Terpene Tuesday : Caryophyllene
Posted by The Green Team on Mar 17th 2021
Terpene Tuesday: Caryophyllene
Welcome to this week’s Terpene: Caryophyllene. This spicy little terpene is found in many herbs we use every day including black pepper, oregano, basil, cinnamon and clove. It’s what gives these herbs and spices that warm, peppery flavor and smell.
Caryophyllene, sometimes called a pseudo-cannibinoid, is an unusual terpene in that it is the only terpene known to directly interact with the endocannabinoid system, like a cannabinoid would. This system is divided into two sets of receptors, CB1 receptors are located in the brain and central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are located in the periphery of the body. Caryophyllene interacts and binds with our CB2 receptors, just like CBD. It also possesses anunusual molecular structure, not found in any other terpene.
Because of the way Caryophyllene selectively binds to our CB2 receptors it comes with a host of health benefits without the euphoric affect associated with THC, whom of which binds to our CB1 receptors in the brain. Caryophyllene, by binding to the CB2 receptor, has shown great promise in the treatment of anxiety and depression. This receptor is also well documented in its roll in inflammation and psychopathic pain pathways and a study in mice showed Caryophyllene’s promise as an effective painkiller for chronic pain. The hope in the future being, that caryophyllene can be used in the pain management of debilitating diseases without psychoactive effects.
As research expands in to the study of cannabis, caryophyllene promises to be a valuable new molecule. Hopefully as more laboratories and scientists take up the mantle of cannabis research, more will be learned about this fabulous terpene.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/caryophyllene
https://www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/caryophyllene-terpene
