Myrcene

Myrcene – PatientsCann UK Skip to main content Back to Terpenes Guide Myrcene Beta-Myrcene pronounced: MUR-seen The most common terpene in cannabis. Found in mangoes and hops. Monoterpene Boiling point: 167°C Terpene type Monoterpene Boiling point 167°C Primary aroma Earthy Key effect Relaxing Aroma profile How it Smells The aroma of myrcene is described as: EarthyMuskyClovesCardamomSweet Found naturally in: Mangoes, hops, lemongrass, thyme, bay leaves Effects Linked Effects RelaxingSleep supportPain reliefAnti-inflammatory These effects are based on early-stage research in animals and cells. They are not proven in humans. Do not change your treatment based on this information. About What is Myrcene? Myrcene is the terpene found in the highest amounts in most cannabis strains. It is why so many varieties have that earthy, slightly musky smell with a hint of ripe fruit. You are already familiar with it even if you did not know the name: that rich smell when you bite into a ripe mango, or the hoppy scent of beer, both come from myrcene. Chemically, myrcene is a small monoterpene molecule (Booth and Bohlmann, 2019). It evaporates quickly at room temperature, which is why the smell hits you straight away when you open a sealed container. Effects in detail What the Research Says Early research suggests myrcene may have sedative and muscle-relaxant properties (Nuutinen, 2018). Studies in animals have found it can reduce pain signals and lower inflammation (Baram et al., 2022). People who use cannabis strains high in myrcene often describe feeling deeply relaxed and sleepy. Myrcene is also thought to play a role in the entourage effect. Some researchers believe it may help other compounds, including THC and CBD, cross into the brain more easily, which could make effects feel stronger or come on faster (Russo, 2011). Everyday sources Where You Find it in Daily Life You can find myrcene in many everyday foods. Mangoes are the richest natural source. Hops (used to brew beer) are packed with it, and it is what gives India Pale Ale its distinctive earthy and slightly sweet bitterness. Bay leaves, lemongrass, and thyme also contain myrcene in smaller amounts. Some people eat a ripe mango about 45 minutes before using medical cannabis. The idea is that the myrcene in the mango might add to the overall effect. There is no strong clinical evidence for this yet, but it is a harmless experiment if your doctor approves. Research Key Studies A 2022 study by Baram et al. found that myrcene activates both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body. These are the same receptors that THC and CBD work on. This supports the idea that terpenes are more than just smell molecules. Russo (2011) reviewed the science behind the entourage effect and identified myrcene as one of the most important terpenes for cannabis pharmacology. A later study by LaVigne et al. (2021) confirmed that cannabis terpenes, including myrcene, can enhance the activity of cannabinoids at low concentrations. Previous Camphene Next Limonene Back to full Terpenes Guide Important: The information on this page is for education only. It is not medical advice. Terpene research is still in its early stages. Many studies have been done in animals, not yet in people. Always speak to your doctor before changing your treatment. PatientsCann UK does not recommend any specific cannabis product. References Baram, L. et al. (2022) ‘Major cannabis terpenes, applied individually and in combination, activate endogenous cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors’, Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 1040962. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1040962. Booth, J.K. and Bohlmann, J. (2019) ‘Terpenes in Cannabis sativa: from plant genome to humans’, Plant Science, 284, pp. 67-72. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.03.022. LaVigne, J.E. et al. (2021) ‘Cannabis sativa terpenes are cannabimimetic and selectively enhance cannabinoid activity’, Scientific Reports, 11(1), 8232. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-87740-8. Nuutinen, T. (2018) ‘Medicinal properties of terpenes found in Cannabis sativa and Humulus lupulus’, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 157, pp. 198-228. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.076. Russo, E.B. (2011) ‘Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects’, British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7), pp. 1344-1364. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x.

Terpenes

Terpenes – PatientsCann UK Skip to terpene library PatientsCann UK  ·  Education Understanding Terpenes Terpenes are the natural scents and flavours in cannabis. They shape how each strain smells, tastes, and feels. This guide uses trusted science, an interactive wheel, and real KAST fingerprint data from actual cannabis batches. Real KAST data What are terpenes? Terpenes are natural chemicals made by plants, including cannabis. They give plants their smell and flavour. When you open a cannabis medicine and notice an earthy, citrus, or pine smell, that is terpenes at work. Cannabis makes over 200 different terpenes (Booth and Bohlmann, 2019). Each strain has its own mix. That is why some strains smell like lemons, some like berries, and some like a damp forest. You find the same terpenes in everyday food: Myrcene is in mangoes, Limonene is in lemon peel, Linalool is in lavender. Terpenes may also change how cannabis affects the body by working alongside cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Scientists call this the “entourage effect” (Russo, 2011). The Entourage Effect Think of a band. THC and CBD are the lead singers. Terpenes are the rest of the band. On their own each part is useful, but together they can make something richer and more powerful. Dr Ethan Russo found evidence that terpenes can help cannabis work better for things like pain, anxiety, and sleep (Russo, 2011). Israeli researchers then showed that 16 cannabis terpenes can activate the same receptors in the body that cannabinoids use (Baram et al., 2022). This page shares what scientists have found so far. It is not medical advice. Always speak to your doctor before changing your treatment. Interactive Terpene Wheel Click or tap any slice to learn about that terpene. Use arrow keys to navigate by keyboard. Adapted from the Cicada Terpene Wheel (Cicada Jersey, 2020). Tap a slice or use the list below • Arrow keys navigate Not using a mouse? Use the numbered list below. Each button loads full details. Click any slice to learn about that terpene. Adapted from Cicada Terpene Wheel (Cicada Jersey, 2020) KAST — Aromatic Sensory Translation Real Terpene Fingerprints KAST turns complex terpene lab results into a visual fingerprint anyone can read. Each leaf-shaped band is one compound. A wider leaf means more of that compound in the batch. Live batch data  ·  KA Pharmaceuticals SA Six real CSC Cannacosta batches The fingerprints below use real NIR spectroscopy data measured in May 2026. Hover over any leaf on the fingerprint or click a compound name to highlight it. Switch batches using the arrows or thumbnails. Zone I Oxidised & Floral Caryophyllene oxide, bisabolol, linalool Zone II Light Terpenes Eudesmol, limonene, pinene Zone III Mid Sesquiterpenes Caryophyllene, elemene, bisabolene Zone IV Heavy & Dominant Aromadendrene, guaiol, phytol, myrcene CSC Cannacosta · Grape Runtz Batch 1 of 6 Zone I Zone II Zone III Zone IV KAST Terpene Fingerprint Band width = concentration Compounds Aromatic Load 65.42 THC Total 18.81% Dominant Myrcene Moisture 6.43% How to read a KAST fingerprint Each leaf = one compound. The wider the leaf, the more of that compound is in the batch. Very thin or invisible leaves mean only trace amounts. Read top to bottom. The fingerprint has four zones. Zone I at the top holds oxidised and floral terpenes. Zone IV at the base holds heavy sesquiterpenes and diterpenes including Myrcene. Compare batches. Load a different batch using the arrows or thumbnails. Differences in leaf width at the same position show how the mix has changed between harvests. Source: KA Pharmaceuticals SA (2026) How to Read a KAST Profile. Field Guide, Protocol v1.0. Source: KA Pharmaceuticals SA (2026) KAST Profile Records: CSC Cannacosta batch series, KAST-26-953LSKE3. Real NIR spectroscopy data measured May 2026. The KAST profile is for comparison and information only. It is not medical advice. Full library Explore Each Terpene Select any card to open the full page for that terpene. Use the filter buttons to narrow by effect. Filter: All Relaxing Uplifting Focus Sleep Pain relief Anti-inflammatory Calm Sources: Terpene wheel adapted from Cicada Jersey (2020). KAST glyph and batch data from KA Pharmaceuticals SA (2026). Terpene data from Cannabis Terpenes Reference Database v2.0.0, Cannigma (Weil, 2022), Booth and Bohlmann (2019), and Russo (2011). References Abstrax Tech (2023) Linalool and beta-myrcene anxiolytic study with Western Washington University. Available at: https://abstraxtech.com/pages/terpene-research (Accessed: 29 May 2026). Baram, L. et al. (2022) ‘Major cannabis terpenes, applied individually and in combination, activate endogenous cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors’, Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 1040962. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1040962. Booth, J.K. and Bohlmann, J. (2019) ‘Terpenes in Cannabis sativa: from plant genome to humans’, Plant Science, 284, pp. 67-72. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.03.022. Cannabis Terpenes Reference Database (2025) Cannabis Terpenes Comprehensive Database, Version 2.0.0. 200 records. Structural classifications: Hemiterpenes, Monoterpenes, Sesquiterpenes, Diterpenes. Cicada Jersey (2020) Terpene Wheel. Available at: https://cicada.je/terpene-wheel/ (Accessed: 29 May 2026). Francomano, F. et al. (2025) ‘The entourage effect in cannabis medicinal products: a comprehensive review’, Pharmaceuticals, 18(3), 378. doi: 10.3390/ph18030378. Hashiesh, H.S. et al. (2021) ‘A focused review on CB2 receptor-selective pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential of beta-caryophyllene’, Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, 140, 111639. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111639. KA Pharmaceuticals SA (2026) KAST Profile Records: CSC Cannacosta batch series, KAST-26-953LSKE3. Protocol v1.0. Issued May 2026. LaVigne, J.E. et al. (2021) ‘Cannabis sativa terpenes are cannabimimetic and selectively enhance cannabinoid activity’, Scientific Reports, 11(1), 8232. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-87740-8. Nuutinen, T. (2018) ‘Medicinal properties of terpenes found in Cannabis sativa and Humulus lupulus’, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 157, pp. 198-228. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.076. Russo, E.B. (2011) ‘Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects’, British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7), pp. 1344-1364. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x. Weil, M. (2022) ‘Most common cannabis terpenes and what they do’, Cannigma. Available at: https://cannigma.com/plant/a-brief-history-of-terpenes/ (Accessed: 29 May 2026). Weston-Green, K. et al. (2021) ‘A review of the potential use of pinene and linalool as terpene-based medicines for brain health’, Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 583211. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.583211. Important: The information on this page is for education only. It is not medical advice. Terpene research is