As you may already know, terpenes are of high value because you’ve experienced them all your life. Simply put, terpenes are what give lemon its citrusy smell or cinnamon its spicy aroma. They are even responsible for the relaxing effects of lavender. They are natural chemical compounds that determine how things smell. And lucky for us, they also have well-documented and studied medicinal properties. Now if you are like most people you thought that cannabinoids were the compounds in the cannabis plant that caused healing, right? Yes, but it’s also been discovered that terpenes play a big role in that as well. Cannabinoids and terpenes work together in something called the “molecular synergy” which is also known as the entourage effect. The entourage effect is a proposed mechanism by which cannabis compounds act synergistically to modulate the overall psychoactive effects of the plant, primarily by the action of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. Currently, there are at least 20,000 different terpenes in existence and the cannabis plant has more than 120 of these terpenes. Many terpenes that the cannabis plant produces are also found elsewhere in nature. However, there are a couple of terpenes that are in high concentrations in cannabis plants. Each month we will go over them in detail, including the cultivars that you can find them in. Let us begin. This month we will highlight the terpene Myrcene. Myrcene is the most abundant terpene in cannabis, which is where it’s mostly found in nature. One study showed that Myrcene makes up as much as 65% of the total terpene profile in some cultivars. The smell of Myrcene often reminds me of earthy, musky notes, resembling cloves. Also, it has a fruity, red grape-like aroma. Because of its calming properties, cultivars with 0.5% of this terpene are typically classified as being more indica dominant. That's not to suggest you wouldn't also discover it in a cultivar that produces more gas. According to its "fingerprint," which we shall discuss next month, it differs. The aromatherapy movement helped pave the path for this reliable knowledge and scientific support in terms of the terpenes' medicinal efficacy. Myrcene has been shown to be effective in lowering inflammation and chronic pain through this process, which explains why it is frequently suggested as a supplement during cancer therapies. Myrcene’s Possible Effects and Benefits
Anti-inflammatory
Analgesic (pain relief)
Antibiotic
Sedative
Antimutagenic
Cultivars that are known to be rich in Myrcene
Skunk XL
White Widow
Special Kush
Pure Kush
White Widow
Himalayan Gold
Jack Herer
Warlock CBD
Pink Kush
Bonus tip: If you want to experience a more substantial buzz from your cannabis, get yourself a mango and eat it about 45 minutes before smoking. Mango contains a significant amount of myrcene, so eating it before consuming cannabis can strengthen the effects of THC and increase its absorption rate. On the flip side if you have done too much, or feel heavily altered always have an organic, strain-specific whole flower CBD oil on hand to manage an unwanted high.
All information in this article is for educational purposes only. Please check with your Cannabis Educated Primary Health Care Physician or Cannabis Therapy Consultant before beginning any new diet or lifestyle change. ~Dr. Pepper Hernandez
Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, Ph.D. is a Naturopathic Nutritionist, Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Cannabis Therapy Consultant & Cannabis Holistic Institute Founder and Educational Director. To find out more about her private practice, educational programs, videos and other offerings you can find her on the massive interwebs at drpepperhernandez.com.
Go forth, Go Cannabis