# Beta-caryophyllene

> Beta-caryophyllene is a spicy, peppery sesquiterpene common in cannabis, notable as a dietary terpene that also binds the CB2 receptor in laboratory studies.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/beta-caryophyllene.html
- Also written: β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene, BCP, trans-caryophyllene, carophyllene
- Glossary category: Cannabinoids and terpenes · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is a bicyclic [sesquiterpene](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/sesquiterpene.md) found in black pepper, cloves, hops and many cannabis cultivars. It smells spicy, woody and peppery. It is one of the most common [dominant](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/dominant.md) [terpenes](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpene.md) in commercial flower and usually travels with [alpha-humulene](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/humulene.md), which is made by the same family of enzymes.

## In practice

Readings of 0.2-0.8% w/w are common in flower. As a sesquiterpene it is less volatile than the [monoterpenes](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/monoterpene.md), so its share of the total often rises in stored material. In air it slowly oxidises to [caryophyllene oxide](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/caryophyllene-oxide.md). Lab studies have shown it binds CB2 receptors, which made it famous. That's a pharmacology finding, not a promise of any effect from smoking a flower, and GenetixBay makes no health claims.

## Don't confuse with

- **Caryophyllene oxide**: the oxidised derivative, less aromatic.
- **Humulene**: its isomeric partner, woodier and earthier.
- **Alpha-caryophyllene**: an older name for humulene, a source of confusion.

## Related terms

[Sesquiterpene](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/sesquiterpene.md), [Humulene](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/humulene.md), [Caryophyllene oxide](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/caryophyllene-oxide.md), [Terpene profile](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpene-profile.md), [Myrcene](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/myrcene.md)

## Sources

1. Booth JK, Bohlmann J. 2019. Terpenes in Cannabis sativa: from plant genome to humans. Plant Science 284:67-72.
2. Smith CJ, Vergara D, Keegan B, Jikomes N. 2022. The phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States. PLOS ONE 17(5):e0267498. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267498
3. Russo EB. 2011. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British Journal of Pharmacology 163(7):1344-1364. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x