Terpene Tuesday: Myrcene

Are you familiar with the myth that eating mangoes prior to consuming THC will enhance the effects you feel? It turns out, this is no myth at all, but is well documented. And, it is all due to the myrcene terpene. In this edition of Terpene Tuesday, discover why myrcene is so coveted, and where you can find this sedating terpene.

What is myrcene?

Myrcene, also known as beta-myrcene, is a prominent monoterpene. It is found in hops, thyme, lemongrass, chamomile, and highly fragrant fruits such as mangoes. As mentioned earlier, it has been shown that consuming fruits high in myrcene content prior to consuming THC leads to heightened effects. This could be due to the synergistic relationship between myrcene and THC, which allows cannabinoids to more easily bind to receptors in your endocannabinoid system.

Myrcene benefits and effects

Myrecene’s earliest uses can be traced back to ancient times, where it was used to treat dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, hypertension, and more. It can be found in concentrations of 65% in certain strains, dominating other terpenes.

Today, users claim that myrcene leaves them feeling sedated, and “couch-locked”. In fact, any strain containing 0.5% myrcene or more is considered an indica dominant strain. This makes it a very effective terpene to target for relaxation or insomnia. While it has sedative characteristics, users also often find themselves feeling very euphoric and joyful with myrcene heavy strains. Myrcene has also been found to act as an:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Analgesic (pain reliever)
• Antibiotic
• Sedative
• Sleep aid
• Antimutagenic
• Muscle relaxant

Another reason myrcene carries so much medicinal power is because of its relationship with THC. Due to the entourage effect, strains high in myrcene are great medicinal options.

The entourage effect is a well documented phenomenon showing that cannabinoids and terpenes work together to improve the healing capabilities of cannabis.

What cannabis strains are high in myrcene?

There are a number of strains that have high levels of the myrcene terpene. Any strain that leaves you feeling couch locked or sedated likely contains a respectable amount of it. For an extra boost of of this sedating terpene, look for strains like:

• Pure Kush
• White Widow
• Himalayan Gold
• Special Kush 1
• Skunk XL