Cannabis Research A-Z

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.

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-Bisabolol

Dosage: 50-100mg/kg

Claimed Benefits:

anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-irritant, antioxidant, anti-microbial

Papers:

Skin Inflammation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24894548

Glioma Cell death: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28373446

Skin whitening effect: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20642768

Gastroprotection against lesions: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20041801

More gastroprotection: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19013222  200-400mg/kg

Notes:

Appears to be a good gastroprotectant.

trans/cis-Ocimene

Claimed benefits:

Decongestant, Antiviral, Antifungal, Antiseptic

Papers:

Valencene

Claimed Benefits:

anti-inflammatory

Papers: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26967731

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21843620

Sabinene

Claimed benefits: 

Cytotoxic mediator

Papers:

Extract containing sabinene was comparable to doxorubicin (chemotherapy drug): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26514509

Camphene

Dosage: 30 µg/gr in rats

Claimed Benefits:

hypocholesterolemic, hypotriglyceridemic, heapatic steatosis protection, antinociceptive, hypolipidermic

Papers:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22073134  30 µg/gr  in rats for hypolipidermic effect

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23818423

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23724298

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26784701

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anxiolytic: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21925533

Anxiolytic: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26151006

Decrease aggression, anxiolytic: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19962290

Seizures: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25532295

Seizures: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21299105

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26832326

Antidepressant: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22867633

hypocholesterolaemic effect: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17697428

Central Nervous System: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28579958

Myrcene

Dosage: 100-400mg/kg

Claimed Benefits:

Antiinflammatory, antimutagenic, Sedative, Analgesic, Antibiotic

Papers:

Inflammation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25622554

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18498714  200-400mg/kg

Analgesic: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1753786

Sedative: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12587690

Triterpenoids