All About Myrcene, The Most Commonly Found Terpene in Cannabis
The calming and relaxing Myrcene has demonstrated Sedative, Pain-Relieving, Muscle-Relaxing, Anti-inflammatory and Anticancer effects
Myrcene is the terpene, or essential oil, that’s best known for its ability to aid relaxation and is often most associated with Indica cannabis strains. It’s musky, peppery and hop-like flavor is found in varying levels in most other hybrid and Sativa strains too, but strains where it predominates exhibit the dulcifying characteristics. Elsewhere in nature, Myrcene is found in lemongrass, hops, thyme, cloves and most famously in mangoes. A little-known urban myth that consuming mangoes while smoking cannabis can multiply effects may actually hold some merit, though no formal studies have ever proven this theory. Simply put, plants and cannabis high in Myrcene possess a great ability to help you wind down. For this reason, medically-focused cannabis growers often look for high Myrcene strains to cultivate. Medical cannabis patients who need help sleeping and an edge taken off their symptoms often look for it when selecting strains.
Health Implications of Myrcene
Beyond the sedative effects that it’s so well know for, studies indicate a number of potential benefits of Myrcene. Dr. Ethan Russo, perhaps the most prominent cannabis researcher, cites Myrcene for it’s therapeutic qualities. He speaks about the sedative, anti-inflammatory and even anticancer effects in a far-reaching 2010 study in the British Journal of Pharmacology:
b-Myrcene is another common monoterpenoid in cannabis with myriad activities: diminishing inflammation via prostaglandin E-2 (PGE-2) (Lorenzetti etal., 1991), and blocking hepatic carcinogenesis by aflatoxin (DeOliveira et al., 1997). Interestingly, myrcene is analgesic in mice, but this action can be blocked by naloxone, perhaps via the a-2 adrenoreceptor (Rao et al., 1990). It is non- mutagenic in the Ames test (Gomes-Carneiro et al., 2005). Myrcene is a recognized sedative as part of hops preparations (Humulus lupulus), employed to aid sleep in Germany (Bisset and Wichtl, 2004). Furthermore, myrcene acted as a muscle relaxant in mice, and potentiated barbiturate sleep time at high doses. - Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects, Dr. Ethan Russo
Through the Entourage Effect, or the synergetic relationship between cannabinoids, terpenes and our body, Russo calls the study of terpenes a “pharmacological treasure trove.”
A 2015 Korean study found that isolated Myrcene “showed the most potent inhibition of tumor necrosis” in human breast cancer cells.
What Cannabis Strains are high in Myrcene?
Blackberry by by Washington Bud Co. | X% THC
Harley’s Moonshine by Heylo | 21% THC, 42% CBd, 1.3% CBG, .8% CBC, .8% CBDV
Rolexx by Eagle Trees 20% THC
Cherry Pie Hybrid by Lazy Bee Gardens | 20% THC, 2.4% CBG
Blueberry Trainwreck by Raven Grass | 17.2% THC