One of the side benefits of running Michigan’s favorite family of dispensaries is getting to explore the world of cannabis: The fantastic array of flavors, scents, and sensations that our favorite plant inspires. And to our minds at least, terpenes are one of the most fascinating elements of the cannabis plant. A family of aromatic oils that lend different strains their characteristic flavors and aromas, terpenes are a fantastically diverse group of natural compounds. And in today’s post, we’ll explore one of the most distinctive of them all: The linalool terpene.
If you’ve ever detected a lavender scent in cannabis or aromatherapy products, there’s a good chance you’re detecting the linalool terpene. As one of the main constituents in lavender, it’s one of nature’s most intriguing aromas. But as we’re learning, linalool benefits extend beyond that delightful scent: New research suggests the terpene can help melt away stress and anxiety. Here’s what we know so far.
Linalool Benefits: A Time-Honored Remedy for Stress
It’s no secret that inhaling the scent of linalool-rich lavender imparts a noticeable calming effect. So it should come as no surprise that the purple-hued flower has been used in aromatherapy blends, scented pillows, and traditional medicines since Greek and Roman times. This effect isn’t just limited to human beings, either. One rodent-based study found that even rats benefited from the herb’s stress-reducing properties.
Linalool appears elsewhere, too: In herbs such as thyme and coriander, and even in fruits like papaya and cranberries. All told, people on average consume about two grams of the terpene a year. As for potential health benefits, research has uncovered several avenues for further study, including:
Linalool as an Antidepressant: In one study, researchers gave mice linalool and found that it helped reduce classic depressive behaviors. When confronted with seemingly hopeless situations, the mice would continue to try and escape rather than giving up the fight. On a related note, one study determined that linalool led to the release of serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter, in mice. Activation of serotonin receptors, in turn, helps counteract the stress and behavioral alterations caused by poor sleep, a major contributor to the experience of depression.
Linalool as an Antimicrobial: Like many cannabis terpenes, linalool has been shown to have antibacterial properties. One study demonstrated that linalool has the potential to fight off infections, an important quality in the era of drug-resistant microbes.
Linalool for Pain Relief: Like many cannabinoids, linalool helps modulate our experience of pain and inflammation. Just as linalool indirectly stimulates serotonin receptors as noted earlier, it’s believed the terpene interacts with the central nervous system to regulate the activities of brain chemicals including adenosine and glutamate.
What’s more, linalool modulates our experience of pain by reducing the strength of acetylcholine, a brain chemical associated with muscle contraction and movement.
Linalool as Alzheimer’s Therapy: While the race to find a cure for this neurodegenerative disease is far from over, linalool demonstrates some promising effects. One study found that linalool might slow—and even reverse—some of the cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The Linalool Terpene: Best Strains at Exclusive
If you’re interested in sampling linalool for yourself, we’d love to help. Some of the cannabis strains most associated with the distinctive terpene include: Durban, Lavender, Grandaddy Purple, and Do Si Dos. Check our dispensary menus to see what we have in stock today, or drop by any of our Michigan locations to chat with our team about strains high in linalool.
If you have any other questions about linalool benefits—or anything else in the world of marijuana—don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to help!
