Humulene

What is humulene?

Humulene, also called alpha-humulene, is a sesquiterpene, a larger terpene built from fifteen carbon atoms arranged in a ring. It was once known as alpha-caryophyllene because it has the same formula as caryophyllene, just with a different structure.

The two really are a pair. Researchers studying cannabis genes found a single enzyme that makes both caryophyllene and humulene at once, at roughly two and a half parts caryophyllene to one part humulene, and that ratio matched what they measured in the plant. That's why strains high in caryophyllene often show humulene too.

What does humulene smell like?

Humulene smells earthy, woody and a little spicy, with soft herbal and floral tones. On its own it's more of an herbal, woody note than a bright one. In cannabis it usually sits in the background, giving depth rather than leading the smell.

Where is humulene found besides cannabis?

Humulene is best known from hops, where it can make up a large share of the essential oil, depending on the variety. Traditional noble hop varieties tend to have more. It and the compounds it turns into during brewing help give many beers their hoppy aroma.

It has also been reported in clove, basil, spearmint, ginger-family plants and pine trees.

• Hops: the plant humulene is named after, and its best-known source.
• Sage: one of several herbs that carry humulene's woody note.

Does humulene change how a strain feels?

You'll find a lot of bold claims about humulene online. In reality, the research on terpenes changing how cannabis feels is early and mixed. The "entourage effect", the idea that terpenes and cannabinoids team up to shape the experience, is still being tested, and the evidence for it so far is thin.

People do describe strains differently, and those reports are interesting, but they aren't proof. THC and CBD levels, the amount you have and your own tolerance are the factors we actually know make a difference.

Humulene vs Pinene

These two smell quite different. Humulene is a larger sesquiterpene with an earthy, woody, hoppy smell, and it usually appears in smaller amounts in cannabis. Pinene is a smaller monoterpene with the sharp, fresh smell of pine needles, and it's among the more common terpenes in cannabis. Humulene tends to travel with caryophyllene, while pinene is the one behind that crisp forest note. If a strain smells like a hoppy beer, think humulene. If it smells like a Christmas tree, think pinene.

Finding humulene on a label

Some producers list a product's top terpenes on the package or in a certificate of analysis (COA), so look there. Humulene is often listed third or lower, and you'll usually see caryophyllene above it.

Strains such as Headband and Death Star have been named as humulene carriers, but levels vary by grower and by batch. The test results for your product tell you more than the strain name does.