Terpenes

TERPENES & Cannabis studies completed

Overview by J Hatridge

Terpenes are everywhere. They are in all plants that we eat, and that includes the plants that we smoke.

Terpenes are what gives flavor and aroma to everything around us. Insects produce terpenes as a defense mechanism, to leave trails, as well as to attract mates.

The relationship between terpenes and cannabis is intense and important. Terpenes bind to receptors in our brains similar to the way THC and CBD does.

For an example, terpenes give us the flavor and aroma of highly sought after cannabis strains like Pineapple Express, Blueberry, Chocolate Kush, or even Sour Cream.

a-pinene

Responsible for a lot of the smell of pine trees, alpha-pinene is found in coniferous trees and rosemary. It is a bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and is thought to be responsible for aiding memory.

Alpha-bisabolol

Found in German chamomile, it has a sweet floral aroma.

Beta-Caryophyllene

Found in plants such as black pepper and cloves, Caryophyllene accounts for the spiciness flavor. It has anxiolytic, antidepressant, and neuroprotective properties.

D-Limonene

Cold-press extracted from the rinds of citrus fruits, Limonene has a strong orange smell has been used to treat anxiety and depression.

Linalool

Produced most famously by the Lavender plant, Linalool is a very aromatic chemical that is known to cause a relaxing effect in aromatherapy.

Myrcene

Found in chamomile and ripe mangoes, myrcene is said to have mild sedative and analgesic effects.

Science & Research

General

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740396/

Review of studies regarding NSAIDs: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5471470/

D-Limonene

Dosage:

Anywhere between .15ml/kg and possibly in lower doses around 2g. Jarrow sells 1g capsules of d-limonene.

Claimed Benefits:

Antioxidant, anti-cancer, chemopreventive, chemotherapeutic

Papers:

Human gastric carcinoma: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4152785/

Early stage breast cancer: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3692564/ 2g limonene/day

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4670880/

Gastric cancer: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4572353/ 1% D-Limonene in solution, 15 ml/kg every other day - 10ml of actual limonene daily if you weigh around 70kg.

Rat mammary tumors: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1968920/10% of diet

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3080636

beta-pinene and D-Limonene kill herpes cells (?!): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4393490/

Antispasmodic quality: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26487887

Beta-Caryophyllene (Provided by clove)

Caryophyllene Oxide (Provided by clove)

alpha-Pinene

Dosage: 10-100mg/kg

Claimed Benefits:

Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcerogenic, Broncholdilator

Papers:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26119957

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25709221 10-100mg/kg

Protective effects of alpha-pinene in mice with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22982349

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28724214

Stress-based hyperthermia: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14532699

Notes: Great candidate for supplement to handle stomach issues and ulcers.

beta-Pinene

Dosage: 100-300mg/kg as an antidepressant

Claimed benefits:

Papers:

beta-pinene and D-Limonene kill herpes cells (?!): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4393490/

Antidepressant: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22867633 100-300mg/kg

Gamma-Terpinene

Claimed Benefits:

Papers:

Inhibition of lipid peroxidation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12696969

Modules acute inflammatory response: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26132854

Alpha-Terpinene

Claimed Benefits:

Papers:

Trypanocidal effect: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26773165 .335mL/kg-1ml/kg

Potential antioxidant: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15137824

Reasons to avoid:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27400424

Terpineol

Dosage: 25-100mg/kg

Claimed Benefits:

antibiotic, antioxidant, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, sedative

Papers:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21540069

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24947163

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27231091 25mg-100mg/kg

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4230123/

Terpinolene

Dosage:

Claimed benefits:

Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Sedative

Papers:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23339024

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21287406 Sedative Inhalation

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25764982

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24590926 25mg/L - 70mg/L In Vitro

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24084350 50mg/L - 100mg/L in Vitro

Geraniol

Claimed Benefits:

Anti-spasmodic, antioxidant, Neuroprotectant, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral

Papers:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26487887 Needs to be tested in vivo - 0.8 nl / ml - a-terpinene and limonene were major parts, geraniol just along for the ride

Protection against Cardiovascular Complications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28178614

Guaiol

Claimed benefits:

Anti-inflammatory

Papers:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20645723

Linalool

Claimed Benefits:

Anxiolytic, Antidepressant, Sedative, Antiinflammatory, Anti-epileptic, Analgesic

Papers:

Anti-Inflammatory: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12587692

Inflammation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26040565