Mythical Myrcene: The Most Prevalent Terpene in Cannabis

Terpenes are a class of approximately 20,000 different chemicals produced by a wide variety of plants, animals, and even some insects. Terpenes have lately gained press and notoriety for being one of the contributors to the some of the medicinal and recreational affects of cannabis (cannabinoids are the other contributor). Over 200 terpenes have been found in cannabis, and they are wholly responsible for the smells and flavors of cannabis. Pinene is the most prevalent terpene in nature, while myrcene is the most prevalent terpene in cannabis. Myrcene is named for the myrcia plant, one of many in which it is found.

In his 2011 paper found in the British Journal of Pharmacology, “Taming THC: Potential Cannabis Synergy and Phytocannabinoid-Terpenoid Entourage Effects,” Dr. Ethan Russo described both how terpenes contributed to the experience of cannabis, as well as many other possible contributions that should be studied. The paper opens by pointing out that few people to that point had bothered to explore beyond the identification of THC in 1963, which was presumed to be wholly responsible for the effects of the plant. The paper covered a large variety of possible ways that cannabis terpenes may impact the effects of cannabis, concluded that directing the breeding of cannabis towards the production of particular terpenes and cannabinoids had the potential to strengthen clinical applications of cannabis.

Terpenes also contribute to the flavors and smells of cannabis. We routinely use terpenes…