Why Should You Try This Smoke? Don't Miss Out on the Brain Benefits of Frankincense

Frankincense has been used for centuries in spiritual rituals—from ancient Egypt to Roman churches—to purify the air and calm the mind. But it turns out there’s more to it than tradition.

A compound in frankincense resin, called incensole acetate, is drawing serious interest from neuroscientists for its anti-inflammatory and brain-protective properties.

As researchers search for better treatments for stroke, brain injuries, and neurodegenerative diseases, this ancient remedy is showing real promise. Early studies suggest it may not only reduce inflammation but also protect brain cells and support recovery—potentially offering more flexibility than many current drugs.

It’s not just about brain health, either. Frankincense smoke contains a compound that interacts with the brain in ways similar to antidepressants—helping to ease anxiety and lift mood.

That matters, especially when so many people are struggling with mental health.

This old-world resin might be more than a spiritual symbol. It could be a tool for healing.

What’s Inside Frankincense?

The resin of the Boswellia tree, commonly known as frankincense, contains a compound called incensole acetate (IA). This naturally occurring molecule has long been recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties, but researchers are now uncovering its neuroprotective potential, especially in the context of stroke and brain injury.

In preclinical models, IA has been shown to reduce inflammation, preserve brain function, and even prevent neuron death—effects that could make a real difference for conditions like stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and neurodegenerative diseases.

Burning Frankincense Is Psychoactive

For thousands of years, burning incense has played a central role in spiritual ceremonies. But modern science is finding that it may also have real effects on the brain—especially when it comes to mental health.

At the center of this research is incensole acetate, a compound found in frankincense resin (from the Boswellia tree). Here's what the science says:

• It may ease anxiety and improve mood.

In a study published in The FASEB Journal, researchers gave incensole acetate to mice and observed reduced anxiety and signs of antidepressant-like behavior. Brain scans showed activity in areas involved in emotional regulation—similar to the effects of some medications.

• It works through a brain protein called TRPV3.

This protein helps us sense warmth, and it’s also active in parts of the brain tied to mood. When incensole acetate activates TRPV3, it may create the comforting, calm sensation people often describe when they smell incense.

• It could have real potential in mental health care.

Nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. deals with anxiety, and depression is a leading cause of disability in people under 45. Traditional treatments don’t work for everyone. Natural compounds like this one could lead to new, brain-targeted therapies.

As Dr. Gerald Weissmann, former editor-in-chief of The FASEB Journal, put it: “This study provides a biological explanation for millennia-old spiritual practices.”

Frankincense for the Brain

Frankincense has been used for centuries to treat wounds and inflammation. Now, scientists are studying a compound in it—incensole acetate (IA)—for its potential to protect the brain.

A Natural Compound That Calms the Brain

Frankincense’s anti-inflammatory effects are well established. One of its key compounds, incensole acetate, has been shown to block NF-κB activation—a major driver of inflammation in the body.

Why does this matter for brain health?

• Inflammation is a key factor in brain damage after stroke and traumatic brain injury.
• Ischemic strokes, caused by blocked blood flow to the brain, trigger long-lasting inflammation that current treatments often ignore.
• Most therapies focus on restoring blood flow, but they don’t prevent the ongoing cellular damage caused by inflammation.

Incensole acetate may help fill that gap by targeting the inflammation that continues after the initial injury.

What the Science Says

When the brain is damaged by stroke, trauma, or disease, it triggers inflammation and stress that cause further cell death—especially in the area around the initial injury, called the ischemic penumbra. In ischemic stroke, most long-term damage happens after blood flow is blocked, not during the event itself.

Here’s what studies in mice have shown about incensole acetate (IA):

• Smaller brain lesions: IA significantly reduced the size of infarcts (areas of dead brain tissue).
• Better brain function: Treated mice performed better on neurological tests, showing improved cognitive and motor ability.
• Lower inflammation: IA reduced key inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, and TGF-β—major drivers of brain cell death.
• Wider treatment window: IA was still effective up to six hours after injury, giving it an advantage over many current treatments.

The compound’s effects are partly linked to its activation of TRPV3 channels—proteins that help the brain respond to heat and stress. This supports other findings that IA helps stabilize brain function and reduce inflammation after injury.

Why This Matters

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., affecting nearly 800,000 people annually. Many survivors face long-term cognitive and physical impairments. Similarly, traumatic brain injury (TBI) impacts millions each year, with shared mechanisms of oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death.

Current treatments mainly focus on emergency care, like clot-busting drugs, but there are few options to prevent further brain damage after the initial injury.

This is where compounds like incensole acetate show promise. They reduce inflammation and protect brain cells, making them potential tools for preventing further damage in the hours and days after a stroke or TBI.

Why Your Brain May Feel the “Warm and Tingly” Effect

Incensole acetate (IA), found in frankincense, activates TRPV3 channels in the brain, which regulate responses to temperature and chemicals. TRPV3 is linked to mood regulation and may play a role in protecting brain cells.

This mechanism could explain the calming “warm and tingly” sensation people experience when burning frankincense.

It's not just a symbolic effect—there may be real changes happening in the brain.

Some researchers think IA may help the brain adapt and protect itself after stress through a process called ischemic post-conditioning. While more research is needed, this suggests IA could have protective effects.

A Plant-Based Future for Brain Health?

Despite extensive research, no drug has effectively protected the brain from damage after events like strokes or traumatic brain injuries.

That’s what makes incensole acetate’s potential so exciting.

Unlike many failed pharmaceutical treatments, IA works through multiple pathways: reducing inflammation, preventing cell death, and modulating ion channels. Its low toxicity, broad therapeutic range, and natural origin make it a strong candidate for future brain injury treatment or even prevention.

From Ancient Smoke to Future Medicine?

While research is still in its early stages, incensole acetate shows promise as both a natural anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent. It could play a role in recovery from stroke, traumatic injury, or degenerative brain diseases.

What was once a spiritual symbol for healing may now be on its way to becoming a real contender in neurological care.