Caryophyllene and Cannabis Strains – a Guide

Caryophyllene and Cannabis strains

As recent researches suggest, the terpene profile of a cannabis strain, plays a major role in determining the overall effect of the cannabinoids present in that strain. Known as the ‘entourage effect’, it is the synergy between the terpenes, cannabinoids and other secondary phytochemicals and metabolites that gives a particular cannabis strain its unique therapeutic values.

There are more than hundreds of terpenes present in the trichomes of the marijuana flowers that produce distinctive aromas and various physiological as well as mental effects on the users. Some terpenes will help you to enhance your focus while others are excellent stress-relievers.

One of the most common terpenes found in cannabis is caryophyllene or beta-caryophyllene which has a range of healing properties. There is growing evidence of its effectiveness in treating a variety of chronic and severe medical conditions. It is the unique relationship of caryophyllene with the endocannabinoid system in our body that makes it medicinally useful.

This post will give you a short introduction to caryophyllene and cannabis strains that contain this terpene. It also explains various medicinal properties of the terpene which make the caryophyllene-rich strains extremely useful in treating a variety of health and mental conditions.

What is caryophyllene?

Caryophyllene or beta-caryophyllene is a sesquiterpene found in cannabis plants. One of the more abundant terpenes in nature, it is found in many herbs and spices like clove, black pepper, oregano, basil and rosemary. In cannabis plants, beta-caryophyllene also occurs in its oxide and alpha-humulene form.

It is this terpene which gives the herbs and the cannabis strain a distinctively woody and spicy smell. Scientists who have studied different isomers of caryophyllene suggest that this terpene has amazing medicinal properties. Multiple researches on caryophyllene and cannabis strains have been able to confirm that this terpene plays a very effective role in alleviating a variety of symptoms including chronic pain and inflammation.

The healing effects of caryophyllene, as these studies show, come from its unique relationship with our body’s endocannabinoid system.

Caryophyllene and cannabis strains – the effect on our endocannabinoid system

An experienced and well-informed marijuana user must know that both the intoxicating and medicinal effects of cannabis are the result of its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) within our body. Different cannabinoids present in marijuana like THC or CBD, are chemically similar to various neurotransmitters produced by our brain which controls sleep, mood, appetite, memory, cognition etc.

Therefore, cannabinoids like THC and CBD can easily bind with the endocannabinoid receptors such as CB1 (Cannabinoid1) and CB2(Cannabinoid2) receptors in our nervous system and produce various cerebral as well as bodily effects. Now, recent studies suggest that the terpenes present in cannabis can have the same effects on the ECS as the cannabinoids. While the terpenes may not affect the cannabinoid receptors directly, they can certainly have complementary effects on them.

According to a 2016 review which looked into the scientific researches on the medical benefits of caryophyllene and cannabis strains that contain it, the terpene has a unique ability to bind with the CB2 receptors in the same way as CBD does. It never targets the brain core but only affects the peripheral nervous system. There is no psychoactive high emanating from it, but only a wide range of medicinal benefits. Stimulating the CB2 receptors, as studies have shown, can be extremely useful in treating chronic pain and inflammation which are very common to gastrointestinal diseases, arthritis, multiple sclerosis or cancer.

Caryophyllene: a pain-killer and an immune booster

A 2014 study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology has confirmed the highly analgesic potentials of caryophyllene in treating both inflammatory and neuropathic pains. There are other published researches which claim that caryophyllene and its oxide form have great anti-malarial, anti-oxidant and immune boosting properties.

Antidepressant properties of caryophyllene

A paper published in the famous journal Physiology and Behaviour in 2014 argues that caryophyllene and cannabis strains which contain it are very helpful in fighting anxiety and depression. By binding with the CB2 receptors, the terpene enhances seroton in secretion in the brain and thus works as a great anxiolytic and antidepressant.

Anti-fungal agent

Caryophyllene has found to be very effective in preventing the attack of candida fungus which is extremely common to people undergoing transplants or immunosuppressive therapies. The terpene can be also useful in fighting other bacterial or fungal infections that occur in cancer patients under chemotherapy.

Caryophyllene and cancer

Though there is still more research to be done, many studies, including the 2016 review, now claim that caryophyllene has anti-cancer properties. It is thought to be capable of slowing tumor growth and proliferation. A very recent study published in the journal Anticancer Research says that beta-caryophyllene and beta-caryophyllene oxide can be used as chemosensitizing agents to re-sensitize cancer-resistant cells.

Best cannabis strains high in caryophyllene

There are a large number of potent cannabis strains which have high caryophyllene content. You can easily identify them by their distinctive aroma. We give you ten caryophyllene-high marijuana strains that are absolutely the best in the category:

• Amnesia Haze (high THC, sativa dominant)
• Girl Scout Cookies (high THC, indica dominant)
• Sour Diesel (high THC, sativa dominant)
• Moonbeam (high THC, pure indica)
• Royal Cookies (high THC, indica dominant)
• Wappa (medium THC, indica dominant)
• Super Skunk (high THC, indica dominant)
• AC/DC(high CBD, balanced hybrid)
• Death Star (high THC, indica dominant)
• Chemdawg (high THC, balanced hybrid)

Cannabis strains that are rich in caryophyllene content are extremely effective in pain-relieving and fighting anxiety or depression. This makes these strains ideal for medical marijuana patients suffering from a range of chronic and severe health conditions. As caryophyllene gives you similar effects as CBD, you can use your favorite THC-heavy strain from the above list and still get all the medicinal benefits of cannabidiol. Get any of the caryophyllene-rich strains from our list and experience the truly blissful and mood-uplifting marijuana high!