Adult-use cannabis might not be legal at the federal level. However, state after state continues legalizing the sales and consumption of such products for residents 21 and over.
It’s truly a new day in the US, especially in canna-friendly areas like Illinois, the home of Stash Dispensaries’ Peru and Orland Hills locations.
Those most familiar with cannabis are well aware of how moderation and responsible usage yield positive effects. There’s no longer any denying cannabis can provide health and wellness benefits instead of the scary outcomes spouted by anti-pot propaganda over the decades.
The usage of cannabis has ranges. It could be strictly recreational, or it could be therapeutic.
We’re not a medical dispensary, so if you wish to purchase cannabis products for medicinal or therapeutic purposes, we suggest speaking with your licensed healthcare provider.
With the above preamble in mind, terpenes are a component in cannabis that can enhance the recreational and therapeutic effects of a given strain.
The subject of this article will be one such terpene: Linalool. Continue onward to learn more.
What Is Linalool?
Like most terpenes, linalool exists beyond a cannabis context. It’s present in 200-plus species of plants, giving the spicy, floral scent [1].
Linalool is often isolated from plants and incorporated into beauty products, creams, candles, and essential oils. It’s also implemented as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages while frequently utilized in cosmetics.
One of the most prevalent linalool sources is lavender. The soothing effects and signature scent of lavender can be attributed to linalool. Neroli oil and rosewood are also common sources of the terpene.
Furthermore, linalool is present in birch, coriander, citrus, laurels, and more.
In cannabis, generally speaking, linalool is responsible for providing a sleep aid or sedative effect [2].
What Does Linalool Do? What Are Its Unique Properties?
Before delving into more medicinal components of linalool, we’ll look more generally at how it impacts the recreational cannabis experience.
Primarily, the terpene’s impact is in its aromas.
The brain’s emotion and memory centers are intrinsically connected to your sense of smell. Thus, a potential cause (the floral lavender scene) and effect (relaxed and improved mood) relationship exists [3].
Increased research implies that brain processing can be impacted by these terpenes. They may modulate brain cell behaviors [4].
What Is Linalool Good For? What Are Its Medicinal Properties?
Patients often seek cannabis strains with linalool to offset generalized anxiety disorder and depression. Studies involving mice showed the test subjects continuing to work in fear-inducing environments to escape what appeared to be a hopeless scenario [5].
Furthermore, linalool, as the main compound in lavender essential oils, appeared to lower human participants’ Hamilton Anxiety Rating scores [6].
Linalool-rich strains might bolster the immune system to offset adverse responses to stress. One study on rats found that linalool prevented white blood cells (immune system cells) from shifting destructively [7]. Experts hypothesize linalool triggers a parasympathetic response in the body.
A positive antimicrobial effect appears to exist in linalool-rich strains, protecting against insects. This could benefit individuals who need to stave off bacteria that could damage their cells [8].
Linalool is most known as a sedative, implemented into traditional medicines to relax muscles and minds. Moreover, it might have anti-epileptic and anticonvulsant characteristics [9].
What Strains Have Linalool?
Our 1g LA Diamond Pre-Roll from Royale is a hybrid strain featuring linalool prominently. Its minty and earthy notes combine with a gradual, relaxing body high that bolsters creativity.
We also carry the Shortbread strain, a flower-popcorn product from High Supply™. It’s an energizing, uplifting sativa with potent, lemony notes and a doughy sweetness.
NEZ’s Daily Grapes hybrid flower is brimming with linalool, producing an impactful body high without muddling up your mind, ensuring you remain functional. The flavor is a combination of rubbery diesel and grape.
Find these strains and more in our online menu. Filter your shopping experience (or product research) by typing ‘linalool’ into the search field.
How Is Linalool Used In Aromatherapy?
Linalool’s aromatherapy applications revolve around calming and relaxing the mind and body, helping combat insomnia, muscle tension, anxiety, and inflammation. It’s present in essential oils, other natural remedies, and traditional medicines, focusing primarily on stress reduction.
When inhaled (outside of cannabis usage), linalool offers a sedating effect [1].
Precautions And Considerations
Linalool is present in many topical products. It’s possible to have a hypersensitivity to the terpene, which can lead to allergic reactions like stomatitis and mouth ulcers [10].
The above concerns aren’t significant in cannabis products (although, be weary of topical cannabis with linalool if you’re predisposed to such sensitivities). That said, it’s wise to approach any therapy incorporating cannabis usage with caution.
Yes—cannabis has therapeutic benefits, but it can also be misused just as easily. Over-indulgence and abuse can offset all the benefits of a terpene like linalool.
Speak with healthcare professionals before treating yourself with any kind of cannabis, and establish parameters for responsible, safe usage.
Detecting Linalool In Cannabis Strains
Start by reading product descriptions and other label components to detect whether linalool is present in a cannabis strain.
Sometimes, you may not find all present terpenes clearly outlined on a label. In this instance (if you’re in a dispensary), speak with a budtender—they should know whether linalool is present.
In the absence of product descriptions and budtenders, smell the bud and see if you can detect a lavender, floral scent combined with citrus zest hints.
Conclusion
Linalool is a calming, sedating terpene that can limit anxiety, stress, depression, and physical pain in specific situations. Anybody who seeks potent relaxing properties in their cannabis strains will likely appreciate what linalool offers as a terpene.
Still, we’re only in the infancy of legalized recreational adult-use cannabis in the US. Thus, our knowledge of terpenes like linalool and how they can enhance strains remains in its beginning stages.
As research becomes more widespread, cultivators will grow increasingly capable of maximizing the therapeutic benefits of terpenes like linalool.
Learn more about cannabis strains, the terpenes they carry, and their many uses and benefits by contacting Stash Dispensaries today. Or, check out our online menu to perform your own independent product research.
Sources
- https://draxe.com/health/linalool/
- https://www.crescolabs.com/terpenes/linalool/#:~:text=Linalool%20is%20one%20of%20the,and%20medicinal%20value%20of%20cannabis.
- https://www.leafly.ca/news/science-tech/linalool-cannabis-terpene-benefits
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116079/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874112004953#f0020
- https://www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/linalool-cannabis-terpene-benefits
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/jf900420g
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7875898/
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1934578X0800300727
- https://academic.oup.com/bjd/article/187/S1/134/6700458#:~:text=This%20case%20highlights%20the%20ubiquitous,causing%20lip%20and%20tongue%20symptoms.
