Study shows cannabis terpenes provide pain relief

New research from the University of Arizona Health Sciences published in the journal Scientific Reports has found evidence that favors the entourage effect theory and positions Cannabis terpenes, the part of the plant that provides flavor and aroma, as a promising new target for pain therapies that would require lower doses and produce fewer side effects.

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in many plants and are the basic component in essential oils. The terpene linalool, for example, gives lavender its distinctive floral scent. In addition to terpenes, Cannabis sativa contains naturally occurring compounds known as cannabinoids, the most well-known of which are cannabidiol, or CBD, and tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis.

Researchers found that Cannabis terpenes, when used by themselves, mimic the effects of cannabinoids, including a reduction in pain sensation. When combined with cannabinoids, the pain-relieving effects were amplified without an increase in negative side effects.

For the study, researchers led by John Streicher, PhD, a member of the University of Arizona Health Sciences Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center and associate professor of pharmacology at the College of Medicine, focused on four Cannabis terpenes, including alpha-humulene, geraniol, linalool, and beta-pinene. They evaluated each terpene alone and in combination with WIN55,212-2, a synthetic cannabinoid agonist that stimulates the body's natural cannabinoid receptors.

When a cannabinoid such as THC enters the body, it binds to one of two cannabinoid receptors - CB1R, which is the most abundant, or CB2R. The receptor then activates neurons that affect physiological processes and behavior. In laboratory experiments, the researchers found that all four terpenes activated the CB1R, like THC.

Behavioral studies in mouse models revealed that when administered individually, all four terpenes lowered pain sensitivity, and at least three of the four classic cannabinoid side effects, including reduced pain sensation, lowered body temperature, reduced movement and catalepsy, a freezing behavior related to the psychoactive effects of cannabinoids. When terpenes were combined with WIN55,212-2, researchers saw a greater reduction in pain sensation compared with either the terpene or WIN55,212-2 alone, demonstrating a terpene/cannabinoid interaction in controlling pain.

Streicher's ongoing research is focusing on the use of terpenes in combination with opioids and for specific types of cancer-related pain. His long-term goal is to develop a dose-reduction strategy that uses terpenes, generally recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in combination with cannabinoids or opioids to achieve the same levels of pain relief with lower doses of drugs and fewer side effects.