What is Beta Caryophyllene (BCP)?

Beta Caryophyllene (BCP), along with a range of other terpenes, has started gaining a lot of interest in recent years, as ongoing research is finding it to have a wide range of potential health benefits, including treatment of chronic pain, inflamation, anxiety, depression, immune issues, gut problems, wound healing, and even cancer research.  

BCP works by binding to and stimulating the CB2 receptors in your body, which are a key part of your endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system serves the crucial role of maintaining internal balance, or homeostasis, in our bodies. It encompasses a complex interplay of enzymes, receptors, and naturally occurring compounds known as endocannabinoids, which are used throughout your immune system, gastrointestinal system, nervous system, and brain.

If you're really into chemistry, Dr. Holmes-Smith likes to explain it this way...

β-Caryophyllene (BCP) is a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene which is a selective phytocannabinoid agonist of CB2 receptors (CB2-R).  CB2 receptors are implied in numerous pathological processes for the treatment of many pathological conditions, including neuropathic pain, inflammation, neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative pathologies (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), spinal and brain injuries, stroke, ischemia, anxiety disorder, depression, colitis, fibrosis and liver ischemia, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, obesity, and some types of cancer.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha (PPAR-α) effects are also mediated by the activation of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ receptors. In detail, many studies, in vitro and in vivo, suggest that the treatment with β-caryophyllene improves the phenotype of animals used to model various inflammatory pathologies, such as nervous system diseases (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke), atherosclerosis, and tumours (colon, breast, pancreas, lymphoma, melanoma and glioma cancer). Furthermore, pre-clinical data have highlighted that BCP is potentially useful in Streptococcus infections, osteoporosis, steatohepatitis, and exerts anticonvulsant, analgesic, myorelaxing, sedative, and antidepressive effects. BCP is non-toxic in rodents, with a Lethal dose, 50% (LD50) greater than 5000 mg/kg. Nevertheless, it inhibits various cytochrome P450 isoforms (above all, CYP3A4), which metabolise xenobiotics, leading to adverse effects, due to drug levels over therapeutic window. All the reported data have highlighted that both pharmacological and toxicological aspects need to be further investigated with clinical trials.

BCP it is a full CB2 agonist and rivels Cannabidiol (CBD) in terms of its broad range of potential benefits. At RHS Formula, we believe that BCP will surpass CBD as the natural product of choice for treating a wide range of inflammatory related health conditions.