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Cannabis, when used in the right amount, can have calming effects, easing anxiety and alleviating pain. However, determining the appropriate dosage can be challenging. Consuming even slightly too much can lead to a starkly different experience, often referred to as “paranoia” by recreational users, characterized by panic and acute anxiety.
Recent research published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence suggests that one of the aromatic compounds in marijuana, d-limonene, may counteract these anxiety-causing effects. The citrusy compound, found naturally in marijuana, could potentially help users avoid experiencing anxiety attacks, which would increase cannabis’ therapeutic effects.
Marijuana contains more than 500 chemical components, with THC being the primary psychoactive component responsible for the “high.” Additionally, cannabinoids such as CBD are thought to influence the overall experience. Terpenes, aromatic compounds in marijuana, contribute to its unique scent. There’s a longstanding belief in the cannabis community that ingesting products created from the entire plant rather than isolated compounds, including CBD or THC, produces a different, more beneficial effect, a concept known as the entourage effect.
However, the scientific evidence for the effect remains unclear due to the many chemicals involved. Ryan Vandrey, a behavioral pharmacologist at Johns Hopkins University, explains that, despite the lack of conclusive evidence for the entourage effect, it has significantly influenced how marijuana strains are bred and marketed. This concept originated partly from studies suggesting that terpenes such as d-limonene may have anxiety-reducing properties, as indicated in a review paper in 2011 by Ethan Russo.
To investigate whether d-limonene could indeed alleviate THC-induced anxiety, Vandrey and his team conducted a double-blind study involving participants who had previously experienced anxiety while using marijuana. The results showed that increasing concentrations of d-limonene relative to THC led to fewer reported symptoms of anxiety, suggesting a potential therapeutic effect. This effect was most significant when participants inhaled a high ratio of d-limonene to THC, a ratio not typically found in natural marijuana strains.
However, Vandrey cautioned about the preliminary nature of these findings and the need for further research. While d-limonene appears to target anxiety specifically without affecting other aspects of the marijuana high, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Additionally, the study’s limitations, such as using vaporized marijuana and high concentrations of d-limonene, need to be addressed in future studies.
Despite these limitations, the study opens the door to further exploration of terpenes’ role in marijuana effects. Researchers are already investigating other terpenes found in marijuana to better understand their impact.
The potential of terpenes such as d-limonene isn’t entirely new. Folk remedies dating back centuries suggest that compounds found in citrus fruits could counteract the negative effects of cannabis. While these remedies have historical backing, scientific research is just beginning to uncover their true potential.
The entire cannabis industry, including leading companies such as Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY), could pay attention to the outcomes of any additional studies exploring the effects of d-limonene because it could open new opportunities for custom cannabis products.
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