Pinene is a monoterpene with two isomers, alpha-pinene, and beta-pinene. In this blog, we will discuss about Pinene and its health benefits. We will also take a look over its types and cannabis plants containing pinene!
What Is Pinene?
Pinene is a monoterpene, a molecule composed of two isoprene units. The molecular formula is C10H16. It comes in two forms: α-pinene and β-pinene. Alpha-pinene has an alkene (a carbon and hydrogen molecule) within a six-membered ring, while β-pinene does not. Both of these types exist in distinct variants known as enantiomers. There are four different varieties of pinene. Pinene can be broken down into various natural molecules such terpenes, acids, aldehydes, and alcohols.
Pinene’s specific mechanism of action in the body remains unknown, although its low molecular weight and high lipophilicity (ability to dissolve in fats) indicate that it can cross the blood-brain barrier. In fact, one study discovered that alpha-pinene can be detected in the brain after only 30 minutes of exposure to air. When provided as part of an oil mix, the level of alpha-pinene increased much more. Another study discovered that alpha-pinene can be absorbed into the lungs and rapidly metabolized (broken down) by the body.
Pinene is typically considered safe for usage in foods and cosmetics. However, there have been reports of upper airway irritation from inhaling pinene. However, this discomfort subsided within 6 hours and did not worsen with subsequent exposures. Pinene has also been demonstrated to effectively treat mucosal inflammation (mucous membrane edema) in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis.
Pinene has effects on the brain, including modifying (influencing) the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptor, which is implicated in sleep. Alpha-pinene has also been shown to target serotonin 5-HT1A and beta-adrenergic receptors, which regulate mood. Finally, pinene has been proven to be neuroprotective (protecting neurons) as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, making it potentially effective in the treatment of brain illnesses.
How is Alpha-Pinene Different From Beta-Pinene?
Beta-pinene (β-pinene) and alpha-pinene (α-pinene) are two isomers of pinene, a hydrocarbon molecule having a distinctive woody and piney odor. Alpha-pinene and beta-pinene have similar medicinal benefits and characteristics, but the key difference is the fragrance. β-pinene has a fresh, woody, and spicy aroma. This makes β-pinene a significant molecule in various industries, including fragrance and essential oils, cooking as a flavoring addition and preservative.
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Properties of β-pinene
β-pinene is a monoterpene found in various plants, including basil, cedar, pine, conifer trees, dill, eucalyptus, oranges, parsley, rosemary, and cannabis. It is a white liquid with a strong, pungent odor that is associated with wood and pine. It is somewhat soluble in water but very soluble in organic solvents. The boiling point of β-pinene is 155°C, while the melting point is -56°C.
Sources for β-pinene
Many plants naturally contain β-pinene, including basil, cedar, pine and conifer trees, dill, eucalyptus, oranges, parsley, rosemary, and cannabis. It is also commercially made from turpentine oil and utilized in a range of perfumes, essential oils, cooking, and preservation applications. It is also a key component of several essential oils, including rosemary, eucalyptus, and pine.
Therapeutic applications of β-pinene.
β-pinene has been studied for its potential applications in bronchodilation, pain reduction, epilepsy, cancer treatment, and neuroprotection. It also boosts brain clarity, attentiveness, and overall cognitive function. It has also been researched for its possible anti-inflammatory, depressive, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.
Uses of β-pinene include fragrances, essential oils, cooking, and preservation.
β-pinene is utilized in fragrances, essential oils, and cuisine as a flavoring and preservative. β-pinene is a fragrance that creates a woody, piney perfume. It also gives a unique taste and smell to numerous culinary preparations. It is also used in several essential oils, including rosemary, eucalyptus, and pine, for its pleasant scent. β-pinene is used as a preservative in foods and beverages to increase shelf life and freshness.
Cognitive Benefits of β-Pinene
Beta-pinene is known to improve mental alertness, clarity, and overall cognitive capabilities. It has been examined for its ability to increase focus and concentration while decreasing tension and anxiety. Additionally, β-pinene possesses neuroprotective characteristics that can help prevent neurodegenerative illnesses and cognitive decline.
Potential advantages of β-pinene include anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antimicrobial, and antioxidant.
Beta-pinene has been investigated for potential anti-inflammatory, depressive, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It is a strong anti-inflammatory drug with potential applications in arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other inflammatory diseases.
It has also been investigated for potential antidepressant qualities and the capacity to lower stress and anxiety levels. Furthermore, β-pinene contains antiseptic and antibacterial characteristics that can help fight infections and promote wound healing. β-pinene is known for its antioxidant qualities, which can protect against free radical damage and oxidative stress.
Pinene for Pain
When administered orally, alpha-pinene has been found to lessen pain and inflammation in rats at doses ranging from 5 to 25 mg/kg. This pain alleviation persisted 48 hours after irritants such as carrageenan and Freund’s adjuvant were added. Pinene has also been shown to lessen migraine pain, most likely due to its capacity to regulate inflammation and influence blood vessels.
Furthermore, when mice were administered pinene following a partial sciatic nerve ligation, they received pain reduction comparable to mice given known anti-inflammatory medications such as indomethacin and gabapentin. Furthermore, pinene reduced pain more effectively than morphine and for a longer period of time. While the specific processes are uncertain, one study suggests that pinene may operate on GABAA and μ-opioid receptors. Although there is evidence to support this, further research is required.
Cannabis plants contain β-pinene
Many Sativa-dominant cannabis plants contain beta-pinene, including Jack Herer, Dutch Treat, Romulan, Blue Dream, Island Sweet Skunk, OG Kush, Bubba Kush, ChemDawg, God Bud, LA Confidential, Mango Haze, Strawberry Cough, Haze Berry, Royal Jack, and Trainwreck. It is thought to be responsible for some of the effects of Sativa dominant strains, including their energetic, uplifting, and creative qualities. β-pinene has been shown to improve focus and concentration while decreasing stress and anxiety levels.
Impact of Pinene on Cognitive Impairment
α-Pinene, a terpene, has been proven to improve cognitive impairment in rats. In mice with memory impairment, a single dose of α-pinene (10 mg/kg, i.p.) improved their ability to make spontaneous changes in the Y maze, recognition skills in the Morris water maze, and learning in the passive avoidance test. α-Pinene boosted the expression of Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT) in mice’s cortex, which aids in the production of Acetylcholine (ACh).
However, α-pinene showed no effect on Acetylcholine Esterase (AChE), an enzyme that breaks down ACh. This implies that α-pinene contributes to increased Acetylcholine synthesis. This is significant to consider when studying the cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer’s disease, which is characterized by a decrease in the number of cholinergic neurons in the brain as well as a drop in ChAT transcription and activity. A study on Drosophila melanogaster (a species of fly) indicated that α-pinene and β-pinene reduced the effects of the protein Beta Amyloid 42 (Aβ42), which is detected in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Although these findings are encouraging, more study is needed to investigate the impact of pinene on neuropathological and cognitive activities in mouse models of Alzheimer’s.
Pinene and Insomnia.
α-pinene and β-pinene, two essential oils, have been used in traditional medicine for millennia to aid sleep. Yang et al. (73) investigated how α-pinene affected mice’s sleep-wake rhythms. Higher dosages (50 and 100 mg/kg) of α-pinene led to more non-REM sleep and shorter sleep onset times. α-pinene seems to enhance the effect of GABA, a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep.
Pinene metabolites such as myrtenol and verbenol have also been found as compounds capable of increasing GABA activation. The study suggests that α-pinene may promote sleep via increasing GABA activity in the hippocampus, which is crucial for sleep. However, another study found that pinene did not affect REM sleep. More research is needed to better understand how pinene affects sleep.
Conclusion
Finally, pinene is a fantastic ingredient that may be used to enhance any cannabis product. Pinene is a monoterpene present in numerous plants, including cannabis. It occurs in two varieties: alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, which have distinct aromas and medicinal properties.
Beta-pinene has a woody and piney odor, making it a valuable component in many industries. It is used in perfumes, essential oils, cooking, and as a preservative. It has also been investigated for its anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, as well as the ability to improve mental clarity, alertness, and overall cognitive abilities.
Pinene, a key component found in many Sativa-dominant cannabis plants, is thought to be responsible for some of the strains’ effects. Finally, pinene has been investigated for its ability to alleviate pain and inflammation, cure depression and anxiety, improve cognitive function, and promote sleep.
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