Citrus-scented weed can make you less anxious, scientists report

Ah, both pot. It relaxes you, but sometimes it makes you more anxious? What does it provide? If you’re looking for less paranoia-inducing strains on your trips to the cannabis plant, a team of scientists at Johns Hopkins University may have found something to help you. According to their latest research, the key to choosing the sweetest leaf is to choose one that smells like lemons.

Most people know that cannabis plants can produce tons of different smells, from skunk to cheesy to petrol and a lingering smell, although berry, fruity and citrusy smells can be sweet. even more. While marijuana products are best known for their intoxicating THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and high CBD (cannabidiol), these two drugs are not responsible for the plant’s aroma. Small ones come from natural oils called terpenes and flavonoids.

And while they won’t get you high on their own, they do more than just work as perfumes, they orchestrate the stoned experience – just like CBD doesn’t get people stoned when taken by itself, but THC’s best supporting cast when the two of them appear. in the same family.

As published last month in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, the research team found that when cannabis was given to people in regular doses, the average rate of anxiety and paranoia among the test subjects decreased slowly while scientists are increasing the amount of natural lemon. the smell – which has not been proven to have an effect on whether people have high cannabis so far.

“Historically, THC was believed to be fully responsible for the negative behavioral and psychoactive effects of cannabis and other components of cannabis were considered to be largely ineffective,” the researchers wrote. “However, another perspective, often referred to as the cannabis entourage theory, asserts that multiple components of the plant (for example, small cannabinoids and/or terpenes) have a strong influence on the effects of cannabis.”

A terpene in cannabis called d-limonene doesn’t get you high at all, but what the team discovered shows it can pleasantly color any mood you’re in. D-limonene is one of the many aromatic terpenes that give the weed its citrusy flowers, and it’s the primary terpene in (you guessed it) true lemons.

Traditional home growers appreciate heavy cannabis strains for providing users with a mild psychoactive experience, resulting in many well-known citric infusions with water and soil. Among the most popular strains of cannabis are those with names that pay homage to the bright aroma of d-limonene, such as Super Lemon Haze and Lemon OG Kush – all of which have been noted for their creative psychoactive effects. and focused, very weak. to worry or be very afraid above.

However, as legalization continues to increase, the modern cannabis industry has adopted this kitchen wisdom from traditional herbalists, and some company advertisements suggest a that d-limonene is a very poor choice. As noted by the research team, scientists began to think about the role of d-limonene in reducing emotions.

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When researchers at John Hopkins recently took up the idea, they gave 20 people 30mg of THC and normal results occurred in eight test sessions. But when they gave participants 30mg of THC along with 15mg of d-limonene, the results were direct and promising.

“This experiment showed that concurrent administration of d-limonene and THC reduced THC-induced anxiety symptoms in a dose-controlled manner,” the team wrote, adding that d- limonene interferes with other normal effects of cannabis.

This did not lead the group to find a way to the positive experience of cannabis users, but it can also open new evidence about the full understanding of the concept of the effect of tourists.

“Although not yet widely tested in clinical research, the concept of the ‘cannabis entourage effect’ has greatly influenced the practices of the cannabis industry, including how cannabis products are grown, sold and consumed,” the researchers wrote. . “For example, cannabis is often selectively bred to have low cannabinoid and/or terpene profiles and there is a growing market for products that are said to contain low cannabinoids or terpenes, ” said the researchers, adding that future research is still needed.

So, the next time you’re shopping you can relax without having to buy a smoke that induces sleep, and a short cry like you would with a glass of wine can help you smell better. a lemon flavor that won’t leave you. sour.