Cannabis & Cannabinoids · Terpenes · Spicy terpene in cannabis, clove and black pepper; reported to bind the CB2 receptor in the lab

Beta-caryophyllene

(1R,4E,9S)-4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylidenebicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-ene (C15H24; PubChem CID 5281515) · also called BCP, (E)-beta-caryophyllene, (-)-caryophyllene; not the same as caryophyllene oxide

Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is a spicy-smelling terpene that many plants make, including cannabis, clove, black pepper and hops. A 2008 lab study reported that it binds the CB2 receptor and calmed inflammation in mice, but later cell studies did not clearly confirm the receptor effect. Almost all the research is in cells and animals. The few human trials are small, short, and often of mixed products. No health use is proven. This profile shows the evidence, the real lab numbers for cannabis strains, and the limits.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 25, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

About Beta-caryophyllene

Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is a spicy-smelling terpene found in cannabis, clove, black pepper, hops and many other plants. A 2008 lab study reported that it binds the CB2 receptor, which is part of the body's cannabinoid system, and calmed inflammation in mice. Later cell studies did not clearly confirm the receptor effect. Almost everything claimed for it comes from cells and animals. The few human trials are small, short, and often of mixed products, so no health use is proven.

What it is

Beta-caryophyllene is a terpene with 15 carbon atoms (a sesquiterpene). Its formula is C15H24. Plants make it with enzymes in the sticky resin glands; in cannabis these enzymes were identified in 2017.

It is not a cannabinoid like THC or CBD, which are a different kind of chemical. It is also not the same as caryophyllene oxide, which forms when BCP meets air.

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The CB2 story, and what it does and does not show

In 2008 a research team reported that BCP binds the CB2 receptor in cells, acts as an agonist there (it switches it on), and reduced an inflammatory response in normal mice but not in mice lacking CB2. They called it a nonpsychoactive dietary cannabinoid.

Later lab work is not so clear. One cell study saw only a possible weak interaction with CB2, and another saw no effect on CB1 or CB2 signalling. A receptor result in a dish is not a treatment result in people, and no human trial of BCP alone has tested pain or inflammation.

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What the lab numbers show

Our data hold 265 records of beta-caryophyllene (BCP) in 199 named strains. Most are one of five kinds, and the units differ, so values from different kinds should never be compared with each other.

The largest group is 65 strains from a Nevada regulator flower dataset (3 to 953 samples each; test dates 2020 to 2023). Each value is the median of the samples tested for that strain, in percent by weight; the source does not label the unit for each column. The medians run from 0.1046% (Trainwreck, 30 samples) to 1.055% (Gorilla Glue #4, 89 samples). Of the strains with a profile page, Chemdawg (1.02%, 18 samples) and Girl Scout Cookies (0.91%, 19 samples) were highest; Trainwreck and Durban Poison (0.14%, 214 samples) were lowest.

A second group is 30 strains from one California dispensary in 2015 and 2016, reported in mg/g as a mean of 5 to 19 samples each (range 1.5 to 8.2 mg/g). A third is 27 plants from replicated research plots, in mg/g (range 1.71 to 14.8). The rest are single commercial or lab batches in other units (percent dry weight as printed, micrograms per gram, parts per million, or percent with the basis not stated).

The same strain name gives very different numbers. Blue Dream appears in several units and sources: 0.23% (Nevada median of 340 samples), 2.3 mg/g (California, 19 samples) and several single batches. Chemdawg is 1.02% in Nevada and 6.4 mg/g in California. The numbers come from specific samples, and the same strain name can have very different chemistry.

These are real measurements of the flower from regulator or laboratory datasets and papers, not our own testing. They describe what is in the flower, not what BCP does to you, and they say nothing about effects.

Where else you meet it

BCP is a common part of the oils of spices and food plants. Clove oil is at least half eugenol, and the rest, 10 to 40%, is eugenyl acetate, BCP and alpha-humulene. Black pepper fruit oils from Madagascar and Brazil list BCP among six main components. Hop oils contain it. One analysed copaiba oleoresin sample was 39.7% BCP.

Amounts differ with the plant, its origin and how the oil is made. Eating a spice is food-level exposure and is not the same as a concentrated oil or supplement.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

No traditional use of the isolated chemical is described in the sources read.
The plants that contain it, such as clove and black pepper, are spices; eating them is food-level exposure.

Studied for research

Inflammation (cells and mice), very low
Pain (mice), very low
Anxiety and depression behaviour (mice, mixed), very low
Attention and memory (mice), insufficient
Food addiction score (one small trial), very low
Sleep (as part of a nine-ingredient mix), insufficient
Stomach symptoms with H. pylori (one small trial), very low
Knee pain and muscle soreness (mixed products), insufficient
Skin (lab and animal work), insufficient

Main compounds

Beta-caryophyllene, a bicyclic sesquiterpene (C15H24)
Caryophyllene oxide, its air-oxidation product (C15H24O)
Alpha-humulene, a related terpene that often travels with it
Isocaryophyllene, the Z form of the same structure

Common forms

Not a product: a natural chemical found in cannabis resin and in spices and their oils
Isolated BCP in capsules was used in some trials
Mixed CBD, cannabis and terpene products contain it among many ingredients

Research links: US food rules, 21 CFR 172.515 (flavoring substances) · Gertsch 2008, PubMed · PubChem: (-)-Caryophyllene · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

What it is and its history

Name: beta-Caryophyllene ((E)-beta-caryophyllene, BCP)
Chemical name: (1R,4E,9S)-4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylidenebicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-ene
Other names: (-)-Caryophyllene (title of the PubChem record); trans-caryophyllene (name used in a hop study); BCP (abbreviation used in the research)
Common names: BCP (abbreviation); Caryophyllene (English)
Molecular weight: 204.35 g/mol
PubChem ID: 5281515
Chemical class: Bicyclic sesquiterpene (a terpene built from 15 carbon atoms; chemical class, not a plant family)
Related or similar compounds: Name: Caryophyllene oxide; Note: The air-oxidation product of BCP and a separate compound (skin allergy has been studied; CID 1742210).; Name: Alpha-humulene; Note: A related terpene that often travels with BCP in clove, hop and cannabis oils (CID 5281520).; Name: Isocaryophyllene; Note: The Z (cis) form of the same structure (CID 5281522).

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or era	Documented use	Source
Spice plants and flavourings	BCP is a common part of the essential oils of spice and food plants such as clove and black pepper, so people eat it in foods.	Gertsch 2008; Haro-González 2021; Dosoky 2019
2008, CB2 receptor report	A research team reported that (E)-BCP binds the CB2 receptor and called it a nonpsychoactive dietary cannabinoid. Later studies looked at BCP as a possible anti-inflammatory and pain target.	Gertsch 2008 (PubMed 18574142)
US food rules	BCP and BCP oxide are listed among synthetic flavoring substances permitted in food (minimum amount, good manufacturing practice).	21 CFR 172.515, read 2026-10-25
2017, cannabis genetics	Researchers identified the cannabis enzymes (terpene synthases) that make terpenes including BCP in the resin glands of the female flower.	Booth 2017 (PubMed 28355238)

History shows how a substance was used or discovered. It does not show that a product works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
beta-Caryophyllene PubChem 5281515	Bicyclic sesquiterpene	Cannabis flower resin; clove bud oil; black pepper fruit oil; hop oil; copaiba oleoresin Varies by sample. About 39.7% of one copaiba oleoresin sample; part of the 10 to 40% left after eugenol in clove oil (shared with eugenyl acetate and alpha-humulene); for cannabis see the lab numbers on the overview tab.	CB2 receptor agonist in cells and mice (disputed by later cell studies); PPAR and other targets reported in reviews. ^{26 12 2 13}	In vitro and animal
Caryophyllene oxide PubChem 1742210	Sesquiterpene oxide (epoxide)	Formed when BCP meets air; also found in the water-based hemp and hop distillate (hydrolate) After 5 weeks in air almost half of BCP was used up, mainly forming caryophyllene oxide.	Moderate skin allergen in a mouse test; negative for gene mutation and chromosome damage in lab tests. ^{27 22 8 17}	Laboratory research
alpha-Humulene PubChem 5281520	Monocyclic sesquiterpene	Clove, hop and cannabis oils Found with BCP in clove oil and in hemp and hop oils; amounts not given in the abstracts.	Not assessed here; has its own page. ^{28 13 17}	Chemistry only
Isocaryophyllene PubChem 5281522	Bicyclic sesquiterpene (Z isomer)	Not assessed Not assessed.	Not assessed. ²⁹	Identity only

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
CB2 cannabinoid receptor	CB2 (CNR2)	2008 lab and mouse work: BCP bound CB2 (Ki 155 +/- 4 nM), acted as an agonist in cells, and lowered an inflammatory response in normal mice but not in CB2-knockout mice. ¹²	In vitro and animal
CB2 cannabinoid receptor (replication)	CB2 (CNR2)	Later cell tests did not confirm a clear effect: one found only a possible weak interaction of BCP with CB2, and another found no change in CB2 signalling. ^{11 19}	Laboratory research
CB1 cannabinoid receptor (the receptor behind the THC high)	CB1 (CNR1)	The 2008 paper called BCP a nonpsychoactive CB2 ligand, and a 2019 cell study found BCP did not activate CB1 or change THC's action there. No human study of impairment was found. ^{12 19}	Laboratory research
PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma; TLR4 pathway; alpha7 nicotinic receptors; mu-opioid pathways	PPARA, PPARG, TLR4, CHRNA7, OPRM1	A 2016 review reports that BCP activates PPAR-alpha and -gamma, blocks the CD14/TLR4/MD2 pathway, antagonises alpha7 nicotinic receptors and works with mu-opioid pathways, from experimental work. The underlying studies were not read here. ²⁰	Review of lab and animal work
Inflammatory signals in human blood cells	Cytokines (LPS-induced); ERK1/2 and JNK1/2	At 500 nM BCP lowered LPS-induced cytokine expression in human blood and reduced ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 phosphorylation in monocytes. ¹²	Laboratory research
Blood IL-1beta in people	IL1B	Blood IL-1beta was lower in the BCP group of a 66-patient H. pylori trial (p = 0.038). ²¹	Human data
Terpene-cannabinoid interaction (entourage effect) at CB1 and CB2	CB1, CB2	Terpenes including BCP did not change how THC, CBD or 2-AG acted at CB1 or CB2 in cell tests. The authors say any entourage effect is not at the receptor level. ^{11 19}	Laboratory research

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: By mouth. In 24 healthy fasting adults given a single 100 mg dose, BCP in a self-emulsifying capsule formulation reached its peak (Tmax) at 1.43 h versus 3.07 h for neat oil, and the peak level (Cmax) was 3.6 times higher.
Distribution: Not found in the abstract.
Metabolism: Not found in the sources read.
Elimination: Not found in the abstract (blood sampling ran to 12 and 24 hours).
Bioavailability: The authors say oral bioavailability was limited in preclinical models and human pharmacokinetics were unknown before their study. The capsule formulation gave about 2.2 times the exposure (AUC over 12 and 24 hours) of neat oil, with no difference between men and women.

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Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

Most of the BCP research uses the pure compound. Cannabis flower, clove oil, black pepper oil, hop oil and copaiba resin contain BCP along with many other compounds (clove oil is at least half eugenol). Results for isolated BCP cannot be assumed for those mixtures, and results for mixtures cannot be credited to BCP. Two cell studies found that terpenes did not alter THC or CBD activity at CB1 and CB2.

Nutritional composition

BCP is not a nutrient. There is no requirement for it and no nutritional claim. It is an aroma and flavour compound in spices and other plants; spice use is food-level exposure only.

10benefits and uses looked at

29studies and sources checked

Very low certaintybest evidence rating found

14lab markers tracked in trials

5 very low certainty5 not enough evidence

What was looked at

The 10 benefits and uses checked for Beta-caryophyllene, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.

Inflammation (CB2 receptor findings in cells and mice)Very low certainty
Pain (mouse models; no human trial of BCP alone)Very low certainty
Anxiety and low mood (mouse behaviour tests)Very low certainty
Attention and memory (mice)Not enough evidence
Food addiction and eating behaviourVery low certainty
Sleep (as one of nine ingredients in a CBD and terpene mix)Not enough evidence
Stomach symptoms in Helicobacter pylori infectionVery low certainty
Knee osteoarthritis pain (as part of a hemp seed oil, terpene and ginger supplement)Not enough evidence
Muscle soreness after hard exercise (as one of six ingredients)Not enough evidence
Skin inflammation and wound repair (topical, lab and animal work)Not enough evidence

Lab markers tracked in the studies

CB2 receptor binding and activation (lab)Inflammatory response to carrageenan in miceLate-phase pain behaviour in the mouse formalin testHeat and touch hypersensitivity after nerve injury (mice)Anxiety-type and depression-type behaviour tests (mice)Attention and inhibitory control in a mouse go/no-go taskYale Food Addiction Scale score (YFAS-S)Orexin-A (appetite and wakefulness hormone)Share of the night in slow-wave plus REM sleepInterleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta)Nausea and upper-stomach (epigastric) painH. pylori clearance (urea breath test)Knee pain and function scores (NRS, KOOS, OKS)Self-rated muscle soreness and interference

What is Beta-caryophyllene good for?

The uses people ask about and how strong the evidence is for each. Most of it comes from cells and animals, not people. None is proven, and all must be read with the safety section.

Inflammation (CB2 receptor findings in cells and mice)Very low certaintyLab and mouse work from 2008 found BCP bound the CB2 receptor and calmed an inflammatory response in normal mice but not in mice lacking CB2. Two later cell studies did not confirm a clear receptor effect. No human trial. Pain (mouse models; no human trial of BCP alone)Very low certaintyIn mice, oral BCP reduced late-phase inflammatory pain and nerve-injury pain signs with no tolerance. No trial of BCP alone for pain in people. Anxiety and low mood (mouse behaviour tests)Very low certaintyOne mouse study improved anxiety and depression tests; another found no effect. No human trial. Attention and memory (mice)Not enough evidenceOne mouse study: higher injected amounts worsened attention; a low amount helped inhibitory control in some aged mice. No human data. Food addiction and eating behaviourVery low certaintyOne trial of 52 women with obesity and food addiction found a borderline lower food addiction score with BCP than placebo and no change in most other measures. Sleep (as one of nine ingredients in a CBD and terpene mix)Not enough evidenceA 125-person insomnia trial of a CBD plus eight-terpene mix (BCP one of them) found a small rise in deep plus dream sleep. It cannot be credited to BCP. Stomach symptoms in Helicobacter pylori infectionVery low certaintyA 66-patient Korean trial: less nausea, upper-stomach pain and blood IL-1beta, but no clearing of H. pylori. Knee osteoarthritis pain (as part of a hemp seed oil, terpene and ginger supplement)Not enough evidenceA 38-patient trial of a hemp seed oil, terpene and ginger supplement found more pain relief than hemp seed oil alone. BCP's part cannot be separated. Muscle soreness after hard exercise (as one of six ingredients)Not enough evidenceA 40-person pilot of a six-ingredient powder found lower self-rated soreness but no change in objective recovery. BCP's part cannot be separated. Skin inflammation and wound repair (topical, lab and animal work)Not enough evidenceA 2025 review: consistent anti-inflammatory and repair effects in lab and animal work; human evidence only for BCP-rich plant products, none for pure BCP.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Inflammation (CB2 receptor findings in cells and mice)

Very low certainty

Laboratory research: in 2008, scientists reported that beta-caryophyllene (BCP) attaches to the CB2 receptor and calmed an inflammatory response in normal mice but not in mice that lack CB2. No trial has tested it for inflammation in people.

3 studiesThe study used the pure compound (E)-beta-caryophyllene, not cannabis…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial of BCP for inflammation was found in the sources read.

Results

BCP bound CB2 with a Ki of 155 +/- 4 nM. At 500 nM it lowered LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine expression in human blood. Given by mouth at 5 mg/kg, it strongly reduced a carrageenan-induced inflammatory response in normal mice but not in mice lacking CB2.

Effect sizes as reported

Not a human effect size. Lab binding strength Ki 155 nM; a clear difference between normal and CB2-knockout mice.

Why this rating

Cell and mouse data only, from one research group in 2008. Two later cell studies found no or only weak CB2 activity for BCP. Label: Laboratory and animal research.

Form and dose studied

The study used the pure compound (E)-beta-caryophyllene, not cannabis flower or oil. These are what was tested, not advice.

Who was studied

Human cells and wild-type and CB2-knockout mice.

Limits

A receptor result in cells and a mouse swelling test are not evidence that BCP treats inflammatory disease in people.

Why researchers looked

CB2 is a cannabinoid receptor found mostly outside the brain. A plant chemical that switches it on without touching the CB1 receptor (which causes the high) is of interest for inflammation.

Traditional use

No traditional use of the isolated compound is described in the sources read. The plants that contain it (such as clove and black pepper) have long been used as spices.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

In cells, BCP bound the CB2 receptor and acted as an agonist (it switched the receptor on). In human blood cells it lowered inflammatory signals. Two later lab studies could not confirm the receptor effect (see the science section).

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Beta-caryophyllene is a food flavouring with limited human safety data. Cannabis flower and CBD or THC products carry their own risks, which are covered on the safety tab.

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Pain (mouse models; no human trial of BCP alone)

Very low certainty

Laboratory research: in mice, BCP by mouth reduced pain in the late phase of a pain test and signs of nerve-injury pain, with no tolerance over repeated dosing. No trial has tested BCP alone for pain in people.

2 studiesThe mouse studies gave BCP by mouth. The review covered BCP combined …

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No controlled human pain trial of BCP alone was found. The only human pain-related trial was a knee osteoarthritis study of a mixed supplement, so BCP cannot be credited (see the other uses tab).

Results

In the formalin test, oral BCP reduced late-phase pain responses (CB2-dependent) and had no effect on early-phase pain. In a nerve-injury model, chronic oral BCP lessened heat hypersensitivity and touch pain and lowered spinal inflammation, with no sign of tolerance. A 2026 systematic review found five rodent studies in which CBD plus BCP reduced neuropathic and inflammatory pain.

Effect sizes as reported

Not given as numbers in the abstracts; consistent benefit in mice.

Why this rating

Animal studies only. Mouse pain tests do not reliably predict relief in people, and the abstracts give no numbers. Label: Animal research.

Form and dose studied

The mouse studies gave BCP by mouth. The review covered BCP combined with CBD in rodents.

Who was studied

Mice and rats.

Limits

No human data for BCP alone. Small animal literature, mostly from a few groups.

Why researchers looked

Pain is the use most often linked to BCP because CB2 is involved in pain signalling in animals. Reviewers also ask whether CBD and BCP together might help nerve pain.

Traditional use

No traditional use of the isolated compound is described in the sources read. The plants that contain it (such as clove and black pepper) have long been used as spices.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

The mouse pain effect depended on CB2: it was blocked when CB2 was blocked. The mechanism is shown in mice only.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Beta-caryophyllene is a food flavouring with limited human safety data. Cannabis flower and CBD or THC products carry their own risks, which are covered on the safety tab.

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Anxiety and low mood (mouse behaviour tests)

Very low certainty

Laboratory research: one 2014 mouse study found BCP improved behaviour in anxiety and depression tests, and a 2025 mouse study using a different test found no effect. No trial in people exists.

2 studiesBoth mouse studies used pure BCP given by injection or by mouth.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial of BCP for anxiety or low mood was found in the sources read.

Results

Mice given 50 mg/kg BCP did better in the elevated plus maze, open field, marble burying, novelty-suppressed feeding, tail suspension and forced swim tests, and a CB2 blocker cancelled the effect. In a separate study of 92 male mice in a 3D maze, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg BCP given once or daily for 10 days had no effect on anxiety-like behaviour or movement.

Why this rating

Two mouse studies point in opposite directions. Animal behaviour tests are weak stand-ins for human anxiety. Label: Animal research (mixed).

Form and dose studied

Both mouse studies used pure BCP given by injection or by mouth.

Who was studied

Adult mice (males only in the second study).

Limits

Different tests and doses; results do not agree. Nothing here supports use for anxiety or depression in people.

Why researchers looked

CB2 receptors have been found on brain cells, so scientists asked whether a CB2 switch-on chemical changes mood-like behaviour in mice.

Traditional use

No traditional use of the isolated compound is described in the sources read. The plants that contain it (such as clove and black pepper) have long been used as spices.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

In the 2014 study the effects disappeared when CB2 was blocked, which fits a CB2 mechanism in mice. The 2025 study did not find any effect.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Beta-caryophyllene is a food flavouring with limited human safety data. Cannabis flower and CBD or THC products carry their own risks, which are covered on the safety tab.

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Attention and memory (mice)

Not enough evidence

Laboratory research: in a 2026 mouse study, higher injected amounts of BCP made attention worse, and a low amount helped inhibitory control in some older, lower-performing mice. There is no human data.

1 studiesBCP injected into the abdomen of mice, which is not how people take i…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human study of BCP and thinking skills was found.

Results

At 50 and 100 mg/kg (injected), BCP reduced correct go trials in young and aged mice of both sexes. At 25 mg/kg it improved inhibitory control only in aged, low-performing mice, and improved novel object recognition but not object location recognition.

Effect sizes as reported

Not given as numbers in the abstract.

Why this rating

One mouse study with mixed, dose-dependent results and no human data. Label: Animal research.

Form and dose studied

BCP injected into the abdomen of mice, which is not how people take it.

Who was studied

Young and aged male and female mice.

Limits

Mouse doses are not comparable to anything a person takes. Higher doses worsened attention.

Why researchers looked

Researchers asked whether switching on CB2 might help thinking in ageing, because CB2 is linked to brain inflammation.

Traditional use

No traditional use of the isolated compound is described in the sources read. The plants that contain it (such as clove and black pepper) have long been used as spices.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

The authors think quick effects like these come from changes in brain signalling, not from reduced inflammation, and say CB2 dependence still needs testing.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Beta-caryophyllene is a food flavouring with limited human safety data. Cannabis flower and CBD or THC products carry their own risks, which are covered on the safety tab.

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Food addiction and eating behaviour

Very low certainty

One small trial in 52 women with obesity and food addiction found a borderline lower food-addiction score with BCP than with placebo after 8 weeks, with no change in weight, appetite or most other measures.

1 studiesA softgel of beta-caryophyllene taken with a meal for 8 weeks (the am…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Iran) in 52 women with obesity and a Yale Food Addiction Scale score of 3 or more.

Results

The food addiction score (YFAS-S) was lower with BCP than placebo (changes printed as 1.5 +/- 0.9 versus -0.7 +/- 1.4; corrected P = 0.05). Orexin-A fell inside the BCP group but not versus placebo (corrected P = 0.09). No significant difference from placebo in body composition, body measures, appetite, eating behaviour, food intake, physical activity, stress, anxiety, depression, oxytocin or NPY.

Effect sizes as reported

Borderline on one score; no change on most other measures.

Why this rating

One small trial at the edge of statistical significance, in one group of women. The authors give no GRADE rating; this is our reading. Label: Promising but limited.

Form and dose studied

A softgel of beta-caryophyllene taken with a meal for 8 weeks (the amount is recorded in the study table, not as advice).

Who was studied

Women with obesity and food addiction.

Limits

Small trial; one borderline result among many outcomes; no replication found.

Why researchers looked

The cannabinoid system is involved in how the brain rewards food, and BCP switches on CB2 in the lab, so researchers tested it in people with food addiction.

Traditional use

No traditional use of the isolated compound is described in the sources read. The plants that contain it (such as clove and black pepper) have long been used as spices.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

A suggested route is through the brain's reward pathways and appetite hormones. The trial did not prove any mechanism.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Beta-caryophyllene is a food flavouring with limited human safety data. Cannabis flower and CBD or THC products carry their own risks, which are covered on the safety tab.

Sleep (as one of nine ingredients in a CBD and terpene mix)

Not enough evidence

A 2025 trial of a product with CBD plus eight terpenes (BCP was one) found a small rise in deep and dream sleep in people with insomnia. The effect cannot be credited to BCP.

1 studiesAn oral product (CBD with eight terpenes), taken most days for 4 week…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 125 adults with insomnia; the product had CBD 300 mg and 1 mg each of eight terpenes, including BCP, and no THC.

Results

The share of the night spent in slow-wave plus REM sleep was 1.3 percentage points higher with the mix than with placebo (SE 0.60; 95% CI 0.1 to 2.5; P = .03). Total sleep time, resting heart rate and heart rate variability did not change. No adverse events were reported.

Effect sizes as reported

About 1 percentage point more deep plus dream sleep, measured by a wrist device.

Why this rating

BCP's own part cannot be separated: CBD was the main ingredient and seven other terpenes were present. Sleep was measured by a wearable device, not a sleep lab. Label: Mixed; cannot be credited to BCP.

Form and dose studied

An oral product (CBD with eight terpenes), taken most days for 4 weeks in each period.

Who was studied

Adults with insomnia.

Limits

A combination product; funding was not read in the abstract.

Why researchers looked

People with insomnia are interested in cannabis-type products, and one company tested a CBD-terpene mix.

Traditional use

No traditional use of the isolated compound is described in the sources read. The plants that contain it (such as clove and black pepper) have long been used as spices.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

No mechanism for BCP in sleep was shown.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Beta-caryophyllene is a food flavouring with limited human safety data. Cannabis flower and CBD or THC products carry their own risks, which are covered on the safety tab.

²³

Stomach symptoms in Helicobacter pylori infection

Very low certainty

One small Korean trial of 66 patients found less nausea, less upper-stomach pain and a lower blood inflammation marker with BCP than placebo after 8 weeks, but BCP did not clear the infection.

1 studiesBeta-caryophyllene 126 mg/day for 8 weeks (what the trial used; not a…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 66 patients (33 per group) with H. pylori infection, South Korea.

Results

No one in either group cleared the infection, and the breath test and the endoscopic inflammation score did not change. Nausea (p = 0.025) and epigastric pain (p = 0.018) improved, and blood IL-1beta was lower (p = 0.038) in the BCP group.

Effect sizes as reported

Significant symptom and IL-1beta differences; no effect on the infection.

Why this rating

One small trial reported in a Korean-language journal (abstract read); several outcomes tested; no replication found. The authors call it a possible supplement to usual care, which this page does not support. Label: Promising but limited.

Form and dose studied

Beta-caryophyllene 126 mg/day for 8 weeks (what the trial used; not advice).

Who was studied

Adults with H. pylori infection, South Korea.

Limits

Small numbers; symptom scores are self-rated. It did not treat the infection, so it is not a replacement for medicines that do.

Why researchers looked

BCP has shown anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects in lab work, so researchers tested it alongside H. pylori infection.

Traditional use

No traditional use of the isolated compound is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

No mechanism was established in the trial. The authors suggest anti-inflammatory action.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Beta-caryophyllene is a food flavouring with limited human safety data. Products that combine it with CBD or other ingredients have their own risks, covered on the safety tab.

²¹

Knee osteoarthritis pain (as part of a hemp seed oil, terpene and ginger supplement)

Not enough evidence

One small Italian trial of 38 people found more pain and function improvement with a supplement containing hemp seed oil plus terpenes (including BCP) and ginger than with hemp seed oil alone. BCP's own part cannot be separated.

1 studiesA dietary supplement containing hemp seed oil with beta-caryophyllene…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One randomised, double-blind trial (described as a case-control study) in 38 patients with knee osteoarthritis over 45 days.

Results

Both groups improved. Pain (NRS), KOOS and Oxford Knee Score improved significantly more in the group that also received the terpenes. The abstract gives no numbers.

Effect sizes as reported

Greater improvement with the terpene supplement; size not stated in the abstract.

Why this rating

Very small, short, and the two products differed by several ingredients (BCP, myrcene, ginger), so the benefit cannot be assigned to BCP. Label: Mixed; cannot be credited to BCP.

Form and dose studied

A dietary supplement containing hemp seed oil with beta-caryophyllene, myrcene and ginger extract, versus hemp seed oil alone.

Who was studied

Adults with knee osteoarthritis.

Limits

Funding not read; small sample; combination product.

Why researchers looked

Hemp seed oil and terpenes are sold for joint pain, and researchers compared two such supplements.

Traditional use

No traditional use of the isolated compound is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

No mechanism was tested.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Beta-caryophyllene is a food flavouring with limited human safety data. Products that combine it with CBD or other ingredients have their own risks, covered on the safety tab.

¹⁰

Muscle soreness after hard exercise (as one of six ingredients)

Not enough evidence

One pilot trial of 40 exercise-trained adults found lower self-rated soreness with a mixed powder (CBD, CBG, BCP, amino acids, magnesium) than placebo, but no change in objective recovery measures. BCP's own part cannot be separated.

1 studiesA beverage powder with CBD 35 mg, CBG 50 mg, BCP 25 mg, BCAAs 3.8 g a…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial in 40 exercise-trained adults after a soreness-inducing exercise test.

Results

Estimated effect on average soreness at 72 hours: -1.33 (85% CI -2.55 to -0.10). Effect on interference with daily activities at 48 hours: -1.82 (95% CI -3.64 to -0.01). No significant effect on objective recovery, sleep or mood measures. One adverse event (diarrhea) with the product; two (dry mouth; eye rash or swelling) with placebo.

Effect sizes as reported

Lower self-rated soreness; no change in objective recovery measures.

Why this rating

A pilot; the main result used an 85% confidence interval; BCP was 25 mg of a six-ingredient product. Label: Mixed; cannot be credited to BCP.

Form and dose studied

A beverage powder with CBD 35 mg, CBG 50 mg, BCP 25 mg, BCAAs 3.8 g and magnesium citrate 420 mg, twice a day for 3.5 days (what the trial used; not advice).

Who was studied

Exercise-trained adults.

Limits

Tiny pilot; objective measures showed nothing; funding not read.

Why researchers looked

Cannabinoid-containing products are marketed to athletes for recovery, with little safety or effect data.

Traditional use

No traditional use of the isolated compound is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

No mechanism was tested.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Beta-caryophyllene is a food flavouring with limited human safety data. Products that combine it with CBD or other ingredients have their own risks, covered on the safety tab.

¹⁸

Skin inflammation and wound repair (topical, lab and animal work)

Not enough evidence

A 2025 review says BCP calmed skin inflammation and helped repair in lab and animal studies. Human evidence is limited to BCP-rich plant products such as copaiba oleoresin, so nothing is shown for BCP itself.

1 studiesStudies used pure BCP or BCP-rich fractions applied to the skin. Do n…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial of purified BCP on the skin was found in the review. Human studies were of BCP-rich plant products such as copaiba oleoresin.

Results

Across cell, animal and formulation studies BCP showed consistent anti-inflammatory and repair effects at concentrations from 0.5 micromolar to 10%. BCP oxidises in air to caryophyllene oxide, so products need protection from oxygen.

Effect sizes as reported

No human effect size.

Why this rating

Single review of mostly lab and animal work; its human evidence is for different products. Label: Laboratory and animal research.

Form and dose studied

Studies used pure BCP or BCP-rich fractions applied to the skin. Do not apply concentrated plant oils to the skin without advice, because oxidised oil can cause allergy.

Who was studied

Cells, animals and human skin models.

Limits

Review, not primary data. Human trials of purified BCP are still needed.

Why researchers looked

The review says the skin has its own cannabinoid system (including CB2) and that BCP passes through the skin's outer layer in studies, so researchers looked at skin use.

Traditional use

No traditional use of the isolated compound is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

In lab and animal studies BCP dampened inflammatory signals and boosted the skin's antioxidant defences; a CB2 blocker weakened the effects.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Beta-caryophyllene is a food flavouring with limited human safety data. Products that combine it with CBD or other ingredients have their own risks, covered on the safety tab.

Connections to the rest of health

How Beta-caryophyllene connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Immune System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Inflammation (CB2 receptor findings in cells and mice)	^{12 11 19}
Nervous System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Pain (mouse models; no human trial of BCP alone) Studied for: Anxiety and low mood (mouse behaviour tests)	^{14 5 4 15 24}
Stress Mood	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Anxiety and low mood (mouse behaviour tests) Studied for: Food addiction and eating behaviour	^{4 15 1}
Metabolism Weight	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Food addiction and eating behaviour	¹
Sleep Recovery	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Sleep (as one of nine ingredients in a CBD and terpene mix) Studied for: Muscle soreness after hard exercise (as one of six ingredients)	^{23 18}
Digestive System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Stomach symptoms in Helicobacter pylori infection	²¹
Musculoskeletal System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Knee osteoarthritis pain (as part of a hemp seed oil, terpene and ginger supplement) Studied for: Muscle soreness after hard exercise (as one of six ingredients)	^{10 18}
Integumentary System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Skin inflammation and wound repair (topical, lab and animal work)	³

C. Body parts and organs

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Skin	Adverse effect or risk	Very low certainty	Moderate allergen in a mouse test; considered a rare sensitiser in people by the authors. Preparation or compound: Oxidised BCP / caryophyllene oxide	²²

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
CB2 receptor binding and activation (lab)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{12 11 19}
Inflammatory response to carrageenan in mice	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹²
Late-phase pain behaviour in the mouse formalin test	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁴
Heat and touch hypersensitivity after nerve injury (mice)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{14 5}
Anxiety-type and depression-type behaviour tests (mice)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{4 15}
Attention and inhibitory control in a mouse go/no-go task	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	²⁴
Yale Food Addiction Scale score (YFAS-S)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹
Orexin-A (appetite and wakefulness hormone)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: no-change. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹
Share of the night in slow-wave plus REM sleep	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	²³
Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	²¹
Nausea and upper-stomach (epigastric) pain	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	²¹
H. pylori clearance (urea breath test)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: no-change. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	²¹
Knee pain and function scores (NRS, KOOS, OKS)	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁰
Self-rated muscle soreness and interference	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁸

J. Genes, receptors and enzymes

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
CNR2 (CB2 receptor)	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro and animal	Proposed target; replication in cells is mixed.	^{12 11 19}
CNR1 (CB1 receptor)	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	BCP did not activate CB1 in cell tests.	¹⁹
PPARA and PPARG	Preliminary mechanism	Review	Reported in a review of experimental work; underlying studies not read.	²⁰

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
beta-Caryophyllene	Biological association	In vitro and animal	CB2 receptor agonist in cells and mice (disputed by later cell studies); PPAR and other targets reported in reviews. Preparation or compound: Cannabis flower resin; clove bud oil; black pepper fruit oil; hop oil; copaiba oleoresin	^{26 12 2 13}
Caryophyllene oxide	Biological association	In vitro	Moderate skin allergen in a mouse test; negative for gene mutation and chromosome damage in lab tests. Preparation or compound: Formed when BCP meets air; also found in the water-based hemp and hop distillate (hydrolate)	^{27 22 8 17}
alpha-Humulene	Biological association	Chemistry only	Not assessed here; has its own page. Preparation or compound: Clove, hop and cannabis oils	^{28 13 17}
Isocaryophyllene	Biological association	Identity only	Not assessed. Preparation or compound: Not assessed	²⁹

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what changed in 14 lab markers

Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.

Other7124

The evidence

The research centre for Beta-caryophyllene. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Inflammation (CB2 receptor findings in cells and mice) 3 studies Very low certainty Pain (mouse models; no human trial of BCP alone) 2 studies Very low certainty Anxiety and low mood (mouse behaviour tests) 2 studies Very low certainty Attention and memory (mice) 1 study Not enough evidence Food addiction and eating behaviour 1 study · 52 people in trials Very low certainty Sleep (as one of nine ingredients in a CBD and terpene mix) 1 study · 125 people in trials Not enough evidence Stomach symptoms in Helicobacter pylori infection 1 study · 66 people in trials Very low certainty Knee osteoarthritis pain (as part of a hemp seed oil, terpene and ginger supplement) 1 study · 38 people in trials Not enough evidence Muscle soreness after hard exercise (as one of six ingredients) 1 study · 40 people in trials Not enough evidence Skin inflammation and wound repair (topical, lab and animal work) 1 study Not enough evidence

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We searched PubMed and read the abstracts of the studies cited, read the US food flavoring rule (21 CFR 172.515) on the eCFR, checked the chemical identity in the PubChem record, and used real lab measurements from regulator datasets and papers. Only abstracts were read for papers, so funding and conflicts are often not known. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. Mixed-product trials are flagged and not credited to BCP.

Study library: every study we checked 29

Design Research type Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
Alizadeh 2022 The effect of β-caryophyllene on food addiction and its related behaviors: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Appetite · PMID 35809704 · DOI	Controlled trial	52 Women with obesity and food addiction (Yale Food Addiction Scale score 3 or more), Iran	Beta-caryophyllene softgel (100 mg/day with a meal) 100 mg/day with a meal 8 weeks · vs Placebo softgel	The food addiction score fell more with BCP than with placebo (changes printed as 1.5 +/- 0.9 vs -0.7 +/- 1.4; corrected P = 0.05). Orexin-A fell inside the BCP group (p = 0.02) but not versus placebo (corrected P = 0.09). No significant effect versus placebo on body composition, body measures, appetite, eating behaviour, diet, activity, mental health, oxytocin or NPY. YFAS-S difference significant only at the borderline corrected P = 0.05 Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Food addiction score (YFAS-S), eating behaviour, appetite, body measures, orexin-A, oxytocin, NPY, stress, anxiety, depression Limitations: One small trial in one country in women with one condition. The sign convention of the printed numbers was not checked in the full text. Almost every other measure was unchanged. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Registration: IRCT20200914048712N1 Read: abstract
Almeida Júnior 2026 Preclinical safety and antimicrobial evaluation of Nat Prod Res · PMID 41543213 · DOI	Animal research animal	Rats or mice given copaiba oleoresin (Copaifera epunctata) by mouth, on the skin, and in the eye test	Copaiba oleoresin; GC-MS found beta-caryophyllene was 39.7% of it oleoresin Acute oral, acute dermal, repeated dermal (up to 1000 mg/ml) and eye tests Acute and repeated	No signs of toxicity in any test except repeated-dose dermal exposure at 1000 mg/ml, which changed behaviour and blood counts. No changes in body weight gain, organ weight, feeding or blood chemistry; no eye damage. The authors conclude low risk of toxicity. Low toxicity in animals for the oleoresin Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Signs of toxicity, body weight, organ weight, blood chemistry, eye irritation Limitations: This is a plant resin that is 39.7% BCP, not pure BCP, and it was tested in animals. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Bagher 2025 Topical β-Caryophyllene for Dermatologic Disorders: Mechanisms, Human Evidence, and Clinical Translation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) · PMID 41304852 · DOI	Review mixed (cells, animals, human botanicals review)	Review of cell, animal and formulation studies of BCP for skin disorders, plus human studies of BCP-rich botanicals	Beta-caryophyllene and BCP-rich fractions (topical) Concentrations tested from 0.5 micromolar to 10% (in the studies reviewed)	BCP reduced inflammation and helped skin repair in lab and animal studies, and a CB2 blocker weakened these effects. Human evidence was limited to BCP-rich plant products such as copaiba oleoresin and lacked proof for BCP alone. BCP also oxidises in air to caryophyllene oxide. Consistent lab and animal findings; no human trial of purified BCP Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Skin inflammation, itch, barrier, wound repair Limitations: A single-author review. The abstract says dose-defined trials of purified BCP are still needed. Funding named: a university endowment (WAQF). Funding and conflicts: Support named: King Abdulaziz University Endowment (WAQF). Read: abstract
Bahi 2014 β-Caryophyllene, a CB2 receptor agonist produces multiple behavioral changes relevant to anxiety and depression in mice. Physiol Behav · PMID 24930711 · DOI	Animal research animal	Adult mice in standard anxiety and depression tests	Pure beta-caryophyllene (50 mg/kg, systemic) 50 mg/kg by injection Single dosing · vs Vehicle; a CB2 blocker (AM630)	BCP improved behaviour in all the anxiety-type and depression-type tests used, and the CB2 blocker AM630 fully cancelled these effects. Anxiety-like and depression-like behaviours improved in mice Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Elevated plus maze, open field, marble burying, novelty-suppressed feeding, tail suspension and forced swim tests Limitations: Mice, one dose, behaviour tests. These tests are crude stand-ins for human anxiety and depression. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Benamar 2026 Exploring the potential benefits of combining cannabidiol and beta-caryophyllene for neuropathic and inflammatory pain: A systematic review. Phytomedicine · PMID 42753475 · DOI	Systematic review animal	5 Five rodent studies of CBD combined with BCP (31 records found, 5 met the criteria)	CBD plus beta-caryophyllene in rodents Varied Varied	The review reports that the CBD-plus-BCP combination reduced neuropathic and inflammatory pain in rodent models, without the adverse outcomes linked to CB1. The authors say the findings give a reason for future animal and human studies. Pain reduced in all five included rodent studies (as summarised by the review) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain in neuropathic and inflammatory rodent models Limitations: Only five small animal studies; one author; the abstract gives no numbers. It is a rodent review, not human evidence. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Booth 2017 Terpene synthases from Cannabis sativa. PLoS One · PMID 28355238 · DOI	Laboratory study plant analysis	Cannabis hemp variety Finola; gene and enzyme analysis of resin glands (trichomes)	Cannabis terpene synthase enzymes flower resin glands	Nine cannabis terpene synthases were identified. Their products include most of the terpenes in Finola resin, including beta-myrcene, (E)-beta-ocimene, (-)-limonene, (+)-alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene and alpha-humulene. Terpene-making genes were highly active in the resin glands compared with other tissues. n/a Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Identification and function of cannabis terpene synthase genes Limitations: One hemp variety; enzyme work, not content measurement in flower. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Cvetanović Kljakić 2024 Exploring the composition and potential uses of four hops varieties through different extraction techniques. Food Chem · PMID 38479143 · DOI	Analytical study plant chemistry	4 Four Slovenian hop (Humulus lupulus) varieties	Hop essential oils and extracts cones (not stated in the abstract)	Myrcene was the most abundant constituent of the essential oils. Limonene and trans-caryophyllene were found in all essential oils, and only trans-caryophyllene was detected in the supercritical (lipophilic) extracts. n/a Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Composition by GC-MS Limitations: No amount for caryophyllene in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Di Sotto 2013 Genotoxicity assessment of β-caryophyllene oxide. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol · PMID 23659888 · DOI	Laboratory study in-vitro	Bacteria (Ames test), cells (micronucleus test) and a membrane model	Beta-caryophyllene oxide (not BCP itself) Not extracted	Caryophyllene oxide did not cause gene mutations or chromosome damage in the tests, although it was strongly absorbed into the membrane model. No genotoxic effect found Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Gene mutations and chromosome damage Limitations: It tested caryophyllene oxide, a related compound, not BCP. Lab tests only. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Dosoky 2019 Volatiles of Black Pepper Fruits ( Molecules · PMID 31766491 · DOI	Analytical study plant chemistry	11 Eleven black pepper (Piper nigrum) fruit essential oils: five from Madagascar and six from the Brazilian Amazon	Black pepper fruit essential oil made by steam (hydrodistillation) fruit	Main components were alpha-pinene, sabinene, beta-pinene, delta-3-carene, limonene and beta-caryophyllene. Comparing with published oils gave four groups based on the relative amounts. n/a Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Chemical make-up by GC-MS Limitations: Composition varies by origin. No percentage for beta-caryophyllene is given in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Farì 2023 Hemp Seed Oil in Association with β-Caryophyllene, Myrcene and Ginger Extract as a Nutraceutical Integration in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind Prospective Case-Control Study. Medicina (Kaunas) · PMID 36837393 · DOI	Controlled trial	38 38 patients with knee osteoarthritis, Italy	Dietary supplement of hemp seed oil with terpenes (beta-caryophyllene and myrcene in the title) and ginger extract, versus hemp seed oil alone Not given in the abstract 45 days · vs Hemp seed oil dietary supplement	Both groups improved. Pain (NRS), KOOS and OKS improved significantly more in the group that also had the terpenes. The abstract gives no numbers. Greater improvement in the terpene group; size not given in the abstract Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain (NRS), function and quality-of-life scores (ODI, SF-12, KOOS, OKS) Limitations: Only 38 people, two products that differ by several ingredients, so the effect cannot be credited to BCP. Funding not read in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Finlay 2020 Terpenoids From Cannabis Do Not Mediate an Entourage Effect by Acting at Cannabinoid Receptors. Front Pharmacol · PMID 32269529 · DOI	Laboratory study in-vitro	Cells carrying human CB1 or CB2 receptors	Five cannabis terpenes (including beta-caryophyllene), alone and mixed, with THC, CBD or 2-AG Not extracted · vs THC, CBD, 2-AG	With the possible exception of a weak interaction of beta-caryophyllene with CB2, no data supported direct effects of any of the five terpenes on CB1 or CB2, and the terpenes did not change THC, CBD or 2-AG activity. No clear receptor effect, other than a possible weak CB2 interaction for BCP Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Radioligand binding and receptor signalling at CB1 and CB2 Limitations: Cell work only. It tested direct receptor effects, not other routes by which terpenes might act. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Gertsch 2008 Beta-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · PMID 18574142 · DOI	Laboratory study mixed (cells and mouse)	Human cells in the lab, human blood cells, and mice (wild-type and CB2-knockout)	Pure (E)-beta-caryophyllene Cell tests; 5 mg/kg by mouth in mice · vs Mice lacking the CB2 receptor	(E)-BCP bound the CB2 receptor (Ki 155 +/- 4 nM) and acted as a CB2 agonist in cells. At 500 nM it lowered LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine expression in human blood. In mice, 5 mg/kg by mouth strongly reduced a carrageenan-induced inflammatory response in normal mice but not in mice lacking CB2. CB2 binding Ki 155 +/- 4 nM; reduced inflammatory response in wild-type but not CB2-knockout mice Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: CB2 receptor binding and signalling; cytokine expression; inflammatory response in mice Limitations: Cell and mouse work. Binding to a receptor and a mouse result are not a treatment result in people. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Haro-González 2021 Clove Essential Oil ( Molecules · PMID 34770801 · DOI	Review plant chemistry	Review of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oil composition and uses	Clove essential oil flower bud	Eugenol is the major compound (at least 50%). The remaining 10 to 40% consists of eugenyl acetate, beta-caryophyllene and alpha-humulene. n/a Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Composition by extraction method Limitations: Review; the abstract does not give a separate figure for beta-caryophyllene. Funding and conflicts: Support named: Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (Mexico). Read: abstract
Klauke 2014 The cannabinoid CB₂ receptor-selective phytocannabinoid beta-caryophyllene exerts analgesic effects in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol · PMID 24210682 · DOI	Animal research animal	Mice (inflammatory pain and nerve-injury pain models)	Pure beta-caryophyllene given by mouth Oral, amounts in mg/kg not extracted from the abstract Single and repeated (chronic) dosing · vs Vehicle; a CB2 blocker; the synthetic CB2 drug JWH-133	Oral BCP reduced late-phase (inflammatory) pain responses in the formalin test in a CB2-dependent way, with no effect on the early phase. In the nerve-injury model, chronic oral BCP reduced heat hypersensitivity and touch pain and lowered spinal inflammation, with no sign of tolerance. Oral BCP was more effective than injected JWH-133. Reduced pain behaviours in mice; no tolerance over prolonged treatment Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain behaviour in the formalin test, thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, spinal inflammation Limitations: Mouse models. Pain tests in mice do not predict pain relief in people. Numbers were not in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Monteiro 2025 Acute or Chronic β-Caryophyllene Systemic Administration in Healthy Adult Male Mice Does Not Modulate Anxiety-Like Extinction Behavior Induced by Subsequent Re-Exposure to 3D Maze. Fundam Clin Pharmacol · PMID 41003922 · DOI	Animal research animal	92 92 adult male Swiss mice in a 3D maze test of anxiety-like behaviour	Beta-caryophyllene (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg Acute (one dose) and chronic (10 days, once daily) assays · vs Vehicle	No effect on locomotion, anxiety-like behaviour or extinction behaviour after acute or chronic BCP. No effect found Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Anxiety-like behaviour, anxiety-like extinction behaviour, locomotion Limitations: Male mice only; a different test than the 2014 study. A null result. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Mödinger 2022 Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of β-Caryophyllene in Healthy Subjects Using the VESIsorb Molecules · PMID 35566210 · DOI	Controlled trial	24 24 healthy adults (12 men, 12 women), fasting	Beta-caryophyllene as neat oil versus a self-emulsifying capsule formulation (VESIsorb) Single oral dose of 100 mg BCP One dose, crossover · vs The other formulation	The self-emulsifying formulation gave about 2.2 times the AUC (0 to 12 h) and 3.6 times the peak level (Cmax) of neat oil, and a faster peak (Tmax 1.43 h versus 3.07 h). No difference between men and women. The authors call it well tolerated. AUC 2.2-fold, Cmax 3.6-fold higher with the special formulation Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Blood levels of BCP over 12 to 24 hours Limitations: Single dose, healthy adults, no health outcome. The formulation is a commercial technology brand, so industry links are possible; funding was not read in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts not read in the abstract; the formulation is a branded technology (VESIsorb), so industry involvement is possible but not confirmed. Read: abstract
Ovidi 2022 Hemp ( Pharmaceuticals (Basel) · PMID 36015124 · DOI	Analytical study plant chemistry	Essential oils from Italian hemp (Cannabis sativa, Kompolti) and hop (Humulus lupulus, Chinook)	Hemp and hop essential oils and hydrolates hemp: not stated in the abstract; hop: cones (per usual practice, not stated in abstract)	Main constituents of both essential oils included beta-myrcene, limonene, beta-caryophyllene and alpha-humulene. Hydrolates contained linalool, terpinen-4-ol, alpha-terpineol, caryophyllene oxide and others. n/a Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Volatile composition by HS-GC-MS; cell toxicity Limitations: Cell-culture study of oil toxicity; plant part not stated in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Peters 2023 A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-dose pilot study of the safety, tolerability, and preliminary effects of a cannabidiol (CBD)- and cannabigerol (CBG)-based beverage powder to support recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). J Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 37947792 · DOI	Controlled trial	40 40 exercise-trained adults with exercise-induced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)	A powder with CBD 35 mg, CBG 50 mg, BCP 25 mg, branched-chain amino acids 3.8 g and magnesium citrate 420 mg Twice a day 3.5 days · vs Placebo	Estimated effect on average soreness at 72 hours was -1.33 (85% CI -2.55 to -0.10) and on interference with daily activities at 48 hours -1.82 (95% CI -3.64 to -0.01). No significant effect on objective recovery, sleep or mood measures. One adverse event (diarrhea) in the active group; two in placebo (dry mouth; eye rash or swelling). Lower self-rated soreness and interference; no change in objective measures Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Soreness and interference ratings at 24, 48 and 72 hours; objective recovery, sleep and mood measures Limitations: A pilot with 40 people, a mixed product (BCP was one of six ingredients), an unusual 85% interval for the main result. The effect cannot be credited to BCP. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Santiago 2019 Absence of Entourage: Terpenoids Commonly Found in Cannabis Cannabinoid Res · PMID 31559333 · DOI	Laboratory study in-vitro	Cells carrying human CB1 or CB2 receptors	Six terpenes (alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, linalool, limonene, beta-myrcene) alone and with THC or CP55,940 Up to 30 to 100 micromolar Up to 30 minutes · vs THC 10 micromolar; CP55,940	None of the six terpenes changed signalling in CB1 or CB2 cells or altered the response to CP55,940 or THC (for example CB2: THC 16 +/- 5% versus 17 +/- 4% with terpenes). No effect at CB1 or CB2 Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Potassium-channel signalling at CB1 and CB2 Limitations: Cell work, one signalling readout. The authors note terpenes might act at other targets. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Sharma 2016 Polypharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Potential of β-Caryophyllene: A Dietary Phytocannabinoid of Pharmaceutical Promise. Curr Pharm Des · PMID 26965491 · DOI	Narrative review mixed (mostly animal and in-vitro)	Review of experimental (mostly cell and animal) literature on BCP	Beta-caryophyllene	The review reports that BCP acts as a CB2 agonist, activates PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma, inhibits the CD14/TLR4/MD2 pathway, works with mu-opioid pathways, and is a potent antagonist of homomeric alpha7 nicotinic receptors, with no effects through serotonin or GABA receptors. It says BCP is approved by US and European agencies as a food additive and flavouring (not checked against those agencies here). n/a Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pharmacology and mechanisms of BCP Limitations: 2016 review of experimental work, written by authors who also published the 2014 mouse studies; it describes promise, not human proof. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Shim 2019 [Inhibitory Effects of β-caryophyllene on Korean J Gastroenterol · PMID 31650795 · DOI	Controlled trial	66 66 patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, South Korea (33 per group)	Beta-caryophyllene (126 mg/day) 126 mg/day 8 weeks · vs Placebo	No one cleared the infection in either group, and the breath test and inflammation score did not change. The BCP group had less nausea (p = 0.025), less epigastric pain (p = 0.018) and lower blood IL-1beta (p = 0.038). Symptom and IL-1beta differences; no effect on the infection Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: H. pylori eradication (urea breath test), endoscopic inflammation score, symptoms, blood IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 Limitations: One small trial with several outcomes tested, so some p-values may be chance. The paper is in Korean with an English abstract; only the abstract was read. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Sköld 2006 The fragrance chemical beta-caryophyllene-air oxidation and skin sensitization. Food Chem Toxicol · PMID 16226832 · DOI	Laboratory study mixed (chemistry and mouse)	Lab chemistry and a mouse skin-sensitisation test (local lymph node assay)	Beta-caryophyllene exposed to air, and caryophyllene oxide Not extracted Air exposure for up to 10 weeks · vs Unoxidised BCP	BCP began to oxidise as soon as it met air; after 5 weeks almost 50% was used up and caryophyllene oxide was the main product. Caryophyllene oxide was a moderate-strength allergen; BCP air-exposed for 10 weeks showed weak sensitising power in the mouse test. The authors say clinical studies show oxidised BCP to be a rather rare sensitiser compared with oxidised limonene and linalool. Moderate allergen (caryophyllene oxide); weak after 10 weeks of oxidation Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Air oxidation of BCP; skin allergy potential of the oxidation products Limitations: Lab and mouse test; the clinical studies the authors mention were not read. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract. Read: abstract
Wang 2025 Effects of a cannabidiol/terpene formulation on sleep in individuals with insomnia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study. J Clin Sleep Med · PMID 39167421 · DOI	Controlled trial	125 125 adults with insomnia (crossover design)	Oral CBD (300 mg) plus eight terpenes at 1 mg each (linalool, myrcene, phytol, limonene, alpha-terpinene, alpha-terpineol, alpha-pinene and beta-caryophyllene); no THC CBD 300 mg + 1 mg of each terpene, 4 or more days a week 4 weeks per period (crossover) · vs Placebo	The combination raised the share of time in slow-wave plus REM sleep by 1.3 percentage points (SE 0.60; 95% CI 0.1 to 2.5; P = .03), more in people with low baseline values and day sleepers. No change in total sleep time, resting heart rate or heart rate variability. No adverse events were reported. +1.3 percentage points slow-wave plus REM sleep (95% CI 0.1 to 2.5) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Percent of time in slow-wave plus REM sleep (wrist-worn device) Limitations: The effect cannot be credited to BCP: CBD was the main ingredient and seven other terpenes were in the mix. Sleep was measured by a wearable, not a sleep lab. Funding not read in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts not read in the abstract. Registration: NCT05233761 Read: abstract
Williams 2026 β-caryophyllene, a CB2-selective phytocannabinoid, differentially modulates attention and inhibitory control in low- and high-performing young and aged mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) · PMID 42149199 · DOI	Animal research animal	Young (2 months) and aged (15 months) male and female C57BL/6J mice	Beta-caryophyllene by injection (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg) 0, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg i.p. Single doses, tested within each animal · vs Vehicle (0 mg/kg)	At 50 and 100 mg/kg BCP impaired attention (fewer correct go trials) whatever the age or sex. At 25 mg/kg it improved inhibitory control only in aged, low-performing mice and improved novel object recognition but not object location recognition. Dose-dependent: worse attention at higher doses; small gains at the low dose in some mice Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Attention and inhibitory control in a go/no-go task; recognition memory tests Limitations: Mouse study with injected doses; no human data. The authors say CB2 dependence was not tested. Funding and conflicts: Authors report support from NCCIH (NIH). Full text not read. Read: abstract
n/a 2026 US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, section 172.515: Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants (eCFR text read 2026-10-25) eCFR (US government) · Source	Regulatory assessment n/a	n/a	n/a	The list in section 172.515(b) includes "beta-Caryophyllene" and "beta-Caryophyllene oxide". Conditions: used in the minimum quantity needed to produce the intended effect and following good manufacturing practice. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: States that listed synthetic flavoring substances may be safely used in food under the stated conditions, and the list includes beta-Caryophyllene and beta-Caryophyllene oxide. Limitations: This is a food-flavoring rule. It does not say anything about supplements, concentrated products, cannabis products, or amounts, and it is not a statement that BCP is safe at any amount. Read: full-text
n/a 2026 PubChem compound record CID 5281515: (-)-Caryophyllene (beta-caryophyllene) (PUG REST API, retrieved 2026-10-25) PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · Source	Reference database n/a	n/a	n/a	PubChem REST API returned CID 5281515 with title "(-)-Caryophyllene (beta-caryophyllene)", formula C15H24 and IUPAC name (1R,4E,9S)-4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylidenebicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-ene. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Identity record: title, formula C15H24, IUPAC name (1R,4E,9S)-4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylidenebicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-ene. Limitations: A database identity record, not a study of effects. Read: full-text (PUG REST API)
n/a 2026 PubChem compound record CID 1742210: Caryophyllene oxide (PUG REST API, retrieved 2026-10-25) PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · Source	Reference database n/a	n/a	n/a	PubChem REST API returned CID 1742210 with title "Caryophyllene oxide", formula C15H24O and IUPAC name (1R,4R,6R,10S)-4,12,12-trimethyl-9-methylidene-5-oxatricyclo[8.2.0.04,6]dodecane. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Identity record: title, formula C15H24O, IUPAC name (1R,4R,6R,10S)-4,12,12-trimethyl-9-methylidene-5-oxatricyclo[8.2.0.04,6]dodecane. Limitations: A database identity record, not a study of effects. Read: full-text (PUG REST API)
n/a 2026 PubChem compound record CID 5281520: Humulene (alpha-humulene) (PUG REST API, retrieved 2026-10-25) PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · Source	Reference database n/a	n/a	n/a	PubChem REST API returned CID 5281520 with title "Humulene (alpha-humulene)", formula C15H24 and IUPAC name (1E,4E,8E)-2,6,6,9-tetramethylcycloundeca-1,4,8-triene. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Identity record: title, formula C15H24, IUPAC name (1E,4E,8E)-2,6,6,9-tetramethylcycloundeca-1,4,8-triene. Limitations: A database identity record, not a study of effects. Read: full-text (PUG REST API)
n/a 2026 PubChem compound record CID 5281522: (-)-Isocaryophyllene (PUG REST API, retrieved 2026-10-25) PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · Source	Reference database n/a	n/a	n/a	PubChem REST API returned CID 5281522 with title "(-)-Isocaryophyllene", formula C15H24 and IUPAC name (1R,4Z,9S)-4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylidenebicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-ene. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Identity record: title, formula C15H24, IUPAC name (1R,4Z,9S)-4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylidenebicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-ene. Limitations: A database identity record, not a study of effects. Read: full-text (PUG REST API)

What we do not know yet

What the evidence supports: nothing above very low certainty. No human trial of BCP alone shows a benefit for pain, inflammation, mood or sleep.
The CB2 binding result needs independent replication: two later cell studies found weak or no effect.
No long-term safety, pregnancy, children, older-adult or drug-interaction studies in people.
Which of the mixed-product trial effects (if any) come from BCP is unknown.
The first-isolation history and the EU regulatory position were not checked in primary sources.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any evidence rating or safety wording. New publications never change ratings automatically.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Other 14

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CB2 receptor binding and activation (lab)

Mixed results in trials

How strongly a chemical sticks to the CB2 receptor in cells, and whether it switches the receptor on.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To see whether BCP acts like a cannabinoid.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Three lab studies disagree. This is a laboratory number, not a health outcome.

Safety implication

None directly.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹²	BCP bound CB2 with Ki 155 +/- 4 nM and acted as an agonist in cells.	Cells (lab)	Pure (E)-BCP
¹¹	Apart from a possible weak interaction of BCP with CB2, no direct effect on CB1 or CB2 binding or signalling was found for the five terpenes tested.	Cells (lab)	Terpenes alone and with THC, CBD or 2-AG
¹⁹	BCP did not change signalling in cells with CB1 or CB2 at 30 to 100 micromolar and did not change THC's effect.	Cells (lab)	Six terpenes, alone and with THC or CP55,940

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▼

Inflammatory response to carrageenan in mice

Lowered in trials

A swelling-type inflammatory response caused by injecting the irritant carrageenan.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A standard mouse test of anti-inflammatory action.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Mouse result with a clear CB2 link; no human equivalent.

Safety implication

None directly.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹²	5 mg/kg by mouth strongly reduced the response in normal mice but not in mice lacking CB2.	Mice	Oral (E)-BCP

¹²

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Late-phase pain behaviour in the mouse formalin test

Lowered in trials

Licking or flinching of a paw after formalin injection; the late phase reflects inflammation.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A standard mouse test for pain medicines.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Mouse behaviour only.

Safety implication

None directly.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁴	Oral BCP reduced late-phase responses in a CB2-dependent way and did not affect the early phase.	Mice	Oral BCP

¹⁴

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Heat and touch hypersensitivity after nerve injury (mice)

Lowered in trials

Pain from normally harmless heat or touch after nerve damage.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To model nerve pain.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Animal results; no human nerve-pain trial of BCP.

Safety implication

None directly.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁴	Chronic oral BCP lessened thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia and reduced spinal inflammation, with no tolerance seen.	Mice with nerve injury	Oral BCP, repeated
⁵	A review of five rodent studies reports that CBD plus BCP reduced neuropathic and inflammatory pain.	Rodents	CBD plus BCP

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Anxiety-type and depression-type behaviour tests (mice)

Mixed results in trials

Maze, open-field, swim and tail-suspension tests used to screen medicines.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To look for mood-like effects.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

The two studies disagree.

Safety implication

None directly.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁴	50 mg/kg BCP improved all the tests used, and a CB2 blocker cancelled the effects.	Adult mice	BCP 50 mg/kg
¹⁵	50, 100 and 200 mg/kg BCP had no effect on anxiety-like behaviour or movement in a 3D maze, acutely or over 10 days.	92 male mice	BCP, acute and chronic

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Attention and inhibitory control in a mouse go/no-go task

Mixed results in trials

Whether a mouse responds correctly to a go signal and holds back on a no-go signal.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To see how BCP changes attention and impulse control.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One animal study.

Safety implication

None directly.

Study	Result	People	Product
²⁴	Go-trial performance fell at 50 and 100 mg/kg. At 25 mg/kg inhibitory control improved only in aged low-performing mice.	Young and aged mice	BCP 25, 50, 100 mg/kg injected

²⁴

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Yale Food Addiction Scale score (YFAS-S)

Lowered in trials

A questionnaire score for how many food-addiction symptoms a person has.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To see whether BCP changes addictive-type eating.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Borderline significance; self-rated questionnaire.

Safety implication

No safety signal was reported in the abstract.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹	Score fell more with BCP than placebo (changes printed as 1.5 +/- 0.9 versus -0.7 +/- 1.4; corrected P = 0.05). The sign convention of the printed numbers was not checked.	52 women with obesity and food addiction	BCP softgel, 8 weeks

●

Orexin-A (appetite and wakefulness hormone)

No clear change in trials

A brain hormone involved in appetite and wakefulness, measured in blood.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To look for a hormone link to the food addiction score.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Not significant versus placebo.

Safety implication

None.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹	Fell inside the BCP group (p = 0.02) but the difference from placebo was not significant (corrected P = 0.09).	52 women	BCP softgel, 8 weeks

▲

Share of the night in slow-wave plus REM sleep

Raised in trials

Deep sleep plus dream sleep as a percentage of sleep time, estimated by a wrist device.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Main outcome of the CBD-terpene sleep trial.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Small, device-measured change in a mixture.

Safety implication

No adverse events were reported in the abstract.

Study	Result	People	Product
²³	+1.3 percentage points (SE 0.60; 95% CI 0.1 to 2.5; P = .03) with the CBD-plus-eight-terpene product.	125 adults with insomnia	CBD 300 mg + eight terpenes at 1 mg each (including BCP)

²³

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Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta)

Lowered in trials

A blood signal of inflammation.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To see whether BCP calmed inflammation in people with H. pylori.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A lab marker in one small trial.

Safety implication

None reported in the abstract.

Study	Result	People	Product
²¹	Lower in the BCP group (p = 0.038); TNF-alpha and IL-6 results were not highlighted in the abstract.	66 patients with H. pylori	BCP 126 mg/day, 8 weeks

²¹

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Nausea and upper-stomach (epigastric) pain

Lowered in trials

Symptoms of an upset stomach.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To see whether people felt better.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Statistically significant in one small trial.

Safety implication

None reported in the abstract.

Study	Result	People	Product
²¹	Nausea (p = 0.025) and epigastric pain (p = 0.018) improved in the BCP group.	66 patients with H. pylori	BCP 126 mg/day, 8 weeks

²¹

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H. pylori clearance (urea breath test)

No clear change in trials

Whether the stomach infection is gone.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To see whether BCP kills the bacteria.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A null result for the infection itself.

Safety implication

BCP should not be used instead of antibiotics.

Study	Result	People	Product
²¹	Complete eradication was not seen in either group; no significant change in the breath test or the Sydney inflammation score.	66 patients	BCP 126 mg/day, 8 weeks

²¹

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Knee pain and function scores (NRS, KOOS, OKS)

Mixed results in trials

Self-rated pain and knee function questionnaires.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To see whether people with knee osteoarthritis felt and moved better.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Cannot be credited to BCP.

Safety implication

Not described in the abstract.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁰	All scores improved in both groups; NRS, KOOS and OKS improved significantly more in the group with the added terpenes (no numbers in the abstract).	38 knee osteoarthritis patients	Hemp seed oil + terpenes (incl. BCP, myrcene) + ginger vs hemp seed oil

¹⁰

▼

Self-rated muscle soreness and interference

Lowered in trials

How sore or stiff people say they are and how much it gets in the way.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To test a recovery product after hard exercise.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Borderline; BCP is one of six ingredients.

Safety implication

One diarrhea event with the product versus two minor events with placebo.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁸	Average soreness at 72 h: -1.33 (85% CI -2.55 to -0.10). Interference at 48 h: -1.82 (95% CI -3.64 to -0.01). No effect on objective recovery measures.	40 exercise-trained adults	CBD, CBG, BCP, BCAA, magnesium powder

¹⁸

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 4

Limited human safety data. The human trials of beta-caryophyllene (BCP) are small and short, with the longest 8 weeks. Safety over months or years, in pregnancy, in children and in people with liver or kidney disease has not been studied in the sources read. Controlled trial ^{1 21 16}
As a food flavouring, BCP is a listed substance in US food rules. US food rules list BCP among flavoring substances that may be used in food in the minimum amount needed. That is food-flavour use, not a safety finding for concentrated products or supplements. Authoritative guidance ²⁵
BCP turns into caryophyllene oxide in air, and that can cause skin allergy. In a lab study, almost half of BCP was used up after 5 weeks in air, mainly turning into caryophyllene oxide, which was a moderate-strength skin allergen in a mouse test. The authors say oxidised BCP is a rather rare sensitiser compared with oxidised limonene or linalool. Laboratory research ²²
Not psychoactive in the way THC is, but not tested for impairment. A 2008 lab and mouse study called BCP a nonpsychoactive CB2 ligand. No human study of mental clarity, driving or impairment after BCP alone was found. Animal research ¹²

Side effects 6

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
No adverse events reported in a 125-person trial of a CBD-plus-eight-terpene mix BCP was 1 mg of nine ingredients; the trial cannot show BCP's own safety.	None reported	none reported n/a	Controlled trial ²³
Diarrhea, dry mouth, eye rash or swelling in a 40-person pilot of a mixed CBD, CBG, BCP product Three events across 40 people over 3.5 days; too small to compare.	1 event with the product (diarrhea); 2 with placebo (dry mouth; eye rash or swelling)	mild Not described in the abstract	Controlled trial ¹⁸
Described as well tolerated in healthy adults after a single dose One dose of BCP in healthy fasting adults; side effects were not itemised in the abstract.	Detail not in the abstract	not stated n/a	Controlled trial ¹⁶
Adverse events were not reported in the abstracts of the food addiction and H. pylori trials This is not proof that there were none; the full papers were not read.	Not reported in the abstracts	not stated n/a	Controlled trial ^{1 21}
Skin allergy (contact sensitisation) to oxidised BCP or caryophyllene oxide Mouse test result. The authors say clinical studies show it is a rare sensitiser.	Not known for people; weak to moderate in mouse tests	unknown Not described	Laboratory research ²²
Worse attention at higher doses in mice Injected mouse doses; shown only to say high amounts can change brain function in animals.	Seen at 50 and 100 mg/kg in mice	not applicable to people Not described	Animal research ²⁴

Liver

No human liver injury reports or liver test results were found in the abstracts read for this page. We did not search LiverTox or case-report databases for BCP, so the absence of liver data should not be read as proof of liver safety. Animal papers describe BCP in liver-injury models; those were not read or assessed here.

How often. Not known.

Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice for BCP was read.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Beta-caryophyllene supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 2

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Prescription and other medicines in general prescription	Not studied for BCP. No study of BCP with liver enzymes or specific medicines was found in the search.	Unknown. No drug-interaction study of BCP in people was found.	Insufficient Not enough evidence	Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before adding any BCP supplement or concentrated terpene product, especially if you take medicines that need regular blood tests.
THC and CBD cannabinoid	In cell tests BCP did not change how THC acted at CB1 or CB2, and terpenes did not change CBD activity there either.	Only cell data; effects in people taking cannabis products with BCP were not studied.	Laboratory research Very low certainty ^{11 19}	If a product contains THC, the risks of THC (impairment, anxiety, interactions with sedatives or alcohol) apply to the product as a whole.

Who should check first 4

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Pregnancy and breastfeeding	No human safety studies of BCP supplements or concentrated products in pregnancy or breastfeeding were found. Ask a clinician before using one. Food-level amounts from spices are a separate matter.	Insufficient
Children and teens	No human trials in children were found in the sources read. Ask a paediatric clinician before giving any concentrated terpene or cannabis-derived product.	Insufficient
Older adults	Only mice were studied in age comparisons; higher amounts worsened attention in mice. No older-adult safety data were found in people.	Animal research ²⁴
Known allergy to fragrances or essential oils	Oxidised BCP products can cause skin allergy in some people. If you react to fragrances or essential oils, ask a clinician before putting concentrated plant oils on your skin.	Laboratory research ²²

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. Pure BCP has not had a full toxicity review in the sources read. Human trials were short and used amounts of 25 to 126 mg a day (trial amounts, not advice). In animals, a plant resin that is about 40% BCP showed low toxicity in short tests.

Animal. A copaiba oleoresin made up of 39.7% BCP caused no signs of toxicity in oral, acute dermal and eye tests in animals; repeated dermal exposure at 1000 mg/ml changed behaviour and blood counts. That is a resin, not pure BCP. In mice, injected BCP at 50 and 100 mg/kg worsened attention.

Human doses studied. Human studies used a single 100 mg dose in 24 healthy adults, 100 mg a day for 8 weeks in women with food addiction, 126 mg a day for 8 weeks in H. pylori patients, 25 mg twice a day for 3.5 days in a mixed product, and 1 mg in a nine-ingredient mix. These are trial amounts, not recommendations.

High dose or long term signals. No signals were found because no long-term high-amount human studies were found.

Overdose response. Not found in the sources read. For a concentrated product swallowed by a child or pet, call Poison Help.

Genotoxicity. The related compound caryophyllene oxide was negative in the Ames test and the micronucleus test. BCP itself was not read for genotoxicity.

We did not find a study of label accuracy for BCP or terpene content in cannabis or terpene products. What we do know is about variation and oxidation.

Terpene content varies by sample. In the lab numbers shown on this page, the same strain name has different BCP values in different datasets and units, and published values for one strain range widely. A label or name does not tell you the BCP content of a batch.

Oxidation in air. BCP oxidises to caryophyllene oxide when exposed to air; about half was gone after 5 weeks in one lab study. Old or poorly stored oils may contain more oxidised material. ²²

Added terpenes. Terpenes can be added to products, so a BCP figure does not show where it came from. See the page on added terpenes.

Body	Action	Date
US Food and Drug Administration (via the Code of Federal Regulations) (United States)	Lists beta-Caryophyllene and beta-Caryophyllene oxide among the synthetic flavoring substances that may be used in food in the minimum quantity needed to produce the intended effect and following good manufacturing practice (21 CFR 172.515). source	2026-10-25

When to get medical help

Hives, swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or trouble breathing after eating, breathing in or touching a terpene or cannabis product: call emergency services (911 in the US).
A child or pet swallows a concentrated terpene oil or any cannabis product: call US Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if they collapse, have a seizure or struggle to breathe.
A spreading, blistering or very itchy rash after using an oil on the skin: stop using it and ask a clinician.

Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is beta-caryophyllene?

Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is a terpene, a spicy-smelling aroma chemical made by many plants. It is a major terpene in cannabis resin and is also found in clove, black pepper, hops and other plants. Its formula is C15H24.

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Is beta-caryophyllene a cannabinoid?

Chemically it is a terpene, not a cannabinoid. A 2008 study called it a dietary cannabinoid because it bound the CB2 receptor in cells. Later cell studies saw only a weak or no effect at CB2.

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Does it get you high?

The 2008 study called it a nonpsychoactive CB2 ligand, and a 2019 cell study found it did not activate CB1, the receptor behind the THC high. No human study of its effect on thinking or impairment was found. Cannabis flower also contains THC, which does cause impairment.

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Does it treat pain or inflammation in people?

No trial of BCP alone has shown that. In mice, oral BCP reduced some pain behaviours. The only human pain-related trial was a knee osteoarthritis study of a mixed supplement, so BCP's own part cannot be known.

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Does it help with anxiety or depression?

Only mouse studies exist, and they disagree: one found improved behaviour in anxiety and depression tests and another found no effect. There is no human trial.

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Will a high-caryophyllene strain feel different?

We found no study that tested this. The lab numbers on this page describe how much BCP is in the flower, not what it does to you, and the same strain name can have very different chemistry from batch to batch.

Which foods and plants contain it?

Clove, black pepper, hops and copaiba oleoresin are examples, with very different amounts. Clove oil, for example, is at least half eugenol with BCP in the remaining 10 to 40%.

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Is it safe?

As a food flavoring it is listed in US food rules. Human safety studies of supplements are small and short, and none cover pregnancy, children or long-term use. Ask a doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take medicines.

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Can it cause an allergic reaction?

Oxidised BCP, mostly caryophyllene oxide, was a moderate skin allergen in a mouse test. The authors say it is a rare sensitiser in people compared with oxidised limonene or linalool. Stop using an oil that causes a rash and ask a clinician.

²²

Is caryophyllene oxide the same thing?

No. Caryophyllene oxide is a separate compound that forms when BCP is exposed to air; after 5 weeks in air almost half of BCP was used up in one lab study. It has its own questions, including skin allergy.

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Do CBD products with BCP work better?

Terpenes did not change how THC or CBD acted at CB1 or CB2 in cell tests. Trials of mixed products (a CBD plus eight-terpene mix for sleep, a six-ingredient powder for soreness) cannot show what BCP adds.

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Is it regulated?

US food rules (21 CFR 172.515) list beta-caryophyllene and its oxide among flavoring substances that may be used in food in the minimum amount needed. That is about food flavoring; cannabis law is separate. Rules differ by country and change, so ask a pharmacist or a legal professional for your situation.

²⁵

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Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-25
Last substantive update: 2026-10-25
How we research: We searched PubMed and read the abstracts of the studies cited, read the US food flavoring rule (21 CFR 172.515) on the eCFR, checked the chemical identity in the PubChem record, and used real lab measurements from regulator datasets and papers. Only abstracts were read for papers, so funding and conflicts are often not known. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. Mixed-product trials are flagged and not credited to BCP.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown, and none will be added for beta-caryophyllene. This page is information, not a recommendation to use it.

Sources 29

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

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Monteiro RFM, Nascimento MVL, Lima KT, et al. Acute or Chronic β-Caryophyllene Systemic Administration in Healthy Adult Male Mice Does Not Modulate Anxiety-Like Extinction Behavior Induced by Subsequent Re-Exposure to 3D Maze.. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2025. PMID 41003922. DOI 10.1111/fcp.70049. (abstract)
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Peters EN, Yardley H, Harrison A, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-dose pilot study of the safety, tolerability, and preliminary effects of a cannabidiol (CBD)- and cannabigerol (CBG)-based beverage powder to support recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2023. PMID 37947792. DOI 10.1080/15502783.2023.2280113. (abstract)
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n/a. US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, section 172.515: Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants (eCFR text read 2026-10-25). eCFR (US government). 2026. (full-text)
n/a. PubChem compound record CID 5281515: (-)-Caryophyllene (beta-caryophyllene) (PUG REST API, retrieved 2026-10-25). PubChem (US National Library of Medicine). 2026. (full-text (PUG REST API))
n/a. PubChem compound record CID 1742210: Caryophyllene oxide (PUG REST API, retrieved 2026-10-25). PubChem (US National Library of Medicine). 2026. (full-text (PUG REST API))
n/a. PubChem compound record CID 5281520: Humulene (alpha-humulene) (PUG REST API, retrieved 2026-10-25). PubChem (US National Library of Medicine). 2026. (full-text (PUG REST API))
n/a. PubChem compound record CID 5281522: (-)-Isocaryophyllene (PUG REST API, retrieved 2026-10-25). PubChem (US National Library of Medicine). 2026. (full-text (PUG REST API))

Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.