Beta-Caryophyllene: Occurrence, Measurement, Research and Limits
Beta-caryophyllene is a spicy terpene in cannabis and common foods that binds the CB2 receptor. See what that does and does not prove, plus measurement and safety limits.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What beta-caryophyllene is
Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is a bicyclic sesquiterpene, a terpene built from fifteen carbon atoms. [1] PubChem lists its formula as C15H24 and gives the systematic name (1R,4E,9S)-4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylidenebicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-ene for the (-) form it lists. [2] It is a common constituent of the essential oils of many spice and food plants and a major component in cannabis. [3] A 2014 mouse study notes it is found in relatively high concentrations in many spices and food plants. [4] This page is information only.Evidence labels used here: preclinical (cells/animals only), promising but limited (a few small human studies), insufficient evidence, no good evidence of benefit, and marketing claim.
The CB2 finding, and what it does not show
In 2008 researchers reported that (E)-beta-caryophyllene binds selectively to the CB2 cannabinoid receptor (Ki about 155 nanomolar) and acts as a functional CB2 agonist in cells. [3] They also found it reduced an inflammatory response in normal mice but not in mice lacking CB2, which they took as evidence of cannabimimetic action in animals. [3] They called it a nonpsychoactive CB2 ligand. [3] CB2 is part of the body's endocannabinoid system; see The Endocannabinoid System.Three limits apply. First, binding to a receptor in cells is not a treatment result in people. Second, later reviews describe BCP as a promising CB2 ligand for conditions such as depression and anxiety, [1] and one says more studies are needed to explore its use in human diseases. [5] Third, in a different cell test, beta-caryophyllene did not affect TRPA1 or TRPV1 channels or change how THC acted on them. [6] Label for CB2 benefits in people: insufficient evidence.
Where it occurs in cannabis
In a study of one hemp variety, β-caryophyllene was among the major compounds made by the plant's terpene enzymes. [7] It was found in high amounts in two strains measured by gas chromatography, [8] and in a 33-sample study it was among the main terpenoids in both CBD-dominant and THC-dominant groups. [9] Another study reported it higher in THC-dominant than in CBD-dominant varieties. [10]Composition varies. No typical percentage is given here. Reviewers note concern about inconsistent terpene composition between cannabis "strains", [11] and ten plants of a single strain grown together varied by about 20 percent in the main terpenes. [8] Only batch-specific laboratory data can show a product's value.
How it is measured
Labs use gas chromatography with flame ionization or mass spectrometry; one method quantified 42 terpenes in flower and extract. [12] A headspace method reported a 5 ppm detection limit. [9] Caryophyllene oxide, a related compound, is listed in a 2011 review among cannabis terpenoids. [13] See Terpene Testing: How Profiles Are Measured and Reported.What research shows in animals and people
| Question | What was found | Evidence label |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | In mice, oral BCP reduced inflammatory pain in a CB2-dependent way and, with repeated dosing, signs of nerve-injury pain, with no sign of tolerance. [4] | Preclinical (cells/animals only) |
| Food addiction behavior | In 52 women with obesity and food addiction, 8 weeks of a BCP softgel reported a lower food-addiction score than placebo (borderline, corrected P = 0.05), with no significant change in body composition, appetite, eating behavior or mental health measures. [14] | Promising but limited (one small trial, not cannabis) |
| Absorption | In 24 healthy people, a single oral amount absorbed differently depending on formulation. [15] | Pharmacokinetic study, not a health outcome |
| Sleep, as part of a mixture | A 125-person insomnia trial of an oral CBD-plus-eight-terpene product (BCP was one) reported a small gain in slow-wave plus REM sleep. [16] | Mixed; cannot be credited to BCP |
| Pain, inflammation, anxiety or addiction from cannabis-derived BCP | Proper evidence not found in controlled human studies. | Insufficient evidence |
Pain-focused reviews of cannabis terpenes say preclinical findings are promising but clinical translation is limited by variable methods, lack of standard formulations and unclear pharmacokinetics. [17] See Cannabis and Cannabinoids for Chronic Pain: Evidence Review.
Statements that a high-caryophyllene flower "acts like a CB2 drug" are a marketing claim. Terpene profiles in 140 flowers showed no relation to estimated pharmacological effect. [18]
Safety and limits
- Everyday exposure. BCP is a common constituent of many spice and food plants. [3] That describes food-level exposure, not heated or concentrated products.
- Heated inhalation. In a laboratory test, adding terpenes to THC raised gas-phase breakdown products from vaping and dabbing. [19] The test did not isolate BCP. See Vape Liquids and Cartridges.
- Human safety data. The trials above were small and short, and the sources read do not establish long-term safety of concentrated BCP. Pregnancy, children, older adults, and people with liver, heart or mental health conditions: Proper evidence not found.
- Medicines. Anyone taking prescription medicines should ask a pharmacist or prescriber before adding any supplement.
If a child or pet swallows a cannabis product, call US Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 in an emergency.
Quality and labeling
A BCP figure on a certificate of analysis describes one batch and one method. Terpenes can also be added to products, so see Added Terpenes vs Naturally Occurring Terpene Profiles and Terpenes in Cannabis.Frequently asked questions
Is beta-caryophyllene a cannabinoid?
It is a terpene, but it binds the CB2 receptor, and researchers have called it a dietary cannabinoid. [3] Researchers call it a nonpsychoactive CB2 ligand, [3] but chemically it is a sesquiterpene. [1]
Does CB2 binding mean it treats pain or inflammation in people?
No. Binding was shown in cells and animals, [3] [4] and the sources read include no controlled human pain trial of BCP.
Is beta-caryophyllene only in cannabis?
No. It is found in many spice and food plants. [3]
Will a high-caryophyllene flower feel different?
Not shown. Terpene profiles did not match estimated effects in 140 flowers. [18]