Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences have identified compounds from the cannabis sativa Plant that may offer a new way to treat fibromyalgia and post-surgical pain. The findings, published in Pharmacological reportsThey add to growing evidence that certain cannabis-derived molecules could help relieve chronic pain without causing the psychoactive effects associated with THC.
The study builds on previous work from the lab of John Streicher, PhD, a member of the Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction, which found that terpenes could reduce pain in models of inflammation and chemotherapy-related nerve damage.
“Our research shows that terpenes are not a good choice 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, a professor in the U of A School of Medicine, Tucson Department of Pharmacology. “This study was the first to investigate the impact of terpenes in preclinical models of fibromyalgia and postoperative pain and expand the scope of potential pain relief treatments using terpenes.”
Cannabis terpenes show strong pain relief
Terpenes are natural compounds responsible for the smell and flavor of many plants. In cannabis, they contribute to the plant’s distinctive aroma and may also have medicinal properties.
Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, terpenes do not produce the unwanted psychoactive effects commonly associated with cannabis. That makes them an attractive area of research for scientists searching for new pain treatments.
For this study, the researchers examined four terpenes commonly found in cannabis sativa: geraniol, linalool, betacaryophyllene and alfahumulene.
In mouse models of fibromyalgia and postoperative pain, all four compounds produced substantial pain-relieving effects. Geraniol obtained the best results, followed by linalool, betacaryophyllene and alfahumulene.
New hope for the treatment of fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia remains one of the most difficult chronic pain conditions to treat. The disorder affects muscles and soft tissues throughout the body and is estimated to affect up to 5% of the world’s population, according to research published in Healthcare (Basel) in 2023.
In the United States alone, about 4 million adults suffer from fibromyalgia, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. Women are affected more frequently than men.
“With fibromyalgia, there’s not a lot of understanding of what the pain state is and there aren’t many great options to treat it,” Streicher said. “Our findings show that terpenes may be a viable treatment option for fibromyalgia pain, which could potentially have a big impact and make a difference for an undertreated population.”
Potential Alternative for Post-Surgical Pain
The researchers also explored whether terpenes could help with pain after surgery.
Post-surgical pain occupies a unique middle ground between acute and chronic pain. Although usually temporary, surgery triggers biological changes that include inflammation and increased sensitivity in the body’s pain pathways, which can intensify discomfort.
“Opioids do a good job of controlling post-surgical pain, but they can cause constipation which can increase the chance of post-surgical complications such as adhesions,” Streicher said. “We are always looking for better options and this study suggests that terpenes could be a novel therapy for postoperative pain.”
According to research published in the International Journal of Surgery In 2020, approximately 310 million major surgical procedures are performed each year worldwide, highlighting the need for safer and more effective pain management options.
Natural compounds continue to surprise scientists
Todd Vanderah, PhD, director of the Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction at U of A Health Sciences and professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology at U of A College of Medicine in Tucson, said the findings underscore the value of exploring chemicals produced by nature.
“The research Dr. Streicher’s lab is conducting on terpenes and their potential to help chronic pain sufferers demonstrates the importance of basic research. There are hundreds of unique chemicals produced by plants, including the cannabis plant, that have yet to be discovered,” Vanderah said.
“Nature is incredible at creating unique chemical structures, and many of these chemicals are unknown when it comes to their ability to aid human health, disease, and disorders. A great current example is the drug semaglutide, sold under the brand name Ozempic, which has a chemical structure that was not isolated from a plant, but from an animal prevalent in the Southwest, the Gila monster. These natural product discoveries through research like Dr. Streicher’s may result in medicines very useful.”
How terpenes can work
The team also found that the compounds appeared to act through the same biological pathway identified in previous studies on terpenes.
Specifically, the pain-relieving effects were related to the adenosine A2a receptor, a receptor that caffeine targets and blocks, suggesting that terpenes may also have sedative properties. Researchers say that possibility deserves further investigation.
Co-authors of the study included Caleb Seekins, a former biochemistry undergraduate student in Streicher’s lab who is now pursuing a medical degree at Tucson School of Medicine; Alyssa Welborn, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2024; and Abigail Schwarz, who completed her PhD in Streicher’s lab in 2024.
Funding for the research was provided by the National Institutes of Health under award no. R01AT011517.