by James Han
Taking a tolerance break, switching up your strain and upping your dose are all classic ways cannabis connoisseurs can elevate their highs, but other tricks in the canon merely involve a trip to the grocery store for the king of fruits: mangoes. On its own, this tropical stone fruit is delicious and nutrient-dense, but plenty of seasoned cannabis enthusiasts swear by the hallowed combination of mango and weed, claiming it’s an easy and effective way to enhance a high.
But is there science to back it up? And if so, how much mango should you eat? We’ll explore the data and share some tips and tricks on how to enjoy this pairing, as well as a few recipes you can whip up to take your mango-and-weed experience to next-level heights.
Can Mangoes Enhance Your High?
Mangoes are packed with myrcene, a terpene that’s known for its peppery, balsamic and spicy fragrance. (Myrcene is also abundant in lemongrass and thyme.) It also happens to be the most common terpene found in commercial strains of cannabis — a Swiss study in the ‘90s identified myrcene as the number-one terpene among the 16 strains of cannabis it analyzed, and present-day tests have indicated that it represents at least 20% of the terpene profile in modern strains.
Historically, myrcene has been used across cultures for medicinal purposes. Lemongrass tea in Brazilian folk medicine helped soothe anxiety and pain, and the terpene’s namesake, a plant native to the Amazon called Myrcia sphaerocarpa, was used to treat a variety of ailments and conditions. Though more research — particularly on humans — needs to be done to validate some of the promising benefits of myrcene, current studies suggest that it can help increase transport of cannabinoids to the brain, offer a sedating effect when consumed, and even promote an anti-inflammatory effect in the body. (If some of these sound familiar, it’s because the compounds in cannabis often have a similar effect, too!)
How To Pair Mangoes With Cannabis
It may seem counterintuitive to eat before you smoke (why not wait until the munchies hit?), but to experience the benefits of the mango-weed combo, you’ll want to consume the fruit about 30 to 60 minutes ahead of your smoke sesh. That’s because you’ll need to give your body time to start digesting the fruit and allow the myrcene to start circulating through your system. There’s no lab-tested quantity of mango you should aim for, but the more mango, the more myrcene — just leave some room to enjoy a few other healthy snacks once you’re high. If you have a faster metabolism than most, consider eating two or three mangoes about half an hour before you take a puff of your Mistifi pen (all three of which contain myrcene-high strains). If your metabolism is on the slower end, eat one mango about one to two hours before.
Note: The “mango effect” doesn’t work for everyone. Mangoes, after all, vary in their myrcene content, and there’s still not enough concrete research in humans to prove that they can, in fact, enhance your high. Try a few times for yourself, but don’t fret if you’re not feeling it — at the very least, you’ll have gotten a good dose of antioxidants and vitamins A and C.
Mango and Weed Recipes for Connoisseurs
There’s nothing wrong with slicing up a mango (instructions to properly slicing this fickle fruit can be found here) for your pre-smoke snack, but why not elevate the experience with a few mango recipes that can satisfy your sweet tooth in a more luxurious way? Here are two recipes to try, with tips on how to plan your mango-weed high.
Khao Neeo Mamuang (Thai Sweet Sticky Rice With Mango)
This sweet sticky rice with mango is a famous dessert in Thai cuisine, with short-grain white rice mixed with a sweet and rich combination of coconut milk and sugar (you can use honey or coconut sugar for a different flavor profile), raw mango and a smothery sauce of reduced coconut milk, sugar and tapioca starch (to thicken things up). It’s a simple, filling and absolutely delicious snack whose carb-heavy profile goes perfectly with our Houdini blend to help you settle into the couch and enjoy the ultimate relaxation.
What you’ll need:
- Rice
- 1.5 cups uncooked short-grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1.5 cups coconut milk (full-fat, from a can)
- 1 cup white sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Sauce
- 0.5 cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon tapioca starch
- 3 mangoes, peeled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)
How to make it: Find the instructions here, courtesy of Allrecipes.
Mango Chicken
For savory instead of sweet, try making mango chicken, which pairs the sweetness of the fruit with spicy chilli powder and tart tomatoes to turn any piece of chicken into a bonanza of flavors. Eat a serving over quinoa or in your favorite flour tortilla for lunch with some green veggies, then take a hit of Over the Rainbow, our sativa-dominant blend that will help you finish up your tasks with a boost of creativity and vitality.
What you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 0.25 cup tomato paste
- 0.5 cup frozen spinach
- 0.5 cup mango, chopped
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder, optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parsley and chili flakes to garnish
How to make it: Find the instructions here, courtesy of Shashi from Savory Spin.
James Han is a writer, editor and content strategist based in Los Angeles. When he’s not deep in a Google Doc, you can find him reading, watching films and taking long walks.
References:
International Hemp Association – Essential Oil of Cannabis Sativa L. Strains
Leafly – Myrcene
ScienceDirect – Myrcene
Medical News Today – What To know About Terpenes
Healthline – Mango: Nutrition, Health Benefits and How To Eat It
Mango.org – How To Cut a Mango
Allrecipes – Thai Sweet Sticky Rice With Mango (Khao Neeo Mamuang)
Jeanette’s Healthy Living – Vegan Mango Panna Cotta With Kiwi, Mango and Strawberries