What Is Myrcene? What Are Its Effects?

Terpenes are a fascinating group of organic compounds found in cannabis and many other plants. We usually think that they are responsible for the chemical and aroma profiles, but there’s a lot more to them.

Not only do they protect the plants against predators and diseases - terpenes also have many benefits for us and they can enhance the medicinal properties of other compounds as well.

One of the most prominent among them is Myrcene.

Let’s take a look into what is myrcene, its properties, potential benefits, and its exciting role in both the culinary and medicinal worlds. 

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are the compounds responsible for the way most plants smell. They’re the reason for the fresh aroma of lavender, the soothing smell of jasmine, and the classic cannabis aroma.

Terpenes are not just limited to aroma, they protect the plants from herbivores, attract pollinators like bees and even fight off diseases.

Many terpenes have also been found to have distinct potential benefits. For instance, limonene offers a refreshing citrus aroma and may help alleviate stress, while beta-caryophyllene, with its spicy scent, has anti-inflammatory and pain-relief properties.

Terpenes are also one of the main reasons for the variety of effects across different cannabis strains.

What is Myrcene?

Myrcene, known scientifically as beta-myrcene, is a naturally occurring terpene with a musty and earthy aroma found in various plants like mango, hops, thyme, and cannabis, with a musty and earthy aroma.

Beta-myrcene has several chemical and biological properties that make it a significant compound; its molecular formula is C₁₀H₁₆.

It also happens to be the most abundant terpene found in cannabis plants.

Beyond its scent, beta-myrcene offers significant therapeutic benefits.

Researchers have found that it has anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic properties¹. Although more research is needed to completely verify these benefits.

Myrcene works with other terpenes and cannabinoids to enhance the overall entourage effect.

Myrcene also plays a vital role in plants as a defense mechanism against herbivores and pathogens.

What Is The Entourage Effect?

Entourage effect, a phenomenon where the various natural compounds in cannabis such as cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids work together to create more potent and effective outcomes than they would individually.

In other words, full-spectrum and whole-spectrum™ products can have more comprehensive benefits than products which contain isolated cannabinoids.

What are its Effects and Benefits?

There are several benefits and effects of myrcene, especially when it interacts with other compounds in cannabis plants:

• Relaxation: It promotes calmness and is considered a contributor to the "couch lock" effect in cannabis?.
• Sleep: Its sedative effects can enhance the sleep promoting properties of CBD (cannabidiol) and other cannabinoids.
• Anxiety: It may help in reducing anxiousness by soothing your nervous system, reducing mental and physical stress by easing your muscle tension.
• Appetite: Myrcene may help stimulate appetite by enhancing the effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), also known as “munchies”.
• Pain: Myrcene interacts with pain receptors in your body, ease discomfort and manage pain, particularly when combined with THC and CBD.

You see, myrcene is a key ingredient in cannabis plants and even essential oils of many plants, and research suggests it may have some pretty impressive therapeutic properties.

Recent research suggests that myrcene has calming and soothing effects on both the body and mind. This terpene is linked to promoting euphoria and elevating mood as well.

For instance, studies indicate that myrcene may also enhance the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of CBD.

Does myrcene make you hungry?

Myrcene has the ability to increase appetite. But how? Let’s find out...

While myrcene itself isn't directly responsible for making you hungry, it can make you feel hungry by enhancing the effects of cannabinoids like THC, which is known to stimulate appetite.

THC activates the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your body’s endocannabinoid system, which play a role in regulating hunger. By boosting THC's impact, myrcene indirectly contributes to the well-known "munchies" effect, leading to increased appetite.

How does Myrcene affect your high? What’s the connection?

Myrcene's influence on your high stems from its ability to interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), the same system that THC and other cannabinoids affect.

While myrcene itself doesn't directly bind to cannabinoid receptors like THC does, it appears to modulate the ECS and influence how other cannabinoids interact with it.

Myrcene-dominant strains are perfect for relaxation and falling asleep. This terpene may also increase the analgesic properties of other cannabinoids, leading to more effective relief.

Myrcene is often associated with sedative effects, which are commonly linked to indica strains. This might lead people to believe it's more prevalent in indicas.

However, it is abundant in many cannabis strains, both indica and sativa. The overall terpene profile and its interaction with cannabinoids determine the specific effects of a strain.

How Myrcene Interacts With Other Cannabinoids

Myrcene plays a crucial role in amplifying the therapeutic potential of other cannabinoids in cannabis.

It works together with compounds like THC and CBD, enhancing their overall impact.

When myrcene interacts with THC, it enhances the effects of the high by helping THC cross the blood-brain barrier more efficiently.

When paired with CBD, myrcene enhances its therapeutic properties without any intoxication. It provides deeper relaxation and calmness without making you feel high or overly sedated.

Beyond THC and CBD, myrcene may also interact with other cannabinoids like CBG and CBN. It may boost the antibacterial properties of CBG and enhance the sedative effects of CBN.

While research is ongoing, these potential interactions are certainly interesting.

Source of Myrcene

Myrcene is found in the trichomes of female cannabis plants.

Being so simple in its chemical makeup, it can be found in many popular plants.

Some common plant foods that naturally contain myrcene are:

• Cannabis
• Mango
• Clove
• Hops
• Guava
• Cinnamon
• Basil
• Bay leaves
• Oregano
• Lemongrass

Cannabis strains which are rich in myrcene can provide physical relaxation and sedation. It has a unique ability to influence the “high” of THC, the principal psychoactive component in cannabis.

High-Myrcene Cannabis Strains

High-myrcene cannabis strains are popular for their relaxing and sedative effects.

It serves as the dominant terpene in almost 50% of strain profiles.

Stains high in myrcene, are known for producing quick and potent high, as myrecene plays a key role in enhancing the absorption of cannabinoids through the skin and other membranes.

Myrcene's effects can be significantly altered by the presence of other compounds. Blue Dream, while containing myrcene, also has significant amounts of limonene, which is known for its uplifting effects and less CBD concentration.

This combination likely contributes to Blue Dream's energetic and euphoric qualities.

Here are some strains known for their typically high myrcene content:

• Blue Dream: This strain delivers a strong high with varying effects—either energizing or relaxing—depending on dosage. Despite myrcene's relaxing nature, Blue Dream's balanced profile can produce uplifting effects as well.
• OG Kush: known for its high THC content, often exceeding 20%, making it a powerful choice for experienced users.
• Helaqium: it has high CBD content, with a reliable CBD-to-THC ratio of about 5:2. making it a popular choice for those seeking therapeutic effects without intense psychoactivity.
• Granddaddy Purple: known for its distinctive earthy and clove-like aroma, contributing to its relaxing and therapeutic qualities.

Conclusion

Myrcene stands out as not just an aromatic compound but also a potential player in the health and wellness arena. From enhancing the sensory experience of cannabis to offering therapeutic possibilities, this fascinating terpene is worthy of exploration.

For further exploration of terpenes and their unique properties, consider checking out.

The Hidden World of Terpenes, CBD & Cannabis - Cannovia

References

1. Surendran, S., Qassadi, F., Surendran, G., Lilley, D., & Heinrich, M. (2021). Myrcene—What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent? Frontiers in Nutrition, 8:699666. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.699666 ↩︎