**2. α-Pinene**

α-Pinene is a bicyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon with two isomers being α- & β-pinene that makes up the whole [14, 15]. This particular terpene is vastly known throughout

#### *Marijuana, a Journey through the Endocannabinoid System: Unmasking the Paradoxical… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.101556*

nature but in cannabis acts as an/a anti-inflammatory, a bronchodilator, MRSA treatment, antibiotic [16], and even improve cognitive ability and memory retention in lieu of THC's supposed side effect of short-term memory loss [17, 18]. In a recent study, α-pinene's memory retention ability may add the concern to PTSD memory triggers, causing a tougher time disassociating traumatic memories with the trigger [19].

One trait of pinene interestingly stops excitation of a nerve after transmission of an impulse, in short, acetylcholinesterase [20]. In "Cannabis Pharmacology: The Usual Suspects and a Few Promising Leads," Russo and Marcu state, α-Pinene "... serves to reduce or eliminate one of the primary adverse events associated with THC, that of short-term memory impairment. This ability may also serve admirably in the treatment of dementia, a syndrome in which THC has already produced benefits in counteracting agitation".

Henceforth, Pinene, acetylcholinesterase [21], I believe α-pinene to contrary belief may be pertinent to patients with indicators such as PTSD, ADD/ADHD, OCD, panic disorders, spectrum disorders, and epilepsy, when paired with cognitive brain therapy (CBT) breaking an "adolescent fear loop" as thoroughly explained in the study, dynamic changes in neural circuitry during adolescence are associated with persistent attenuation of fear memories [22].

So in a more readable way, pinene has more efficacy during times of positive mental healing than as a "take as needed/ smoke-em-if-ya-got-'em; pill-popping mentality frequently associated with addictive/non-addictive pharmaceuticals" and the patients who take them (i.e., stress). Cannabis is psychoactive and intoxicating and thus has the potential to be mind-expanding ergo the reason for set and setting including CBT. Together, could prove more appropriate in guided treatment, furthermore, that THC lower than CBD and paired with proper synergistic terpenes, would be a safer means of medicating to avoid any excessive serotonin use, aside from what is needed from the HPA axis for the general operation of cannabinoids via pre and post-receptor Synoptics in regions of the brain and body. It is also important to understand pinene is a known characteristic of NLM varieties which are actually the ones provoking most episodes of PTSD and anxiety among many other side effects that stimulants may provide, i.e., pinene exhibits no such stimulation pharmacokinetically.

Hypothesis: So, when paired with a medical chemovar possessing a specific entourage, including α- or β-pinene, a patient can then efficiently break the fear loop cycle and the memory trigger associated with the traumatic cycle creating a new positive loop to trigger [22].

**Does α-pinene contribute to the paradoxical effect?** No perspective paradox or biphasic ASR manner but an understanding of "when and how to use, for specific neurological conditions."
