Terpenes for Anxiety

For centuries holistic medicine practitioners have been using the powers of aromatherapy to inspire healing in their patients. Most essential oils are made up of around 80% terpenes and have been commonly used to relieve symptoms of common qualifying conditions for cannabis patients.

While anxiety isn’t a common qualifying condition in US medical programs, many studies and personal testimonies show that cannabis has anxiolytic effects. Many other classifications of plants have been found valuable for patients who suffer from anxiety as well. This connection is widely due to their terpene composition. These are some go-to terpenes that are a great addition to a diffuser when we’re beginning to feel that anxiety spiral creeping in.

Linalool

Its pleasant floral aroma makes Linalool a popular additive in perfumes, there are also some public studies available on how inhaling this terpene will affect anxiety. One study conducted on mice showed that inhaling linalool decreased aggressive behavior and increased social behavior. A dab of lavender or linalool heavy essential oils on the wrist can be a quick help with anxious behavior. Some in the diffuser can inhibit a socially pleasant event and a cup of lavender tea, as most of us know, can be valuable in times of high stress and anxiety.

β-Caryophyllene

This terpene reveals itself through a black pepper scent and is a CB2 receptor agonist. The CB2 receptor has been implicated in anxiety and depression disorders in a few studies with laboratory animals. They were tested while going through a maze and some other methods and it was found that this terpene reduced the anxiety levels in the rodents. These terpenes respond to non-psychoactive receptors like Cannabidiol (CBD). β-Caryophyllene can be found in rosemary, hops and black pepper essential oils.

The two popular terpenes are commonly found in cultivars that are promoted for the anxious medical cannabis patients. To find strains with Linalool or β-Caryophyllene, ask for cannabis from companies that test their terpene profiles.