What Is the Myrcene Terpene?

Photo by Miguel Constantin Montes

Terpenes in cannabis are the quiet performers that do more than just the scent and taste of the buds and may even influence the effect of the strain.

Out of the many terpenes that your buds are likely to contain, myrcene is probably the most familiar by smell and feel. But do you really know what myrcene is and why it’s so popular in the cannabis community? Take a leaf from your favorite strain and follow along as we explore the earthy characteristics of myrcene.

Myrcene is one of the most common terpenes in cannabis, and its name is pronounced as “mur-seen.” This is the compound that gives off that earthy, musky smell that may remind you of cloves, herbs, or even the scent of a damp forest after rain. Myrcene is not only found in cannabis, you can also find it in everyday objects like the hops used in beer, lemongrass, thyme, and even mangoes.

Aromatic Profile: Earthy, Musky, and Herbal

Myrcene isn’t flashy. It doesn’t have the bright citrus notes or the floral undertones you expect. Instead, it’s the quiet but vital bass line of a great song. Its earthy, slightly spicy aroma is what gives cannabis that down-to-earth smell, and it gets along great with other terpenes, really enhancing the overall character of a strain.

Where else you’ll find it:

• Hops (hence the earthy aroma of beer)

• Basil

• Lemongrass

• Bay leaves
  

Effects: What Does Myrcene Do?

It isn’t just about smelling great, too. Myrcene is also thought to be quite important in determining how cannabis affects one’s high. Studies indicate that myrcene may be responsible for the relaxing sedative effects typically linked to many indica strains. The terpene says, ‘Let’s stay home and chill tonight.’

Myrcene and the Entourage Effect

There is something called the "entourage effect," which is the idea that terpenes and cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) work together to enhance cannabis’s effects. Myrcene is a key player in this phenomenon. It is thought to amplify the overall experience of cannabis by helping cannabinoids cross the blood-brain barrier more efficiently.

Translation? Myrcene might be the reason your favorite strain feels just right.

The Mango Connection

Photo by Alan Cabello

The mango story should be revisited, no matter how ridiculous it seems. There is a saying that eating a mango about 45 minutes before consuming cannabis can increase your high in that the myrcene in the mango enhances it. Although there is no concrete scientific evidence to back this up, many cannabis users claim it works. Whether it is science or placebo, it is a fun, delicious experiment to try.

Myrcene may lack the limonene's flashy citrus scents or the floral notes of linalool, but its earthy, grounding nature is essential. It is the component of many well-known strains and one of the most important terpenes responsible for the relaxing effects that cannabis users enjoy.

When you are savoring that musky aroma strain, give a thought to myrcene. It’s not just a terpene—it’s the MVP of chill.