KAPN FIELD GUIDE / AROMA & FLAVOUR
Nerolidol
Nerolidol is a sesquiterpene alcohol that occurs as cis and trans geometric isomers; the tested isomer or mixture varies by study.
Where it occurs naturally
Nerolidol has been reported in essential oils from diverse plants, including Melaleuca quinquenervia. Sources: Nerolidol: A Sesquiterpene Alcohol with Multi-Faceted Pharmacological and Biological Activities; Assessment of anxiolytic effect of nerolidol in mice
Aroma & flavour
A peer-reviewed review describes nerolidol as having a floral odor. Sources: Nerolidol: A Sesquiterpene Alcohol with Multi-Faceted Pharmacological and Biological Activities
What has research actually studied?
A small mouse study tested isolated nerolidol at 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg (six mice per group). Treated mice spent more time and made more entries in open arms of an elevated plus maze, and showed increased exploratory behavior in an open-field test; rotarod coordination was not changed. Sources: Assessment of anxiolytic effect of nerolidol in mice
What the evidence does not show
These behavioral endpoints are from a small animal experiment, not a human anxiety study. The tested isolated compound and doses do not represent cannabis exposure. No direct human cannabis-product effect evidence was identified.
What does its presence in cannabis mean?
Nerolidol on a terpene list does not establish that a product will reproduce mouse-study behavior. Aroma depends on the product’s volatile mixture and concentrations.