A recent study by researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences shows that cannabis-derived compounds called terpenes are an efficient, non-addictive alternative for the treatment of chronic pain without the associated psychoactive effects of THC or the risk factors involved with opioids.
Terpenes: A New Frontier in Pain Relief
Not only are terpenes most renowned for providing cannabis with its special smell and taste, but they are now being considered seriously by researchers in terms of their therapeutic potential. A study in Pharmacological Reports studied the medicinal effects of four major terpenes in Cannabis sativa plants, from moderate to higher concentrations: geraniol, linalool, beta-caryophyllene, and alpha-humulene.
In the mice’s post-surgical and fibromyalgia pain models, the experimental group treated with geraniol noted a marked reduction in pain response. Geraniol, being the most effective, suggests that these compounds may be crucial in relieving chronic pain.
Chronic Pain Is Where Terpenes Excel
This research is based on earlier findings by Dr. John Streicher, a Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction member. According to Dr. Streicher, terpenes are not a helpful treatment for acute pain or sudden injury types of pain but may be efficacious for chronic pain conditions.
Additionally, the research showed that terpenes are ineffective for treating acute pain, such as an injury like stubbing your toe. They are highly beneficial for managing chronic or pathological pain.
This difference in pain management efficacy has become particularly imperative for a disorder like fibromyalgia, which affects almost 5% of the world’s population. Given the fact that most current therapies for fibromyalgia have not been that fruitful, discoveries like this will be game-changing.
A Safer Approach to Post-Surgical Pain
The findings are equally relevant to managing post-surgical pain, which can sometimes persist and evolve into chronic pain due to physiological changes such as inflammation. While opioids remain a standard treatment, their well-documented side effects and risk of addiction have driven the search for safer alternatives.
As Dr. Streicher pointed out, “While opioids are effective in controlling post-surgical pain, they often lead to complications.”
The study suggests that terpenes provide a novel and safer therapeutic option for pain relief following surgery.
With millions of surgeries conducted each year worldwide, the implications for improving pain management outcomes are significant.
“We are always looking for better options,” Dr. Streicher emphasized.
Exploring Natural Compounds for Future Therapies
The broader takeaway from the study reveals the untapped potential of natural plant-based compounds. As Todd Vanderah, PhD, director of the Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction, put it:
“Nature is incredible at making unique chemical structures, and many of these chemicals are unknowns when it comes to their abilities to aid in human health, diseases, and disorders.”
The research found that terpenes work through the adenosine A2a receptor, a mechanism also targeted by caffeine. This suggests sedative-like effects that could be explored further.
This new understanding could pave the way for future therapies derived from natural sources, potentially transforming chronic pain treatment without the drawbacks of traditional medications.
