New Study Reveals One Cannabis Terpene Significantly Reduces THC-Caused Anxiety

Cannabis effects differ from person to person. While some use it to treat anxiety, others say it makes them anxious. A new study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists offers insights into cannabis’s effects on anxiety. 

According to the research published in the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence, a chemical compound naturally occurring in cannabis can reduce the anxiety-inducting effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the primary psychoactive substance of the marijuana plant.

Scientists discovered that the substance called d-limonene, one of the most abundant terpenes in the cannabis plant, reduces anxiety behaviors, writes Medical Xpress. Terpenes are the primary constituents of essential oils and are responsible for the aroma characteristics of cannabis. 

“People use cannabis to help reduce anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, but since THC levels vary widely if a person overshoots their tolerance of THC, cannabis can induce anxiety rather than relieve it,” said study senior author Ryan Vandrey, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.”Our study demonstrates that d-limonene can modulate the effects of THC in a meaningful way and make THC more tolerable to people using it for both therapeutic and non-therapeutic purposes.”

As cannabis becomes destigmatized more scientists decide to study it and we finally have more insights into the real power of this plant. Various discoveries will be discussed by a slew of industry experts at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference next week.

Study Highlights 

The double-blinded study had 20 healthy adult participants with a median age of 26, who took part in 10 different sessions inhaling vaporized d-limonene, vaporized THC, varied THC and d-limonene together, or vaporized distilled water (as a placebo).

The results showed: 

• D-limonene reduced THC-induced anxiety effects in a dose-dependent manner.
• D-limonene did not alter other THC-induced pharmacodynamic effects.
• D-limonene alone did not elicit any discernable pharmacodynamic effects or adverse events.

The scientist concluded that by combining d-limonene with THC one can notably reduce subjective indicators of THC-indused anxiety. Higher doses of d-limonene made greater reductions.

“This study is a first step in uncovering how we can mitigate risks of THC when used in medicine, and also is targeted at making cannabis safer for the general, non-therapeutic consumer,” said study lead author Tory Spindle, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

The authors of the study plan to continue studying other terpenes, both alone in combination with THC, and also to replicate this study with a larger and more diverse group of participants.

See Also: Rare Weed Compound Helps Suppress Appetite, Increases Energy & Motivation Without The Munchies, New Study Finds

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is returning to Florida, in a new venue in Hollywood, on April 16 and 17, 2024. The two-day event at The Diplomat Beach Resort will be a chance for entrepreneurs, both large and small, to network, learn and grow. Renowned for its trendsetting abilities and influence on the future of cannabis, mark your calendars – this conference is the go-to event of the year for the cannabis world. Get your tickets now on bzcannabis.com – Prices will increase very soon!

Photo: Courtesy of r.classen via Shutterstock