Terpenes activity towards the central nervous system: Perspectives for health

Terpenes are hydrocarbons from secondary metabolism of plants, which have known biological activities (e.g., antimicrobial, antioxidants, chemotherapy, and immunomodulatory agents). However, it is necessary to better explore its effects on neuropsychological disorders. This study presents a brief overview of the neuropsychotropic action of terpenes, based on a narrative review using a qualitative descriptive approach. Among the articles found, the most studied applications were for ischemia, seizures, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, and anxiety. The action of these terpenes against diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinson's and Huntington's Disease is still a little explored field that needs further studies.