*Produced in partnership with Trulieve Cannabis Dispensary
Terpenes are produced by a large variety of plants, including Cannabis. They are the compounds responsible for the fragrances plants (and even some insects) emit. Beyond exuding an aromatic fragrance, individual terpenes possess therapeutic properties of their own & have a rich history of medicinal uses dating back thousands of years.
Terpenes work synergistically with cannabinoids and other compounds present in the cannabis plant to either enhance or inhibit their actions in the body. This synergy is known as “the entourage effect” and is an increasingly popular area of study.
An old “hippie” tradition is to eat a few pieces of mango, either directly before or after smoking a joint. This is likely due to the fact that mango is a rich source of Myrcene, which has been shown to enhance the effects of THC, a prime example the “entourage effect” in action.
What is Myrcene?
Myrcene rich herbal remedies have a long history of use in Ancient cultures. For example, lemongrass tea (rich in Myrcene) has traditionally been used in Mexico as a muscle relaxant and sleep aid, a botanical remedy passed down through generations.
Myrcene dominant cultivars (strains) account for up to 40-65% of all cannabis plants, making it one of the most (if not the most) common of all terpenes found in cannabis. It can even represent as much as 20% of a cultivars total terpene content. It has been described as having a musk or clove like aroma with a peppery “flavor”.
Myrcene acts as an anti-inflammatory, a pain reliever, muscle relaxant, sedative and has even been shown to offer protection against certain types of cancer.
Other Sources of Myrcene found in Nature:
Myrcene is also found in a variety of fresh herbs such as lemongrass, parsley, thyme and cardamom, in hops and in mango.
Myrcene interacts with:
- CBD to block inflammation.
- CBD and CBG to block naturally occurring hepatic carcinogenesis, offering potential protection from liver cancer.
- CBD and THC to promote powerful analgesic (pain relieving) properties.
- THC to stimulate hypnotic, muscle relaxing, sedative actions.
What does the research say?
A pre-clinical study conducted in 2002 indicated that at high doses, Myrcene produced a sedative effect, with researchers reporting that (in rats), Myrcene “increased barbiturate sleeping time as compared to control”.
In a 2017 study, Researchers reported: “Our data indicate that myrcene has a potential protective effect on UVB-induced human skin photoaging”, suggesting that Myrcene may hold the potential to protect against ultra violet induced aging.
Myrcene rich cannabis cultivars:
* 9 lb. Hammer: promotes “heavy” and long lasting effects, it can be useful for pain, stress relief and to promote a restful nights sleep.
* Granddaddy Purple: promotes both euphoric and relaxing effects, it can be helpful for stress reduction, insomnia, pain and as an appetite stimulant.
* OG Kush: a stress relieving hybrid with a lemony-piney aroma, promoting mood enhancement and relaxation
* Blue Dream: promoting a mellow euphoric effect with a spark of creative energy.
In a nutshell:
Commonly used in ancient remedies around the World, terpenes are only recently being appreciated for their therapeutic properties in modern day Society. Myrcene posseses a wide range of applications, from medicinal to the Skincare Industry.
With Myrcene being one of the most prevalent terpenes present across cannabis cultivars, medical cannabis patients would benefit from understanding the therapeutic value this terpene has to offer.
* This information is not intended as medical advice, it is for informational purposes only.
References:
Do Vale, T.G., Furtado, E.C., (2002). Central effects of citral, myrcene and limonene, constituents of essential oil chemotypes from Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown. Phytomedicine. 9(8): 709-714
Hwang, E., Ngo, H., et. al. (2017). Myrcene, an Aromatic Volatile Compound, Ameliorates Human Skin Extrinsic Aging via Regulation of MMPs Production. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 45(5):1113-1124
Russo, E.B. (2011). Taming thc: Potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid – terpenoid entourage effects. British Journal of Pharmacology. 163: 1351