Some days, for whatever reason, the energy to do anything just isn’t there. Lethargy is a symptom that causes you to feel sleepy or fatigued and sluggish. This sluggishness may be physical, mental, or both. It could be attributed to diet, stress, depression, being overworked, or an underlying condition. If lethargy is persistent, you should contact your physician, however the occasional bit of sluggishness is normal, and the following terpenes and terpene formulas can help with enervation and apathy. 

Try these terpenes and cannabis strains for a boost in energy. Terpene isolates can be purchased directly and infused in a number of ways, including aromatherapy diffusion, 

1. Terpineol

It has a lime blossom scent, with hints of lilac. It will relax your mind and provide energy. Medically it can be used to alleviate stress or anxiety.

Terpineol is a useful terpene for medical cannabis patients because it possesses a number of key therapeutic properties. Studies show that this terpene is able to help manage pain and inflammation, reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures, act as a gastroprotective, and kill bacteria. In 2007, research showed that terpineol, along with limonene and linalool, displayed significant anti-inflammatory properties in orange juice. This makes the isolate perfect for before or after exercise, especially those with achy joints or inflammation problems.

2. Alpha-Pinene

It has a sharp, sweet, pine-like aroma. It will enhance your memory retention and improve alertness. Medically, this is great for inflammation and asthma.



If you need a concentration boost coincided with anti-inflammatory and a feeling of alertness, I highly suggest using pinene. One of the major drawbacks to cannabis use is the short-term memory loss associated with THC. However, feelings of focus and alertness are common in strains containing high levels of pinene.

 RELATED: 10 Cannabis Strains & Terpene Profiles For Exercising

3. Limonene

This, as the name suggests, brings with it a lemon-like citrus scent. It will elevate our mood and afford the stress relief necessary for increased energy levels. Medically it can be used for depression, anxiety, or gastric reflux.

Limonene has bright aroma that will uplift you and stimulate your senses, making it a great isolate to take advantage of. It's strong and enjoyable lemon and citrusy scent has been shown to stimulate the body and increase energy and cognitive function.

4. Beta-Caryophyllene

This has a spicy scent, similar to black pepper, hops, and rosemary. It will enhance focus and mood. Medically it is often used to remedy toothaches, and used for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Beta-Caryophyllene's biting and spicy peppery aroma and flavor will certainly inspire you to get off the couch or power you through that 3:00 pm slump at work.

Essential Oils for Energy 

Bergamot oil is commonly turned to by people suffering from fatigue and exhaustion, as well as anxiety, depression and sleep disorders. It can re-balance your Circadian rhythms, boost your energy, and also uplift your mood and stimulate the production of key neurotransmitters. According to a 2007 study done on rats, the “intraperitoneal administration (inserted through the peritoneum) of bergamot essential oil (100microl/kg) significantly elevated the extracellular concentration of aspartate, glycine and taurine in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner.”¹⁹ These three amino acids are commonly found in sugar-riddled energy drinks. Rather than supplementing a potentially harmful amount of amino acids like creatine, taurine, choline, and others, these oils have the potential to allow your body to naturally produce energizing amino acids.

Eucalyptus oil is another terpene filled formula to overcome fatigue and increase vitality. Eucalyptus promotes a healthy body through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which improve blood flow and provides more energy to the muscles and organs. Eucalyptus and lemon oils both contain considerable amounts of limonene which has been shown to stimulate the body and increase energy and cognitive function. Other helpful oils include basil, peppermint, rosemary, and orange oils.

Maintaining a sleep pattern is integral in maintaining energy and expelling lethargy. Hitting the snooze button is one of the worst ways to start your day. When your alarm goes off in the morning, you’re usually nearing the end of your last REM cycle. If you wake up and get yourself out of bed, the REM cycle ends. If you hit the snooze button and go back to sleep, though, you go right back into the REM cycle. But when your alarm clock goes off a second, third, or fourth time it wakes you up in the middle of REM instead of at the end of REM. As a result, you end up feeling foggy, groggy, and disoriented. Not the best way to start your day.

For those who struggle to get out of bed, there are alarm clock diffusers which you can purchase and program to vaporize terpenes a few minutes before waking you to provide a morning boost of energy. These oils can provide an additional energy enhancement but should not be relied upon. Besides for the oils, a healthy diet, restful, habitual sleep, and maintaining an active lifestyle are other natural ways to obtain natural energy.

When you’re overworked, your mental battery is running low, you don’t have any energy or inclination, and you have a lot of upcoming work, the following oils can help tremendously:

• Rosemary Oil– 10 drops
• Basil Oil– 5 drops
• Lemon Oil– 5 drops
• Olive Oil – 2 tablespoons

Being mentally clear and fog-free is vital in forming thoughts, making important decisions, and overall well-being.  In folk, medicine, rosemary has been associated with preserving memory, supporting focus, and other neurological benefits.  It’s even mentioned by Ophelia in Hamlet, the most well-known Shakespeare work, believed to have been written in 1603:

"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray/ Love, remember: and there is pansies. that's for thoughts... There's fennel for you, and columbines: there's rue/ For you; and here's some for me: we may call it/ Herb-grace o' Sundays: O you must wear your rue with/ A difference." (Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5).

There are compounds found in rosemary oil which are responsible for changes in memory performance, the most significant being 1,8-cineole. a wonderful-smelling compound which is thought to act in the same way as drugs licensed to treat dementia do. Limited research suggests that 1,8-cineole causes an increase in a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine by preventing the breakdown of the neurotransmitter by enzyme. Other essential oils which may help clear mental haze include peppermint oil, clary sage oil, juniper berry oil, and citrus oil.

OTHER OILS FOR LETHARGY:

• Black pepper
• Cardamom
• Clove
• Cinnamon
• Jasmine
• Tea tree
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Citrus

Essential oil nootropic- Bergamot, Black Pepper, Caraway, Cardamon, Cinnamon Bark, Clary Sage, Coffee, Frankincense, Ginger, Lemon Eucalyptus, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Spearmint, Sandalwood, Vetiver.

A nootropic is a cognitive function enhancer, particularly with memory and creativity, so use this combination when writing, studying, or doing any sort of creative venture. Sandalwood promotes mental clarity memory, and overall cognitive function.  Studies have evaluated the effect of sandalwood oil on attention, memory, and arousal levels.  Those who received the sandalwood oil, when compared to control subjects, felt more mentally aware and demonstrated behaviors linked to increased attention and cognitive brain clarity. Vetiver is often used in trauma helping with self-awareness, calmness, stabilization and brain focus. This is oil is great for boosting energy levels during exhaustion and has been proven to lower anxiety level in rats.

Terpene Cones

One excellent way to experiment with the entourage effect is with terpene cones. Terpene cones are rolling papers sprayed with terpene isolate meant to enhance certain aspects of the cannabis high. If a cannabis user wanted to enhance the energy-boost commonly achieved after smoking a sativa strain, they would roll their cannabis in a cone sprayed with pinene isolate. Pinene is an excellent pair with sativa and cannabis in general, as it reduces the short-term memory loss often associated with the plant. Limonene is another terpene isolate which would be a great on a cone as it often provides a brightening of the THC effect, which many people find stimulating.

Simply spray the isolate on some rolling paper! For more detailed instruction:

Pre-roll the rolling paper. Put 5 ml of terpenes into the spray bottle and spray a few times around the exterior of the rolling paper. Use immediately or place the pre-roll into an airtight container as the terpenes will begin to dissolve after a few minutes. Terpene cones are an excellent way to boost certain aspects of a sativa or indica and achieve the exact effects one would like to achieve. 

RELATED: The Best Terpenes For Better Sleep!

What terpenes or strains get you out of a slump? Let us know!