Terpenes from cannabis may relieve chronic pain without THC’s psychoactive effects.
Researchers found that certain terpenes significantly reduced fibromyalgia and post-surgical pain in animal studies, with geraniol showing the most promise.

Terpenes: A Potential Breakthrough for Pain Relief
Terpenes from the Cannabis sativa plant may offer a promising new approach to treating fibromyalgia and post-surgical pain, according to research from the University of Arizona Health Sciences, published in Pharmacological Reports.

This study builds on earlier research led by Dr. John Streicher, a member of the Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction, which demonstrated the pain-relieving effects of terpenes in models of inflammation and chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.

Targeting Chronic Pain Over Acute Pain
“Our research is showing that terpenes are not a good option for reducing acute pain resulting from an injury, such as stubbing your toe or touching a hot stove; however, we are seeing significant reductions in pain when terpenes are used for chronic or pathological pain,” said Streicher, who is a professor in the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson’s Department of Pharmacology. “This study was the first to investigate the impact of terpenes in preclinical models of fibromyalgia and post-operative pain and expand the scope of potential pain-relieving treatments using terpenes.”

Terpenes, the natural compounds responsible for plants’ distinct aromas and flavors, provide a potential alternative for pain relief without the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Testing Terpenes: The Four Key Players
Streicher and the research team tested four terpenes found in moderate to high levels in Cannabis sativa: geraniol, linalool, beta-caryophyllene, and alpha-humulene.

They found that each of the terpenes resulted in high levels of pain relief in mouse models of post-operative pain and fibromyalgia. Geraniol provided the most significant level of pain relief, by linalool, beta-caryophyllene, and alpha-humulene.