Sacred Maya incense, copal (Protium copal - Burseraceae), has antianxiety effects in animal models.
Journal of ethnopharmacology April 24, 2018 Zul Merali, Christian Cayer, Pamela Kent et al. 16 citations
Burning copal incense from Protium copal, traditionally used by the Maya, reduced anxiety-like behavior in rats in social interaction and conditioned emotional response tests, but not in the elevated plus maze. The effect depended on time and was blocked by antagonists of GABAergic and endocannabinoid systems, indicating both systems are involved. The resin and incense contained high levels of α- and β-amyrins and inhibited monoacylglycerol lipase activity in vitro. This suggests the anxiolytic effects may be mediated through benzodiazepine receptors and the endocannabinoid system.