Alpha-pinene is considered a natural compound present essential oils of many aromatic plants, such as Lavender.
Alpha-pinene is said to exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-tumor, hypnotic, and anxiolytic activities. Alpha-pinene has been extensively investigated in the last years for its medicinal properties that include sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic.
In regard to its sleep and anti-anxiety effects, α-pinene interacts with GABAA/benzodiazepine receptors significantly increasing the duration of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS), and reducing sleep latency.
The beneficial effects of α-pinene are also extended to convulsions, ischemic stroke, and schizophrenia and neuroprotection.