With such a wide variety of terpenes existing within the world of cannabis, it can be difficult to keep track of them all. But Caryophyllene stands out as one of the most commonly found terpenes in cannabis. It’s also found in pepper, oregano, cinnamon, and even in hops. Caryophyllene’s signature aroma contributes pungent and funky notes that can often be a little spicy.
Aside from its unique aroma, Caryophyllene is unique in a couple of other ways too. It’s a bigger molecule than other terpenes, such as Limonene and Myrcene. This allows Caryophyllene to easily bind with receptors in the brain in a manner that’s similar to how cannabinoids do. By doing this, it has been shown to activate our endocannabinoid system; an effect that’s been found to encourage muscle relaxation and recovery. Some studies have also found a link between these effects and reduced inflammation, although more research must be done before this can be stated as a fact.
Many cultivars that contain large amounts of Caryophyllene have been to produce effects that are calming and useful for lessening anxiety. A few of the more well-known strains that feature Caryophyllene as a dominant terpene are Girl Scout Cookies, Purple Punch, and the classic GG #4. These cultivars are known to produce full-bodied and physically relaxing effects, partially because of their high Caryophyllene content. Keep an eye out for Caryophyllene in our batch write ups since it’s so prevalent in the world of cannabis.
