What is Caryophyllene?

Caryophyllene is the chemical compound found in cannabis that gives it its pungent smell and taste. Unfortunately, most of us have never heard of it because it’s often overshadowed by its cannabinoid cousins CBD and THC. Caryophyllene or more specifically beta-caryophyllene is one of the common terpenes found in marijuana. If you’re wondering what it smells and tastes like, imagine a compound made up of basil, cinnamon, cloves, and oregano.

Getting to know Terpenes

Terpenes are the chemical compounds found in cannabis plants that produce a broad range of flavors and smells. They are subdivided into two categories:

  • Monoterpenes – lighter terpenes that are responsible for numerous floral scents such as apple, geranium, jasmine, kiwi, and rose
  • Sesquiterpenes – heavier terpenes responsible for more pungent scents such as diesel fuel, musk, patchouli, skunk, and tea tree (caryophyllene is a Sesquiterpene)


Interestingly enough, it is the unique combinations of certain terpenes that those non-plant smells such as diesel fuel and skunk. However, terpenes are not just unique to cannabis and are commonly found is a wide range of plants in a variety of combinations and quantities. Furthermore, terpenes offer numerous health benefits and can be useful in the treatment of:

  • anxiety
  • asthma
  • cancer
  • depression
  • gallstones
  • insomnia
  • loss of appetite
  • muscle strain
  • nausea
  • stress


Does this mean that you can use caryophyllene to treat all of these disorders? No. But we have listed caryophyllene’s beneficial effects in the next section.

Benefits and Effects


The benefits and effects of caryophyllene can be combined into a single category, hence the reference above to “beneficial effects.” These beneficial effects include:

  • Anti-inflammatory – caryophyllene research has shown that it can treat just about everything from allergies to osteoarthritis and that it may be used in the future in the care and management of certain chronic inflammatory conditions
  • Antioxidant – another one of caryophyllene’s beneficial effects is its antioxidant qualities. Antioxidants help to remove unstable atoms known as free radicals from the body, thereby preventing damage to cells that can cause aging and illness
  • Anti-tumoral – because caryophyllene has anti-inflammatory qualities, it could potentially serve as an anti-tumoral. Recent research has revealed promising results suggesting that caryophyllene may help to encourage anti-metastatic activity. Studies are still ongoing about the
  • Sedative – marijuana’s ability to help you sleep and its sedative qualities are well-known side effects. Recent caryophyllene research has indicated that extremely high doses of the compound may have sedative effects on lab mice.


To learn more about caryophyllene or for information about the high-quality beaker style smoking accessories we sell, call Tank Glass today at (323)-364-7952. Explore the wide line of glass beakers, bongs and pipes to suit your smoking requirements today.

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