Myrcene
Earthy, musky, with notes of cloves and ripe fruit
At a glanceMyrcene (beta-Myrcene · a cannabis terpene) smells of earthy, musky, with notes of cloves and ripe fruit. Myrcene is the most common terpene in commercial cannabis and the one most associated with the classic "earthy" cannabis aroma. It is also abundant in hops — which is why some strains smell faintly like beer — and in mangoes and lemongrass. Also found in mangoes, hops, lemongrass, thyme, bay leaves.
What is Myrcene?
Myrcene is the most common terpene in commercial cannabis and the one most associated with the classic "earthy" cannabis aroma. It is also abundant in hops — which is why some strains smell faintly like beer — and in mangoes and lemongrass.
| Aroma | Earthy, musky, with notes of cloves and ripe fruit |
|---|---|
| Also found in | Mangoes, hops, lemongrass, thyme, bay leaves |
| Also called | beta-Myrcene |
Effects context
Myrcene is widely discussed in strain guides alongside relaxing, sedative-leaning profiles; many "couch-lock" indica reputations correlate with high myrcene content. Research is early and mostly preclinical — treat associations as interesting, not proven.
Strains with myrcene-like flavor notes
Frequently asked questions
- What does myrcene smell like?
- Myrcene smells earthy and musky, with clove-like and fruity notes. It is the dominant aroma in many classic cannabis strains.
- Which strains are high in myrcene?
- Strains described as earthy, musky, or skunky — common in many indica-leaning varieties — are often myrcene-dominant. Exact content varies by harvest and lab.
- Is myrcene in foods I know?
- Yes — mangoes, hops, lemongrass, thyme, and bay leaves all contain myrcene.