There are many people who will rely on the best CBD drops because of their ability to relieve and manage pain. Additionally, terpenes for pain management can be just as effective. Terpenes, when combined with CBD, can help to alleviate inflammation and pain, allowing you to live a more comfortable and active life. If you’re suffering from chronic pain and inflammation you should consider adding terpenes to your CBD oil for a more effective pain management solution.
Terpenes for pain work by activating the CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the body and in the brain. Terpenes such as beta-caryophyllene can help to combat pain and inflammation when combined with CBD oil or cannabis. Not only can this powerful terpene help those who are suffering from chronic pain and inflammation, but researchers have also found that it can actually limit or prevent many of the hallmarks of dementia by preventing the buildup of plaque on the brain.
There are many terpene uses. When used correctly and when combined with other pain management treatments such as CBD oil, can help people to reduce the amount of opioids used daily and can even lower their risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Read on to learn more about this powerful terpene and how it affects the body and brain, how it can help to reduce pain and inflammation, and how to use it correctly.
Managing Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is ongoing pain and it can be caused by a number of health issues such as cancer, joint problems, or an injury. People recovering from surgery may end up dealing with chronic pain for several months as they focus on rehabbing the injured part of their body such as a broken bone or back surgery from a slipped disc. These days, there are many better and safer solutions to pain management than prescription pain medication. That’s where terpene use comes in.
In order to understand how terpenes can help manage pain and inflammation, you must first learn why inflammation occurs. The immune system will trigger inflammation in order to protect tissue from any foreign substance. The body has an inflammatory response in order to heal itself. However, too much inflammation can lead to complications. As an example, the tissue that’s inflamed can place pressure on the nerves, which results in intense pain.
Cannabinoids will suppress the immune response in order to address the inflammation. When the terpenes activate the CB2 receptors in the immune system, the cells will send a signal that will minimize inflammation, lowering the level of cytokines. Cytokines are substances that send the inflammation signal. The result is an area that’s less impacted by inflammation and pain that’s a direct result of the inflamed area.
Terpenes offer their own unique health benefits and when added to CBD products, they help to achieve the entourage effect, which allows your body to maximize the benefits of both the terpenes and CBD pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.
As an example, alpha-pinene is a terpene that contains anti-inflammatory properties which can have a major positive impact on the respiratory and immune systems.
The Role of Beta-Caryophyllene
This is a common terpene that’s usually found in cannabis. It has a very distinct flavor and is what contributes to the spicy kick in pepper. It can also be found abundantly in rosemary, hops, and cloves. This terpene is recognized as safe by the FDA so large doses can be consumed safely.
Over the last five years, this terpene has gained plenty of attention from researchers and scientists who discovered it was one of the first non-cannabinoids that was able to activate the cannabinoid receptors directly. Strains of cannabis that are rich in this terpene offer specific medicinal effects, thanks to the terpene’s impact on the endocannabinoid system.
CB2 receptors are located in the immune tissues throughout the body, but there will be an increased amount in the brain following an injury or if the body is fighting a disease. When the CB2 receptors are activated they’re able to reduce inflammation, which can have a direct impact on pain, while helping to reduce the damage that is caused by chronic inflammation.
CB1 and CB2 Receptors
The major receptors of the endocannabinoid system are CB1 and CB2. When activated by beta-caryophyllene, the CB2 receptors are more commonly found in other places, including the immune system.
Unfortunately, research on this particular terpene is very limited. However, despite the lack of evidence, it’s very easy to generalize the health benefits linked to this terpene, because of the effects of other compounds on the receptors in the body. Did you know that the activation of the CB2 receptor by other compounds can have a major effect decreasing the plaque buildup in arteries, in preventing seizures, and in reducing pain? However, not all activators of this receptor will have the same type of effects. The difference in the ways that the terpene activates these receptors can make a difference concerning its strength and the therapeutic effects.
Chronic Pain
Research suggests that beta-caryophyllene can provide instant pain relief. One study claimed that when injected with this terpene, mice experienced less pain compared to other mice that were treated with the controlled solution. Additionally, this terpene increased the strength of low-dose morphine, which is nothing short of impressive. Because of this, some people who commonly use prescription opioids for pain are turning to this terpene in order to reduce the amount of pain medication they use daily.
Inflammation
There are many inflammatory diseases that can have an impact on the digestive tract, including colitis. This disease involves the inflammation of the intestines and it not only increases a person’s risk for cancer, but the affected person must also deal with abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and chronic pain. In mice with colitis, treatment with the beta-caryophyllene terpene helped by reducing inflammation in the intestines and the colon.
The fact that this terpene can activate the CB2 receptors can also contribute to its ability to protect the brain from diseases. As an example, brain inflammation plays a huge role in the progression of dementia. In mice with dementia, this terpene proved it could activate the CB2 receptors, which reduced many of the common symptoms of dementia not to mention it also broke down the accumulation of brain plaque. This shows us that it can also protect the brain from cognitive decline which is what characterizes many forms of dementia.
Sativas and Indicas
Typically, it’s very rare for strains to have more than one percent beta-caryophyllene, in fact, most strains will contain less than five percent. Strains that are labeled as sativa or indica will have around the same level of terpene content. Lab tests have shown that regardless of strain type, you will be hard-pressed to find a strain that naturally contains a higher level of this terpene, regardless of what type of strain it is.
Because of this, many CBD and cannabis users will add their own terpenes to their favorite strain. Unique terpene profiles, such as Kind Terpenes, will not only help to manage pain and reduce inflammation, but they also focus on naturally elevating your mood and promoting relaxation. The number of drops you should use will depend on your individual tolerance, however, there are product dosing recommendations included with this profile that have been found to be effective for other users.
Future Research
One of the biggest questions concerning the role that terpenes play in the therapeutic benefits of any strain of marijuana is whether there are enough terpenes naturally occurring in any given strain that can have the type of effects on the body most smokers are looking for. At this point, it’s unclear why some strains will have a higher content of terpenes than others, which is just one of the reasons why we’re seeing a boom in the terpene industry. Now that word has gotten out that terpenes for pain management works, many chronic pain sufferers are making the switch to this safe treatment alternative.
Other Terpenes Commonly Used for Pain Relief
While beta-caryophyllene is one of the most powerful terpenes used for pain relief, it isn’t the only one. In fact, there are several other types of terpenes you can use that can help to provide relief.
These include:
- Beta-myrcene
- Limonene
- Alpha-pinene
- Linalool
Beta-myrcene: This is probably the most common terpene found in cannabis, but it can also be found in lemongrass, bay leaves, mangoes, eucalyptus, and hops. It has a nice spicy, earthy aroma and it works to help reduce inflammation and pain and relaxes the muscles.
Limonene: This is another common terpene found in cannabis and it has a very citrusy aroma. You may have even smelled it in your favorite citrus-based household cleaners. This terpene can stimulate the immune system and can help to fight infections and tumors. It can also relieve depression, anxiety, and can work as a natural anti-inflammatory.
Alpha-pinene: This terpene is commonly found in coniferous plants and pine trees. It can help to reduce inflammation, works to dilate the bronchial tubes, increases cognitive function, and kills harmful bacteria.
Linalool: If you’ve ever wondered what terpenes are good for anxiety, wonder no more. This terpene is often used by people with anxiety disorders. Due to its pleasant floral smell, this terpene is also commonly found in perfumes. It’s naturally found in birch, cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender. It’s used to help treat people with chronic stress, anxiety, and depression, and is also utilized for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Terpenes for More Effective Treatment
Since terpenes have many different properties and offer a wide variety of health benefits, there tends to be overlapping synergies. This means, when mixed correctly with other terpenes, the profile offers more effective treatment.
If you’ve considered using cannabis to manage your pain, then you should consider adding terpenes. These days, many dispensaries list the terpene profiles found in every strain, which will clue you into which strain is right for you, or what type of terpene profile you can purchase that will complement a specific strain.
Related Questions
Can Terpenes Get You High?
No. Regardless of which type of terpenes you use, alone, terpenes cannot get you high. Generally speaking, when used correctly, terpenes are safe for use by people of all ages. Of course, you must use them as directed. If you’re not sure how to use terpenes, closely follow the included instructions or contact your physician for dosing recommendations.
Can I Add Terpenes to My Favorite Beverage?
Are terpenes water soluble? No, they’re not. Terpenes must be diluted prior to use and this is usually done in a type of carrier oil. If you add terpenes to your morning cup of orange juice it will just float to the top and will not mix well.
What Terpenes are Best for Anxiety?
There are many terpenes in cannabis that can help to reduce anxiety. However, there are two specific terpenes that have a reputation for being the most effective. These terpenes include myrcene and limonene.
Myrcene is also found in wild thyme and offers both anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. Additionally, it’s synergistic with THC. This means that some users may feel a better high when this terpene is added to a cannabis strain. This terpene is commonly used for its anxiety-reducing traits.
Limonene is a type of citrusy terpene that promotes relaxation. Some studies have shown that it can also be potentially used as an antidepressant because it boosts the production of dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain.
Final Thoughts
Using terpenes for pain can help limit opioid use in chronic pain sufferers, and can make an existing pain management treatment more effective. Beta-caryophyllene is a terpene that’s widely used to treat pain and inflammation and it works by activating the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and throughout the tissue in the body. It’s said to work well when combined with CBD products or cannabis. Studies have shown that this particular terpene can also halt the progression of dementia and reduce a person’s risk of heart disease and certain cancers. If you’re currently on a pain management treatment that’s no longer working for you, consult with your doctor concerning how you can incorporate this terpene into your pain management treatment plan, how much of this terpene to use and how frequently.
