Terpenes 2/4: Myrcene & Limonene

According to one study, myrcene could be detected most frequently in a selection of cannabis samples and also had the largest total mass of all terpenes. Thus, there is a very high probability that this terpene is present in a particular strain.

However, myrcene is not only a commonly found compound in the cannabis plant, but also in everyday foods, respectively fruits and plants. Myrcene has been detected in mango, lemongrass and thyme. High levels of terpene have also been found in hops, as well as in laurel and basil. The collection of myrcene-containing foods is huge!

The effects of myrcene are thought by experts to be sedative, so this terpene has calming and stress-relieving effects.

When we talk about myrcene and cannabinoids, we should also take up the legend of mango, which is said to enhance the effects of other cannabinoids. Since myrcene enhances the effects of other cannabinoids, this myth, which is widely circulated, is quite real: this is because mangoes contain particularly high levels of myrcene, thus stimulating the effects when other cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) are consumed at the same time.

Myrcene forms the basis for many indica strains. This is because myrcene is responsible for the sedating effects that these strains are known for. However, the "mango terpene" is also found in numerous other strains, including hybrids and the activating sativas. By the way, it doesn't matter at this point that we are "only" talking about CBD varieties, because terpenes are also responsible for various effects in these legal cannabis strains.

Myrcene can be found in the sativa-dominant Green Crack, among others, which is a nice standard sativa in the US. Another well-known strain with a high myrcene content is Humboldt Seeds Blue Dream. A very classic strain with high concentration of this earthy-sweet terpene is the indica-dominant Northern Lights. Other strains with myrcene include White Widow, Himalayan Gold, Pure Kush and many, many more.

Limonene - 176 °C evaporating temperature.

One of the most prominent terpenes found in cannabis is limonene. Specifically, in the case of the hemp plant, we must even speak of D-limonene. According to its name, this terpene is found mainly in citrus fruit peels, but also in rosemary, juniper and peppermint. The characteristically sour-fresh terpene, which appears for example in Sour Diesel, Tangie, OG Kush or Super Lemon Haze, evokes some remarkable medicinal effects, which we are unfortunately not allowed to elaborate on here. In general, however, it lightens the mood, has a tension-relieving and stress-reducing effect.

Sativa-heavy varieties are particularly saturated with limonene. The terpene can make up to 2 percent of a plant's biomass under lucky conditions! Unfortunately, with terpenes, and this stands for all terpenes at this point, there is no guarantee that they will actually form consistently from many seeds or in different environmental conditions to the desired degree. At this point, the theory of heredity throws a spanner in the works, which is why some plants of an otherwise limonene-heavy variety may not contain any limonene at all. But this is only in passing and as a small note on all terpenes and cannabinoids.

However, limonene is not only a popular agent in aromatherapy, but is also used in cleaning agents, food, perfumes and medicine, as it not only produces a stunning aroma, but is also very tolerable for body and mind due to its low toxicity.