Cannabis Essential Oil: A Preliminary Study for the Evaluation of the Brain Effects

Abstract

We examined the effects of essential oil from legal (THC <0.2% w/v) hemp variety on the nervous system in 5 healthy volunteers. GC/EIMS and GC/FID analysis of the EO showed that the main components were myrcene and β-caryophyllene. The experiment consisted of measuring autonomic nervous system (ANS) parameters; evaluations of the mood state; and electroencephalography (EEG) recording before treatment, during treatment, and after hemp inhalation periods as compared with control conditions. The results revealed decreased diastolic blood pressure, increased heart rate, and significant increased skin temperature. The subjects described themselves as more energetic, relaxed, and calm. The analysis EEG showed a significant increase in the mean frequency of alpha (8–13 Hz) and significant decreased mean frequency and relative power of beta 2 (18,5–30 Hz) waves. Moreover, an increased power, relative power, and amplitude of theta (4–8 Hz) and alpha brain waves activities and an increment in the delta wave (0,5–4 Hz) power and relative power was recorded in the posterior region of the brain. These results suggest that the brain wave activity and ANS are affected by the inhalation of the EO of Cannabis sativa suggesting a neuromodular activity in cases of stress, depression, and anxiety.

Promising in vitro antioxidant, anti‐acetylcholinesterase and neuroactive effects of essential oil from two non‐psychotropic Cannabis sativa L. biotypes

“…The EOs yield was 0.5 and 0.55% (vol/wt), respectively for Chinese accession and fibrante variety, well above the yield average obtained by several strains of hemp dried flowering top (0.13–0.30% vol/wt) (Gulluni et al, ; Nissen et al, ). However, the quality and quantity of EO in dried flowering tops depends on many factors, such as the accession type, its origin, genotype, soil type and climate, but also plant density and pollination (Nissen et al, ).…”

“…This data could play a key role in the neuroactive effects of these EOs because it has already been shown that the oral administration of β‐caryophyllene attenuates acute and chronic pain in mice via oppioid and endocannabinoid systems (Gulluni et al, ; Paula‐Freire, Andersen, Gama, Molska, & Carlini, ).…”

“…Comparing the results obtained with the available literature, both Cannabis EOs showed a very particular phytochemical profile. Gulluni et al (), for example, showed that EO obtained by inflorescence of non‐drug Cannabis sativa L. var. monoica contains comparable amounts of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes (58.6 and 38%, respectively).…”

Impact of Silkworm Excrement Organic Fertilizer on Hemp Biomass Yield and Composition

“…Henola can also be grown to obtain other substances. The analyses showed that its inflorescences contain on average 0.32% of essential oils and 0.07% of CBD, which are increasingly often used in medicine [Gulluni et al 2018, Mannucci et al 2017. Moreover, this cultivar is characterized by a very low content of THC (0.013%), one of the psychoactive substances typical in Cannabis L.…”

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“…Andre et al (2016);Gulluni et al (2018) Cynodon dictylon analgescis, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective and anti-convulsiveAsthana et al (2012) Cyperus rotundus anti-diabetic, anti-diarrheal, anti-mutagenic, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-pyretic and…”