Terpenes and Isolates: beta-Caryophyllene
beta-Caryophyllene is a sesquiterpene that is naturally occurring in a variety of plants, such as hops oil, cannabis oil, as well as rosemary and clove essential oil. It is not uncommon for beta-Caryophyllene to account for 50% of the total terpene content in a terpene strain. Beta-Caryophyllene is unique due to it's ability to tightly bind to the CB1 receptor, with some researchers arguing that beta-Caryophyllene to argue that it is not just a terpene but a cannabinoid in it's own.
Beta-Caryophyllene exhibits an earthy, peppery aroma that is mild in it's isolated terpene form. Despite this, it plays a crucial role in the formation of complex aromas and can be found in every single strain. This terpene is one of the less volatile major cannabis terpenes and this is one of the few terpenes that can be observed in substantial concentrations in significantly aged cannabis material. For this reason, the oxidized form, Caryophyllene Oxide is often rumored to be the specific compound that law enforcement K9 units smell for when investigating unlawful cannabis possession as it is a tell-tale marker of the plant. Caryophyllene Oxide is much less abundantly occurring, with common levels detected occurring around 0.01-0.1 percent of a given flower sample.