Linalool
Many strains contain multiple terpenes and they all contribute to the experience a consumer may have. Terpenes most importantly contribute to the overall effect of cannabis for each consumer. A popular terpene found often in indica dominant and relaxing strains is called linalool. Linalool is best known and used for it’s anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, sedative, and pain relieving benefits.
It’s also known for its floral, woodsy, and rosy profile. Fire OG, Scooby Snacks, Zkittles, Gorilla Glue, Do-Si-Do, Berry White, LA Confidential, Wedding Cake, Grandaddy Purple, and several Kush strains include traces to high amounts of linalool. The linalool is what gives these strains the ability to give users that relaxing and stress relieving feeling.
Its anti-microbial properties are protective for the plant and represent a potential therapeutic use in people. Whether it was used as an early antibiotic is unknown, but linalool has been used in traditional medicine practices for its sedative and anti-epileptic properties. Studies show mice exposed to linalool vapors show reduced levels of anxiety and lower depression-like behaviors.
The benefits of this terpene are also very diverse and therapeutic, which include:
- Muscle relaxant
- Dulling pain
- Reduces Inflammation
- Anti-bacterial
- Antimicrobial
- Reduces levels of anxiety and stress
- Promotes sleep/Sedative effects
- Anticonvulsant effects
There have been several reports on studies of the other uses of linalool in plants and cannabis. Studies have shown linalool can be effective in treating alzhiemers, epilepsy, and fighting cancer.
“Linalool has been shown to interrupt communication pathways that allow cancer to propagate which suggests it plays a role in reducing cancer’s spread. Cancer occurs when a group of cells are able to rapidly divide without the body recognizing and deterring them,” according to Wikileaf. “Linalool may also have therapeutic properties in delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. A 2016 study published in Neuropharmacology found the following results, ‘Together, our findings suggest that linalool reverses the histopathological hallmarks of AD [Alzheimer’s Disease] and restores cognitive and emotional functions via an anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, linalool may be an AD prevention candidate for preclinical studies. For this study, mice were genetically introduced with a Triple–transgenic model of Alzheimer’s disease and were orally treated with linalool over the course of three months.”
Linalool is present in nearly 200 plants and that even excludes cannabis plants. As mentioned earlier many of us are making contact with or consuming linalool weekly without even noticing. According to Way of Leaf the average non smoker consumes up to two grams of linalool per year. It’s found in many spices and flowers such as lavender, jasmine, thyme, and coriander. Linalool is also commonly used in aromatic hygiene products, cleaning agents, soaps, and detergents.
However for cannabis users adding linalool to your consumption routine or plant medicine is just as easy. There are a variety of ways to do so, including terpene enhanced hemp wraps, extracted terpene essential oil drops, high terpene CBD tinctures, and more.
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