Beer and marijuana have two things in common: They are America’s favorite libations, and both contain the terpene humulene. Its aroma is often described as earthy, herbal, and woody, with a hint of spice. It smells a lot like an IPA brew heavy on the hops. Not surprisingly, this terpene’s name is a derivative of Humulus lupulus, the Latin name for hops. It’s also found in basil, sage, ginseng, and cloves. Though never the dominant terpene in marijuana, humulene is common to many strains and its distinct aroma often adds subtle influences and enrichments to the flavor profile.
In addition to aromatic and flavor-enhancing properties, humulene offers a host of therapeutic benefits. Some of these benefits are well-established by decades of research, and new studies continue to reveal the extent of its healing potential. Medical marijuana users looking to achieve the best results from therapies would do well to learn more about this widely available terpene.
What Is Humulene?
Humulene is classified as a sesquiterpene. In simple terms, this means that it has a more complex molecular structure than common cannabis monoterpenes such as limonene, myrcene, pinene, and linalool. Chemists originally labeled this compound as α-caryophyllene because it has the same chemical formula as the sesquiterpene caryophyllene.
CannaMD has described the benefits of caryophyllene, some of which are shared by humulene. The two compounds are often found together in marijuana and other plants and may work together to create what is known as the entourage effect. However there are subtle differences in these two terpenes’ molecular structures that result in unique bioactive properties.
What Does Humulene Do To The Body?
Like other terpenes, humulene is non-psychoactive and its effect on mood and mental state is subtle. Research from the University of Arizona confirms that it has a moderate ability to bind to the brain’s CB1 receptors which assist in regulating mood, appetite, and memory. The research also shows that humulene has a much stronger affinity for binding with CB2 receptors found throughout the body. CB2 receptors are responsible for activating a number of important immune system responses that fight disease and encourage healing.
Humulene’s effects could be described as fast-acting but not long-lasting. Research from Brazil’s Federal University of Santa Catarina showed that oral doses of alpha-humulene reached peak bloodstream concentrations within 30 minutes, and were almost entirely eliminated after two hours.
What Are The Benefits Of Humulene?
In 2024, the Imperial College London released the findings of a broad-based review of 340 studies that mention the potential therapeutic benefits of α-humulene. The authors reported promising pre-clinical evidence for antibiotic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-tumor effects, but limited supporting clinical research to date.
A systematic review conducted by a Brazilian research group determined that the most frequently cited benefits of α-humulene were for cancer therapies and combating chronic inflammation. Research published in the European Journal of Pharmacology reports that an essential oil containing α-humulene and trans-caryophyllene was equally effective as the commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory drug Dexamethasone. This and other studies indicate that humulene’s most powerful benefit may be its ability to fight chronic inflammation.
What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection. As Dr. Hope Ricciotti, Editor-in-Chief for Harvard Women’s Health Watch explains:
When you’re injured, inflammation is a good thing. The injured area swells as beneficial white blood cells flow in to fight infection and help you heal. The same thing in other parts of your body when you have a virus or infection.
Dr. Ricciotti goes on to add:
Sometimes this immune response occurs when it shouldn’t. This can be caused by exposure to toxins, or by chronic stress, obesity and autoimmune disorders. Instead of moving in and healing the problem, the inflammation persists over time.
This condition is known as chronic inflammation, and it’s not good. Writing for the Vanderbilt School of Medicine, William Snyder explains:
[chronic] inflammation ignites a long list of disorders: arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, blindness, cancer, diabetes and, quite possibly, autism and mental illness.
To combat chronic inflation, Americans turn to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), such as Bayer Aspirin, Aleve, Advil, Celebrex, Voltaren, Motrin, Tylenol, and Toradol – these are just a few of the brand names for NSAIDs used to control chronic inflammation. The website Medscape reports that doctors in America write more than 70 million prescriptions for NSAID drugs each year, and annual over-the-counter products add more than 30 billion additional doses.
NSAID drugs can provide short-term relief from chronic inflammation, but their long-term use may create more problems than they solve. Writing for the peer-reviewed journal Annals of Long-Term Care, Drs. Zachary A Marcum and Joseph T Hanlon warn:
Chronic NSAID use increases the risk of peptic ulcer disease, acute renal failure, and stroke/myocardial infarction. Moreover, chronic NSAID use can exacerbate a range of chronic diseases including heart failure and hypertension, and can interact with numerous drugs.
Reporting in the British Journal of General Practice, indicates that NSAIDs are responsible for 30% of all hospital admissions for preventable adverse drug reactions.
Concluding remarks from a study published in the journal Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics indicates:
…α-humulene may provide an alternative, natural-based, gentle and promising therapeutic approach to chronic inflammation.
The study authors used cellular research to investigate the effects of α-humulene on inflamed tissues. Their work showed it had the ability to suppress the body’s release of a protein known as interleukin 6 (IL-6). IL-6 is released in response to injuries, but when levels remain elevated for a prolonged period of time, it becomes a major contributor to chronic inflammation and resulting health problems.
Humulene shows promise for the treatment of allergic reactions and inflammatory diseases that construct airways and cause shortness of breath. A study reported in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that humulene had a moderating effect on the amino acids and proteins that trigger lung and airway inflammation. The same research also determined that treatment with an aromatic α-humulene spray resulted in a 50% decrease in mucous secretion related to inflammatory lung infections. This finding led the authors to report that
…α-humulene might constitute an attractive molecule with potential interest for the treatment of asthma and related inflammatory and allergic diseases.
Does Humulene Fight Cancer?
A 2024 research review conducted by the Imperial College London Medical Cannabis Research Group found evidence that α-humulene could encourage the death of a type of cancer cell that forms in organ glands. The authors stated that this could be a valuable asset in the treatment of colorectal, pulmonary, breast, prostatic, lung, and ovarian cancers. Evidence of α-humulene’s potential for the treatment of breast cancer was also noted in a 2022 study conducted at Udayana University, Indonesia.
A study from the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi found that α-humulene slowed the growth of cancer cells by up to 70 percent. When combined with the terpene caryophyllene, tumor growth rates were slowed by as much as 90 percent. The research also showed that a combination of α-humulene and the terpene β-caryophyllene enhanced the effectiveness of the chemotherapy drug Paclitaxel tenfold, and slowed cancer cell growth by up to 90 percent.
More information on humulene’s anti-cancer actions comes from a Chinese study published in the journal Food & Chemical Toxicology. Under laboratory conditions, α-humulene slowed tumor growth in one of the most common types of liver cancer and encouraged the death of its cancer cells through a process known as apoptosis. These anti-cancer actions were attributed to α-humulene’s ability to stabilize Akt signaling (a certain cellular process). Disruptions to normal Akt signaling can play a role in a number of diseases, including cancer and diabetes.
What Are Humulene’s Other Therapeutic Benefits?
WOUND HEALING: A study conducted at the University of Tokyo found that α-humulene played a key role in a healing process known as angiogenesis. This process forms new blood vessels and is an important step in wound healing. The Tokyo research team discovered that humulene stimulates angiogenesis by increasing the body’s production of interleukin-8 (IL-8). Research published in the Journal of Surgical Research confirms IL-8’s role in wound healing.
APPETITE SUPPRESSION: Humulene’s IL-8 boosting activity may prove useful for weight management. Research from the University of Delaware (22) reports that IL-8 acts directly in the central nervous system to decrease appetite.
ANTIBACTERIAL AGENT: A team from the University of Quebec, Chicoutimi, (23) investigated the effectiveness of Balsam fir oil on bacterial infections. This oil is rich in the terpenes pinene, caryophyllene, and humulene. The research showed that this combination was effective in controlling the spread of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, the most common cause of staph infections.
Is Humulene Found In Indica Or Sativa?
Though never the dominant terpene, humulene is present in a majority of indica, sativa, and hybrid cannabis cultivars. Research from Brazil (24) indicates that it may have mild sedative properties, and may contribute to the
sedating effects of hops. (25) In cannabis, effects are typically either enhanced or overridden by the strain’s more dominant terpenes and cannabinoid composition. Humulene is more prevalent in strains containing the closely related terpene caryophyllene, and in some indica-dominant cannabis strains that are also rich in myrcene.
What Cannabis Strains Have More Humulene?
As mentioned above, this terpene is found in a majority of marijuana strains. The best way to determine the humulene content of a particular strain is by reviewing the Certificate of Analysis (26) generated by a third-party source, such as ACS Laboratory.
View a COA ExampleBased on test results, here are some of the strains that ACS recommends for enhanced humulene content:
- Candyland: Sativa-dominant strain with energetic and stimulating effects for mood enhancement.
- Death Star: Indica-dominant strain with calming and anti-nausea effects.
- Headband: Pronounced and positive full-body effect that encourages creativity.
- Original Glue: Indica-dominant strain with a relaxing effect. Popular for treating chronic pain, insomnia and tremors.
- White Widow: Hybrid strain creating euphoria and creativity.
- Thin Mint GSC: Hybrid strain producing a calming, sleepy effect.
Have Questions About Medical Marijuana?
If you have questions about medical marijuana, we can help. CannaMD has a team of certified medical marijuana doctors who are prepared to answer any questions you might have. You can reach us at (855) 420-9170. You can also find out if you qualify for medical marijuana with our quick online application.