30/03/2022
Terpenes 3/4: β-caryophyllene & α-pinene
β-Caryophyllene - 176 °Cβ-Caryophyllene features sweet, spicy, pungent, and clove fragrance notes that float on an earthy base. Moreover, β-caryophyllene is not "just" a simple terpene, but also a cannabinoid that occupies, for example, the CB2 receptors of our endocannabinoid system primarily addressed by CBD. The fact that β-caryophyllene acts as a cannabinoid is due to its comparatively complex structure with numerous compounds.
β-Caryophyllenes occur with particularly high abundance in black cumin, cloves, hops, basil, oregano, black pepper, lavender, or even copaiba oil. The range of β-caryophyllene-containing plants is vast! While the terpene is present in all of these different plants and spices, it unfolds depending on what other terpenes and fragrance notes are present in the specific substance. We always keep in mind the entourage effect, which describes the different modes of action of terpenes and cannabinoids depending on the composition of the specific terpene profile.
β-Caryophyllene tastes, of course depending on the concentration, very pungent, sometimes even hearty. The unusual terpene is found evenly distributed in indica, sativa and hybrid plants, according to a Washington State study, reaching about 0.3 percent of biomass in the majority of cannabis strains studied, with rare levels around 1 percent.
A variety with particularly high levels of β-caryophyllene is Death Star. If we take all the terpenes found in this variety as a basis, β-caryophyllene makes up 56% percent of all the terpenes in Death Star! So, more than half of the secondary active ingredients that are critical to the effect are formed by β-caryophyllenes, which is a decent house number.
A top-class Indica counterpart to the quite powerfully named Death Star is the clearly more sweet-sounding Candyland. Between these two extremes join Girl Scout Cookies, GG4 or White Widow and stand for equally high β-caryophyllene values. The terpene is also responsible for the many Haze genetics with typical sweet and spicy, almost acrid aromas. However, we can remember: The terpene is present in many varieties, also and especially in CBD varieties. There are also Haze CBD varieties!
The enormous medicinal potential of β-caryophyllene stems from its function as a cannabinoid. By occupying CB2 receptors, β-caryophyllene activates increased immune system actions. CB2 receptors are found throughout tissues and have the special ability to increase their number in the brain after injury or illness. Internal inflammation can thus be stopped more quickly by occupying these receptors and the risk of brain damage is reduced. In addition, the perceived pain is lower when CB2 receptors are occupied than when the corresponding receptors are not occupied. Unfortunately, we cannot give more concrete advice at this point, at this point only a doctor or pharmacist can give advice.
α-Pinene - 155 °C
An association with this terpene should not be too difficult. Anyone who has ever roamed the pine forests of Mediterranean Europe or the vast redwood forests of California has most likely been surrounded by the certain heaviness and sweetness of α-pinene. The aroma continues to be characterized by a certain heaviness, but the smell of pine forests should stand on its own.
Pine scent can be enjoyed in many places here in Europe: For example, in Corsica, France, Italy, Sardinia, Majorca, Spain and everywhere else where maritime to subtropical climate prevails and the corresponding conifers are found. But also everywhere where plants like cannabis form this terpene and thus spread this wonderful scent of coniferous forest even in unusual places.
In addition to pine and cannabis plants, α-pinene is also found in rosemary, dill, basil, conifers, orange peel, pine needles and parsley. Or even in turpentine oil, which consists of up to 60% α-pinene! By the way, there are two different variants of α-pinene, which probably evolved differently next to each other in different places: One variant occurs predominantly in the Americas ((+)-α-pinene), the other predominantly in Europe ((-)-α-pinene). The two molecules differ only very minimally.
α-Pinene, just like the psychoactive THC, serves as a defense mechanism against natural enemies and, like THC, is found in the trichomes or resin heads of the flower. Thus, the plant provides an efficient defense mechanism against insects and birds to ensure the most successful reproduction and preservation of its own species.
Jack Herer is considered a particularly α-pinene-containing cannabis strain. It improves the mood, increases concentration and sets the focus in the direction of creative processes. At this point, however, the Blue Dream is to be mentioned again, which is mainly known for its blueberry notes - it also has a high α-pinene value, in the sense of its origin, the forests of Mendocino County.
In addition to these two classics, α-pinene is also found in Super Silver Haze, Arjan's Haze or Trainwreck.