Best Terpenes for Anxiety

Cannabis has become known as an ideal medicine in the treatment of anxiety. Not only that, it can be responsible for inducing calm and relaxation. To achieve these effects, cannabis works together with terpenes, which are compounds present in all varieties of cannabis and other organic materials.

Among the array of terpenes found in cannabis, a few come to mind when you’re looking to reduce anxiety. The terpenes mentioned aren't the only ones that relieve stress, but they do an above-average job when taking care of mental wariness and physical ailments.

Limonene

Limonene is a unique terpene found in cannabis strains that elicits a strong fragrance of citrus. Derived from the oil of citrus peels, such as lemons and oranges, this terpene is considered one of the best for anxiety, as strains enhanced with limonene are known to relieve paranoia and restlessness. Limonene is also considered an uplifting terpene capable of creating a sense of euphoria.

Some preliminary research has begun to show that limonene is a potential anti-depressant, shedding light on this terpene’s presence in famous strains intended to combat depression, such as Super Lemon Haze.

Myrcene

Myrcene is probably the flagship terpene for combating anxiety. It is one of the more interesting terpenes found in cannabis, as its origins can be traced back to a wide variety of herbs used in the holistic treatment of pain and inflammation. Found in well-known strains from Harlequin to Cannatonic, myrcene is perhaps the most helpful terpene for anxiety currently available to cannabis consumers.

The most noteworthy property of this terpene is the way it interacts with the THC naturally occurring within cannabis. While myrcene is typically encountered in the form of plants like thyme, when encountered in cannabis this chemical has the potential to supercharge the effects of THC. This produces a much more effective and longer-lasting high, which is why myrcene-dominant strains are considered to be some of the most potent.

Caryophyllene

Found in rosemary and hops, caryophyllene is associated with the distinctive flavour of black pepper, however, its anti-inflammatory properties make this one of the ideal terpenes for anxiety. Strains that are dominant in caryophyllene are known to be some of the more restful, calming strains on the market.

Over the last decade, caryophyllene has gained the attention of scientists when it was discovered to be one of the first non-cannabinoids to directly activate cannabinoid receptors. Caryophyllene-rich cannabis strains may therefore have specific medical effects due to this terpenes effect on our endocannabinoid system. This finding paved the way for further research into the properties of terpenes and how they could be used to modify the effects of cannabis strains to offer users a more vast range of treatment options.