush, Ghost OG and Mendocino Purps are often named, but a strain name does not tell you what is in a particular plant. A genetic study of more than 100 cannabis samples found that "sativa" and "indica" labels did not reflect genome-wide differences and were linked to only a few terpenes (Watts et al., 2021). Only a laboratory analysis of a specific batch shows its camphene content.
What does research say about camphene?
Research on camphene is early and comes from animals and cells:
- In rats, camphene lowered blood cholesterol and triglycerides in an experimental model (Vallianou et al., 2011). A follow-up study in human liver cells looked at how it does this (Vallianou and Hadzopoulou-Cladaras, 2016).
- In laboratory tests, (+)-camphene showed antioxidant activity, and in mice it reduced pain responses at high doses (Quintans-Júnior et al., 2013).
None of this has been shown in people. Camphene is also mentioned in discussions of the entourage effect, but a 2024 systematic review concluded that terpenes enhancing the effects of cannabinoids remains unproven (André et al., 2024).
Is camphene the same as camphor?
No, but they are close relatives. Camphene is a hydrocarbon (C10H16). Camphor is a ketone (C10H16O) with a stronger, medicinal smell. Industry uses camphene as an intermediate to make camphor and isobornyl esters (Huang et al., 2020). Its relative borneol belongs to the same family of bicyclic terpenes.
From our production
We keep the hemp's natural terpenes in our oils rather than stripping them out. Many people underestimate terpenes and assume only the cannabinoids matter.
— Robin Roy Krigslund-Hansen, co-founder and CEO
Frequently asked questions
What is camphene?
Camphene is a terpene with an earthy, pine-like smell. It occurs in conifers, rosemary, sage and, in small amounts, in cannabis and hemp. Its formula is C10H16.
Is camphene one of the cannabis terpenes?
Yes. Camphene has been identified among the monoterpenes in cannabis, usually as a minor terpene. Amounts vary from plant to plant.
Is camphene bio-derived?
Yes. It occurs naturally in plants, and industrial camphene is made from alpha-pinene obtained from pine resin and wood pulping. Both routes start from plant material.
What does camphene smell like?
Earthy, woody and piney, with a cooling, camphor-like edge. In cannabis it adds depth to the aroma rather than leading it.
Is camphene the same as camphor?
No. Camphene is a hydrocarbon (C10H16); camphor is a ketone (C10H16O). Industry uses camphene to make camphor, which is why the names are similar.
Does camphene get you high?
No. Camphene is a terpene, not a cannabinoid, and it is not intoxicating. It contributes to the smell of cannabis.
Related guides
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Last reviewed:
Sources
- Radwan MM, Chandra S, Gul S, ElSohly MA. Cannabinoids, phenolics, terpenes and alkaloids of cannabis. Molecules 2021. doi:10.3390/molecules26092774
- National Library of Medicine. Camphene, compound summary. PubChem.
- Huang G, Zhou S, Liu J, et al. Highly-selective solvent-free catalytic isomerization of α-pinene to camphene over reusable titanate nanotubes. RSC Adv 2020. doi:10.1039/d0ra01093f
- Vallianou I, Peroulis N, Pantazis P, Hadzopoulou-Cladaras M. Camphene, a plant-derived monoterpene, reduces plasma cholesterol and triglycerides in hyperlipidemic rats independently of HMG-CoA reductase activity. PLoS One 2011. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0020516
- Vallianou I, Hadzopoulou-Cladaras M. Camphene, a plant derived monoterpene, exerts its hypolipidemic action by affecting SREBP-1 and MTP expression. PLoS One 2016. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0147117
- Quintans-Júnior L, Moreira JC, Pasquali MA, et al. Antinociceptive activity and redox profile of the monoterpenes (+)-camphene, p-cymene, and geranyl acetate in experimental models. ISRN Toxicol 2013. doi:10.1155/2013/459530
- Watts S, McElroy M, Migicovsky Z, et al. Cannabis labelling is associated with genetic variation in terpene synthase genes. Nat Plants 2021. doi:10.1038/s41477-021-01003-y
- André R, Gomes AP, Pereira-Leite C, et al. The entourage effect in cannabis medicinal products: a comprehensive review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024. doi:10.3390/ph17111543
