There are hundreds of different natural-occurring substances that work inside a cannabis plant. Cannabinoids and terpenes work hand in hand to deliver an entourage of effects that allows the user of cannabis to experience a series of effects that differ from one strain to another. Apart from the varying levels of cannabinoid content per strain, a single strain of cannabis plant also holds different levels of terpenes. One very important and essential terpene is myrcene. In this article, we discuss what myrcene is and how it is important in the body.
What is Myrcene?
Cannabis holds almost 200 different types of terpenes. Terpenes are substances found in different strains of cannabis that make them unique. Terpenes hold the aroma and flavor of each strain of cannabis. This is the reason why you have strains that smell like coffee or pineapple or even diesel.
Myrcene is a primary terpene that occurs in aromatic plants, trees, and herbs such as hops, bay leaves, and mangoes. It gives the plant or herb its distinct flavor and smell depending on its content level. Myrcene is typically found in highly aromatic and flavorful strains of cannabis, but it is also present in other strains as well, albeit in lower proportions. The terpene is commonly found in Indica and hybrid strains.
The Effects and Benefits of Myrcene in Cannabis
While myrcene can be found in many different plants and trees all over the world, it is very abundant in the cannabis plant. Myrcene takes up to almost 50% of the total amount of terpenes in a single cannabis plant. When combined with powerful cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, it provides a wide variety of effects to the human system apart from providing the usual aroma and flavor.
To fully understand how myrcene interacts with the human system, we need to understand first the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a network within the human body that attracts and reacts to the cannabinoids that are ingested by the user. This is the reason why we experience and react to the effects of cannabis.
- Myrcene creates a reaction chain in the endocannabinoid system that helps revolves around providing relief from tension and pain. This is the reason why Indica strains have powerful sedative features. It is also known to cause several different resolutions for many medical conditions and symptoms such as epilepsy and seizures, hyperactivity in ADHD, and pain relief from many inflammatory diseases such as fibromyalgia and many others.
- Many doctors have recommended the use of cannabis with high levels of myrcene to patients who especially suffer from high levels of stress and anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness. The anti-depressant property of myrcene helps with depression as well. Myrcene also suppresses muscle activity, thus limiting spasm and muscle pain. Its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties also put hold any bacterial activity while its high levels of antioxidant properties prevent stress from deteriorating the integrity of the body.
- Another great application of myrcene is that it can be used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatment. Cancer therapies have a lot of debilitating effects on the body, and the use of myrcene and its potent properties allow cancer patients to experience lighter side effects without compromising the quality of their treatment. This serves as an instrumental way of dealing with the negative effects of cancer treatment and allowing for a better quality of life for cancer patients.
- A study shows that myrcene can penetrate the cell membranes, which allows the increase in THC volume. This happens when myrcene carries with it the different terpenes alongside THC and CBD in the bloodstream. Since it can permeate through cell membranes, it delivers the cannabinoids and terpenes into the cell, thus allowing for faster reaction to the substances introduced. This makes for better medicinal value and efficacy as well as allowing for the great entourage effect.
- One largely debated topic about myrcene is its interaction with the interaction between mangoes and cannabis. This infamous myth has made rounds in the cannabis community that allowed mango to be highly recommended before smoking weed. It is thought that eating mango an hour or so before smoking weed causes an increased reaction to cannabis. This bears a semblance of truth due to how myrcene interacts with THC. This allows the psychoactive effects of THC to be delivered immediately to the system and has a longer effect.
To wrap up the effects of myrcene, here are its surprising benefits:
- Antimicrobial properties
- Anti-depressant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Analgesic
- Anti-convulsant
- Sedative effects
- Anti-carcinogenic
- Anxiolytic effects
Strains With High Myrcene Content
Cannabis strains with high amounts of myrcene tend to lean towards the Indica family. While some hybrids also have high myrcene content, they have varying levels of Indica features in them. Studies have shown that myrcene provides the couchlock effect of Indica; thus, the following strains are highly recommended for those who want to attain such experience.
1. White Widow
White Widow is a classic strain that offers high levels of myrcene. It is known to have a woody, earthy aroma. The strain also delivers the sedative effects right after its euphoric high.
2. Skunk XL
This legendary strain comes from many different parent strains but is always linked to an Indica-Sativa hybrid. No matter how much Skunk XL has been paired with, it always retains its sweet and fruity taste. It promotes a very relaxing head high and a sedating experience right at the end.
3. Bubba Kush
Bubba Kush is a popular Indica heavy hybrid that is notably very sedative in nature. It induces a mind-bending high. Users can expect high levels of mental focus and slow descent to couch-lock.
Conclusion
Myrcene continues to be one of the well-known terpenes that deliver all the health benefits needed for humans. The fact that myrcene is still continuously being studied and currently presents all these overwhelming benefits brings optimistic results to research and study of the terpene. While research is still ongoing, its promise to provide even more relief and benefits is highly ambitious. It could be that myrcene might be the best discovery since THC and CBD.
