Terpene Atlas · Monoterpene

/MUR-seen/ · β-Myrcene

Myrcene

The abundant, earthy-tropical monoterpene wrapped in more myth than any other · famous for a “couch lock” story the human evidence does not actually support.

EarthyMuskyHerbalBalsamicClove-likeRipe tropical fruit

Formula

C₁₀H₁₆

Weight

136.23 g/mol

Class

C10 · acyclic (open-chain)

Form

Clear

Meet the molecule

One open chain, not a cage

Molecular class

Monoterpene · C10 · acyclic (open-chain)

Formula · weight

C₁₀H₁₆ · 136.23 g/mol

Biosynthetic origin

Built from geranyl diphosphate (GPP), the universal C10 precursor.

Structural trait

An open-chain diene · no ring · which is why it reads as a flowing, uncoiling backbone rather than a closed cage.

Commonly reported simply as myrcene; β-myrcene is the dominant form in cannabis.

Aroma spectrum

A qualitative sensory map

Relative prominence is illustrative, not a measured profile. Aroma is never produced by one molecule alone.

Earthy

Musky

Herbal

Balsamic

Clove-like

Ripe tropical fruit

earthy herbal woody spice fruity

Physical identity

The isolated compound

Appearance

Clear, colorless to pale yellow.

Texture

Thin to moderately oily liquid.

Volatility

Relatively volatile monoterpene · it evaporates faster than the heavier sesquiterpenes and contributes to early top-note aroma.

This describes the isolated chemical. It does not predict whether flower will be dense, sticky, purple, or frosty.

Extreme close-up of the Myrcene resin, its glassy interior in detail

The resin, up close

Where it appears in nature

Beyond cannabis

Botanical sources of Myrcene: Hops, Lemongrass, Bay, Thyme, Mango, Basil

Hops Same botanical family as cannabis. Lemongrass Bay Thyme Mango Basil

grams per mole

136.23

A small, light, volatile monoterpene · ten carbons, sixteen hydrogens, no ring. Its low mass is part of why it reads as an early, lifting top note. PubChem

Evidence ladder

What's known · and how well

Research is ranked by strength, not promised as effects. Isolated-compound findings are separated from whole-cannabis evidence throughout.

Established mechanism1 claim

Myrcene is an acyclic C10 monoterpene synthesized from geranyl diphosphate · its open-chain structure is well established.

established isolated terpene PMC PubChem

Brain research2 claims

Animal research suggests sedative, motor-suppressing, analgesic, and anxiety-modulating activity for isolated myrcene.

animal isolated terpene reference DOI

Animal, isolated-compound findings; dose and route matter and do not transfer directly to a cannabis product.

A 2024 mouse inhalation study found exposure-dependent behavioral effects for myrcene and linalool · illustrating that dose and route matter.

animal isolated terpene DOI

Body research1 claim

Preclinical analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and muscle-relaxing activity has been reported for isolated myrcene.

animal isolated terpene reference

Preclinical only; not demonstrated for a cannabis product in humans.

Recognized non-cannabis use1 claim

Widely used as a flavor and fragrance ingredient and as a feedstock for making other aroma chemicals.

approved use non-cannabis product reference

Unproven / insufficient1 claim

No approved isolated-myrcene medical treatment exists; it is being investigated for pain, inflammation, anxiety, and sleep applications.

unproven isolated terpene reference

Myth vs evidence

The “couch lock” myth

The claim

Popular lore says myrcene above some threshold flips cannabis into a sedating “couch lock.” It is one of the most repeated terpene claims · and one of the least supported in people.

The evidence

Human evidence that myrcene alone causes cannabis “couch lock” is insufficient. THC is the primary intoxicant; a terpene panel does not predict sedation.

unprovenwhole cannabisreference

Where it sits

Myrcene against the field

Objective chemistry and how often it shows up · not effects. Every authored terpene is plotted on each track; Myrcene is lit, the rest stay faint. The picture fills in as the Atlas grows (10 plotted so far).

Dominant aroma family

Its strongest sensory class, brightest to deepest.

citrus earthy

Myrcene

Prevalence in cannabis

How often it leads a profile. Qualitative, not measured.

rare common

Myrcene

Volatility · boiling point

Lower boils off sooner, reading as an earlier top note.

more volatile less volatile

Myrcene

Molecular weight

C10 monoterpenes are lighter than the C15 sesquiterpenes.

lighter heavier

Myrcene

Read as a table

Terpene	Dominant aroma family	Prevalence in cannabis	Volatility · boiling point	Molecular weight
Myrcene this page	Earthy	very common	167 °C	136 g/mol
Limonene	Citrus	very common	176 °C	136 g/mol
Pinene	Pine	common	155 °C	136 g/mol
Linalool	Floral	common	198 °C	154 g/mol
Beta-Caryophyllene	Spice	very common	262 °C	204 g/mol
Alpha-Humulene	Herbal	moderate	270 °C	204 g/mol
Terpinolene	Fresh	moderate	186 °C	136 g/mol
Ocimene	Fruity	uncommon	177 °C	136 g/mol
Alpha-Bisabolol	Floral	uncommon	314 °C	222 g/mol
Nerolidol	Woody	uncommon	276 °C	222 g/mol

Prevalence is a qualitative ordinal, not a measured concentration. Boiling points are approximate atmospheric-pressure values; the heavier sesquiterpenes are usually distilled under vacuum, so those figures are extrapolated.

Terpene neighborhood

Sensory & structural relatives

Ocimene Sibling open-chain monoterpene. Linalool Open-chain monoterpene alcohol. Geraniol Open-chain monoterpene alcohol; shared GPP origin.

On a certificate of analysis

How it shows up on a COA

Name variants a lab may print

Myrcene · β-Myrcene · beta-Myrcene · B-Myrcene

Isomer note

Labs usually report a single ‘myrcene’ value (β-myrcene dominant).

Reading it

Reported as a percentage of product mass; absence from a panel can mean the lab’s method or detection limit, not true absence. Batch-to-batch values swing widely.

A terpene’s absence from a panel can reflect the panel’s method or detection limit · not true absence. Values swing batch to batch.

In products

Commonly reported · never guaranteed

Mango-forward, earthy chemovars

strainCommonly reported as myrcene-dominant · but a strain name does not guarantee the profile across growers, harvests, or batches.

Find products rich in Myrcene Search live TerpAlerts menus for this terpene Compare terpene profilesPut two products side by side

Safety & handling

Read this before you trust a label

Pure terpene isolates are concentrated industrial chemicals · not equivalent to the trace amounts in flower. Do not ingest undiluted isolates or apply them to skin without an appropriate dilution.

safety non-cannabis product reference

A product’s terpene panel cannot reliably predict an individual’s response, impairment, anxiety, or sedation. Cannabinoid dose, route, tolerance, other medications, and personal biology usually matter more.

safety whole cannabis reference

As a volatile monoterpene, myrcene is lost and altered by heat, air, and prolonged storage; heat creates products a terpene label never shows.

established isolated terpene reference

◆THC and other cannabinoids usually influence intoxication more than any single terpene.

◆A terpene panel cannot reliably predict an individual patient’s response.

◆Pure isolates are concentrated industrial chemicals · not the trace amounts in flower.

◆Oxidation, heat, storage, and processing alter terpene chemistry.

◆Strain names do not guarantee a stable terpene profile across growers, harvests, or batches.

◆Discuss any cannabis decision, and other medications, with a qualified clinician.

Explore

Myrcene, three ways

Same molecule, three lenses. The information is identical in every mode.

Keep exploring

Where to next

← Terpene Atlas indexAll terpenes Find productsLive menus rich in Myrcene Compare profilesTwo products, side by side

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← Nerolidol Next
Limonene →

Sources (4)

TerpAlerts Cannabis Terpene Reference Guide reference
PubChem CID 31253 · beta-Myrcene PubChem
Terpene synthases from Cannabis sativa (PMC5371325) PMC
Sex differences in the anxiolytic properties of common terpenes (2024) DOI

Last reviewed 2026-07-21 · TerpAlerts editorial

Educational information only · not medical advice, and not a claim that any cannabis product treats, cures, or prevents any condition. Evidence labels describe the strength and scope of research on the isolated compound. See the full site disclaimer and Privacy Policy.