By Owen Smith
While working at the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club I was able to teach some of the members about Black Pepper. While benefiting from the medicinal effects of THC, these patients suffered from bouts with anxiety while medicating. Most patients who have tried this simply took a few sniffs of the black pepper to receive an almost immediate effect. Others have reported that after chewing on pepper corns they felt relief within an hour, but that may be a delay most would seek to avoid. So how does this work? The Aug. 2011 British Journal of Pharmacology: Cannabinoids in Biology and Medicine, Part 1 includes numerous articles exploring the nature of the cannabis plants’ chemical dynamism. In the article “Taming THC,” scientists report having discovered more than a hundred terpenes that “may contribute meaningfully to the entourage effects of cannabis-based medicinal extracts.” Terpenes create the many scents of cannabis and are shared among the plant kingdom. Scientists explored how these aromatic oils synergize and mitigate the active cannabinoids contributing to an entourage effect.
Cannabis in known to produce a wide variety of effects from rendering a individual wide-awake to sending them into a sound sleep. Growers have been tailoring their heirloom heritage varieties of cannabis to uniformly exhibit certain cannabinoid/terpene profiles to produce particular effects. CBD is quickly becoming an essential component to combat the unwelcome effects of using THC rich cannabis, such as anxiety. Another option may be to introduce terpenes from other plant sources to mitigate the effects.
Ed Rosenthal, author of many books on cannabis, relates that the myrcene in mangos can increase the quality of low potency cannabis when eaten one hour before medicating. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the terpene alpha-pinene is alerting, limonene is “sunshine-y,” and beta-myrcene is sedating. As the names suggest, pinene is abundant in pine needles and limonene in lemons. Traditional responses to cannabis induced anxiety include pinene-rich black pepper, limonene-rich citrus, and calamus root high in myrcene. Myrcene is also found in hops (Humulus), the only other member of the Cannabaceae plant family. “Cannabis terpenoids and flavonoids may also increase cerebral blood flow, enhance cortical activity, kill respiratory pathogens, and provide anti-inflammatory activity.”(source)
(image: GreenHouse Seeds)
Scientists have discovered that beta-caryophyllene (BCP), which is another terpene that contributes to the aroma and flavour, also found in other herbs, spices, and food plants, activates the CB2 receptor and acts as a non-psychoactive anti-inflammatory. Because it binds to a cannabinoid receptor […] and since it is an FDA approved food additive and ingested daily with food, it is the first known dietary cannabinoid.(source) Leading the way on terpene identification is Green House Seed Company in Holland who have performed spectral analysis of each of their strains and developed a flavour wheel identifying 16 different terpenes to help individuals decide on their strain of choice.
(image: GreenHouse Seeds)
Cannabis Science Inc. is exploring the possibility that certain terpenes act as building blocks for the production of cannabinoids, with the hope that this will open up to cultivators the opportunity to manipulate cannabinoids to desired ratios. they are exploring how terpenes act synergistically with other terpenes to either catalyze or inhibit the formation of other compounds within a plant.
Up until now, drug companies have been focusing on single synthetic compounds that can be patented and brought to market. In light of these discoveries, scientists isolating cannabinoids into synthetic compounds have to consider the terpene interaction as another variable potentially responsible for the plants therapeutic effects. Cannabis grown with care and attention to the curing process will contain more terpenes. Many terpenes are FDA approved and therefore easy to obtain for testing.
You didn’t really explain what you do though to get rid of weed induced anxiety. Do I just eat a spoonful of black pepper before smoking? Do I put the pepper in the bud and smoke it? Explain how this is done. I am skeptical that this is even effective.
Hello Caitlyn,
Speaking from patient anecdotes – even just the smell of ground black pepper is often enough to reduce some of the symptoms of anxiety.
I think one of the important things to take away from this is that many strains contain levels of Caryophyllene that alleviate most anxiety side effects associated with Cannabis consumption. It adds to the anecdotal evidence that many users can “smell” what works for them.
As a secondary bit – its also important to notice that the Entourage effect and synergy of each one of the over 400 active ingredients in Cannabis create a far more balanced effect as compared to cherry picking 1 or 2 cannabinoids, and marketing them as a fixed pharmaceutical product.
Good Point Caitlyn, this has come up a few times, i’ll add this, “Most patients who have tried this simply took a few sniffs of the black pepper to receive an almost immediate effect. Others have reported that after chewing on pepper corns they felt relief within an hour, but that may be a delay most would seek to avoid.”
you didnt add add anything. you did repeat yourself you bungus
what are you asking hogwash?
here is some more similar info
http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/07/14/how-cannabis-works/
YOU DON’T USE THE PEPPER BEFORE YOU HAVE ANXIETY… IF you are having cannabis anxiety, try sniffing the ground pepper. Or possibly try chewing on a peppercorn or two( this option is delayed by up to a 1/2 hour.
thank you for the repl…IES on how to use the pepper. I got it!
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Had this been known in the mid 1990’s, my life would have been entirely different. I had a number of bouts of extreme anxiety which were either induced or enhanced by the sudden increases in potency that happened around that time. Thanks for this information.
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Very much appreciate the info in the article. Wish I had known this in the ’70s! Good info. Thanks.
I have tried this, and it really works!!
Just kidding.
Don’t you think that if this DID work, you might see at least ONE comment like this indicating that it does? Even if it’s just the placebo effect. But not one single comment anywhere I’ve seen this article mentioned. I think it is completely and utterly false.
I have, it works. If you’re so skeptical then try it yourself before uttering bullshit and dismissing it. Do try to snort it in powder form though; I only had marbles once, which I snorted after squashing them and it didn’t work.
gweedo you keep asking for answers that have already been written very clearly and in English. You do have reading and comprehension issues and that’s okay. We all understand and that is why people here are being so patient with you. enjoy the day.
Hi Gweedo, I wrote this article because people told me It works for them and they continue to use it as an everyday backup just in case of an attack. This is a traditional method, referred to in Pliny The Elder’s Natural History Book, XXIV.
Pliny writes: “The gelotophyllis [‘leaves of laughter’ or cannabis] grows in Bactria and along the Borysthenes. If this be taken in myrrh and wine all kinds of phantoms beset the mind, causing laughter which persists until the kernels of pine- nuts are taken with pepper and honey in palm wine.”
GL’s is the strongest Rx I know of and I’ve been sniffing n
chew’n pepper since I met him.
Fruit-Juice is good too but not as fast as sniffing pepper.
Wonder when they’ll make a pepper pen vaporizer?
Try’d pine nuts ones and they work too but are very$ restrictive.
Good not to operate over titrated!
No need for a vaporizor, because you can buy black pepper essential oil, (steam distilled and full of terpenes) and make a sniffer yourself by putting a few drops in a tiny vile with a cap (to keep it from evaporating). You can put rock salt or natural salts for grinding found at the grocery store in the vile to take up some of the volume. The oils don’t melt the salt and fits easily in your pocket. Replenish as necessary.
You can also use this method with lavender essential oil for use on an airplane when traveling. The terpenes from lavender kills bacterial and other nasties that fill the recycled air on planes. As long as these terpenes are in your respiratory system the germs are goners.
Sarijuana, WOW…thank you for this. I am going to try this.
When I was taking hydrocodone and smoked sativa or mostly sativa strains I would definitely get an anxiety attack. But not with mostly indica stains. When I stopped the hydrocodone I stopped having anxiety attacks. But I will carry some black pepper around and buy a lot of mangos. Thanks Owen.
We’re you pretty addicted to pills?
Another great article from Owen !
terpenoids and flavonoids are key !
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What about having a stash of charlottes web around, and smoking it if you need it? CBD is supposed to be the best cure for cannabis induced paranoia. How many people have tried this? I have no access to CBD but would like to know what other people think if they’ve tried it.
I know this is old but Charlottes web is high cbd and low thc so you shouldn’t have an anxiety effect at all. The cbd itself doesn’t rid you of the paranoia, it’s the low thc in Charlottes web that keeps it from happening.
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I know I am late to this party, but I wanted to add that black pepper essential oil has been used by aromatherapists for years as an aid to people who are trying to quite nicotine. It is effective, and you only need to smell the oil for it to be effective. The essential oil is much more potent than the peppercorns themselves, because they are concentrated and chock full of terpenes. Essential oils are not just about good smells. The myrcene, pinene, limonene – and a bunch of other terpenes are all real medicine that can be, depending on the terpene, antibiotic, antiseptic, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory , anti-fungal and yes…sedative. It’s science, not voodoo woohoo. Read more if you’re inclined, http://cannagramma.com/2013/12/14/medicinal-value-of-cannabis-terpenes/
I will try this pepper sniffer.lol actually I’d rather try the kind in oil.I will let yous know how it goes
I’m anxious to try because nothing actually ever works on me
No I’m pretty sure she just wants to sell you oil or scam you and since this thread was about anxiety she figured someone would bite
What does a patient do when the cannabis stops working? Is there a way to clear off the receptors?
Thank you kindly.
No she was talking about charlottes web which is CBD oil and .1% THC. THC gives u anxiety and CBD helps relieve THC induced anxiety
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The black pepper can also be made in a tea like form…I know ingesting a peppercorn and waiting for 40-60mins can seem all to long. With a liquid base it is a bit quicker…
The mango juice theory of increasing a lower the content strain is on a similar level to orange juice for hallucinogens.
Also in my experiences I have noticed I will tend to drift more towards a hybridized strain so I can try to hit all of my preferences. Whether sweet/fruity, spicy/earthy, I used to be big on the cbd strains harlequin was a top pick and when Lowrider was first seen on the market.
Chemdog hits a few preferred flavor notes for me from sweet fruity spicy.
And nyc diesel peppery spicy and pungent.
Just thought I’d share a bit of my firsthand experiences and knowledge. Hope it helps.
*Medicate freely with caution. Stay within mandated guidelines and all is gravy*
higher cortisol levels (stress hormone) can affect your high also, try some healthy food, low sugars and carbs.
http://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Cortisol 😉 that’s what happened to me on summer. u rly gonna feel better with a nice diet and get a good time… just relax cuz that crap go away definitively. And now, light up time ^^
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It works like a charm. Just crush some peppercorns and take a sniff. In ten to fifteen mins you will feel an immense relief and amazing deep euphoria.
Not true! ONE TIME I was high as a butt and I took out my peppers to give em a good sniff and they spilled… EVERYWHERE. Sounds an awful lot like those peppers CAUSED me anxiety huh?! Fit THAT into your flavor wheel!
Yes it does work! chewed and smelled some and anxiety has been replaced with a warm body rush and a fiery mouth, lol. Much better! Seriously! Anything but anxiety. Thanks so much.:)
So if you’re all having anxiety from cannabis, why not just stop smoking it?
Yea, thats the reason i quit smoking. The anxiety was not worth it.
Because one ingredient in Cannabis can trigger (not cause) latent anxiety, but another ingredient is the single best cure for anxiety that exists.
medical neccesity
I couldn’t have said it better myself…
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