Myrcene
Earthy monoterpene abundant in cannabis, hops, and mango—effects in humans remain unproven.
Myrcene is real, common in cannabis, and does things in lab dishes and mouse models. But the claim that it causes couch-lock or that a 0.5% threshold makes a strain 'indica' is marketing dressed up as science. There are no controlled human trials of myrcene at cannabis-relevant doses. Don't use strain name or terpene percentage alone to predict effects.
What it is
Myrcene (β-myrcene) is an acyclic monoterpene with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆. In plants, it is synthesized from geranyl pyrophosphate by the enzyme myrcene synthase Strong evidence[1]. It is one of the most widely distributed terpenes in the plant kingdom.
In cannabis, myrcene is frequently—though not always—the single most abundant terpene by mass in dried flower. Reported concentrations in commercial cannabis flower range from trace amounts up to roughly 30–50% of total terpene content in myrcene-dominant chemovars Strong evidence[2][3]. The presence of high myrcene does not reliably predict strain effects; see The Myrcene 0.5% Threshold for the evidence behind that claim.
Where it's found in nature
Outside cannabis, myrcene is abundant in:
- **Hops (Humulus lupulus)** — often the single largest terpene component of hop essential oil. Cannabis and hops share evolutionary kinship (both Cannabaceae family), which accounts for their shared resinous, beery aroma Strong evidence[1].
- **Mango (Mangifera indica)** — present in ripe fruit, though concentrations vary significantly by cultivar and ripeness stage.
- Lemongrass, bay laurel, thyme, verbena, cardamom — culinary and medicinal plants where myrcene is a minor to moderate volatile component Strong evidence[1].
The popular claim that eating mango before consuming cannabis will amplify your high by increasing blood myrcene levels is folklore without controlled human evidence Anecdote. The oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics would be implausible at typical mango serving sizes, and no study has tested this in humans.
Aroma and taste profile
Myrcene contributes a distinctive sensory profile: earthy and musky, with subtle peppery notes, a sweet fruity edge (often mango or red grape), and a resinous herbal undertone resembling crushed bay leaf or clove. At higher concentrations it can smell 'dank,' overripe, or distinctly beer-like. Its odor detection threshold is very low—humans can detect myrcene at parts-per-billion concentrations—so even modest amounts shape a strain's overall aroma.
Myrcene aromatically synergizes with other common cannabis terpenes: caryophyllene adds peppery notes, limonene contributes citrus, and pinene contributes pine. These combinations produce the classic bouquets associated with many popular cannabis strains.
Effects: what research actually shows
This is where myrcene's reputation significantly outpaces its evidence.
Preclinical evidence (animal and laboratory studies):
Myrcene shows bioactivity in non-human systems:
- Sedative and muscle-relaxant effects in mice at high doses, observed in a 1990 study using lemongrass-derived myrcene Weak / limited[4].
- Analgesic (pain-reducing) effects in rodent pain models, partially reversible by naloxone, suggesting involvement of the opioid system Weak / limited[4].
- Anti-inflammatory activity in cell culture and rodent models of osteoarthritis Weak / limited[5].
- Modulation of TRPV1 ion channels and minor effects on GABA-A receptors in isolated tissue Weak / limited[6].
Human evidence: There are no well-controlled clinical trials of isolated myrcene in humans for sedation, analgesia, relaxation, or any endpoint relevant to cannabis use No data. All popular claims about myrcene 'causing couch-lock' or promoting sleep are extrapolations from preclinical work using doses and routes (intraperitoneal injection in mice) that do not map onto inhaled cannabis exposure in humans.
On the 0.5% threshold myth: The widely repeated claim that cannabis containing more than 0.5% myrcene is automatically sedating ('indica-like') originated in a 2007 online article by Steep Hill Labs and was never published in a peer-reviewed journal with supporting evidence Disputed[7]. Treat this as marketing folklore, not pharmacology.
Cannabis strains often high in myrcene
Terpene profiles vary widely across testing laboratories and cultivation batches. The following strains are frequently reported as myrcene-dominant in commercial cannabinoid and terpene panels, but individual samples may differ:
- OG Kush and its descendants
- Granddaddy Purple
- Blue Dream (often co-dominant with pinene)
- Mango Kush
- Tangie (variable; sometimes limonene-dominant)
- 9 Pound Hammer
- Skunk #1 and lineage-related plants
Important caveat: Strain name is an unreliable predictor of terpene or cannabinoid content Strong evidence[3]. If you care about effects, inspect the certificate of analysis (COA) from the specific batch, which should include terpene and cannabinoid quantification. A recent test result from the product in front of you is far more informative than a strain name on a label.
Related terpenes
Myrcene frequently co-occurs or competes with other major cannabis terpenes:
- Caryophyllene — peppery sesquiterpene; often the second or third most abundant terpene in cannabis.
- Limonene — citrus-scented monoterpene; often co-dominant with myrcene in many strains.
- Pinene — pine-scented monoterpene; a cyclic structural cousin of myrcene.
- Linalool — floral monoterpene; frequently claimed (like myrcene) to promote sedation, though human evidence is similarly limited.
- Terpinolene — often inversely correlated with myrcene in cannabis chemotype clustering.
For background on how terpenes are claimed to work alongside cannabinoids, see Why Terpenes Matter (Or Don't).
Sources
- Peer-reviewed Surendran, S., Qassadi, F., Surendran, G., Lilley, D., & Heinrich, M. (2021). Myrcene — What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent? Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 699666.
- Peer-reviewed Hazekamp, A., Tejkalová, K., & Papadimitriou, S. (2016). Cannabis: From Cultivar to Chemovar II—A Metabolomics Approach to Cannabis Classification. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 1(1), 202–215.
- Peer-reviewed Smith, C. J., Vergara, D., Keegan, B., & Jikomes, N. (2022). The phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States. PLOS ONE, 17(5), e0267498.
- Peer-reviewed Rao, V. S., Menezes, A. M., & Viana, G. S. (1990). Effect of myrcene on nociception in mice. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 42(12), 877–878.
- Peer-reviewed Rufino, A. T., Ribeiro, M., Sousa, C., Judas, F., Salgueiro, L., Cavaleiro, C., & Mendes, A. F. (2015). Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, anti-catabolic and pro-anabolic effects of E-caryophyllene, myrcene and limonene in a cell model of osteoarthritis. European Journal of Pharmacology, 750, 141–150.
- Peer-reviewed Jansen, C., Shimoda, L. M. N., Kawakami, J. K., Ang, L., Bacani, A. J., Baker, J. D., et al. (2019). Myrcene and terpene regulation of TRPV1. Channels, 13(1), 344–366.
- Peer-reviewed Russo, E. B. (2019). The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No 'Strain,' No Gain. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 1969.
How this page was made
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Related
- Caryophyllene — A peppery sesquiterpene that activates CB2 receptors and appears in high concentrations in...
- The Indica/Sativa Myth — The popular classification system contradicts genetics, chemistry, and controlled research...
- Limonene — Citrus monoterpene with weak evidence for anxiety relief in cannabis contexts.
- The Myrcene 0.5% Threshold — A viral cannabis rule with no peer-reviewed evidence behind it.
- Why Terpenes Matter (Or Don't) — Terpenes drive scent and flavor; effects claims are mostly preclinical or anecdotal.