Inside the Terpene Trend: Why Plant-Based Feel-Good Is the Future

You’ve probably seen the word terpenes floating around wellness spaces lately. Or maybe you didn’t see it, but you felt it—the rise of drinks, oils, and supplements that promise to lift your mood, sharpen your focus, or calm your nerves, without relying on caffeine, sugar, or synthetics.

What’s going on? Simple: people are craving a new kind of “feel good.”
And terpenes might just be leading the revolution.

So, What Are Terpenes?

In plain speak: terpenes are what make plants smell like themselves.
That citrusy zing in lemon? Terpenes.
That earthy chill in lavender? Terpenes.
The signature scent of pine trees? You guessed it - terpenes.

They’re aromatic compounds found in almost every plant—and they do more than just smell nice. A growing body of research is uncovering how terpenes interact with our brain and body, especially when it comes to mood, memory, stress response, and even focus.

Here’s a quick science-backed primer:
Source: Frontiers in Pharmacology - 2021 Review

Caffeine’s Losing Its Shine

For years, we’ve relied on caffeine and alcohol to artificially upshift or downshift our moods. But as more people question how those substances affect sleep, anxiety, and long-term health, there’s a quiet rebellion brewing.

It’s called: natural regulation.
Instead of hijacking your nervous system with a stimulant or depressant, terpenes offer a more subtle, body-first approach. They nudge, not shove.

Terpenes in Action: The Mood Map

Different terpenes have different effects. Here are a few you’ll find in the Terps & Co lineup:

• Limonene – Found in citrus, linked to mood elevation and reduced stress
  Source: John Hopkins Medicine & Frontiers in Psychology

• Linalool – Found in lavender, associated with calming the nervous system
  Source: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience & National Library of Medicine

• Pinene – Found in pine needles and rosemary, shown to aid mental clarity
  Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry & National Library of Medicine

• Myrcene – Found in mango and hops, often used to relax and unwind
  Source: National Library of Medicine

At Terps & Co, we blend these little compounds to create drinks that work with your biology—not against it. Because you shouldn’t need a comedown to enjoy the ride.

But Does It Actually Work?

Short answer? Yes - and the research is catching up fast.

A 2021 review in Molecules outlined how specific terpenes show potential for anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), antidepressant, and cognitive-enhancing effects by interacting with neurotransmitter systems like GABA and serotonin.

Source: Molecules Journal – 2021 Review

Of course, we’re not promising miracles in a can. But we are promising a new baseline: a better, cleaner, clearer way to take the edge off - or turn it on.

Why It Matters

We’re in an age where:

• People are drinking less alcohol

• We’re questioning the productivity trap

• Everyone’s tired of feeling... well, tired

Terpenes are part of a larger shift toward functional ingredients that don’t just taste good, but do good - for your brain, your body, and your overall vibe.

This isn’t about biohacking. It’s about getting back in sync with what your body already knows. And turns out, what it knows smells a lot like citrus, pine, and lavender.

TL;DR:

• Terpenes = the plant compounds behind how you feel when you smell something natural and nice

• They may help regulate mood, focus, and calm - without stimulants or synthetics

• They’re leading the quiet revolution of functional feel-good

• And yes, we put them in cans

Try the trend, minus the hype. → Explore the Terps range