What Beta-Caryophyllene May Mean for PANS & PANDAS

We love having our “boots on the ground” at markets and events, because that’s when we get to meet people that have been dealing with issues or conditions that keep them on the lookout for safe, effective alternatives that don’t have contraindications.  It’s also when we get to hear the names of some conditions that are not widely spoken about and, frankly, we have never heard of before.  One such condition was PANS or PANDAS. 

Families living with PANS or PANDAS are faced with a complex and overwhelming condition. This condition involves sudden changes in behaviour, mood, cognition, and physical health—often linked to immune and inflammatory responses in the brain.

Kidshealth.org says that – “the most common cause of a severe onset of OCD and tics is a group A streptococcus (“strep”) infection. When it’s clear that a child’s symptoms are linked to a strep infection (like strep throat), it’s called PANDAS. It stands for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus.

PANS is when the severe onset of OCD symptoms is linked to another infection. These include the flu, chickenpox, mycoplasma, and Lyme disease. PANS stands for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome”.

They also state – “Experts believe PANDAS and PANS happen because of a problem with the immune system’s response to an infection.  Instead of attacking the germs, the immune system targets a part of the brain by mistake. This part of the brain is called the basal ganglia. It affects thoughts, feelings, movement, and other behaviors. Experts believe irritation in this part of the brain leads to the symptoms.” D’Arcy Lyness PHD, July 2021

They also mention that parents often say that their child seemed to “change overnight”.  How sad and traumatic for the whole family!

So of course, we have been asked if our Beta Caryophyllene products could help with the symptoms.  In my endeavour to find out more, I found that while research is still evolving, emerging evidence from related conditions is offering encouraging clues about potential supportive options.  So let’s start with a recap on what BCP is.

What is Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP)?

Beta-caryophyllene is a naturally occurring compound found in everyday plants like black pepper, cloves, rosemary, and cannabis (hemp). Unlike THC, it is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not cause a “high.” What makes BCP unique is that it directly activates the CB2 receptor, a key part of the body’s immune and inflammation-regulating system.

Has BCP Been Studied in PANS or PANDAS?

At this stage, no studies have directly examined BCP in PANS or PANDAS. However, when researchers look at conditions with similar underlying mechanisms—such as neuroinflammation, autoimmune activity, and immune-driven brain changes—the results are compelling.

Across multiple studies involving neurological and autoimmune models, BCP has shown consistent and meaningful effects.

How BCP Supports Inflammation Balance

Inflammation plays a central role in many immune-driven neurological conditions. In research models, BCP was shown to 

• Reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines 
• Calm key inflammatory pathways 
• Work through CB2 receptors and PPAR-γ, helping the immune system shift out of an overactive state

In simple terms, BCP appears to help turn down excessive immune signals without shutting the immune system off completely.

 Ullah, H.; Di Minno, A.; Santarcangelo, C.; Khan, H.; Daglia, M. Improvement of Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction by β-Caryophyllene: A Focus on the Nervous System. Antioxidants 2021, 10, 546. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10040546

Brain Protection & Neuroinflammation

In neurological models, BCP demonstrated protective effects inside the brain itself:

• Reduced microglial activation (overactive immune cells in the brain)
• Decreased astrogliosis, a marker of chronic brain inflammation
• Helped protect against glutamate toxicity, which can damage neurons
• Supported the blood–brain barrier, a critical defense that often becomes compromised during inflammation
• Prevented memory and cognitive decline in an Alzheimer’s disease model

These findings matter because neuroinflammation and immune activation in the brain are central features believed to contribute to PANS and PANDAS symptoms.

(n.d.). Improvement of Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction by β-Caryophyllene: A Focus on the Nervous System. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10040546

Relevance to Autoimmune Mechanisms

One of the most relevant findings comes from an autoimmune arthritis model, where disease is driven by autoantibodies triggering inflammation—a mechanism that closely mirrors what is suspected in PANDAS.

In this model, BCP significantly:

• Reduced disease severity
• Modulated immune-driven inflammation
• Demonstrated an ability to influence autoimmune responses rather than simply masking symptoms

This suggests BCP may have the capacity to support immune regulation, not just symptom relief.

(n.d.). β-Caryophyllene Mitigates Collagen Antibody Induced Arthritis (CAIA) in Mice Through a Cross-Talk between CB2 and PPAR-γ Receptors. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom9080326

Safety & Tolerability

Equally important is BCP’s strong safety profile:

• No toxicity observed even at very high doses
• No adverse effects during long-term use
• Non-psychoactive
• No evidence of tolerance development over time

This makes BCP particularly appealing as a gentle, well-tolerated option worthy of further exploration.
(n.d.). Improvement of Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction by β-Caryophyllene: A Focus on the Nervous System. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10040546 – 2021

A Message of Hope

While we are still waiting for direct clinical studies in PANS and PANDAS, the existing research paints a hopeful picture. Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) shows the ability to calm immune overactivity, reduce inflammation in the brain, protect neural function, and safely support the body’s own regulatory systems.

For families navigating these challenging conditions, findings like these remind us that science is steadily uncovering new possibilities—and that natural compounds with targeted, evidence-based actions may play an important role in future care.

As always, any new supplement or intervention should be discussed with a qualified healthcare practitioner, especially in complex immune-based conditions.

The research journey continues—but the signs so far are encouraging. 

PANS / PANDAS AUSTRALIA

In the meantime, here’s a link to a helpful website in Australia-https://pansaustralia.com/what-is-pans-pandas/

Sources: Kidshealth.org, https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10040546, https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10040546, https://doi.org/10.3390/biom9080326, https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10040546