Myrcene
What is Myrcene?
The sedating backbone. Myrcene is why indica-dominant strains lock you to the couch. It’s the most abundant terpene in modern cannabis, often making up over 20% of a strain’s terpene profile. When myrcene leads, expect deep body relaxation that builds steadily. If you’re looking for myrcene weed strains, this terpene shapes the aroma, effects, and therapeutic profile of hundreds of cannabis varieties.
Aroma & Where to Find It
In cannabis: musky, herbal, earthy base with subtle fruity sweetness.
In nature: also found in mango, hops, lemongrass, thyme, basil, bay leaves.
Used for centuries in Brazilian folk medicine as lemongrass tea for anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. In traditional European herbalism, hops (one of the richest natural sources of myrcene) have been stuffed into pillows as a sleep aid since the Middle Ages. In Mexico, lemongrass infusions with high myrcene content are a traditional remedy for muscle spasms and hypertension.
Effects & Therapeutic Benefits
Myrcene weed strains tend toward Relaxed, Heavy, Sleepy effects, making them a solid choice for pain relief, inflammation, insomnia, muscle relaxation.
When myrcene exceeds 0.5% of a strain’s terpene profile, the effect tends heavily sedative. This threshold was historically used to separate ‘indica-type’ from ‘sativa-type’ effects. Strains with dominant myrcene hit the body first and build toward full relaxation over 15-20 minutes. In hash and concentrates, myrcene is even more pronounced and drives that deep, stoney body sensation.
The Science: How Myrcene Works
Myrcene is a monoterpene proven to enhance transdermal absorption, meaning it helps other compounds penetrate cell membranes more efficiently. Research suggests it may increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, potentially allowing cannabinoids like THC to be absorbed faster. This is the mechanism behind the famous ‘mango trick’. Myrcene also interacts with GABA-A receptors, the same system targeted by sedative medications, which explains its strong relaxing and sleep-promoting properties. Studies show significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, with myrcene reducing pain through opioid-like pathways without the addictive potential.
Myrcene Weed Strains at How High
We carry 276 myrcene weed strains in our collection. Here are some highlights:
- Amnesia Haze: Citrus, Lemon, Earthy · Energetic, Euphoric, Uplifting
- Beluga Caviar: Gassy, Earthy, Floral · Euphoric, Relaxed, Calming
- Black Zushi x 424: Sweet, Candy, Minty · Euphoric, Relaxed, Calming
- Brainwash: Spicy, Buttery, Sweet · Heavy, Calming, Relaxed
- Chiizu: Funky, Earthy, Gassy · Euphoric, Uplifting, Focused
- Dark Matter: Apple, Candy, Creamy · Body High, Creative, Happy
- Durban Poison: Sweet, Anise, Pine · Energetic, Uplifting, Focused
- Gatorz: Sweet, Fruity, Tropical · Relaxed, Euphoric, Happy
Terpene Pairings
Myrcene frequently appears alongside Caryophyllene, Limonene, Linalool, Pinene in cannabis profiles, creating layered aromatic and therapeutic combinations.
How to Choose Myrcene Strains
If you want the sedative benefits without full couchlock, look for strains where myrcene pairs with limonene or pinene. They balance the heaviness with cerebral lift. For maximum sleep support, combine a myrcene-dominant strain with a mango smoothie 30-45 minutes before. The extra myrcene from the mango genuinely amplifies the effect.
