While the smell of a forest of pine trees might not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that the scent of pinene is unmistakable. And as it turns out, this aromatic compound found in cannabis may offer more than just flavor. Terpenes like pinene are fragrant oils secreted in cannabis trichomes, and while they originally developed as an adaptive protection against predators, these compounds offer us humans a variety of potential benefits. For example, pinene has been shown to improve airflow and airflow resistance in the lungs, making it a potentially valuable tool for treating asthma and other respiratory conditions. In addition, this compound is thought to improve memory and cognitive function. And, fun fact: pinene can also be found in conifer trees, orange peels, turpentine, pine needles, rosemary, dill, basil, and parsley. So next time you catch a whiff of that distinct piney smell, you’ll know there’s more to it than just pleasant aromatics.