Terpene of the Month: Caryophyllene | AusCannaReviews
This month we are taking a deeper look at the terpene Caryophyllene.
Caryophyllene is found in black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and hops enhancing their spiciness but it can also be found in ylang-ylang. Caryophyllene was the first cannabis-derived compound other than THC, CBD, and CBN shown to bind straight to endocannabinoid receptors and is believed to be the only terpene directly interacting with the endocannabinoid system. Because of this, one of the most exciting things about Caryophyllene is that it can be categorised as both a terpene and a cannabinoid.
While both cannabinoids and terpenes are classified in the same larger class of chemical compounds called Terpenoids, Cannabinoids have an effect on the endocannabinoid system whereas terpenes do not.
Molecularly larger than other terpenes such as Myrcene and Limonene, Caryophyllene contains a cyclobutane ring and is the only known cannabis terpene to have one. Cysobutane rings are uber rare in nature and there’s some belief that this ring is what gives Caryophyllene its unique ability to bind with CB2 receptors (endocannabinoid receptors mainly found in our peripheral organs).
Touted for its powerful antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties Caryophyllene is also believed to have analgesic and aphrodisiac properties.
A 2014 study investigated the analgesic effects of Caryophyllene in animals with inflammatory and neuropathic pain. The study showed that orally administered Caryophyllene reduced inflammatory (late phase) pain responses using the formalin test in a CB2 receptor-dependent manner, while it had no effect on acute (early phase) responses. More importantly, the study also found no signs of tolerance to the anti-hyperalgesic effects of Caryophyllene after prolonged treatment, which could be a game changer as to how we treat long-lasting debilitating pain.
In Indonesian folklore ylang-ylang petals are sprinkled across the bed of newlyweds on their wedding night as a token of love and affection while also acting as a natural aphrodisiac.
In 2020 two Japanese scientists tested this aphrodisiac theory as they hypothesized that olfactory exposure to Caryophyelle would stimulate a woman’s libido. Granted their study only included 19 women but their results did in fact show that “Exposure of women in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle to Caryophyllene significantly increased the salivary concentration of testosterone.”
Some of the most sought-after cannabis genetics ever created was the Girl Scout Cookies cultivar and the line of hybrids branching from this one genetic matriarch is flabbergasting. Cultivars on the “Cookies” Family Tree tend to be high in Caryophyllene. In fact Cannatrek’s Topaz, a cultivar the company claims to have almost sold half a million units of is on the Cookies Family Tree.
If you’re looking for medicinal cultivars on the Australian market that are high in Caryophyllene… (Information comes from COA listed on honahlee.)
Lyphe Australia’s Wildflower Banksia T27 (Caryophyllene 1.03%)*
Cannatrek’s Topaz (Caryophyllene 0.96%)*
Beacon Medical’s Wappa THC +F (Caryophyllene 0.79%)
MedCan’s Wappa (Caryophyllene 0.63%)
SOL’s Northern Lights (Caryophyllene 0.63%)
Nula Nula’s 21 (Wedding Cake) (Caryophyllene 0.65%)*
Beacon Medical’s Pink Kush (Caryophyllene 0.63%)**
Cannatrek’s T23 Avalon (Caryophyllene 0.56%)*
Cannatrek’s T18 Jasper (Caryophyllene 0.54%)
Cannatrek’s T24 Willunga (Caryophyllene 0.51%)
* Indicates GSC lineage
** Indicates shares a parent with GSC (OG Kush)