• Research suggests that compounds found in cannabis may be helpful for chronic pain relief.
• Called terpenes, the compounds show up in several THC-free plants.
• Studies into terpenes for pain relief are ongoing.

Pain can make it difficult to comfortably navigate life. Unfortunately, an estimated 21% of American adults suffer from chronic pain. And while opioid medications are prescribed in extreme cases for patients to find relief, they have a high potential for addiction, pushing doctors and patients to look elsewhere for relief. Now, new research suggests that a plant-based compound called terpenes, found in cannabis (a.k.a. marijuana), could help those with severe pain find relief.

Meet the experts: David Edwards, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Division of Pain Medicine at Vanderbilt University; John M. Streicher, Ph.D., study co-author and professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, and a member of the University of Arizona Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction; Kelly Johnson-Arbor, M.D., a toxicologist at MedStar Health; Jamie Alan, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University

The research is still ongoing (and has yet to be done in human trials), but the findings are getting a lot of attention in the medical community. Here’s what you need to know about terpenes, and if they’re the natural remedy for pain that people with chronic conditions have been waiting for.

What did the study find?

The study, which was published in the journal Pharmacological Reports, analyzed the impact of four terpenes that are found in moderate and high levels in the Cannabis sativa plant—geraniol, linalool, beta-caryophyllene, and alpha-humulene.

The researchers then applied the terpenes to mouse models of post-operative pain and fibromyalgia, a disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain. The scientists discovered that all of these compounds provided a high amount of pain relief, although gerniol delivered the most.

“Our research suggests that terpenes should be broadly effective for chronic pain relief,” says study co-author John M. Streicher, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Tucson, and a member of the University of Arizona Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction.

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds that are found in the leaves, flowers, and stems of plants, according to Kelly Johnson-Arbor, M.D., a toxicologist at MedStar Health. “Terpenes are a primary ingredient in plant-based essential oils and are largely responsible for the unique aromas of different essential oils,” she adds.

While these compounds show up in a range of plants, cannabis plants are packed with them, containing more than 100 terpenes, says David Edwards, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Division of Pain Medicine at Vanderbilt University.

“Different varieties of cannabis contain various combinations of terpenes, which are responsible for the unique aromas associated with these cannabis types,” Dr. Johnson-Arbor says. “But it is important to note that the type of terpene and amount of terpene is very variable,” says Jamie Alan, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University.

If you’re concerned about the potential for THC in a cannabis compound, Streicher explains that terpenes can be found in plants beyond cannabis. “Terpenes, including but not limited to geraniol, are found in many plants,” notes Streicher. “Some manufacturers isolate terpenes from other plants besides cannabis, which would not have any THC, and if you do your purification well enough, even terpenes from cannabis could be pure and without THC.”

Terpenes have been linked to pain relief, sedation, and anti-inflammatory properties, Streicher says.

How do they work in the body?

Terpenes work a few different ways in the body. “The terpene linalool, which is also a primary ingredient in lavender essential oil, is associated with sedation, relaxation, and improved sleep quality,” Dr. Johnson-Arbor says. Pinene has been linked with gastrointestinal and brain health, while myrcene may reduce joint pain and inflammation, she says.

“Although the clinical uses of terpenes are still being explored, the data from animal studies suggest that terpenes may have various beneficial effects on the human body,” Dr. Johnson-Arbor says.

But Streicher says researchers are still learning about terpenes’ impact on humans. “They can potentially work through multiple body systems, including your body’s internal endocannabinoid system,” he says. (The endocannabinoid system regulates and controls many critical body functions, like memory, sleep, and temperature control.)

Streicher’s team has found a specific way that terpenes may help with chronic pain relief, though. Terpenes block a protein receptor called the adenosine a2a receptor, producing pain relief in the process. “Caffeine also interacts with these receptors,” Alan points out.

However, Streicher says that researchers are “still figuring out more details” of how terpenes work on these receptors.

How might terpenes be used for pain relief?

“Some terpenes found in cannabis plants, including geraniol, linalool, and humulene, can act on targets in the brain and spinal cord to relieve pain,” Dr. Johnson-Arbor says.

But the best way to use these in people is still being explored. “The easiest method is a liquid form, usually held under the tongue for a few minutes,” Streicher says. “However, other methods like gummies or chews, transdermal patches, and inhaled after vaporization are all possible, which we are actively researching.”

Still, there are a lot of unanswered questions here. “We still don’t know much about which terpene to take, how much, and how often,” Alan says.

Safety concerns with using terpenes

The biggest concern with using anything plant-based is the risk of sensitivities or allergic reactions, Dr. Edwards says. “You never know if you concentrate enough of a compound, if it would cause people to have more issues,” he says.

Research so far has mostly been in animals, making it hard to say for sure what risks or safety concerns may be linked with using terpenes in humans, Dr. Johnson-Arbor says.

But Streicher says his research team hasn’t found any toxic or addictive side effects of using terpenes for pain relief. “Importantly, terpenes, especially beta-caryophyllene, have Generally Recognized as Safe status by the FDA, which shows they are generally safe for human consumption,” he says.

Can you get and use terpenes now?

CBD oil, which contains terpenes, is available in states where marijuana is legal, so Dr. Edwards points out that you may be able to get terpene-rich tinctures, gummies, and topical creams. He just doesn’t recommend using them without a physician’s guidance.

“Get advice from a clinician first,” he says. “If you’ve tried other things and they haven’t worked, this is probably a safer option as opposed to opioids.”

But the impact of cannabis-derived terpenes is still being investigated. “It’s important to talk to your doctor about the potential risks and benefits of these compounds if you are considering using this potential pain management method,” Dr. Johnson-Arbor says.

Streicher agrees. “Terpenes are available for commercial purchase and use, but they exist in a mostly unregulated space, so quality and purity may be questionable from some vendors,” he says. However, his team is continuing to look into the use of terpenes for pain relief, including doing clinical trials.

“In the pain world, we’re pretty optimistic that some of these things can be beneficial,” Dr. Edwards says.