Get to Know a Cannabis Terpene: Myrcene
Get to Know Cannabis’ Most Prevalent Terpene
I’ve written about myrcene (a.k.a. β-myrcene) before, but when Eric Schmitz asked me in the comments to give myrcene the “Get to Know a Cannabis Terpene” treatment, I couldn’t resist a revisit to this key terpene found in cannabis. Myrcene is named for the plant genus Myrcia, which describes around 770 species of neotropical flowering plants. Pinene may be the most prevalent terpene in nature, but myrcene is the most prevalent terpene in cannabis (and interestingly, pyrolysis (burning) of pinene is often how myrcene is synthesized). Myrcene is so abundant in cannabis it can represent up to 20% of a cultivar’s terpene profile.
It has a particularly captivating smell, and Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin by Steffen Arctander says that myrcene is “refreshing, almost citrusy, but warm-balsamic, and ethereal-sweet”. Because of this, myrcene is often used to add some complexity to citrus and spicy perfumes.
General Uses
Myrcene had long been used as a food additive, but it was removed from use in food in 2020 due to invocation of the Delaney Clause which states that no carcinogen can be used in food — myrcene is a rat carcinogen (the type of neoplastic activity demonstrated by myrcene in rats is not demonstrated or relatable to humans, however, The study also featured giving a nearly pure, high dose of myrcene daily for 2 years. Poor rats!).
This doesn’t affect its natural isolate’s inclusion on lists of safe additives — but it does net a carcinogen warning for all types of β-myrcene in California.
Like other cannabis-associated terpenes, myrcene features in patents like sedative toothpaste , cannabis sweeteners , cannabis snuff , and CBD transdermal delivery systems. But myrcene is cited in many more patents. Myrcene is included in a patent for a topical analgesic. It’s also used in a lice control patent. Cannabis isn’t the only plant to seek a patent and use its terpene profile — there’s also a patent seeker for an Oregano Plant, ‘Eli.’
Myrcene’s also making its way into biofuels.
Myrcene is protective of cardiac tissue in rats , but it’s unsure how that translates to humans. It’s also a carcinogen, so — myrcene gives, myrcene takes, I suppose. In the gives column for our rat-friends is the fact it’s also been found to have an impressive analgesic effect for them.
Let’s get to humans — Some species of Myrcia were used in traditional medicines as a treatment for a variety of ailments , such as diabetes, diarrhea, inflammation, and pain.
About those renal effects in mice — they have been proven to not be mimicked in humans. A study found there was no renal effects from dietary β-myrcene in humans. There is a current clinical trial (as of October 2021) regarding the subjective effects of myrcene as compared alone and in conjunction with THC., The study will be complete in 2024. Paradoxical to standard belief on terpenes and anxiety, myrcene was found in abundance in some strains that were least effective against anxiety. I’m looking forward to more comprehensive studies, with larger sample sizes.
In Cannabis
Cannabis-wise, myrcene’s place as the most prevalent of all also means that it finds itself central to many cannabis myths. I’ve personally seen the recommendation that eating mango will enhance your high — and that wasn’t my experience when I tried it. And while Dr. Ethan Russo may have originally posited that myrcene might alter interaction at the blood-brain barrier, science has yet to substantiate that. Keep in mind, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t at all, or that other terpenes don’t (they do), but it means that as of yet we have not found proof. Myrcene is also said to be the determining factor between indicas and sativas — and I’m sorry friends, the only thing those terms really describe anymore is how cannabis plants grow. While the presence of myrcene won’t tell you how the cannabis plant will grow, myrcene is often found in its highest quantities in strains identified as “indica” (and sometimes hybrid).
Myrcene, in cannabis (just as it is in hops and in lemongrass), is a terpene associated with relaxation.
Look for myrcene in some of my favorites — 9 lb Hammer, Blue Dream, Granddaddy Purple, and his purple family (Ultimate Purple I miss you!).
General Info
Boiling Point: 332 F
Other Sources: Coffee, Beets, carrots, verbena, wild thyme, bay leaf, clary sage, bergamot, blueberries, pomelo, cardamom, celery leaf oil, celery seeds, chamomile, cinnamon, citronella, coriander, cumin, black currants, dill, allspice, eucalyptus, fennel, frankincense, geraniums, apricot, grapefruit, guava, hops, hyacinth, juniper berry, blood orange, lavender, lemon balm, lemon leafs, betel leaf, lemongrass, limes, anise, mandarin, mango, marjoram, myrcia, neroli, nutmeg, oranges, oregano, parsley, black pepper, peppermint, rosemary, sage, spearmint, tamarind, basil, caraway, tarragon, tea leaf, thyme, wormwood, ylang ylang, yuzu. . .
Scents: earthy, spicy, peppery, terpenic, balsalmic, woody, celery, shar, laurel-leaf
Flavors: camphoraceous, woody, vegetable, citrus, fruity, tropical, mango, leafy
Article Sources:
http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/rw1016531.html#tooccur
Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin by Steffen Arctander
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230020301343
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/myrcene
Originally published at https://oregoncannabisgazette.com.