Beta-Caryophyllene: A Terpene Against Anxiety And Depression?

The cannabis plant is loaded with extremely interesting chemical constituents. The most popular among these by far are the cannabinoids. The plant itself has become famous and a major topic of debate due to the psychoactive effects instigated by the cannabinoid THC.

However, cannabinoids aren’t the only compounds within the cannabis plant worth paying attention to.

Terpenes appear all throughout nature within different plant species. These molecules are produced by trichomes, the mushroom-shaped glands found on the surface of cannabis leaves and flowers. Trichomes are also responsible for producing cannabinoids and other compounds.

Terpenes are essentially fragrant oils that give strains of cannabis different tastes and smells. For example, when you shove your nose into a bag loaded with potent buds and catch a scent of fruit, cheese, lavender, or diesel, terpenes are to thank for the sensual pleasure.

However, these gnarly little compounds play a much more fundamental role when it comes to getting baked. They may actually contribute to the type of high that a strain offers through synergistic effects.

Numerous terpenes found within the cannabis plant have been shown to offer profound medicinal properties. For example, the terpene beta-caryophyllene (BCP) shows promise for potentially helping treat anxiety and depression.

INTRODUCING BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

BCP is found in numerous plants throughout nature, including hops, black pepper, rosemary, and of course, cannabis. So what is so special about this particular terpene? Well, it turns out that BCP isn’t just any old terpene, it has also been found to play the role of a cannabinoid, too.

In playing this role, BCP is capable of interacting with some of the receptor sites that comprise the endocannabinoid system.

The main cannabinoid pathways within the endocannabinoid system are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Cannabinoids such as THC activate both of these receptor sites, and the outcome is a psychoactive high.

BCP, on the other hand, only targets the CB2 receptor. This means that BCP does not produce a psychoactive effect. This is a crucial factor considering that the psychoactive nature of some cannabis medicines is a major reason they are restricted.

What’s more, years and large amounts of money have been poured into the world of synthetic cannabis, in hopes of achieving similar therapeutic results without causing a high. Cannabinoids that target the CB2 receptor can potentially help treat disorders such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis, without the inconvenience of psychoactive effects. While it may seem strange to consider THC an inconvenience, some patients need to remain fully functional after medicating.

A FUTURE MEDICINE?

Although research is currently in the early stages, BCP is displaying some promising results when it comes to its potential application as a medicinal molecule.

A 2014 paper^[1] published within the journal Neuropsychopharmacology examined the painkilling effects of BCP in mice. The authors of the paper mention the compound’s ability to target the CB2 receptor, and discuss that numerous studies display that the CB2 receptor is critically involved in the modulation of inflammatory and neuropathic pain responses.

The study showed that orally-administered BCP reduced inflammatory pain responses and also reduced spinal neuroinflammation. The authors concluded that BCP may be significantly effective in the treatment of long-lasting and debilitating pain states.

A-Pinene

 

Anti-Inflamatory
Bronchodilator
Aids Memory
Anti-BacterialAlso found in pine needles

Linalool

 

Anesthetic
Anti-Convulsant
Analgesic
Anti-AnxietyAlso found in lavander

Beta-CaryophYllene

 

Anti-Inflamatory
Analgesic
Protects Cells Lining The Digestive TractAlso found in black pepper

Myrcene

 

Contributes To Sedative Effect Of Strong Indicas
Sleep Aid
Muscle RelaxantAlso found in hops

Limonene

 

Treats Acid Reflux
Anti-Anxiety
AntidepressantAlso found in citrus

A-Pinene

 

Anti-Inflamatory
Bronchodilator
Aids Memory
Anti-BacterialAlso found in pine needles

Linalool

 

Anesthetic
Anti-Convulsant
Analgesic
Anti-AnxietyAlso found in lavander

Beta-Caryophillene

 

Anti-Inflamatory
Analgesic
Protects Cells Lining The Digestive TractAlso found in black pepper

Myrcene

 

Contributes To Sedative Effect Of Strong Indicas
Sleep Aid
Muscle RelaxantAlso found in hops

Limonene

 

Treats Acid Reflux
Anti-Anxiety
AntidepressantAlso found in citrus

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Another paper^[2] documents a study conducted on mice that shows the potential of BCP as a treatment for anxiety and depression. The paper, published within the journal Physiology and Behaviour, discusses the role of CB2 receptors in anxiety and depression disorders.

BCP is proposed as a novel compound that has beneficial pharmacological effects over existing benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

The aim of the study was to test the effects of BCP on mouse subjects related to conditions of stress and anxiety. The authors propose that this study, for the first time, demonstrates that BCP is indeed effective at producing anxiolytic and antidepressive effects.

The results also show that the CB2 receptor is involved in the regulation of emotional behaviour and could be a potential therapeutic target when it comes to anxiety and depression.

CANNABIS STRAINS HIGH IN CARYOPHYLLENE

ROYAL COOKIES

Royal Cookies is derived from Californian genetics, specifically Forum Cookies S1. This strain is the result of a rigorous breeding programme with two main goals: taste and strength. Her finely balanced flavours of earth and sweetness are the result of a contrasting yet complementary terpene profile. High levels of caryophyllene are responsible for the grounding hints of earth and wood that closely resemble basil and hops. When it comes to strength, Royal Cookies struts her 23% THC content with a strong indica blow to the body.

Royal Cookies is at home indoors or in a warm outdoor climate. Indoor plants can be expected to yield between 450–525g/m² after approximately 8 weeks of bloom. Plants grown outdoors will produce a good yield of up to 500g/plant by the middle of October.

Royal Cookies
	Cookies Forum x Cookies Forum
	450 - 525 gr/m2
	80 - 110 cm
	8 - 9 weeks
	THC: 23% (aprox.) / CBD: Low

	20% Sativa, 80% Indica, 0% Ruderalis
	450 - 500 g/per plant (dried)
	175 - 210
	Middle of October
	Relaxed and Euphoric

Royal Cookies

	Cookies Forum x Cookies Forum
	450 - 525 gr/m2
	80 - 110 cm
	8 - 9 weeks
	THC: 23% (aprox.) / CBD: Low

	20% Sativa, 80% Indica, 0% Ruderalis
	650 - 700 g/per plant (dried)
	175 - 210 cm
	Middle of October
	Relaxed and Euphoric

Buy Royal Cookies

OG KUSH

OG Kush is one of the titans of the cannabis world, known around the globe for her intense aroma, striking taste, and therapeutic indica high. The sensory experience of blazing this strain is one of piney, fruity, and citrus distinction. This combination is partly attributable to the presence of caryophyllene. OG Kush first came into existence in Northern California, and didn’t become world-renowned for no reason. She stems from a stellar combination of Chemdawg, Lemon Thai, and Pakistani Kush.

This physically stoning specimen can be grown well in mild climates and offers significantly better yields when manipulated using low stress training and topping. Indoors, OG Kush will reward growers with a maximum yield of 475g/m² after around 8 weeks of flowering. Outdoor plants yield between 500–550g/plant and are ready in October.

OG Kush
	Chemdawg x Lemon Thai x Pakistani Kush
	425 - 475 gr/m2
	90 - 160 cm
	7 - 9 weeks
	THC: 19% (aprox.) / CBD: Medium

	25% Sativa, 75% Indica, 0% Ruderalis
	500 - 550 g/per plant (dried)
	180 - 220
	October
	Relaxing and full of flavour

OG Kush

	Chemdawg x Lemon Thai x Pakistani Kush
	425 - 475 gr/m2
	90 - 160 cm
	7 - 9 weeks
	THC: 19% (aprox.) / CBD: Medium

	25% Sativa, 75% Indica, 0% Ruderalis
	500 - 550 g/per plant (dried)
	180 - 220 cm
	October
	Relaxing and full of flavour

Buy OG Kush

WHITE WIDOW

White Widow is another cannabis superstar, this time bred in Amsterdam. She frequently provides potent, mind-altering experiences within the city’s best coffeeshops. This tall hybrid occupies the middle-ground between indica and sativa genetics, and was brought into existence via the crossbreeding of a Brazilian sativa landrace and a South Indian indica. Her aromatic buds receive their scent from dominant terpenes caryophyllene and myrcene, along with a touch of limonene and humulene.

White Widow is regarded as an easy strain to grow, which is one reason why her genetics have stood the test of time. Her dense and frosty flowers are produced at a volume of 450–500g/m² indoors after 8–9 weeks of bloom. Outdoor plants will produce up to 600g/plant during late October.

White Widow
	White Widow S1
	450 - 500 gr/m2
	60 - 100 cm
	8 - 9 weeks
	THC: 19% (aprox.) / CBD: Medium

	50% Sativa, 50% Indica, 0% Ruderalis
	550 - 600 g/per plant (dried)
	150 - 190 cm
	Late October
	Extremely stoned

White Widow

	White Widow S1
	450 - 500 gr/m2
	60 - 100 cm
	8 - 9 weeks
	THC: 19% (aprox.) / CBD: Low

	50% Sativa, 50% Indica, 0% Ruderalis
	550 - 600 g/per plant (dried)
	150 - 190 cm
	Late October
	Extremely stoned

Buy White Widow