Does black pepper help manage the effects of cannabis?
Black pepper and cannabis seem like two completely unrelated plants. Although one is used for its effects on the body and the other adds flavor to your food, the two actually have more in common than you might think. Like cannabis, black pepper contains cannabinoids - molecules that interact with the endocannabinoid system.
Before you decide to smoke some of this black pepper, note that this spice has no psychoactive effects. Instead, the terpene found in black pepper actually reduces the psychotropic effects of cannabis. This can come in handy when you take an excessive dose, or when you want to limit the effects of cannabinoids during everyday tasks.
We look at this relationship in more detail below.
What is black pepper?
Most people know black pepper as a spice that - together with salt - adds a pleasant flavour to almost every savoury dish imaginable. The peppercorns in spice mills come from an herb known as Piper nigrum.
Piper nigrum, native to southern India, belongs to the Piperaceae family. The flowering vine produces broad leaves and long, narrow flowers that bear pepper like fruit. When dried, these little bits of spice find their way into almost every kitchen cabinet in the world before turning into tiny granules over our plates.
Since ancient times, people have used black pepper to flavour food and as a holistic herb. For example, the ancient Indian system of Ayurveda considers black pepper to be the "king of spices". The system considers the herb to be a pungent substance that stimulates the digestive fire.
Why black pepper is good for you
Black pepper is not just a mere flavour, but has a number of beneficial properties. Take a look at some of the top reasons to include ground pepper in your diet.
Antioxidant
Black pepper boasts high levels of antioxidants. These molecules pass through the bloodstream and neutralize free radicals, harmful molecules that damage DNA through oxidation.
Calming
Ground black pepper can help soothe the gut and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. These little critters help us get the most out of our food.
Cholesterol
We all know the harmful effects of too much cholesterol. Black pepper can help lower cholesterol, including LDL - the bad kind.
Stimulates digestion
Just as ancient Ayurvedic practitioners reported in the distant past, black pepper is now believed to stimulate digestion and increase the absorption of other beneficial molecules contained in turmeric and green tea.
Memory
Adding ground pepper to your food can make your neurons happy. In a mouse model of induced neurotoxicity, black pepper was found to have the potential to improve memory, making it an interesting subject for future research.
The science behind terpenes
Terpenes are aromatic hydrocarbons found throughout the plant kingdom. These molecules are responsible for the smells you experience when you peel an orange or walk through a pine forest. There are approximately 20,000 terpenes in nature and 200 are produced in the trichomes of cannabis plants.
In plants, terpenes play the role of secondary metabolites. They are not involved in the growth or reproduction of the organism. However, they serve to repel pests, attract beneficial species and protect against environmental stresses such as excessive heat.
Terpenes are major players when it comes to the unique effects of different cannabis strains. These aromatic molecules synergize with cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, a mechanism known as the entourage effect, to enhance their effects. Terpenes also offer their own effects. Myrcene, for example, produces a relaxed state of mind, while limonene refreshes and energizes.
What is beta-caryophyllene?
Beta-caryophyllene is a phytocannabinoid-terpenoid. This means that when consumed by humans, it binds to the receptors of the endocannabinoid system and plays the role of a cannabinoid, as does THC, CBD and other molecules.
Cannabinoids share a similar molecular structure with endogenous cannabinoids such as anandamide. Such similarity allows them to activate, block or reduce the activity of cannabinoid receptors. Many cannabinoids achieve their effects through this mechanism. For example, THC produces its effects by binding to the CB1 receptor and increasing its activity. In contrast, CBD works by blocking the same receptor.
Beta-caryophyllene earned its cannabinoid status due to its ability to bind to the CB2 receptor and increase its activity - a mechanism that supports the molecule's unique effects. Remarkably, beta-caryophyllene is the most common terpene found in cannabis extracts. Other food sources such as hops, cinnamon, cloves and rosemary also contain this chemical, leading scientists to refer to this chemical as a food cannabinoid.
In addition to its own effects on the endocannabinoid system, black pepper appears to alter how other cannabinoids affect this network in the body. In particular, it may modulate the effects of THC. By binding to the CB2 receptor, beta-caryophyllene produces a relaxant effect. In this way, beta-caryophyllene is analogous to CBD in its ability to alter the psychotropic impact of THC.
The strategy of chewing black pepper during a cannabis-induced panic attack has been used in the cannabis community for decades. Now science has begun to confirm this idea. By modulating the endocannabinoid system through a completely different receptor, beta-caryophyllene can help to straighten the mind.
Everything in moderation - including cannabis
The use of this pepper-derived terpene can help when a person uses too much cannabis. However, if you experience unpleasant side effects from cannabis, you should think about how often you use the herb. Users should maintain a certain level and not overdo it. If you feel that you have crossed a certain threshold, consider taking a break. When you return again, the negative effects are not likely to return. And for times when the effects are too strong and unpleasant, consider black pepper or beta-caryophyllene-loaded varieties.
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