New studies suggest a link between specific terpenes and mental well-being
“While there are limited studies on how the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) affects depression, researchers are recognizing that the way cannabis affects our ECS does contribute to the complex neuronal network in our brains and can be applied in the treatment of depression.”[1] -Dr. Junella Chin
While most recreational users focus on THC, CBD, and whichever other minor cannabinoid social media has brought to the limelight, there’s an increasing awareness in the Medical Cannabis space that terpenes should be considered as a primary indicator of what characteristics or effects a specific strain may have. Terpenes are responsible for the varied scents we experience when we smell the cannabis product before, during, and after vaping, dabbing, or smoking cannabis, they are also known as the essential oils of the cannabis plant.
Plant terpenes exist across all plant-life and possess a wide array of medicinal properties. These compounds have been increasingly studied for their therapeutic potentials, some of which being the treatment of anxiety and depression.[2]
Specific terpenes may affect seasonal depression by:
· Helping Control Anxiety
· Aiding with insomnia
· Improving appetite
· Boosting mood
[3]
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Mood-Boosting Terpenes
Pre-clinical studies have indicated that the terpenes linalool, limonene, myrcene, and β-caryophyllene, amongst others, possess anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties. Essential oils have been utilized for varying therapeutic uses ranging from sleep aids, to antiseptic aids used to treat minor skin burns. Because terpenes can be found in other botanical sources, additional studies of non-cannabis derived terpenes corroborated the findings of recent preclinical studies. For example, lavender, which contains the terpene known as Linalool, is known for its calming and sedating effects.[4]
Terpenes to avoid in anxious times
There are also terpenes to avoid that may be very stimulating and may increase anxiety. The two major terpenes to avoid would be pinene and cymene. These both have an opposite effect as linalool where it will extend the breakdown of acetylcholine, the more acetylcholine in the brain the more focused and stimulated the brain seems to be. This can be beneficial for studying, for exercising or doing sports, but overly-stimulating for someone dealing with anxiety.
Studies and citations:
1.Sherman, A., and Chin, J., “Cannabis and CBD for health and wellness: an essential guide for using nature’s medicine to relieve stress, anxiety, chronic pain, inflammation, and more.” Ten Speed Press, vol 1, 2019, pp. 129-131.
2.Kamal, B.S., et al., “Cannabis and the Anxiety of Fragmentation – A Systems Approach for Finding an Anxiolytic Cannabis Chemotype.” Front Neurosci,vol 12, no. 730, 2018, pp.1-14.
3.Denson, T., and Earlywine, M., “Decreased depression in marijuana users.” Addictive Behaviors, vol 31, no.4, 2006, pp.738-742.
4.Saki, K., et al., “The effects of most important medicinal plants on two important psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression): A Review.” Asian PAC J Trop Med, vol1, suppl.1, 2014, pp.534-542