Caryophyllene: The Science Behind This Cannabis Terpene
Key Takeaways:
- Caryophyllene’s Versatility: Found in common spices like black pepper and cinnamon, caryophyllene is known for its rich, spicy flavor and is widely studied by researchers.
- Synergistic Effects: When combined with other terpenes and cannabinoids, caryophyllene is part of what researchers call the entourage effect.
- Unique Receptor Activity: Caryophyllene binds to CB2 receptors, a feature researchers are studying in relation to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
- Many Sources: Caryophyllene occurs in aromatherapy oils, topical products, everyday foods, and cannabis.
- Presence in Cannabis: Many cannabis cultivars contain significant levels of caryophyllene, which shapes their flavor, including Sour Diesel, Wedding Cake, and Gelato.
- Understanding Natural Compounds: Exploring terpenes like caryophyllene gives insight into how these natural compounds work in plants and in the body.
Introduction
Terpenes are essentially natural building blocks and have been used for many different purposes by humans and plants over millennia. In nature they are used as defence mechanisms, communication, growth regulation and much more including what humans use them for.
Uses for terpenes in human life are vast. They are found in everything from herbs, spices and essential oils, to modern extractions of rubber and steroids. Terpenes have an enormous role in all walks of life. Cannabis, with modern breeding techniques, acts as a canvas for humans to optimize terpene production and consumption.
Terpenes have been a significant part of medical and culinary practices since ancient times. Substances with high concentrations of terpenes were highly revered for their health giving qualities and flavors. In fact, intercontinental trade routes fuelled by the spice trade owes its existence to terpenes. Spices like cinnamon, pepper and cloves wouldn’t have been very valuable without them.
While there is a spectrum of terpenes wherever they occur, these three spices in particular all share the very important terpene: Beta-Caryophyllene. Commonly pronounced without the ‘beta’ as “carry-oh fi-lean” or “carry-off-a-lean” depending on the speaker’s preference. This terpene is responsible for the earthy spicy peppery taste that some cannabis cultivars possess and is widely studied. Caryophyllene is also a unique terpene in that it binds with the CB2 as endocannabinoid receptors, like cannabinoids such as THC or CBD. This means it interacts with receptors more directly than most terpenes, an effect researchers describe as part of the entourage effect. This is the name given to the mutually enhancing effect a spectrum of terpenes and cannabinoids have on each other.
This article will look at where caryophyllene is found in nature and cannabis, and what researchers have studied about this compound.
Caryophyllene in Plant life
Beta-Caryophyllene, is found in many herbs and spices that are native all over the world. Black pepper, cinnamon, basil, hops, lavender, rosemary and many more species of plant. It’s relevant to note that these plants, like cannabis, contain a mixture of terpenes most of the time. They produce their own entourage effect when implemented into your diet or wellness practices.
Alpha-caryophyllene, also known as humulene, is another terpene common to cannabis and can also be found in hops, sage and tea plants like gin-seng. Hops is a close relative to the cannabis plant and are an important ingredient in the production of beer. Humulene does not bind to CB2 receptors like its counterpart, but it is studied for anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity in its own right.
Beta-Caryophyllene has a rich spicy earthy aroma and flavor. It could be described as woody, or peppery and even “clovy”. It’s warm and comforting in aroma and effect.
These herbs and spices and their trade have been extremely valuable for humans for thousands of years. In slightly more recent centuries, these spices began to reach European markets and became a symbol of wealth and power. Experiencing the prized aromas and flavors of caryophyllene via exotic spices was seen as the height of privilege in Europe in the 16th century.
This novelty eventually eventually subsided as the prices went down and the market developed. This led to the mass normalisation of these exotic spices, a stand out example is black pepper being now a world wide counterpart to salt when it was once an exotic rarity to most of Europe.
Spices like cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg were very sought after commodities for early European settlers in North America. Many of them were not so familiar with the culinary and herbal arts of the locals. This phenomenon lives on in the flavor profile of Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg: a lot of caryophyllene!
Caryophyllene in The Body
It has been found that all terpenes bind to the CB1 receptors at about 10-50% the rate of THC alone. CB1 is the part of our endocannabinoid system which is associated with regulating mood, pain and appetite among other things. Caryophyllene is unique in that it is the only terpene we currently know of that binds to the CB2 receptors. These receptors help maintain homeostasis in all our internal organs, the immune system and cardiovascular system.
This is one reason caryophyllene is frequently discussed among terpenes, and researchers have studied it in relation to anxiety, inflammation, pain, and the immune system. It has also been associated in research with antioxidant and neuroprotective attributes.
Products containing caryophyllene are one way people come across the compound. Some users describe the experience as different from pharmaceutical products, and research into terpenes and cannabinoids is ongoing.
Researchers have also studied caryophyllene in relation to the gastrointestinal system, including how it interacts with the mucosal lining of the intestines. Studies on foods and cannabis extracts that contain caryophyllene, and on conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, are ongoing.
When caryophyllene is paired with CBD, researchers have studied the entourage effect and how it compares with pure CBD, including in the context of epilepsy. Caryophyllene also interacts with the calcium and potassium ion channels in the brain that regulate the excitability of neurons.
Beta-Caryophyllene in Cannabis Flower
Caryophyllene is very common across a huge range of cultivars. It is found in indica and sativa landraces and many hybrids, all in differing amounts. Caryophyllene’s spicy flavor creates more sour and rich flavor profiles in cannabis cultivars.
Sour Diesel, a very popular sativa-hybrid strain high in caryophyllene, and moderate THC content with a distinctive “gassy” like aroma. There is a sharp spiciness to the smell that also contains some myrcene which has a herbal taste and relaxing and limonene that is citrusy and uplifting. Sour Diesel is pungent and fast acting, and users often describe an energizing and talkative effect.
Wedding Cake, an indica-hybrid, is known for having high THC and caryophyllene, giving it a relaxing and euphoric character. It has a rich and tangy flavor profile, with earthy peppery notes. Wedding Cake contains similar terpenes to Sour Diesel, and its higher THC makes it more sedative.
Gelato, an evenly balanced hybrid cultivar, also has high levels of caryophyllene. It’s known for its calming euphoria and mellow experience. It has a warm earthy yet fruity and creamy flavor profile with hints of vanilla. Gelato contains limonene giving it citrus notes, as well as humulene, or alpha-caryophyllene, which tastes hoppy giving the earthy notes.
Ref: Leafly
Integrating Beta-Caryophyllene into Your Wellness Routine
Terpenes and cannabinoids alike can be implemented into our holistic wellness optimization program in a myriad of ways. Now that cannabis has lost some of it’s criminality, the truth behind the power of the plant is beginning to reveal itself to us. The terpenes within cannabis are exactly the same terpenes we traded for millenia and still trade to this day, it’s next to the salt on our tables. Spices trade for very similar reasons as trading cannabis, holistic wellness and increased enjoyment of life.
Caryophyllene can be enjoyed via aromatherapy through pure isolated ointments to experience the rich earthy aromas of the terpene. Consumers can also mix this with other essential oils to create the perfect entourage effect optimized for your needs.
Topical ointments are also common wellness products often containing terpenes. Caryophyllene can be found in products like essential oil stress rollers. These usually have a mix of natural compounds creating their own entourage effect.
Diet is an amazing way to consume caryophyllene because it is found in so many delicious foods. You can go be minimal or maxed out as you like, from a little extra pepper to a whole new spice rack and recipes!
For cannabis, cultivars high in caryophyllene are often described by users as having a mellow character.
Conclusion
Caryophyllene, and the rest of the terpenes are an essential part of nature. The spicy rich flavor of caryophyllene is so special to humans we have traded and coveted the plants that contain the special compound for a very long time. Pepper and spice are common all around the world, and people appreciate their aroma and flavor.
Cannabis has long been a host of this powerful terpene, which acts like a cannabinoid due to its binding to the CB2 receptor. When combined with other terpenes cannabinoids its effects are even more potent via the entourage effect.
Cultivars with high caryophyllene are treasured for their rich and pungent flavors and for the calming character some users describe.
Learning about terpenes allows you to blend your cannabis consumption and nutrition simply. The very same compounds in cannabis are also found in foods and plants that have not been tainted by stigma.
This is the clearest path to truly understanding the power of cannabis. The incredible spread of terpenes found in nature are now expertly painted onto the genome of cannabis. Now they can be cultivated with precision.
Read more about how terpenes shape the aroma and flavor of cannabis in our guide to terpene profiles.
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