Beer drinkers are often surprised to learn that cannabis is related to the hops plant. Indeed, botanists put cannabis and hops in the same Cannabaceae family! Although hops can’t produce cannabinoids, these two plants share many remarkable similarities in texture and flavor.

Hemp fans can get a whiff of this “hoppy” relationship if they have a strain with high traces of humulene. While humulene isn’t as dominant as terpenes like myrcene or limonene, it often plays a secondary role in full-spectrum CBD oils and hemp strains. There’s also some fascinating research that suggests humulene may have unique benefits.

Does Humulene Really Make Hemp Buds Taste Like Beer?

As crazy as it may sound, humulene can make hemp buds smell like a craft brew. Humulene is the primary terpene responsible for hops’ distinctive aromatics. So, if a hemp strain has high traces of humulene, you could expect it to mimic the “malty” flavors of the hops plant.

Some hemp connoisseurs claim humulene has rich notes of earth mixed with subtle traces of spice and citrus. Humulene’s chemical structure is similar to the spicy terpene beta-caryophyllene, so it’s no surprise some hemp tokers detect a “kick” from humulene-rich hemp.

In fact, it’s rare to find significant traces of humulene in hemp flowers without beta-caryophyllene. It appears these two terpenes share a natural affinity. Some researchers even believe beta-caryophyllene and humulene may play off each other regarding their anti-inflammatory effects.

Does Humulene Have Any Special Benefits?

As we just hinted, humulene seems to have many of the same benefits as beta-caryophyllene. Most significantly, researchers believe humulene may contain significant anti-inflammatory properties. These effects may benefit those struggling with arthritis or sinus issues.

There’s also mounting evidence that humulene works as an appetite suppressant. Like the cannabinoid THC-V, humulene reduces a person’s urge to eat. While this isn’t ideal for those struggling with nausea or anorexia, it may be therapeutic for people who need extra help losing weight.

Please keep in mind all of the info on humulene’s benefits is in the preliminary stages. Also, most hemp CBD strains have low or moderate traces of humulene. While it’s getting easier to find humulene-rich tinctures in specialty shops, most hemp smokers or vapers won’t notice ultra-high amounts of humulene.

How Do I Know If My Hemp Has Any Humulene?

Given humulene’s unique effects and its beer-like scent, it has become trendy in the hemp community. Many customers searching for “CBD near me” are frantically looking through lab results to see if their strains have high amounts of humulene.

Just remember that humulene isn’t the most prevalent terpene in hemp strains. While it’s rare for a hemp flower to have zero humulene, it’s also unlikely humulene will be the dominant terpene. Please also remember that humulene appears in greater quantities in strains that have high amounts of the terpene beta-caryophyllene.

The best way to determine how much humulene you’re getting in your hemp is to scan third-party lab results. After double-checking the scores for delta-9 THC, pesticides, and heavy metals, turn your attention to the terpene chart. Since humulene is a widely-known terpene, you should see the results for its concentration in your report. If you’ve never analyzed lab reports for hemp CBD strains, please read through the data compiled on Real Tested CBD.

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