Can Beta-Caryophyllene Help Support Someone Living with Lyme Disease?

Living with Lyme disease can be physically and emotionally demanding. After the initial infection of the bacteria – Borrelia burgdorferi, many people continue to experience symptoms such as fatigue, joint discomfort, inflammation, and difficulty concentrating. It is promising that Beta Caryophyllene (BCP) could be of benefit, especially because we know that there are many studies and anecdotal evidence to support BCP’s effect on joint discomfort and inflammation. Many people are opting for natural compounds to assist with recovery and daily support, so let’s look a bit deeper as to why BCP could be a game changer!

What is Lyme disease?

According to HealthDirect.com.au, Lyme Disease is caused by the bacteria borrelia burgdorferi.  They say, “... It’s transmitted (spread) to humans through a tick bite. There is no evidence that Lyme disease can be spread from person-to-person.

Lyme disease is found in parts of the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Asia. Lyme disease has been diagnosed in Australia in overseas travellers.

Scientists have not found the bacteria that carry Lyme disease in Australian ticks. You are not likely to catch Lyme disease in Australia….” 

Many Australians claim they have Lyme Disease, but according to this website, the bite must have occurred overseas.

The Mayo Clinic lists the following as Stage 1 symptoms:

• Fever.
• Headache.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Joint stiffness.
• Muscle aches and pains.
• Swollen lymph nodes.

What Is Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP)?

Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) — a naturally occurring terpene found in common foods like black pepper, cloves and oregano (FYI – Canna Oils BCP is extracted from cloves). Importantly, BCP is also described in scientific literature as a “dietary cannabinoid” because it can interact with part of the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) without causing psychoactive effects.

Potential Benefits of BCP:

BCP works on the body—and this is supported by multiple research articles—through interaction with the CB2 receptor, which is found mainly on immune and inflammatory cells.

According to a 2021 Study – activation of CB2 receptors has been shown to:

• Modulate inflammatory signalling
• Influence immune responses
• Support neuroprotective pathways in preclinical models of brain inflammation

Obviously, we aren’t making claims here that BCP is a cure for Lyme Disease but here are some suggested ways that BCP may support the daily life of someone with the disease.

1. Supporting Balanced Inflammatory Responses

Inflammation underlies many ongoing Lyme symptoms. Studies show BCP may help regulate inflammatory pathways.  
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33114564/

2. Immune System Modulation

BCP’s interaction with CB2 receptors is associated with changes in immune-related signalling in cells, which may support balanced immune responses in certain conditions.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35648433/

3. Nervous System Support and Neuroinflammation

Because CB2 receptors are also present on cells involved in nervous system inflammation, laboratory research suggests BCP may support processes linked to nervous system health.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30281175/

4. Joint and Tissue Comfort Responses

In various preclinical models of pain and tissue inflammation, BCP is associated with changes in inflammatory markers and responses that are linked with discomfort and swelling.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5412277/

Final Thoughts

Research into BCP is promising and ongoing, particularly in how its interaction with the CB2 receptor could relate to inflammatory processes and immune-linked pathways. However, evidence in humans specifically for Lyme disease is not established, and it is not a medically approved treatment.
For someone living with Lyme disease, BCP may be something to explore, but always talk with your healthcare practitioner before adding any supplement.

Sources:
J. Gertsch, M. Leonti, S. Raduner, I. Racz, J. Chen, X. Xie, K. Altmann, M. Karsak, & A. Zimmer, Beta-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 105 (26) 9099-9104, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0803601105 (2008).

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20374651

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/lyme-disease

Hashiesh HM, Sharma C, Goyal SN, Sadek B, Jha NK, Kaabi JA, Ojha S. A focused review on CB2 receptor-selective pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential of β-caryophyllene, a dietary cannabinoid. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Aug;140:111639. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111639. Epub 2021 Jun 3. PMID: 34091179.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34091179/

Scandiffio R, Geddo F, Cottone E, Querio G, Antoniotti S, Gallo MP, Maffei ME, Bovolin P. Protective Effects of (E)-β-Caryophyllene (BCP) in Chronic Inflammation. Nutrients. 2020 Oct 26;12(11):3273. doi: 10.3390/nu12113273. PMID: 33114564; PMCID: PMC7692661.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33114564/

Baradaran Rahimi V, Askari VR. A mechanistic review on immunomodulatory effects of selective type two cannabinoid receptor β-caryophyllene. Biofactors. 2022 Jul;48(4):857-882. doi: 10.1002/biof.1869. Epub 2022 Jun 1. PMID: 35648433.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35648433/

Machado KDC, Islam MT, Ali ES, Rouf R, Uddin SJ, Dev S, Shilpi JA, Shill MC, Reza HM, Das AK, Shaw S, Mubarak MS, Mishra SK, Melo-Cavalcante AAC. A systematic review on the neuroprotective perspectives of beta-caryophyllene. Phytother Res. 2018 Dec;32(12):2376-2388. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6199. Epub 2018 Oct 3. PMID: 30281175.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30281175/

Alberti TB, Barbosa WL, Vieira JL, Raposo NR, Dutra RC. (-)-β-Caryophyllene, a CB2 Receptor-Selective Phytocannabinoid, Suppresses Motor Paralysis and Neuroinflammation in a Murine Model of Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Apr 1;18(4):691. doi: 10.3390/ijms18040691. PMID: 28368293; PMCID: PMC5412277.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5412277/