Formula: C 15 H 24

Molecular Mass: 204.35106 g/mol

Boiling Point: 160 °C (320 °F)

Vapor Pressure: 0.01 mm Hg ( 25 °C)

LD50 (Lethal Dose): >5g/kg for rats (Compare to Nicotine: for rats – 50 mg/kg, for humans – 0.5-1 mg/kg)

Caryophyllene is the primary terpene that contributes to the spiciness of black pepper and also a major terpene in cloves, hops , rosemary, basil, and cannabis. In the literature, it is commonly referred to as two names, beta caryophyllene (also commonly seen as β-Caryophyllene or abbreviated to BCP) and trans-caryophyllene or TC. While this article primarilly looks at BCP, a couple studies do reference it as TC, and I will use caryophyllene generically throughout.

Caryophyllene is a sesquiterpene , made of three isoprene units, which makes it larger than monoterpenes like pinene limonene and myrcene , which are made up of only two isoprene units. What makes caryophyllene chemically unique is its inclusion of a cyclobutane ring, which is a rarity in nature and makes it an attractive candidate for biotech research. Some cyclobutanes have already found medical uses, such as the chemotherapy drug Carboplatin . As BCP has also been shown to have cancer fighting properties it could be viable candidate for a new chemotherapy drug.

Therapeutic Uses

Analgesic – Relieves pain.

Antibacterial – Slows bacterial growth.

Antidepressant – Relieves symptoms of depression.

Anti-inflammatory – Reduces inflammation systemically.

Anti-Proliferative – Inhibits cancer cell growth.

Antioxidant – Prevents oxidation damage to other molecules in the body.

Anxiolitic – Helps relieve anxiety.

Neuroprotective – Slows damage to the nervous system and brain.

Currently Being Studied For

Longevity: A study released just last month shows, for the first time, that A study released just last month shows, for the first time, that BCP can make you live longer ; at least in the case of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans . This small worm has been studied for years , because scientists can use it to model how things will affect humans. This breaking study shows that BCP’s abilities to reduce stress are powerful enough to increase the lifespan of worms and potentially humans.

Maybe a treatment for alcohol abuse: Perhaps the reason caryophyllene led to a longer lifespan is because it helps you stop drinking, maybe not in the case of worms but possibly for humans. This Perhaps the reason caryophyllene led to a longer lifespan is because it helps you stop drinking, maybe not in the case of worms but possibly for humans. This 2014 study discovered that BCP reduced voluntary intake of alcohol by mice and recommended using it for treatment of alcoholism.

Anxiety and Depression: A study released in august found BCP relieves the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and suggests further study into how it can be used to treat these conditions. Like many studies on caryophyllene, this is exploratory research and needs further study to back up its findings.