Do Dried Mangoes Get You Higher?

Cannabis, commonly known as pot or marijuana, is a group of plants within the family Cannabaceae. There are three species currently recognized in this group: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. While there are some distinctions between the species, they are sometimes all grouped under C. sativa. One potential reason to maintain the distinction, however, is because of “commonly believed” differences in effects. For example, while C. sativa is believed to have an uplifting effect, C. indica is believed to have a relaxing effect.

Cannabis can be smoked, consumed or inhaled. For the purposes of this discussion, we will mainly focus on the effects associated with inhalation. When cannabis is inhaled, a person is taking in a variety of different compounds. These compounds enter the lungs and diffuse into the bloodstream. The main psychoactive ingredient responsible for its effects is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). After entering the bloodstream, THC crosses the blood-brain barrier to enter the brain. This barrier is meant to prevent toxic or harmful material from entering the brain; it is a protective structure. If THC passes this barrier it attaches to cannabinoid receptors in the human cannabinoid system. These receptors are naturally found in the humans and are normally activated by the cannabinoid neurotransmitter anandamide. By mimicking anandamide, THC is able to bind to these receptors and activate neurons. This activation ultimately causes the adverse effects associated with cannabis, such as the feeling of being relaxed and mellow.

One interesting question which made its way around the cannabis community is: “Do dried mangoes get you higher?” While this proposition may seem absurd, there is science to support it does. The main culprit behind the effect is a terpene called myrcene (β-myrcene). Myrcene, like all other terpenes, gives mangoes their distinctive smell. Myrcene itself has a fruity clove like scent in small concentrations and a sharper hop like smell at higher concentration. This molecule is naturally present in high concentrations in both marijuana and mangoes. It helps a person “get higher” because it works synergistically with THC. Specifically, it is known to increase cell permeability, and thus, helps THC move across the blood brain barrier. This ultimately means that more THC can cross the barrier and it can do so faster than normal. Interestingly, myrcene can cut the time it takes for THC to reach the blood brain barrier in half!

While the effects of myrcene seem promising, it is important to note that our bodies evolved to limit myrcene metabolism. Consequently, orally administered myrcene may not enter the bloodstream in adequate quantities- this often depends on a person’s metabolism. To increase the effects associated with eating mangoes, you should eat a ripe mango 45 minutes before inhaling cannabis. This provides the body adequate time to bring the myrcene into the bloodstream. Although dried mangoes work too, studies suggest may have less myrcene and the effects may not be as strong.