Sandalwood essential oils activate cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors — targets that help moderate the immune system, among a litany of other functions. Prior studies from 2019 looked at a synthetic sandalwood derivative known as standalone, which binds to olfactory receptors. But while studying a list of EOs, a team from the University of Mississippi found two natural alkaloids in sandalwood essential oil capable of binding to CB2 receptors. Alpha and beta-santol can activate the cannabinoid receptor by binding to specific amino acids, and the team identified those connections. Disappointingly, the sandalwood ingredients are approximately 100-fold less potent than beta-caryophyllene. The paper instead focuses on synthetic derivatives, but it shows that cannabimimetic alkaloids are left undiscovered throughout nature. Follow the link in the comments for a paywall link to the ASAP's abstract >>>
Matt Marturano
9mo
That's interesting! I wonder if there might be some kind of co-factor that would increase the receptor response.
Jacob Silver
9mo
I may have stumbled upon a link to perturbation in fear recognition. The homolgy of the enzyme that produces a-Santalol matches a human gene that could be involved. Additionally the matching human gene is directly next to Monoamine oxidase on the human genome
Codi Peterson
9mo
How, that’s pretty cool! I didn’t know this one’ any other biological targets of note?
Entheogen Writer | Freelance Journalist | Citizen Cannabinologist
9moI have the full report for review purposes, feel free to ask questions - https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00282