3 Terpenes Shown to Reduce Some Types of Neuropathic Pain

Published online ahead of print in The journal Psychopharmacology in November 2021, this mice study examined the neuropathic pain-relieving effects of three terpenes found in cannabis: Caryophyllene, Terpineol, and Terpinene.

This is an interesting study focused only on terpenes...instead of only on cannabinoids. We're very much looking forward to seeing more research on cannabinoids AND terpenes together, since that is the way the plant makes them. But it's great that there is more research on terpenes since it seems they play an important role in delivering the effects of cannabinoids.

"Each terpene produced dose-related reversal of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia."

That means they were effective at reducing these types of neuropathic pain in the right doses.

Allodynia is a type of neuropathic pain that results from a mechanical stimulus to the body that normally would not cause pain, such as simply touching the skin. Hyperalgesia is a neuropathic pain that is characterized by extreme pain sensitivity.

"Thermal hyperalgesia displayed higher sensitivity to the effects of each terpene than mechanical allodynia, and the rank order potency of the terpenes was α-terpineol > β-caryophyllene > γ-terpinene."

So, hyperalgesia pain responded more to terpenes than allodynia pain, and terpineol was the most effective terpene, although they all helped.

The study abstract is here on PubMed.gov.