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BackKey Takeaways
- Black pepper’s key compound, Beta-caryophyllene, a terpene, may interact with the body’s CB2 receptors to ease THC-induced anxiety or paranoia.
- Black pepper contains pinene and other terpenes with calming effects.
- Some users resort to chewing on peppercorns or sniffing ground black pepper to manage an intense high, but the experience may vary per user.
- Most claims about black pepper reducing cannabis highs are anecdotal, with limited scientific backing. More human and clinical studies are needed to confirm black pepper’s interaction with cannabis.
What is Black Pepper?
Black pepper is an ever-present seasoning in global cuisines, frequently paired with salt. It’s highly valued in Western culinary traditions and is a staple in many recipes.
You might know black pepper from making you sneeze once or twice during meals. This pretty common spice is native to South India and has the scientific name of Piper Nigrum. The real pepper comes from a peppercorn-like fruit that grows in broad leaves and long, narrow flowers.
Once they’ve dried, peppercorns become the nuggets of spice you can crush to enhance any savory dish. Thanks to the sea trade, humans have used black peppercorns since ancient times for cooking and even to add specific health benefits.
What Terpenes Are Found in Black Pepper?
Black pepper contains several terpenes contributing to its aroma, flavor, and potential therapeutic benefits; key terpenes found in black pepper include:
- Beta-Caryophyllene
- One of the most prominent terpenes in black pepper, beta-caryophyllene, has a spicy, woody aroma. It interacts with the CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, offering potential anti-inflammatory and anxiety-reducing effects. This terpene is also found in cannabis and is known for its unique ability to act as a cannabinoid.
- Limonene
- Present in smaller amounts, limonene gives black pepper a subtle citrusy note. It’s known for its uplifting and anti-anxiety properties and contributes to the overall therapeutic profile of black pepper.
- Pinene
- Pinene is another minor terpene in black pepper with a fresh, pine-like aroma. It is recognized for its potential anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects.
- Myrcene
- Often associated with earthy and musky aromas, myrcene may be present in black pepper in trace amounts. It is known for its calming and sedative properties.
- Linalool
- This terpene has a floral, slightly spicy aroma and is known for its calming effects. Linalool is also commonly found in lavender and contributes to the relaxing properties of black pepper.
Why is Black Pepper Good for You?
Black pepper, known as the “king of spices,” is a culinary staple and offers several health benefits from its bioactive compound, piperine. This spice has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and modern research supports many of its claimed health benefits.
The spice contains several phytochemicals, including amides and terpenes, contributing to its flavor and potential health benefits. Historically, black pepper was used in various cultures to treat ailments such as constipation, insomnia, and toothaches.
Antioxidant Properties
Piperine, the active compound in black pepper, is a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants are crucial for protecting cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage and lead to chronic inflammation and diseases such as cancer. By neutralizing these free radicals, antioxidants like piperine help maintain cellular integrity and reduce the risk of oxidative stress-related diseases.
Studies conducted in laboratory settings have shown that black pepper extracts, particularly piperine, effectively reduce free radical damage. Test-tube experiments have demonstrated piperine’s capability to resist over 93% of free radical attacks, underscoring its effectiveness as an antioxidant.
Enhanced Nutrient Absorption
Piperine, an alkaloid in black pepper, enhances the body’s ability to absorb various nutrients. It does so by inhibiting specific enzymes that typically break down nutrients prematurely, allowing more nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream in their active form.
This property makes piperine a valuable component in boosting the health benefits of dietary supplements and foods.
A well-documented case is piperine’s interaction with curcumin, the active component in turmeric. Piperine enhances the absorption of curcumin by up to 2,000%, significantly increasing its effectiveness. This benefit highlights the importance of black pepper in synergy with other health-promoting ingredients.
Digestion and Gastrointestinal Health
Black pepper aids digestion by stimulating the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This process is essential for effective digestion and can help alleviate discomfort or gas buildup in the intestines.
Research indicates that black pepper can help reduce diarrhea by decelerating digestion and minimizing intestinal muscle spasms. Piperine’s impact on the digestive system has been compared to certain antidiarrheal medications, showcasing its potential use in managing gastrointestinal health.
Anti-inflammatory Effects
Piperine has been shown in lab studies to have significant anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation contributes to health issues such as arthritis and heart disease. By reducing inflammation, black pepper may alleviate symptoms related to these conditions.
In particular, piperine treatments in rodents have reduced joint swelling and inflammation markers in the blood, indicating its potential utility in addressing human inflammatory responses.
Cancer-fighting Potential
Piperine has been investigated for its ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce cell death in controlled lab settings. It has demonstrated potential against various cancers, including breast, prostate, and colon cancer.
Additionally, piperine may help overcome multidrug resistance in cancer cells, enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments. However, further research is needed to verify these results in human studies.
Cognitive Benefits
Piperine may offer benefits for brain health, particularly in diseases like Alzheimer’s. Animal studies have shown improvements in memory and cognitive function with piperine supplementation, although more research in humans is necessary to confirm these findings.
Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Control
Black pepper may help stabilize blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, critical factors in managing diabetes. Research on rats supports its potential role in these metabolic processes.
Cholesterol Reduction: Animal studies suggest that black pepper can reduce cholesterol levels, particularly LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol, which could positively affect cardiovascular health.
Safety and Interactions
Black pepper is generally safe to consume in typical dietary amounts. However, its ability to enhance nutrient absorption means it can also increase the absorption of certain medications, which may lead to unintended interactions. Thus, individuals taking prescription drugs should consult with healthcare providers before significantly increasing their black pepper intake.
Does Black Pepper Make You Less High?
Black pepper is often cited as a natural remedy for reducing the discomfort of an intense cannabis high. Many users claim that chewing black peppercorns can alleviate symptoms like anxiety and paranoia, but these claims remain largely anecdotal. Scientific evidence supporting this practice is limited, with most knowledge based on preclinical studies and anecdotal observations.
Terpenes play a critical role in modulating the psychoactive effects of Delta 9 THC through the “entourage effect.” This phenomenon suggests that the interaction of terpenes and cannabinoids enhances the overall effects of cannabis while potentially reducing unwanted side effects such as anxiety and paranoia.
A key terpene in this process is beta-caryophyllene which is found in black pepper, cannabis, thyme, and cloves. Beta-caryophyllene interacts with CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system throughout the body and is not associated with psychoactive effects. By engaging these receptors, beta-caryophyllene may help counterbalance the psychoactive effects of Delta 9 THC, leading to a calmer and more balanced experience. This mechanism is similar to how CBD modulates THC’s effects, offering potential relief from symptoms like anxiety and paranoia without directly producing a “high.”
Other terpenes found in black pepper, such as limonene and linalool, also contribute to reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, further balancing the intensity of a cannabis high. These terpenes may work synergistically with cannabinoids like Delta 9 THC to create a more subdued psychoactive experience.
While the potential benefits of black pepper and its terpenes are promising, more research is needed to understand their mechanisms and therapeutic applications fully. For now, black pepper should be considered a supplementary approach rather than a guaranteed solution for managing the effects of cannabis.
Other Ways to Get Unhigh
Feeling too high can be overwhelming. It’s hard to follow conversations, remember your actions, or complete tasks sequentially. You didn’t plan for this, and searching for relief while waiting for the high to wear off is unbearable. But it doesn’t have to be the case all the time. There are a few natural ways to push your metabolism to stay less intoxicated and avoid a few unwanted side effects of cannabis use.
Follow These Strategies on How to Get Unhigh from Weed
Final Thoughts
While black pepper holds the potential as a natural remedy to counteract cannabis-induced discomfort, its effects are still largely anecdotal. Its terpenes, particularly beta-caryophyllene, offer potential calming properties, but scientific validation remains scarce. If you’re looking for ways to manage an intense high, black pepper might help, but it’s not guaranteed. While the use of black pepper can be kind of a shortcut, don’t overlook tried-and-true methods like hydration, relaxation, or simply waiting it out to get unhigh from weed.
(Disclaimer reminder: This article is not medical advice. It is based on anecdotal user experience alone. If you are thinking about incorporating cannabis (delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, CBD, etc) into your medicinal routine, please consult a healthcare professional. Do not stop taking any prescribed medications without first consulting your doctor.)
Disclaimer: This article reflects the laws of the United States at the time it was written. Because cannabis laws in the United States laws are subject to change at any time, please make sure that you are always staying up to date on your federal, state, and local county’s cannabis laws. Additionally, we are NOT encouraging anyone to break the law––we are simply showing people ways to legally and discreetly bring their cannabis products along with them on their travels so that they may have access to those products when they reach their intended destination.
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