Best Terpenes for Pain

With the vast array of cannabis strains and terpene combinations available, how can you choose the best terpenes for pain? For new patients, navigating these options can be particularly confusing. 

Understanding the importance of finding the best terpenes for pain is crucial, as you may find certain terpenes are more effective than others in alleviating your symptoms.

Which Terpenes Help Most With Pain?

The body sends pain signals to the brain for many reasons, including nerve or tissue damage, inflammation, or as a response to fear, depression, or anxiety. Cannabis terpenes have shown significant potential in providing pain relief. 

Everyone responds differently to pain, and certain terpenes can help alleviate pain based on patient feedback and results from scientific studies. Although there are hundreds of terpenes in the cannabis plant, there are specific terpenes that are most effective for pain management.

Limonene

Limonene is a citrus-scented terpene found in various cannabis strains and citrus fruits. Research shows that as a natural analgesic, our bodies respond to the scent by potentially lowering pain levels. 

Studies using citrus essential oils, rich in limonene, have demonstrated their effectiveness in promoting pain relief. This terpene may help alleviate pain and reduce symptoms, like redness or swelling, making it beneficial as a terpene for inflammation relief.¹

Myrcene

Myrcene is one of the most common terpenes in cannabis. It promotes sedation and relaxation, along with its analgesic effects. Research has shown that myrcene can regulate TRPV1, a receptor involved in pain perception, effectively lowering pain response.² 

Beta-caryophyllene

Beta-caryophyllene is a unique terpene that directly interacts with the endocannabinoid system, specifically the CB2 receptors, which modulate pain and inflammation. Beta-caryophyllene is an effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic terpene, making it highly beneficial for pain relief.³ Its dual action on inflammation and pain makes it a popular choice among patients.

Linalool

Linalool, found in lavender and some cannabis strains, is known for its calming and anti-anxiety effects. Studies have shown that linalool also has analgesic properties, effectively managing pain.¹

Humulene

Humulene is another terpene noted for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Like many terpenes, it performs several roles, including as an appetite suppressant, antibacterial, and antitumor agent. It may also be ideal for pain management, making humulene a versatile terpene for treating various pain-related conditions.³

Eucalyptol

Eucalyptol, also known as 1,8-cineole, is found in eucalyptus, rosemary, and some cannabis strains. This terpene exhibits a wide range of therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, bronchodilatory, and analgesic effects. Recent evidence indicates its potential role in managing neuropathic pain, highlighting its versatility and effectiveness in pain relief.

Positive clinical trials with eucalyptol for various conditions, including respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal illnesses, heart disease, depression, and diabetes, show the range of this powerful terpene.⁴

Finding the Right Terpenes

As with many of cannabis’ medical uses, individual experiences often need to be tailored to the patient’s tolerance and pain levels. 

While individual terpenes like limonene, myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, linalool, humulene, and eucalyptol have shown promise in pain relief, combining these terpenes may yield the best results. By understanding their individual and synergistic effects, patients can better tailor their cannabis use for effective pain management.

Which Terpene Combinations Help Most With Pain?

When it comes to pain relief, combining specific terpenes may enhance the overall therapeutic effects. However, there is limited research overall on which terpene combinations may be best for pain. Instead, we can focus on the potential combination of each terpenes benefits.

A combination of limonene and beta-caryophyllene may deliver reliable pain-relieving properties. Limonene is reported to be uplifting and has anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory effects. Beta-caryophyllene interacts directly with the CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, providing anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits.³ The potential synergy between limonene’s mood-enhancing properties and beta-caryophyllene’s direct action on inflammation may make this combination effective for pain relief. Linalool and beta-caryophyllene may also make a compelling duo for pain management.^1,3

Another powerful combination may include myrcene and pinene. Both myrcene and pinene have demonstrated potential sedative, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties.^2,5,6

The combination of eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) and humulene doubles up on two strong pain-fighting mechanisms. Both eucalyptol and humulene have shown analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in various studies, being effective for many pain conditions, including neuropathic pain. Humulene’s role as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent may complement eucalyptol’s properties, providing a robust approach to pain management.^3,4

The most effective terpene combinations for pain relief likely leverage the synergistic effects of multiple terpenes. Patients may achieve more comprehensive and effective pain relief by trying a variety of terpenes, such as limonene, beta-caryophyllene, myrcene, pinene, linalool, eucalyptol, and humulene.

How to Choose Strains for Pain Based on Terpenes

Choosing the right cannabis strain for pain relief can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. Several resources are available to help you find the suitable terpenes for pain relief. 

Your medical cannabis doctor may offer some suggestions. In some cases, they may recommend looking for a CBD cream for localized relief in place of a smokable strain. However, even your doctor won’t know the precise range of terpenes in any single strain.

Your budtender is likely the best source of specific product and strain information. Budtenders can direct you to strains with specific single and combined terpenes for pain. 

Some families of cannabis, including Kush, Haze, and Diesel strains, are frequently mentioned for their pain-relieving potential. Kush strains, often known for their relaxing and potential pain-relieving properties, like OG Kush, are popular for managing pain. Haze strains, such as Amnesia Haze, are often uplifting and energizing and may help with pain, particularly when associated with fatigue or depression. Diesel strains, like Sour Diesel, are typically recognized for their potentially stimulating effects and may combat pain.

Cannabis product packaging in many states includes the percentages of terpenes. Although not legally required everywhere, most savvy cannabis companies know that consumers look for detailed information about the cannabinoids and terpenes in their products.

Every state-regulated cannabis program requires third-party laboratory analysis of products sold. This documentation, the certificate of analysis (COA), is available from the dispensary. A COA provides detailed information about the strain's cannabinoid and, if required, the terpene content, ensuring you get the right combination for your needs. You can use this document to verify the presence and concentrations of beneficial terpenes. 

Strains that other patients have found effective can also be useful. You can ask your budtender or refer to patient testimonials and online forums for insights into which strains have successfully managed pain.

Finding the right combination of THC, CBD, and terpenes that work together taps into the entourage effect of each component of cannabis. Identifying the best terpene combination for pain management may take trial and error. However, considering the terpenes, researching strain profiles, and leveraging advice and tools like the certificate of analysis can help you determine the right choices.

The 5 Best Strains for Pain Based on Terpenes

We've listed five widely available strains to get you started with the best terpenes and strains for pain. These top strains are known for their beneficial terpene profiles and impact on pain relief. 

• Amnesia Haze is a strain renowned for its uplifting and energetic effects. It's rich in humulene, limonene, caryophyllene, and myrcene. Humulene offers potential anti-inflammatory benefits, limonene may lift your mood and reduce inflammation, caryophyllene interacts with CB2 receptors to potentially provide substantial pain relief, and myrcene helps ease pain alongside its potential sedative properties. This combination may make Amnesia Haze an excellent option for daytime pain management while keeping you active and positive.
• Jet Fuel is another fantastic choice, known for its potent effects. This strain contains caryophyllene, limonene, and myrcene. Caryophyllene may provide anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits, limonene may fight pain and boost your mood, and myrcene may offer sedative effects and help with relaxation and pain relief. If you're dealing with chronic pain and inflammation, Jet Fuel might be just what the doctor ordered.
• Maui Waui is a classic strain that combines myrcene, pinene, and caryophyllene. While myrcene has sedative and muscle-relaxant properties, pinene improves focus and alertness and has anti-inflammatory effects. Caryophyllene's pain-relieving benefits are linked to CB2 receptors for potential relief. Maui Waui may be a perfect choice for daytime pain relief. It helps manage pain without making you feel too sleepy so that you can stay alert and active.
• Lava Cake is known for its deeply relaxing effects. It's rich in caryophyllene, humulene, myrcene, and limonene. Caryophyllene's potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, humulene's additional anti-inflammatory potential, myrcene's reported sedative benefits, and limonene's potential mood-lifting effects may make Lava Cake ideal for managing pain and promoting deep relaxation and sleep. It may be a great choice for evening use when you need to unwind and get some rest.
• Super Silver Haze features myrcene, caryophyllene, and limonene. Myrcene may help reduce chronic pain, caryophyllene may offer substantial anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits, and limonene may enhance mood and reduce inflammation. Super Silver Haze is said to be effective for managing pain without causing excessive sedation, making it suitable for daytime use.

With their unique terpene profiles, these five strains may be excellent options for managing pain. Understanding the specific terpenes in each strain and how they work together can help tailor your cannabis use for optimal pain relief. Remember, always consult with a healthcare provider to make informed decisions about your treatment.

References

1. Liktor-Busa E, Keresztes A, LaVigne J, Streicher JM, Largent-Milnes TM. Analgesic Potential of Terpenes Derived from Cannabis sativa. Pharmacological Reviews. 2021;73(4):98-126. doi:https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.120.000046 ↩︎
2. Jansen C, Shimoda LMN, Kawakami JK, et al. Myrcene and terpene regulation of TRPV1. Channels. 2019;13(1):344-366. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/19336950.2019.1654347 ↩︎
3. Hanuš LO, Hod Y. Terpenes/Terpenoids in Cannabis: Are They Important? Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids. 2020;3(1):25-60. doi:https://doi.org/10.1159/000509733 ↩︎
4. Hoch CC, Petry J, Griesbaum L, et al. 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol): A versatile phytochemical with therapeutic applications across multiple diseases. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2023;167:115467. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115467 ↩︎
5. Surendran S, Qassadi F, Surendran G, Lilley D, Heinrich M. Myrcene—What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent? Frontiers in Nutrition. 2021;8. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.699666 ↩︎
6. Weston-Green K, Clunas H, Jimenez Naranjo C. A Review of the Potential Use of Pinene and Linalool as Terpene-Based Medicines for Brain Health: Discovering Novel Therapeutics in the Flavours and Fragrances of Cannabis. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2021;12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.583211 ↩︎

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.