Humulene

What is Humulene? In this chapter, we discuss the flavor, aroma, and potential benefits of this terpene.

What is Humulene?

Pronounced “whom-u-leen,” the terpene Humulene is hop's most prominent terpene. Humulene is also found in plants like ginseng and sage. For cannabis, humulene offers earthy and woody flavors and aromas, with hints of spicy notes. Much like many other terpenes, Humulene is abundant in many plants and has been consumed holistically for centuries.

Terpene Flavor and Aroma Profile: Humulene

Humulene’s flavor and aroma are uniquely woody, earthy, and slightly spicy, which is a perfect combination for brewer’s hops. Humulene is perhaps the terpene that cannabis and beer share the most, as this compound is responsible for the delicious flavor profiles of some of the best craft brews and cannabis.

In fact, Humulene is Humulus lupulus, which is basically the hops plant. Humulene is a relative of the fellow terpene Caryophyllene, and the two compounds share similar flavor and aroma profiles. Both humulene and caryophyllene are prominent in pungent and slightly spicy plants like clove, basil, and sage.

Cultivars with the Terpene Humulene

Humulene is abundant in a variety of cannabis cultivars, responsible for giving herbaceous and slightly spicy flavor profiles to your favorite varieties. There are also slightly floral aromas from many cultivars containing high levels of humulene. Although humulene can be found in many cultivars, it takes a back seat to the more dominant terpenes like myrcene.

Some of the most popular cultivars that contain Humulene include Death Star, Gelato, GSC, and Sunset Sherbert. Additionally, Candyland, Headband, and GG4 are cultivars that contain noticeable amounts of Humulene.

Does Humulene Get You High?

No, since terpenes are non-psychoactive, Humulene does not get you high. As we’ve mentioned in other chapters of our Terpenes Guide, Humulene may play a role in the entourage effect.

This means that Humulene may have a subtle impact on the consumer when combined with other compounds in whole-plant cannabis like cannabinoids and other terpenes. As is the case with so many other aspects of cannabis, more research is needed to determine this, and each consumer responds differently.

Potential Benefits of Humulene

Used as an ingredient in essential oils and as an anti-bacterial, a 2016 study shows that Humulene has the potential to fight tumor cells, in conjunction with other cannabinoids and terpenes. As a natural defense mechanism of many plants, including cannabis, humulene has been added to essential oils for healing purposes dating back centuries. Another study suggests that Humulene can be an effective antibacterial substance when used in small quantities.

What We Learned: Humulene

Humulene is responsible for some of the best flavor profiles in both cannabis and craft beer. Here’s what we learned about the Terpene Humulene in this chapter:

• Humulene’s flavor and aroma are uniquely woody, earthy, and slightly spicy, which is a perfect combination for brewer’s hops.
• Humulene is the terpene that shares the most in common with cannabis, as this compound is responsible for the flavor profiles of some of the best craft brews and cannabis.
• Humulene is Humulus lupulus, which is basically the hops plant.
• Humulene is a relative of the fellow terpene Caryophyllene, and the two compounds share similar flavor and aroma profiles.
• Both humulene and caryophyllene are prominent in pungent and slightly spicy plants like clove, basil, and sage.
• Some of the most popular cultivars that contain Humulene include Death Star, Gelato, GSC, and Sherbert.
• Some potential benefits of Humulene include acting as an anti-bacterial and may possibly fight tumor cells.

As we continue to see cannabis research progress forward, we could see the known benefits of terpenes like Humulene increase. These benefits will hopefully be further revealed as more unbiased research is conducted on cannabis medicine. The future is bright for the wonderful world of terpenes, and only time will tell how much more we can learn about these valuable natural compounds.

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