Myrcene — the most common cannabis terpene
Myrcene (β-myrcene) is an acyclic monoterpene with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆ and is frequently the quantitatively dominant terpene in cannabis. Chemically it is an open-chain compound built from two isoprene units, oily and colourless at room temperature. Outside cannabis, myrcene occurs at high concentrations in hops (Humulus lupulus) — hence the well-known aromatic kinship between cannabis and beer — as well as in mango, lemongrass, bay laurel and thyme. In cannabis flower, multiple GC-MS analyses of the Swiss and European market report typical values of 0.1 % to 2.5 % dry weight, with chemotype I and II material reaching the highest levels.
Earthy, musky, mango-like — myrcene is typically the quantitatively dominant monoterpene in Swiss chemovars and shapes both aroma and entourage effect.
Aroma
Sensorially, myrcene is earthy and musky with a soft, sweet-fruity note reminiscent of ripe mango, clove and damp forest floor. This signature makes it the "anchor aroma" of many classic indica profiles: with caryophyllene it delivers deep woody notes; with limonene it moves toward fruity-earthy profiles. Below its boiling point (167 °C) the character stays round; above, the aroma becomes thinner and more volatile — vaporisation temperature is therefore a key quality factor.
Occurrence
In the plant, myrcene is synthesised in the trichomes of female flowers. On the Swiss market, elevated levels are common in indica-leaning chemovars such as Blue Dream, Granddaddy Purple, OG Kush and many Cali genetics. Analytically, values above 0.5 % of flower weight are often enough to label a variety as "myrcene-dominant". The drying process matters, too — drying above 20 °C or fast curing cuts myrcene substantially, which is why slowly and coolly cured flowers from Swiss pilot projects usually show higher residual values.
Effect
In the entourage context, myrcene is described as sedating, muscle-relaxing and sleep-promoting — the basis of the popular "couch-lock" hypothesis attributing stronger physical effects to myrcene-rich chemovars. This is supported by Russo (2011) and animal data (Surendran et al. 2021) suggesting interaction with GABAergic and opioid pathways. Important: human evidence remains limited, and any comparison between chemovars requires controlled clinical trials. Legal note: in Switzerland, cannabis with ≥ 1 % THC is a narcotic. CBD flowers below 1 % THC are legal; medical cannabis requires authorisation. Effect descriptions are not therapeutic claims.