Caryophyllene is a common terpene, or essential oil, that’s responsible for those peppery notes in your cannabis.
It also may hold powerful anti-inflammatory properties for those experiencing chronic pain.
The natural properties of the cannabis plant are widely varied from strain to strain. The most common difference is the type of essential oil, or terpene that a specific type of cannabis possesses. Each terpene has unique properties: Fragrance, taste and effect. Many of them have also been studied for therapeutic properties. Caryophyllene, commonly known for its peppery aroma, is among the terpenes that have qualities that may benefit those experiencing chronic pain by reducing inflammation. It has even shown a potential to speed wound-healing in a 2019 study.
Caryophyllene: How Does it fight Inflammation?
An article in Frontiers of Neuroscience highlights plants possessing Caryophyllene as having been for the treatment of pain since ancient times.
“Cannabinoids help in pain treatment through their action on CB1 and CB2 receptors. β-caryophyllene (BCP), an ancient remedy to treat pain, is a sesquiterpene found in large amounts in the essential oils of various spice and food plants such as oregano, cinnamon, and black pepper. It binds to the CB2 receptor, acting as a full agonist.”
In less scientific terms, these pain receptors are found throughout our nervous system and in tissues throughout the body, and regulate our response to pain. Caryophyllene acts as an agonist, or chemical binder, which then mitigates the pain response. For millennia, the various plants high in this terpene were administered through aromatic oils which practitioners had come to recognize for this powerful, pain-fighting effect.
Caryophyllene: Cancer-Reduction Studies
Additionally, Caryophyllene has been studied for its cancer-fighting potential.
“The anticancer properties of (Caryophyllene) are less recognized than those of traditional cannabinoids, however several lines of evidence have demonstrated that these natural compounds can be interesting candidates for complementary treatment of the cancer.”
This 2016 Polish study touts Caryphyllene for its pain-reducing properties, and acknowledges that it may hold merit for further research.