Hashishene, The Moroccan Terpene
Hashishene is a recently discovered terpene found mostly in Moroccan hash.
Adding to our testing scopes is always exciting to us because we get to gather more data about our favorite plant. The most recent addition of Hashinene to our terpene testing scope is more exciting than usual because of the interesting backstory behind the compound.
First discovered by researchers in 2014, Hashishene is the terpene responsible for the hashish flavor behind Moroccan hash. One of the oldest forms of cannabis concentrates, hash has been around for centuries and is mainly produced in Morocco and Afghanistan. Researchers first observed the molecule when analyzing samples of hash they believed to originate from Morocco. They looked at 11 hash samples and 10 flower samples, and noted the presence of Hashishene in almost all the hash samples. In flower samples, the terpene was detected only at trace levels.
Hash is typically made by successively drying, sieving, and pressing cannabis flower resulting in a brownish-greenish paste that softens as it is heated. During this extraction process, the chemical composition of the cannabis product will change including its terpene profile. Let’s explore how the terpene Hashishene is created during this process.
Where does Hashishene come from?
According to the study linked above, this monoterpene is a result of the rearrangement of the terpene Beta-Myrcene which occurs during the extraction process used to create hashish. Myrcene is one of the most common terpenes found in cannabis and is the precursor to many other terpenes.
The rearrangement of Myrcene into Hashishene occurs when the terpene is exposed to UV light and oxygen in a process called photo-oxidation. The two terpenes share all the same atoms, just in a different shape.
What do we know about Hashishene?
We know terpenes have their own host of potential medical benefits. Myrcene itself has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Because this terpene was just recently identified, there is not much known about its effects or behavior. We need more research to show what this unique molecule has to offer and if it will be similar to its parent molecule Myrcene.
In the meantime, be sure to check out The Cannabis Review for hundreds of existing studies on the medicinal effects of terpenes.
