Myrcene

Myrcene, also known as β-myrcene, is a terpene that is found in high concentrations in several different plant species, including bay leaves, hops, and of course, cannabis.

Myrcene is known for its musky, earthy aroma and is considered to be one of the more sedating terpenes found in cannabis. In fact, strains that contain more than 0.5% myrcene are considered to be "indica-like," due to the relaxing and sedating effects associated with the compound. 

Myrcene has been found to have a variety of potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), and antimicrobial properties. It is also thought to enhance the effects of other cannabinoids, like THC and CBD, by allowing them to more easily cross the blood-brain barrier.

In terms of its use in cannabis, myrcene is often used in the production of various cannabis products such as tinctures, topicals, and edibles. It is also used to create certain strains of cannabis that are specifically bred to have higher levels of myrcene in order to produce a more relaxing and sedating effect.

What other plants can myrcene be found in?

Myrcene can be found in a variety of different plant species, including:

  1. Bay leaves - one of the major components of bay leaf essential oil, and is responsible for its characteristic aroma.

  2. Hops - one of the main terpenes found in hops, which are used to flavor and stabilize beer.

  3. Lemongrass - one of the main terpenes found in lemongrass essential oil and is responsible for its citrusy aroma.

  4. Mango - found in high concentrations in mangoes and is responsible for their characteristic aroma.

  5. Verbena - one of the main terpenes found in verbena essential oil and is responsible for its fresh, lemony aroma.

  6. Thyme - one of the main terpenes found in thyme essential oil and is responsible for its herbal aroma.

  7. Parsley - found in parsley, which is known for its characteristic aroma.

  8. Basil - found in basil, which is known for its characteristic aroma.

It's worth noting that these plants contain myrcene in varying amounts, and some of them may have lower concentration than others.