Your guide to myrcene, a terpene in cannabis

Myrcene is a terpene that can be found in cannabis, mangos, thyme, and other plants. It has a musky aroma and is known for providing calming effects that may help with health conditions like anxiety and insomnia.

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What is myrcene?

Myrcene is a terpene, or a type of natural chemical found in many plants, including cannabis. It’s also found in:

• Hops
• Lemongrass
• Thyme
• Basil
• Bay leaves
• Mangos
• Guava
• Cardamom
• Juniper

Myrcene has an earthy, musky aroma. It’s widely known for its relaxing properties, which can help with health issues like sleep difficulties and anxiety. Myrcene can also be used as a flavoring or aroma agent for foods, beverages, cosmetics, and cleaning products.

What are myrcene’s effects?

Myrcene has several possible health benefits. But more studies are needed to confirm its potential effects.

Relieves anxiety

Research shows that myrcene may act as a sedative. Many cannabis users report that high-myrcene strains help with stress and anxiety.

Improves sleep

In an animal study, high doses of myrcene were shown to make mice drowsy. In another animal study, mice that were exposed to myrcene fell asleep faster and stayed asleep for longer than the control group.

Relieves pain

Myrcene may lower pain by interrupting pain signals between the nerves and the brain. An animal study found that rats that were given oral injections of myrcene experienced pain relief.

Acts as an anti-inflammatory

Myrcene’s anti-inflammatory properties may help with pain. In one study, a combination of myrcene and other cannabis terpenes slowed down the destruction of cartilage, or the tissue that protects bone and joins, in people with osteoarthritis.

Has potential anti-cancer properties

In one study, researchers found that myrcene stopped breast cancer cells from spreading. In another study, myrcene was shown to stop cancerous tumors from growing. But more research is needed to fully understand myrcene’s effects on cancer.

Has anti-aging skin benefits

Antioxidants are substances that protect your cells against free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage your DNA. Myrcene has antioxidant properties that have been shown to prevent skin damage caused by sun exposure.

Myrcene terpene in cannabis

Myrcene is one of over 150 terpenes that can be found in cannabis. Terpenes are compounds that affect a plant’s smell, flavor, and effects.

According to cannabis users, myrcene helps:

• Lower stress and anxiety
• Relieve pain
• Improve sleep
• Reduce inflammation

Most high-myrcene strains are indica strains, although many sativa strains also contain high levels of myrcene. A strain with more than 0.5% myrcene is considered a high-myrcene strain, and tends to produce more calming effects.

High-myrcene strains

Myrcene is found in almost all strains of cannabis. However, some strains have higher amounts of myrcene than others. Popular high-myrcene strains include:

• Grape Ape is a powerful strain that may have sedative effects.

• Harlequin is a popular strain to help ease pain and relieve stress.

• OG Kush is commonly sought after for stress and depression.

• Blue Dream can ease stress and improve mood without causing drowsiness.

• Granddaddy Purple is a potent strain that may aid in sleep.

• 9 Pound Hammer is a popular choice for chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety.

• ACDC is a mild strain that might help lower inflammation and stress.

• Critical Mass is commonly used for its calming and pain-relieving effects.

• Skunk XL is a mood-boosting, energizing strain.

• Banana Kush can produce strong sedating effects that may help with insomnia.

• White Widow can help boost mood and energy levels.

Learn more about these and other high-myrcene strains by speaking with your dispensary’s budtender or a Leafwell provider.

Myrcene side effects

Consuming high quantities of myrcene may cause side effects, including:

• Skin irritation (if applied to the skin)
• Breathing difficulties
• Drowsiness

The amounts of myrcene in cannabis are unlikely to cause these side effects.

The bottom line: Myrcene plays a role in the health benefits of cannabis

Myrcene is one of many cannabis compounds that may offer health benefits. You might opt for high-myrcene strains if you’re seeking relief from anxiety, insomnia, or pain.

Getting a medical cannabis card can help you access a wide variety of high-myrcene strains at a licensed dispensary. Contact a Leafwell provider to start the process of getting your card.

Resources

• Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the cannabis terpene myrcene in rat adjuvant monoarthritis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9319952/
• Anti-invasive effect of βmyrcene, a component of the essential oil from Pinus korainensis cones, in metastatic MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13765-015-0081-3#page-1
• Beta-myrcene as a sedative-hypnotic component from lavender essential oil in DL-4-clorophenylalanine-induced-insomnia mice. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/9/1161
• Central effects of citral, myrcene and limonene, constituents of essential oil chemotypes from Lippia alba (Mill.) n.e. Brown. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12587690/
• Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, anti-catabolic and pro-anabolic effects of E-caryophyllene, myrcene and limonene in a cell model of osteoarthritis. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014299915000412
• Myrcene. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/31253
• Myrcene. https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chris/MRE.pdf
• Myrcene: A natural compound showing anticancer activity in HeLa cells. https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/18/6728
• Myrcene, an aromatic volatile compound, ameliorates human skin extrinsic aging via regulation of MMPs production. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28659037/
• Myrcene mimics the peripheral analgesic activity of lemongrass tea. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1753786/
• Myrcene — what are the potential health benefits of this flavouring and aroma agent? https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.699666/full
• Terpenes in Cannabis sativa — from plant genome to humans. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168945219301190
• Terpenes/terpenoids in cannabis: Are they important? https://karger.com/mca/article/3/1/25/188913/Terpenes-Terpenoids-in-Cannabis-Are-They-Important

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