In our second Terp of the Month article, we examine myrcene, a superstar compound in the Cannabis world, and in the plant kingdom at large. Myrcene is the most typically dominant terpene in commercial Cannabis, overshadowing other terpenes at approximately 40 percent of commercial strains (1). It’s believed to have a sedating effect, and some animal studies suggest this as well (2).

In a study published last August, myrcene activated TRPV1, the same nerve cell that responds to capsaicin by creating a sensation of painful heat. This suggests a route by which myrcene could be used to treat pain. The authors of this study indicate that further research on dose-response relationships and interactions with adrenoreceptors and opioid receptors will be useful in elucidating myrcene’s effectiveness (3).



If you take a peek into myrcene's past you’ll find that the FDA has rescinded its approval of myrcene as a synthetic food additive. According to a 2018 rule, myrcene can’t be listed safe as a food additive due to its apparent carcinogenicity in animal studies. They go on to say that no studies have thus far shown myrcene to be carcinogenic to humans in the amounts in which it’s typically consumed (4).

Power and Kleber (1895) first isolated myrcene from the oil of West Indian bay leaf (5). A primary ingredient in popular 19th century colognes (6), the West Indian bay tree was originally dubbed Myrcia acris, and thus the newly discovered terpene was named after the genus Myrcia. However, the West Indian bay tree has since been reclassified Pimenta racemosa, and so anyone attempting to untangle the nomenclature would have had slight difficulty.



Myrcene is present in species of Myrcia as well, many of which are used for their medicinal properties in Brazil. These uses include treatment of gastric illness, diarrhea, and importantly, diabetes. However, it seems that myrcene isn’t always present, and that a complex and varying stew of other compounds is (7). Thus, it might be unwise to attribute medicinal effects of the Myrcia genus to myrcene.

" ... its close relationship to other chemicals and its far-reaching presence in the plant world highlight myrcene as a terpene worthy of further study."

Other plants containing myrcene include hops, thyme, juniper, and wormwood (5). Many of these plants have a history of medicinal use, but again, many other active compounds are present in these species.



Although myrcene is present in a variety of plants, the easiest way to obtain it en masse is by applying copious amounts of heat (around 800 degrees Fahrenheit) to pinene, a terpene which can be found in pine residue (5). Pinene, by the way, is another important Cannabis terpene, one that we will cover shortly.

So why would people go to all that trouble to produce large amounts of myrcene? The answer is that myrcene is a great starting point for producing a number of other chemicals, including terpenes like menthol and linalool, as well as rubber-like polymers and other materials, due to its reactive structure (5).



Myrcene is a valuable medicine in its own right. Not only this, but its close relationship to other chemicals and its far-reaching presence in the plant world highlight myrcene as a terpene worthy of further study. It may tell us a great deal about the web of interconnections in the biological world. And myrcene’s presence in Cannabis is just another reason for us to appreciate it.