Cannabinoids often get all the glory when it comes to finding the best weed strains. While THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), and minor cannabinoids are all important, there is another chemical compound found in cannabis that deserves some credit: terpenes. One of the most predominant terpenes in cannabis is the myrcene terpene.
But what is terpene exactly? Are there myrcene benefits to consider? Let’s put myrcene in the spotlight for a closer look, and find out why this terpene is worth getting to know.
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What is myrcene?
Usually referred to in scientific literature as beta myrcene, myrcene is one of roughly 400 terpenes that can be found in plants that belong to the cannabis family. Myrcene is not specific to cannabis, however. Like other terpenes, myrcene can also be found in other plants, such as mangoes, hops, parsley, and thyme. This terpene can have a sweet, somewhat fruity taste with a bit of earthy spice or pepper.
Myrcene is a smaller compound in terms of chemical structure as a monoterpene, but it is also thought to be one of the most abundant terpenes in cannabis. Some references say about 20 percent of the full terpene profile of most modern strains can be attributed to myrcene alone. Therefore, finding high-myrcene strains is not a difficult feat. And, while terpenes are often thought to be only responsible for aromatics and flavor, myrcene can have interesting bioactivity that enhances the overall experience with your weed.
Potential Myrcene Effects
The myrcene terpene’s primary known effect is its ability to leave you feeling sedated. This proposed action is proven by the fact that high-myrcene cannabis strains are often those most affiliated with the ability to leave you utterly relaxed and ready for sleep.
The sedating effect of cannabis is commonly associated with high-THC or even Indica strains. However, high levels of myrcene can play a critical role in determining the end level of effects. This is why it is always important to get more familiar with the full chemical profile of any cannabis flower you are considering.
In smaller concentrations, myrcene effects may lean more toward the soothing level of effects instead of being all-out sedating. Therefore, strains lighter on myrcene may be good for anxiety and stress or simply leave you feeling in a calmer, more focused mood.
Are there any myrcene benefits?
Myrcene is only beginning to be examined as a therapeutic agent. Many studies that currently exist on this terpene’s benefits have been conducted on animals, so human studies to provide concrete evidence are lacking. Nevertheless, myrcene benefits are easy to speculate based on what is currently known about the properties of the terpene, such as:
- Sedative properties
- Anxiolytic properties
- Muscle-relaxing properties
- Anticonvulsant properties
- Antioxidant properties
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Analgesic properties
With such a robust collection of biological properties, myrcene holds promise for everything from helping people in pain and sleep to mood disorders and serious diseases. Therefore, the medical community has taken a profound interest in myrcene for the last few years, and future studies are bound to provide even more insight.
High Myrcene Strains
As noted above, high myrcene strains are definitely not hard to find. Since myrcene is one of the most prevalent cannabis terpenes, you’ve likely experienced myrcene in many of your favorite strains. A few good examples of cultivars with the most prolific levels of myrcene include:
- Blue Dream
- OG Kush
- Gorilla Cookies
- Granddaddy Purple
- 9 Pound Hammer
- Tangie
- Critical Mass
One interesting thing about strains high in myrcene is the fact that many of those are highly prized among medical cannabis patients. For example, Critical Mass has a reputation for helping with severe pain and migraines. Granddaddy Purple is beloved for its rapid onset of drowsiness, which can be great for patients with sleep disorders like insomnia. And Blue Dream is said to be one of the best strains when you’re dealing with stress and anxiety.
Explore the World of Terpene-Rich Cannabis at HWY 420
When you shop for flower, you should be able to walk into the best dispensaries in Washington State and ask for whatever terpene-rich strain you want. At Highway 420 dispensaries in Bremerton and Silverdale, we make that process easy by providing one of the most diverse collections of terpene-rich strains in the area. If you’re looking to get a first-hand experience with myrcene, stop by and allow one of our budtenders to point you in the right direction.
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