Myrcene: What This Terpene Does to Improve Health

Structural chemical formula of myrcene molecule
Danijela Maksimovic/Shutterstock

Anyone who has tried cannabis knows how aromatic it is. The terpenes inside the cannabis give it much of its aroma, as well as its flavor. Many strains have a spicy and fruity fragrance and taste, which is due to the presence of the terpene “myrcene.”

This terpene is prevalent, and the chances are that most people have consumed it – even people who do not use cannabis. This terpene and its powerful aroma is present in several products, including beer and tea.

Some cannabis users and traditional herbalists believe terpenes like myrcene can help improve health outcomes, and research is emerging that shows there is some truth in what they say.

Table of Contents

  1. Myrcene’s Effects on the Body
  2. How Do People Use This Terpene?
  3. What High Levels of Myrcene Can Do
  4. Can It Act as an Anti-Inflammatory?
  5. Myrcene as an Anti-Anxiety?
  6. Can These Terpenes Be Smoked?
  7. Levels in the Different Kinds of Cannabis
  8. Does It Cause Fatigue and Drowsiness
  9. Concluding Thoughts

Table of Contents

  1. Myrcene’s Effects on the Body
  2. How Do People Use This Terpene?
  3. What High Levels of Myrcene Can Do
  4. Can It Act as an Anti-Inflammatory?
  5. Myrcene as an Anti-Anxiety?
  6. Can These Terpenes Be Smoked?
  7. Levels in the Different Kinds of Cannabis
  8. Does It Cause Fatigue and Drowsiness
  9. Concluding Thoughts

What is Myrcene and What Are the Effects of This Terpene?

Myrcene is a common cannabinoid found in most, if not all, cannabis strains. This agent is also found in hops and herbs like lemongrass, thyme, and mango. One reason people use the terpene is that it is believed to work as a muscle relaxant and sedative.

It may also do other things, like relieve pain, anxiety, and moderate other disorders’ effects. There is a growing body of evidence that shows this terpene is as effective as many believe.

What Strain Has the Most Myrcene?

Several strains have a high amount:

  • Pure Kush
  • Grape Ape
  • Mango Kush
  • White Widow
  • OG Kush is well-known for its high content.

These strains help treat pain, insomnia, depression, and the symptoms of several disorders.

Myrcene in Cannabis

Myrcene is present in all kinds of cannabis and is not significantly dominant in one type of plant. The best way to judge the effects of marijuana is to find out the plant breed but not look at its content.

Studies have shown that “myrcene accounts for more than 20% of the terpene profile in commercial strains.” This fact means that users get a lot of myrcene from cannabis. But this is not bad. This agent restores sleep and, by reacting with a group of cannabinoids, enhances their effect. The highest concentration of terpene is found in White Widow.

As a general rule, indiсa helps users feel relaxed, while sativa helps them feel stimulated. Hybrids, which consist of indica and sativa, may produce either effect.

What is Myrcene in Weed?

Myrcene is a common terpene found in cannabis. Most strains have more than 20 percent in their respective profiles. But, some strains have more of it than others. Whether a plant is Sativa, Indica, or a hybrid variant has no impact on the myrcene amount in it.

This terpene can only modify the effects of marijuana and not transform it into something completely different.

What Essential Oils Have Myrcene?

Myrcene is the component of several essential oils from plants like bay, cannabis, verbena, juniper, and hops. The terpene is widely found in various other plants around the globe.

The oil extracted from Magnolia sieboldii flowers contains 12.72% myrcene and 60 other terpenes to provide the anti-inflammatory effect.

Myrcene is a common cannabinoid found in most, if not all, cannabis strains. This agent is also found in hops and herbs like lemongrass, thyme, and mango. One reason people use the terpene is that it is believed to work as a muscle relaxant and sedative.

It may also do other things, like relieve pain, anxiety, and moderate other disorders’ effects. There is a growing body of evidence that shows this terpene is as effective as many believe.

What Strain Has the Most Myrcene?

Several strains have a high amount:

  • Pure Kush
  • Grape Ape
  • Mango Kush
  • White Widow
  • OG Kush is well-known for its high content.

These strains help treat pain, insomnia, depression, and the symptoms of several disorders.

Myrcene in Cannabis

Myrcene is present in all kinds of cannabis and is not significantly dominant in one type of plant. The best way to judge the effects of marijuana is to find out the plant breed but not look at its content.

Studies have shown that “myrcene accounts for more than 20% of the terpene profile in commercial strains.” This fact means that users get a lot of myrcene from cannabis. But this is not bad. This agent restores sleep and, by reacting with a group of cannabinoids, enhances their effect. The highest concentration of terpene is found in White Widow.

As a general rule, indiсa helps users feel relaxed, while sativa helps them feel stimulated. Hybrids, which consist of indica and sativa, may produce either effect.

What is Myrcene in Weed?

Myrcene is a common terpene found in cannabis. Most strains have more than 20 percent in their respective profiles. But, some strains have more of it than others. Whether a plant is Sativa, Indica, or a hybrid variant has no impact on the myrcene amount in it.

This terpene can only modify the effects of marijuana and not transform it into something completely different.

What Essential Oils Have Myrcene?

Myrcene is the component of several essential oils from plants like bay, cannabis, verbena, juniper, and hops. The terpene is widely found in various other plants around the globe.

The oil extracted from Magnolia sieboldii flowers contains 12.72% myrcene and 60 other terpenes to provide the anti-inflammatory effect.

How to Use Myrcene

There is no unique way to use the terpene if it is in cannabis. If cannabis has this terpene in it, it will be absorbed by the body if smoked, vaped, or consumed in another fashion.

The trick is to find the cannabis that has a substantial amount of it. To do this, one should go to a cannabis dispensary and speak with the store clerk about what bud in his or her inventory has the most myrcene. There are also extracts in the form of a liquid with highly concentrated levels of this terpene.

There is no unique way to use the terpene if it is in cannabis. If cannabis has this terpene in it, it will be absorbed by the body if smoked, vaped, or consumed in another fashion.

The trick is to find the cannabis that has a substantial amount of it. To do this, one should go to a cannabis dispensary and speak with the store clerk about what bud in his or her inventory has the most myrcene. There are also extracts in the form of a liquid with highly concentrated levels of this terpene.

What Does the Terpene Myrcene Do?

Folk medicine using this has a long history.

  • Lemongrass tea, which contains this terpene, is thought to have a sedative effect and act as a muscle relaxant.
  • Another myrcene effect is the increase in sleep duration and its quality.
  • Myrcene in hops is also used to make sleep aids in some parts of the world, chiefly because it contains a high amount.

However, few controlled studies indicate whether this terpene is as effective as some believe.

But some studies are out there that show there is some truth to what people say about the effectiveness of these folk remedies.

Folk medicine using this has a long history.

  • Lemongrass tea, which contains this terpene, is thought to have a sedative effect and act as a muscle relaxant.
  • Another myrcene effect is the increase in sleep duration and its quality.
  • Myrcene in hops is also used to make sleep aids in some parts of the world, chiefly because it contains a high amount.

However, few controlled studies indicate whether this terpene is as effective as some believe.

But some studies are out there that show there is some truth to what people say about the effectiveness of these folk remedies.

Myrcene as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent

Numerous studies have evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of beta-myrcene.

Osteoarthritis researchers have studied myrcene and its effect on osteoarthritis. The brief conclusions are: “Myrcene has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic effects that affect human cartilage cells. And therefore, its ability to stop or at least slow down the degradation of cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis requires further study. ”

Oils with this terpene were administered to animals, and it was able to inhibit inflammation and cell migration. It was also highly effective in preventing nitric oxide production at doses below the cytotoxicity of these monoterpenes.

Numerous studies have evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of beta-myrcene.

Osteoarthritis researchers have studied myrcene and its effect on osteoarthritis. The brief conclusions are: “Myrcene has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic effects that affect human cartilage cells. And therefore, its ability to stop or at least slow down the degradation of cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis requires further study. ”

Oils with this terpene were administered to animals, and it was able to inhibit inflammation and cell migration. It was also highly effective in preventing nitric oxide production at doses below the cytotoxicity of these monoterpenes.

Is Myrcene Good for Anxiety?

Brazilians believe that lemongrass tea can reduce anxiety. Scientists in Brazil decided to test this claim in 1990. They concluded that this terpene reduced pain and stress by causing the body to produce natural opioids.

Research has shown that it has sedative effects on par with the barbiturate phenobarbital, particularly when combined with other terpenes.

Brazilians believe that lemongrass tea can reduce anxiety. Scientists in Brazil decided to test this claim in 1990. They concluded that this terpene reduced pain and stress by causing the body to produce natural opioids.

Research has shown that it has sedative effects on par with the barbiturate phenobarbital, particularly when combined with other terpenes.

What Does Myrcene Do When Smoked?

THC or CBD-based vape liquid is intended for vaping the terpenes. If weed is smoked, the terpenes will enter the body through the circulatory system. In fact, this is more efficient than drinking lemongrass tea or any other method that involves oral consumption. Inhalation is the most effective means of getting any nutrient into the body.

In this case, it bypasses the digestive system, where much of it would be lost to the digestive process. Instead, it is delivered directly to the bloodstream via the circulatory system, resulting in faster relief from anxiety, inflammation, and other problems.

What Flavor is Myrcene?

Myrcene’s aroma gives marijuana its musky scent and adds a degree of flavor to the bud. This terpene gives weed a mildly sweet flavor if there is enough of it in the bud.

It can lend a spicy and earthy taste to it, as well. However, all of this is subjective, and some might experience different sensations after trying it.

THC or CBD-based vape liquid is intended for vaping the terpenes. If weed is smoked, the terpenes will enter the body through the circulatory system. In fact, this is more efficient than drinking lemongrass tea or any other method that involves oral consumption. Inhalation is the most effective means of getting any nutrient into the body.

In this case, it bypasses the digestive system, where much of it would be lost to the digestive process. Instead, it is delivered directly to the bloodstream via the circulatory system, resulting in faster relief from anxiety, inflammation, and other problems.

What Flavor is Myrcene?

Myrcene’s aroma gives marijuana its musky scent and adds a degree of flavor to the bud. This terpene gives weed a mildly sweet flavor if there is enough of it in the bud.

It can lend a spicy and earthy taste to it, as well. However, all of this is subjective, and some might experience different sensations after trying it.

Myrcene Levels in Indica and Sativa Strains

Many believe that Indica strains have >0.5%, Sativa – <0.5%. This is likely because indica has a sedative effect. The sativa effect can be described as stimulating and creative, which inspires new ideas and creations.

Myrcene Potential Benefits

The terpene has many potential uses. There is a belief that it helps people suffering from insomnia, relax sore and tense muscles, and ease bodily pain and discomfort. It can also be used by people with diabetes when used with thujone.

Some think that it might prevent cancer by blocking aflatoxins caused by some fungi in food. Aflatoxins are known to cause cancer. It inhibits the liver enzyme CYP2B1, which causes aflatoxins to damage DNA.

Many believe that Indica strains have >0.5%, Sativa – <0.5%. This is likely because indica has a sedative effect. The sativa effect can be described as stimulating and creative, which inspires new ideas and creations.

Myrcene Potential Benefits

The terpene has many potential uses. There is a belief that it helps people suffering from insomnia, relax sore and tense muscles, and ease bodily pain and discomfort. It can also be used by people with diabetes when used with thujone.

Some think that it might prevent cancer by blocking aflatoxins caused by some fungi in food. Aflatoxins are known to cause cancer. It inhibits the liver enzyme CYP2B1, which causes aflatoxins to damage DNA.

Does Myrcene Make You Tired or Sleepy?

There is not a lot known about whether it makes people sleepy, but this is likely true. One of the reasons it is popular as herbal medicine is that those who use it believe it induces sleep.

However, as stated earlier, there is little evidence from controlled studies on humans or animals to support this belief.

Can Myrcene Get You High?

This terpene cannot get a person high. It has no psychoactive properties as THC does. Also, there is no evidence to suggest it will cause someone to test positive on a drug test. Myrcene has never been detected in a urine test.

This terpene can be taken safely without having to worry about suffering psychoactive effects. Also, no laws are banning its sale or use.

There is not a lot known about whether it makes people sleepy, but this is likely true. One of the reasons it is popular as herbal medicine is that those who use it believe it induces sleep.

However, as stated earlier, there is little evidence from controlled studies on humans or animals to support this belief.

Can Myrcene Get You High?

This terpene cannot get a person high. It has no psychoactive properties as THC does. Also, there is no evidence to suggest it will cause someone to test positive on a drug test. Myrcene has never been detected in a urine test.

This terpene can be taken safely without having to worry about suffering psychoactive effects. Also, no laws are banning its sale or use.

Conclusion

Myrcene has a lot of potential, judging by the prevailing belief in its effectiveness as herbal medicine. However, the potential is not the same thing as evidence. More studies have to be conducted on animals and volunteers to learn how effective it truly is.

If you use these terpenes as a nutritional supplement, please leave a comment below telling us how effective you think these terpenes positively affect treating inflammation, anxiety, pain, and other health-related problems.

Myrcene has a lot of potential, judging by the prevailing belief in its effectiveness as herbal medicine. However, the potential is not the same thing as evidence. More studies have to be conducted on animals and volunteers to learn how effective it truly is.

If you use these terpenes as a nutritional supplement, please leave a comment below telling us how effective you think these terpenes positively affect treating inflammation, anxiety, pain, and other health-related problems.

Published: June 4, 2021 Updated: June 8, 2021


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