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.
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-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:
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:
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
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3153165/#B125-toxins-02-02428