The cannabis industry does not reflect its status from the 2010s. Today, more than 90 million adults consume cannabis daily. Additionally, the industry is on pace to gross $250 billion by the end of the decade. Product variety cultivated new life into the industry; patients can purchase typical cannabis buds, concentrates, isolated cannabinoids, and terpenes. One such terpene is Myrcene. This terpene is more than a byproduct of cannabis. In fact, there is a mighty chance that Myrcene can prove beneficial for your life.
Crash course on terpenes
Terpenes are the fundamental oils of cannabis. Terpenes are made in the same parts that make cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and CBG. Moreover, these aromatic compounds possess properties that present cannabis with the distinct scents we’ve all come to anticipate. The scents associated with strains such as Gorilla Glue, Lemon Kush, Strawberry Banana OG, and others owe their fragrance to the release of these aromatic compounds. These scented compounds are also found in plants not associated with cannabis.
More on terps
When it comes to recognizing terps, the most practical method of doing so is by way of the nose. As mentioned earlier, terps are the aromatic essential oils associated with cannabis and other traditional plants. What this means is that sniffing for terpenes is still one of the most productive techniques for the average cannabis consumer to distinguish terps. Thanks to modern technology, cannabis companies can determine the percentage of terpenes available in cannabis without smelling for them.
Understanding Myrcene
The terpene Myrcene is just as popular as limonene. Most researchers believe Myrcene and Limonene are found in similar strains of cannabis. This terp is acknowledged for its herbal, earthy yet clove-like aroma. Name brand strains of cannabis like Purple Punch, Amnesia OG, and the nostalgic Trainwreck host various myrcene terpenes. This terpene activates around 335°F. When cannabis consumers envision Myrcene, they immediately think of mangoes. Researchers praise Myrcene for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial medical effects. , Myrcene also promotes sedation, relaxation and enhances the potency of the cannabinoid THC.
Myrcene, aside from cannabis
One place consumers find Myrcene aside from cannabis is in peppers. This terp can be found in hops, thyme, mangoes, and lemongrass. Researchers believe there to be a strong correlation between Myrcene and capsaicin. The latter is found in virtually every spicy food, especially peppers. The more capsaicin that [peppers] include, the higher the chance of Myrcene being present.
Myrcene and longevity
Furthermore, researchers believe that capsaicin can prevent a patient from having a severe heart attack. There is a strong chance that Myrcene and capsaicin in unison prevent heart failure when taken during onset. Additionally, members of the scientific community believe that Myrcene can offset an intense high produced by Cannabis Sativa. However, the former statement contradicts another held belief in cannabis culture: Myrcene can decrease the travel time of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD between the blood-brain barrier. In theory, the latter ought to increase the effects of the cannabinoids, as mentioned earlier, yielding a more intense high. Nevertheless, Myrcene hosts significant value amongst the scientific (and cannabis-consuming) community.
Final thoughts
During the last decade or two, terps have become a cornerstone of the cannabis sector. Consumers are becoming more aware and knowledgeable about the aromatic oils of cannabis. Additionally, cannabis brands are doing more than providing terpenes to the industry. They also use terpenes to provide a natural flavor to supplementary cannabis products like edibles and joint-rolling papers. With such a wide range of utilization, consumers ought to expect terps to continue to be a core piece of the cannabis market across the globe.